AFL: The Invasion Has Launched
Yesterday in Kansas City, a different team was on the field wearing new uniforms and playing with a new attitude. Quarterback Raymond Philyaw enters his first full season with the Brigade and Co-Owner Neil Smith sees bright things for Philyaw and the rest of the offense, “We were very cautious with bringing Raymond in last season because of his injury. This season, I am expecting our offense to be more explosive with the leader that he is.”
This season, the Brigade also brought in AFL Champion Kicker Clay Rush who spent the last two seasons with the Colorado Crush, “Clay is everything. The total package, from his kicking, to his work ethic, to his experience in big games. When we get to a point where we are playing for a ring, Clay will be able to help the locker room atmosphere a lot having been there and won,” said Smith. “Clay has proven himself on and off the field and we are very excited to have him.”
In the first half, the Brigade picked up two passing touchdowns both caught by Jerel Meyers coming from five and 11-yards respectively, while Rush converted all three of his field extra point attempts. Philyaw also added a one-yard run for a touchdown.
The Rush were able to put 19 on the board, coming off two touchdown catches by Bobby Sippio and a 24-yard interception return by DeJuan Alfonso with 2:07 left in the half. Dan Frantz failed to convert two of his three extra point attempts.
In the third quarter, Frederick reached pay-turf after Sam Smimmons returned the kickoff 28 yards. Matt D’Orazio threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Sippio.
In the fourth quarter the Brigade led 41-26 after a touchdown by Frederick. Then fans in attendance and those watching on ABC saw something that is uncommon in any level of football, the underhanded floater pass to a receiver, as D’Orazio connected with Sippio.
When the final horn sounded, the AFL was struck by the beginning of the Brigade invasion by defeating the defending World Champion Chicago Rush 54-41.
After the game, Brigade Head Coach Kevin Porter commented about looking ahead to next week, “Every team is a tough challenge. We can not worry about the resume of our opponent on a given day.”
Two Week Outlook
Kansas City will face the Colorado Crush on March 10, on the road who lost in week one to the Rampage 42-44. The Brigade will then be home in week 3 to host Clint Dolezel who threw for 249 yards and seven touchdowns against the New York Dragons in week one.
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