Post by lionsroar on May 1, 2008 15:07:25 GMT -5
By Gary Herron, Observer sports editor
Professional football began in Rio Rancho at 7:13 p.m. last Saturday, as the New Mexico Wildcats played their first game at Santa Ana Star Center against the Arizona Adrenaline.
Four minutes later, the Adrenaline (4-1) were in the end zone, en route to what became a 20-0 lead, as the Prescott Valley team beat the ‘Cats (1-4), this time 63-46, for the third time in as many meetings.
Three more meetings between the two teams are in the offing during the Wildcats’ 14-game schedule.
Despite that early deficit, it seems a team is never out of the game in indoor football, and after training 35-14 at halftime, the Wildcats posted the next 20 points to bring the crowd, estimated to be in the range of 3,000 to 3,500, alive.
Shortly after the fourth quarter began, Arizona came right back with a TD, then failed on a two-point conversion, for a 41-34 lead.
New Mexico took the kickoff and scored on a short drive — with a field only 50 yards long, there aren’t any long, time-consuming drives in indoor football — in the third minute of the final period on a TD by Lawrence Pullen.
This time, New Mexico’s two-point conversion misfired, leaving the hosts down by one again, 41-40.
Arizona scored the next three TDs to give itself some breathing room, and a TD in the game’s final minute made the score look a bit closer.
Arizona had won the first two meetings with the Wildcats, 66-21 on March 30 and 79-43 on April 12, at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley.
After a game at Wyoming this evening — the Cavalry beat the Wildcats 74-26 on April 20 — the Wildcats will play three games in a row at the Star Center: May 10 (vs. Utah), May 17 (vs. Wyoming) and May 24 (vs. Arizona).
Although they couldn’t clean up at the Star Center, the Wildcats player turned out en masse to help with the city cleanup Saturday morning.
Here's what fans were saying
Although “their” new team was unable to pull off a victory in its home debut Saturday evening, fans had a great time and enjoyed being a part of Rio Rancho pro sports history and had this to say:
Gino Satriana, RRHS assistant football coach: “It’s a little different. It reminds me of seven-on-seven. I just hope that they have the ability to make every weekend with the crowd the way it is.”
Bob McIntyre, RRHS girls basketball coach: “I thought it was really entertaining. I came home and told (my wife and daughter) that it exceeded my expectations. There was good energy in the crowd and the fans looked like they had a good time. It was a competitive game, high-scoring. I’d have to rate it an ‘A’.”
Rob Anderson, city development office: “I’ve never been to an arena game before. It takes some getting used to, as far as how quick it is — it’s easy to miss the action. It’s so tight and fast, it’s like, “Wow, what was that? What just happened? But it’s really cool. I’m really glad to see it here.”
Jack Thomas, county commissioner: “I just think it’s a fast-paced game. I think it’s very interesting. I think the people are enjoying this — I know I’m enjoying it. You can’t get bored — there’s a lot of scoring. I’m going to come back.”
Patty Thomas, city councilor: “What I’ve seen is very exciting n what I understand of it.”
Steve Shaw, city councilor: “I’m enjoying it, I really am. The rules are a little different … a little odd getting used to, but it’s a lot of fun.”
James Tobin, city fire chief: “This is great. It’s exciting, it’s fast and the fans all enjoy it. It’s fun isn’t it?”
Robert Boone, city police chief: “I think it’s exciting for the community to get in here and support their team.”
Mario Tafoya, former RRHS baseball player: “I had a lot of fun here. It was a great night. I got away from home, got to see some good football. It was great n I had a great time.”
Larry Naranjo, city councilor: “I just thought it was a fantastic game -- very exciting. Not a moment’s rest in the game at all. I’ve never missed a home game and I don’t attend to. … This (final score) was very, very close for them and a good showing. I was glad to see their defense show up.”
Team president Steve Mascarenas: “I think it was fantastic. I think the fans showed up in numbers and it was a great time. We came back, we fought hard — I think the fans really got into it at that point. (We) fell a whisker short. But, you know what? We were playing a very good Arizona team and we’re a darn good team and I think we put on a good show and the fans appreciated it.”
observer-online.com/articles/2008/05/01/sports/sports3.txt
Professional football began in Rio Rancho at 7:13 p.m. last Saturday, as the New Mexico Wildcats played their first game at Santa Ana Star Center against the Arizona Adrenaline.
Four minutes later, the Adrenaline (4-1) were in the end zone, en route to what became a 20-0 lead, as the Prescott Valley team beat the ‘Cats (1-4), this time 63-46, for the third time in as many meetings.
Three more meetings between the two teams are in the offing during the Wildcats’ 14-game schedule.
Despite that early deficit, it seems a team is never out of the game in indoor football, and after training 35-14 at halftime, the Wildcats posted the next 20 points to bring the crowd, estimated to be in the range of 3,000 to 3,500, alive.
Shortly after the fourth quarter began, Arizona came right back with a TD, then failed on a two-point conversion, for a 41-34 lead.
New Mexico took the kickoff and scored on a short drive — with a field only 50 yards long, there aren’t any long, time-consuming drives in indoor football — in the third minute of the final period on a TD by Lawrence Pullen.
This time, New Mexico’s two-point conversion misfired, leaving the hosts down by one again, 41-40.
Arizona scored the next three TDs to give itself some breathing room, and a TD in the game’s final minute made the score look a bit closer.
Arizona had won the first two meetings with the Wildcats, 66-21 on March 30 and 79-43 on April 12, at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley.
After a game at Wyoming this evening — the Cavalry beat the Wildcats 74-26 on April 20 — the Wildcats will play three games in a row at the Star Center: May 10 (vs. Utah), May 17 (vs. Wyoming) and May 24 (vs. Arizona).
Although they couldn’t clean up at the Star Center, the Wildcats player turned out en masse to help with the city cleanup Saturday morning.
Here's what fans were saying
Although “their” new team was unable to pull off a victory in its home debut Saturday evening, fans had a great time and enjoyed being a part of Rio Rancho pro sports history and had this to say:
Gino Satriana, RRHS assistant football coach: “It’s a little different. It reminds me of seven-on-seven. I just hope that they have the ability to make every weekend with the crowd the way it is.”
Bob McIntyre, RRHS girls basketball coach: “I thought it was really entertaining. I came home and told (my wife and daughter) that it exceeded my expectations. There was good energy in the crowd and the fans looked like they had a good time. It was a competitive game, high-scoring. I’d have to rate it an ‘A’.”
Rob Anderson, city development office: “I’ve never been to an arena game before. It takes some getting used to, as far as how quick it is — it’s easy to miss the action. It’s so tight and fast, it’s like, “Wow, what was that? What just happened? But it’s really cool. I’m really glad to see it here.”
Jack Thomas, county commissioner: “I just think it’s a fast-paced game. I think it’s very interesting. I think the people are enjoying this — I know I’m enjoying it. You can’t get bored — there’s a lot of scoring. I’m going to come back.”
Patty Thomas, city councilor: “What I’ve seen is very exciting n what I understand of it.”
Steve Shaw, city councilor: “I’m enjoying it, I really am. The rules are a little different … a little odd getting used to, but it’s a lot of fun.”
James Tobin, city fire chief: “This is great. It’s exciting, it’s fast and the fans all enjoy it. It’s fun isn’t it?”
Robert Boone, city police chief: “I think it’s exciting for the community to get in here and support their team.”
Mario Tafoya, former RRHS baseball player: “I had a lot of fun here. It was a great night. I got away from home, got to see some good football. It was great n I had a great time.”
Larry Naranjo, city councilor: “I just thought it was a fantastic game -- very exciting. Not a moment’s rest in the game at all. I’ve never missed a home game and I don’t attend to. … This (final score) was very, very close for them and a good showing. I was glad to see their defense show up.”
Team president Steve Mascarenas: “I think it was fantastic. I think the fans showed up in numbers and it was a great time. We came back, we fought hard — I think the fans really got into it at that point. (We) fell a whisker short. But, you know what? We were playing a very good Arizona team and we’re a darn good team and I think we put on a good show and the fans appreciated it.”
observer-online.com/articles/2008/05/01/sports/sports3.txt
