Post by fwp on May 2, 2010 7:10:49 GMT -5
www.lacrossetribune.com/sports/article_88d455f4-55a9-11df-8431-001cc4c03286.html
It doesn't seem fair, does it?
Their collective patience, that of both the La Crosse Spartans and a small but fiercely loyal fan base, had exceeded that of even the best preschool teacher. They've stuck together. They've believed in each other.
And now that the IFL expansion Spartans have finally won their first game, they're reluctantly making themselves scarce. Two home games over the final seven weeks of the regular season isn't the best way to strengthen a budding relationship. Yes, the fans are showing me it's hard not to like a team that's 1-7.
It's too bad, because it was fun to see - and trust me, hear at about 100 decibles - the results of La Crosse's 36-29 victory Friday night over the Chicago Slaughter in front of a La Crosse Center crowd announced at 2,650.
Of course it was nice to see the Spartans put together what coach Gilbert Brown called "the complete game" in their fifth and final home game in April. They never flinched when Chicago tied the game at 22 in the third quarter, answering with two touchdowns of their own.
But it also was cool to hear Brian Simpson, the Spartans' public-address announcer, counting down the game's final seconds with the enthusiasm of Ryan Seacrest on New Year's Eve. Thankfully it erased the pain of having Carl Douglas' cheesy 1970s hit "Kung-Fu Fighting" - a Center staple that needs to be retired - burned in my brain.
It was neat to see Spartans quarterback Buddy Rivera enjoying a tender postgame moment by the dasherboards with a woman I assume either was his wife, fiancee or girlfriend. (Note: If the real Mrs. Rivera/future Mrs. Rivera/hopeful Mrs. Rivera wasn't in the building, I am a bit nearsighted.)
It was touching to see Spartans running back Mark Bonds, the IFL offensive player of the week, hobble back on the field on crutches and press flesh with the fans. He hurt his right ankle in the fourth quarter. I know losing has stung him even more. Hopefully his time on the sidelines is minimal.
And it was fun to see Spartans co-owner/general manager Chris Kokalis toss aside the burden of his team's horrendous start and get to be his true self: a driven young man who could act like a kid. One happy to be drenched with Gatorade.
Kokalis has been reminded time and again La Crosse's last two indoor football teams, the River Rats and Night Train, went belly-up (I need to stop doing that). He's made it clear he's not about to skedaddle.
"It's been a challenge for us," Kokalis said. "Obviously I know the last two (indoor) teams didn't work out here. But we want to give people hope."
Brown went so far as to mention the word playoffs. It goes without saying would be a minor miracle if that happened. But Friday night was a positive step for the Spartans.
"What we went through has made us a better team," La Crosse wide receiver Antonio Overstreet said.
Kokalis noted after the game that no one - players and fans alike - wanted to leave the Center. Who can blame them? The Spartans' win was a special moment, one they'll have to hang on to until they see each other again.
It doesn't seem fair, does it?
Their collective patience, that of both the La Crosse Spartans and a small but fiercely loyal fan base, had exceeded that of even the best preschool teacher. They've stuck together. They've believed in each other.
And now that the IFL expansion Spartans have finally won their first game, they're reluctantly making themselves scarce. Two home games over the final seven weeks of the regular season isn't the best way to strengthen a budding relationship. Yes, the fans are showing me it's hard not to like a team that's 1-7.
It's too bad, because it was fun to see - and trust me, hear at about 100 decibles - the results of La Crosse's 36-29 victory Friday night over the Chicago Slaughter in front of a La Crosse Center crowd announced at 2,650.
Of course it was nice to see the Spartans put together what coach Gilbert Brown called "the complete game" in their fifth and final home game in April. They never flinched when Chicago tied the game at 22 in the third quarter, answering with two touchdowns of their own.
But it also was cool to hear Brian Simpson, the Spartans' public-address announcer, counting down the game's final seconds with the enthusiasm of Ryan Seacrest on New Year's Eve. Thankfully it erased the pain of having Carl Douglas' cheesy 1970s hit "Kung-Fu Fighting" - a Center staple that needs to be retired - burned in my brain.
It was neat to see Spartans quarterback Buddy Rivera enjoying a tender postgame moment by the dasherboards with a woman I assume either was his wife, fiancee or girlfriend. (Note: If the real Mrs. Rivera/future Mrs. Rivera/hopeful Mrs. Rivera wasn't in the building, I am a bit nearsighted.)
It was touching to see Spartans running back Mark Bonds, the IFL offensive player of the week, hobble back on the field on crutches and press flesh with the fans. He hurt his right ankle in the fourth quarter. I know losing has stung him even more. Hopefully his time on the sidelines is minimal.
And it was fun to see Spartans co-owner/general manager Chris Kokalis toss aside the burden of his team's horrendous start and get to be his true self: a driven young man who could act like a kid. One happy to be drenched with Gatorade.
Kokalis has been reminded time and again La Crosse's last two indoor football teams, the River Rats and Night Train, went belly-up (I need to stop doing that). He's made it clear he's not about to skedaddle.
"It's been a challenge for us," Kokalis said. "Obviously I know the last two (indoor) teams didn't work out here. But we want to give people hope."
Brown went so far as to mention the word playoffs. It goes without saying would be a minor miracle if that happened. But Friday night was a positive step for the Spartans.
"What we went through has made us a better team," La Crosse wide receiver Antonio Overstreet said.
Kokalis noted after the game that no one - players and fans alike - wanted to leave the Center. Who can blame them? The Spartans' win was a special moment, one they'll have to hang on to until they see each other again.