When Steve Videtich booted an extra point with 5.7 seconds left to give the Utah Blaze a 55-54 lead Friday night in the Delta Center, it was still far too early for the team and its fans to celebrate.
It wasn't until Kansas City Brigade kicker MacKenzi Hoambrecker's 56-yard field goal attempt fell just short on the final play of the game that the Blaze could breathe easy. Then it was time for fireworks and celebrations.
The Blaze, in their first year in existence, qualified for the Arena Football League playoffs. Utah's one-point home victory in front of a sellout crowd of 16,855 clinched a postseason berth in the regular season finale.
Utah must now wait for tonight's games to find out who and where they will play — but they know that they are in the playoffs no matter what.
"I knew we could do it," said emotional lineman Hans Olsen, trying to hold back tears seconds after the victory was secured. "Here we are, man, we're in the playoffs. First year of a franchise and to do it for all of these fans — it's just been incredible. That last play was so loud that the kicker didn't have a chance."
Blaze quarterback Andy Kelly hit Tom Pace over the middle from 4 yards out with 5.7 seconds left to tie the game, 54-54. Videtich's extra point was true, and the Blaze had the lead.
"No pressure at all," said Videtich of his game-winning extra point.
"It is a great feeling that we were able to pull that one out and win this one," said Pace. "It's a confidence builder for us to be able to win a close one."
Things didn't look too promising for the Blaze late in the fourth quarter. The teams had been trading the lead all game long, but Kansas City, nursing a 48-45 lead, broke serve with 5:50 to play, holding the Blaze on downs at the eight-yard line.
But, for just the second time all game, the Blaze defense came through with their own defensive stop, with three minutes to play.
Once again, however, the Blaze were unable to score a go-ahead touchdown. Videtich nailed a 26-yard field goal to tie the game, 48-48, with 1:04 to play.
Utah attempted an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff, not wanting to allow Kansas City to run down the clock and then kick a game-winning field goal in the final seconds. The Brigade recovered the kick and Utah native Aaron Boone caught his fifth touchdown pass of the game with 53 seconds to put Kansas City up by six. The extra point, however, was blocked by Blaze lineman John Culp, setting up the game-winning drive by Utah.
"You have all been officially introduced to arena football," said Blaze coach Danny White. "I am really proud of our guys. We were undermanned."
Kelly, who began the season as a member of the Brigade, came back to have an outstanding game against his former teammates. He completed 29 of 38 passes for 306 yards and five touchdowns as he improved to 4-1 as the Blaze starter.
"I feel very blessed and fortunate to be here in Utah," said Kelly, who had a battle this week with Joe Germaine for the starting job. "I'm just happy to help this team get to the playoffs. It's been a blessing so far."
Siaha Burley, as usual, was Kelly's top target. He finished the game with 13 catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns to become the all-time receiving leader in AFL history for an expansion franchise in yardage, catches and scores.
The Brigade, the other first-year team in the AFL, finished the year just 3-13. Kansas City entered the game with little on the line, but it played hard all game. Quarterback Raymond Philyaw threw five touchdowns — all to Boone, a former Millard High and Snow College star.
The Brigade did a good job keeping the ball away from the Blaze in the first half. Kansas City, using a short passing attack as well as a running game, had the ball for more than 21 of a possible 30 minutes in the opening two quarters. Utah was still able to score 24 points in the opening half and was down by four at intermission.
Kelly completed his first seven passes in leading Utah to a 21-14 lead. But after the Brigade knotted the game at 21, Kelly threw his first incompletion — and it was costly. His pass intended for Burley in the end zone was short, and Kansas City's Calvin Spears intercepted it with 2:28 remaining in the second quarter.
The Brigade was able to take advantage of the interception by scoring with 41 seconds left in the half when fullback Byron Douzart scored on a 2-yard run to give Kansas City a 28-21 lead. Utah drove down the field quickly, but had to settle for a 21-yard Steve Videtich field goal with four seconds left in the second quarter, making it 28-24 at the half.
BLAZE BRIEFS: Olsen, the former BYU lineman, was playing with a heavy heart after his beloved bulldog had passed away earlier in the day. "I debated being out here, but I had to come out to be with my teammates," he said ... Pace, in addition to catching the game-winning pass, had a big night on kick returns. He had four returns on the night for 121 yards ... Utah could still host next week's playoff game if both Chicago and Nashville lose today.
E-mail: lojo@desnews.com