By Barbara Mason-BASD 6-6

In a game that began with all the makings of an absolute blowout, the San Jose SaberCats barely squeaked by the Tampa Bay Storm (56-52). Leading 56-25 at the close of the third quarter, San Jose was unable to put a single point up on the board in the fourth quarter, as opposed to Tampa Bay’s 27-point rampage. The SaberCats could not do anything wrong through the first three quarters but had a lot of problems getting anything going in the final quarter.

San Jose had let the top seed in the playoffs slip away from them last week in the second half against Phoenix, when they also held a sizeable lead, and this is something that they can ill afford to repeat next week as they enter the semi-final round of the Arena Bowl playoffs. The SaberCats entry into the semifinal round marks the fifth straight time they have advanced to this round in the playoffs.

Coach Darren Arbet was grateful for the win, however, but showed concern with the fourth quarter letdown, something that could have spelled disaster for the team and an early exit from the playoffs. "We’ll take the win-- a win’s a win. The guys played hard and they got it done," Arbet said. "We wanted to come out in that third quarter and play well, which I thought we did. Now we need to correct that fourth quarter and put a whole game together hopefully," he added."

The numbers were reasonable, and the scoring was spread out: 4 off passes, 3 rushing TDs, and one 8-yd kickoff return by Omar Smith (right). Mark Grieb was 22 for 32 passes, 223 yards and 4 touchdowns. James Roe, who returned to the lineup for this game, had a couple of touchdowns and expressed thanks to God that he was able to finish the game. "I didn’t think I was going to be able to finish, but strength was given to me, and I was able. I’m just happy to be back out there with the guys," he said. Shalon Baker also caught two touchdown passes. Three rushing touchdowns were turned in, two by Keala Keannaaina and one by Brian Johnson.

Could the numbers have been better? Sure they could have been, but they were good enough to squeak out a win. San Jose just has to figure out a way to play an entire game--4 quarters--and they need to do it by next weekend. "We got a little complacent with the lead and everything; we got a couple of bad calls that went the other team’s way, and they got back in it," explained Rashied Davis. "We still haven’t finished a game; we have to finish a game," he further explained.

Shalon Baker was happy to come away with the win; in fact, he’s just happy to be playing at all. He had missed the 2003 season, and the last time he had been in a playoff situation was 2002. "I’m getting more comfortable with the system, getting accustomed to just being in there. I just feel blessed to have the opportunity to come out here and play and contribute." One of the things that his parents instilled in him at an early age was to play with heart and determination, qualities that he takes out on the field in every game.

Mark Grieb was also at a loss to explain the meltdown suffered in the fourth quarter. "It’s hard when you get up by that much; and you don’t want to be stupid, you want to protect your lead. Mentally, it’s tough to stay on top of your game, but it’s so crucial in this game, where it’s easy to comeback and tides can change. And before you know it, you’re down by a touchdown or so. We definitely didn’t finish it like we would have liked to. We just have to fix mistakes and be ready to go for next week."

San Jose’s opponent will not be decided until Sunday afternoon, when the other three quarterfinal games will be played. Being the first team to reach the semifinal round, they now have the luxury of relaxing on Sunday and watching a little football from their favorite recliners instead of the sidelines. The SaberCats will also have some time to ponder on just what it is that they need to do to play an entire game. Their future in the playoffs is vitally dependent on the answers that they come up with.

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