Kicking in the AFL is a difficult proposition. The goal posts are only nine feet wide. Obviously not much space to aim to make a successful kick.
Having said that it's Collin Wagner's job to make kicks for his team, and he failed in that regards four times on Friday night, and the Power came up three points shy of reaching the .500 mark. Overall, Wagner missed three field goals and an extra point in a closely contested game.
The game saw solid quarterback play from the Power's Derek Cassidy. He completed 18 of 27 passes for 226 yards, 5 TD's and an interception. He also lost a fumble. His rival on the other side of the field, Kurt Rocco, one of the AFL's best this year, was somewhat erratic, finishing 19 of 39 for 276 yards, and matched Cassidy's touchdown and interception numbers.
P.J. Berry, the reigning two time JLS Ironman of the Week winner, had another standout game for Pittsburgh. He opened the Pittsburgh scoring with a kickoff return for a touchdown. Overall he had nine returns for 252 yards and a score, he threw a touchdown pass, and added 4 catches for 44 yards and a score.
Randy Hymes continues to state his case as the Power's top receiver this year. He finished three yards shy of the century mark and hauled in three touchdowns. Good times for Randy Hymes indeed.
Chris LeFlore tied the franchise record for interceptions in a season by nabbing his fifth pick of the year. He still has ten games to move ahead of Josh Lay in the record books.
This was a game in which the Power seemed to outplay the VooDoo in many ways in the game, but again, they had critical mistakes at critical points of the game and once again find themselves adding to the loss column. The fumbled exchange between Derek Cassidy and center Beau Elliott definitely hurt, as did the Power's inability to stop the VooDoo on fourth down on the game winning touchdown drive.
In spite of it all, the Power still had their chance to tie the game and go to overtime, but once again, they found themselves just a bit off the mark.
Pittsburgh will come back home to take on their divison rivals, the Cleveland Gladiators, on April 28th. It's Fan Appreciation Night for Power fans. Get your tickets for the game now.