Joe Mortensen and the Kiss are upended by San Jose
(Anaheim) – The LA KISS actually had the lead 10-7 after one quarter after Brandon Thompkins caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Guiton with just over three minutes left in the first. But after that it was all San Jose. The Sabercats ran off 27 consecutive points, led 41-16 at halftime and cruised to a 75-34 rout of the KISS Sunday night before 10,677 fans at Honda Center.
With the victory San Jose improved to 11-4 and wrapped up the Pacific Division title, while the KISS sunk to 3-11. However despite the record the KISS is still alive for the final playoff spot.
Nathan Stanley threw for six touchdown passes to lead the Cats attack including three each to Dominique Curry and Reggie Gray. Defensive back David Hyland picked off two passes – one of which was returned 34 yards for a touchdown.
KISS quarterback Kenny Guiton threw both interceptions and was eventually replaced by J.J. Raterink who was just reacquired by the KISS last week.
Samora Goodson, who also returned to the KISS this week hauled in a 34 yard TD pass from Raterink and Donovan “Captain” Morgan snagged a 47 yard pass from Raterink in the third quarter but it wasn’t nearly enough.
Kenny Guiton does double duty for the Kiss at quarteback and wide receiver.
Morgan however also had his struggles fumbling a kickoff return in the end zone that Simeon Castille recovered to give the Cats a 69-28 advantage.
The KISS attempted onside kicks after they scored first to go up 3-0 on a Kenny Spencer field goal and several times throughout the contest leaving San Jose on a short field.
“That was the game plan coming in. We felt if we could get a couple of possessions early we could get an advantage and it almost worked. We almost recovered a couple,” said KISS coach Bob McMillen. “But we didn’t and things just didn’t go our way. We turned the ball over a couple of times after we led early and Kenny (Guiton) missed a couple of throws. But we kind of threw Kenny to the Wolves. Aaron Garcia was hurt and we needed Kenny to start.”
Raterink scored on a one yard keeper late in the game but the Sabercats finished off the game when backup quarterback Dennis Harvilla found offensive lineman Rich Ranglin for a 16-yard score.
Morgan had a pair of touchdown catches for the KISS and led the team in yardage.
Next up for the KISS is a trip to Portland to take on the Thunder. The KISS trail the Thunder by one game in the race for the final playoff spot in the National Conference.
Leave a Reply