The KISS are Sharkbit In the End

The ball and the winning touchdown were just out of reach of Donovan Morgan and the L.A. Kiss. (Photo by Duane Barker)

The ball and the winning touchdown were just out of reach of Donovan Morgan and the L.A. Kiss. (Photo by Duane Barker)

By Tim Peterson

(Anaheim) – Danny Southwick’s pass was intercepted at the three -yard line with no time remaining and the LA KISS fell to the Jacksonville Sharks 41-35 Sunday before 8,235 at Honda Center. It was the ninth consecutive loss for the KISS.

The KISS got the ball back after making a stop with 37 seconds left in the game and moved it down to the 20 yard line. But the Sharks’ Greg Reid pulled down Southwick’s pass to end it.

The Los Angeles Kiss defense got a couple of stops but the offense could not capitalize.

The Los Angeles Kiss defense got a couple of stops but the offense could not capitalize.

The KISS found themselves down 21-0 right away. First Jacksonville’s Tommy Grady threw a 40 yard touchdown pass to Anthony Jones. On the opening KISS possession, Alvin Ray Jackson picked off Southwick and returned it 25 yards for a score.

“The jack linebacker looked like he was originally moving left but then my vision was blocked. He was out of my sight,” Southwick said. “It was a bad decision on my part.”

After another four and out by the KISS the Sharks went up 21-0 on a seven yard scoring strike from Grady to Joe Hills.

The KISS finally got on the board in the second quarter on a two-yard run by JT Gilmore but the Sharks marched right back down the field and scored on a Ray McNeil one -yard run.

DeMarco Sampson responds for the KISS with a four yard TD run and after a Jacksonville field goal attempt fails the KISS go into the break down 28-14.

The KISS took the opening kick in the second half and scored on a five-yard touchdown pass from Southwick to JT Gilmore to cut it to 28-21.

But Jacksonville answers with a one-yard touchdown run by Derrick Ross a 35-21 advantage.

Donovan “Captain” Morgan pulled in a one handed grab and sprinted 17 yards into the end zone late in the third quarter.

The KISS then had a golden opportunity to get even when Ter’Ran Benton picked off  a pass but the offense failed to convert going four and out. Jacksonville maintained a 35-28 lead.

The KISS defense again made a stop on the ensuing possession but the offense couldn’t take advantage and gave up the the ball on downs.

The Sharks then capitalized when Ross broke off a 24-yard touchdown run for a 41-28 lead. The extra point failed.

A long kick off returns sets up the KISS and Morgan hauled in a eight-yard TD pass from Southwick and suddenly LA was down only six with 2:00 left.

The stop set up the chance to win it but the KISS was stopped in the final seconds.

“I’m excited to look at the tape. I want to see the tape and see what adjustments we can make and we’ll get ready for Portland,” said KISS Head Coach Bob McMillen.

Southwick completed 27 of 46 for 245 yards and three touchdowns for LA. He was hurt by the two interceptions. DeMarco Sampson caught 11 passes for 104 yards. Morgan had 10 receptions for 90 yards and two scores.

Grady finished 20 0f 33 for 223 and two TDs, but he also threw two picks.

The KISS fell to 0-9 with the loss while Jacksonville improved to 5-5

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