In their Arena Football League debut, the Rapid City Marshals were unable to get going early while the Iowa Rampage came out hot Saturday night at Summit Arena.
With some typical first game miscues and penalties, the Rampage were able to move down the field and while the Marshals’ offense struggled to get going during the AFL season opener.
In the end, Iowa managed nine touchdowns to help secure a 58-28 victory over the Marshals.
“We didn't win, but there were some things that I saw that we did well and there were also some things that we need to fix,” Rapid City head coach Shon King said. “But this game was played under two sets of rules. So we're just trying to see what's going to happen because some substitutions were happening that were not legal.”
The penalties proved costly for the Marshals (0-1) taking points off the board. In the first quarter, Quarterback Brian Vilanueva connected with Mason Lee in the endzone, but an offensive holding call negated the touchdown.
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The Rampage kept Rapid City scoreless during the first 15 minutes while taking an early 12-0 lead.
In the second quarter, the Marshals put in quarterback Jack Sheehan onto the field and helped lead the Marshals down the field to get on the board.
The Rampage responded, scoring 21 points in the second quarter to close out the first half, leading 33-7.
“I’ve always known he's been a competitor and a very good player,” King said of Sheehan. “He gives us a little bit of something different than the other quarterback. Anytime you can get a guy in that creates a spark, you definitely welcome that.”
Sheehan would go down with a minute left of the game following an Iowa sack. He was helped off the field with no further information available on his injury.
To start the second half, Trevon Sidney got things rolling for Rapid City returning a kick 50 yards to reach the endzone for the Marshals’ first touchdown of the second half.
Later in the third quarter, Lee added another touchdown off a catch from Sheehan.
“I just want to bring energy and be available,” Lee said. “I'm always going to try to make the play when I get the chance. I trust my teammates and I hope they trust me.”
Keshaun Taylor tallied eight points for the Marshals in the fourth quarter. He scored a touchdown off Sheehan while flipping over the padded barrier for six points.
Taylor also played on the defensive side of the ball where he was in on the sack of Iowa quarterback Rakeem Cato for a safety, joining teammates Joshua Frazier and Justin Calderon.
With the safety, the Marshals outscored Iowa in the fourth quarter, 8-6.
“We struggle a little bit,” Lee said. “We have to capitalize on the homerun balls when we get the opportunity and fix up the defense to stop big plays. But we should be straight. We have a good coach and we should be good at practice and getting better.”
Cato accounted for all of the Rampage’s touchdowns with his arm as Jaylen Schleicher caught three touchdowns in the first half and Ryan Martinez tallied three in the third quarter.
Max Novak, Chris Elmore and Desmond Maxwell contributed one touchdown apiece for Iowa.
Coach King said while he would have wanted the win, he believes the Marshals are only just getting started and was happy to debut at home to the Rapid City community.
“It's always good to be able to play at home,” King said. “We have to start winning to get more fans, but it's definitely good to have that home-field advantage and your crowd supporting you.”
The Rapid City Marshals return to action Sunday when they play the Washington Wolfpack at the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Wash.
“One game doesn’t define us,” Lee said. “So, be ready for the rest of the season.”