Tag: san jose

Former Retiree earns Defensive Back of the Year

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By Emily Zahner

August 13, 2013

SAN JOSE, CA—The San Jose SaberCats gave their fans another year worth watching, posting a record of 13-6 and making the post season once again. A crushing defeat the Arizona Rattlers saw the Cats eliminated and sent packing, but that wouldn’t be the last of San Jose in the news. The Arena Football League announced on Tuesday that SaberCats DB Clevan Thomas had been named the AFL Defensive Back of the Year, as well as being a First Team All-Arena Selection.

Clevan’s selection came as a shocker to some, as he had retired from the AFL in 2008. The Cats faithful weren’t surprised at all… and upon his return in 2013, Thomas posted an incredible year with the Cats. Playing in all 18 games for San Jose, Thomas blew the lid of all sorts of records, including a career and franchise-high 15 interceptions. Most notable, Thomas set a new AFL record with six pick-6; the previous record was four. Thomas picked up the final two in a win against the Chicago Rush.

San Jose’s star DB recorded 74 tackles and recovered two fumbles throughout the season. The Cats hope to see Thomas owning the field again next year.

Quakes lose Champions League opener

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By Ivan S. Makarov

August 7, 2013
 
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Playing in their first game of the CONCACAF Champions League on the road in Montreal, San Jose Earthquakes fell 1-0 to their host Montreal Impact.

Despite the score, it wasn’t for the lack of scoring chances that the Quakes went down. They outshot the Impact 8-6 and had the ball more, but still came short in the most important category – goals.

Quakes best chance came early in the game when they were awarded penalty kick on the 10th minute, but were unable to realize it. Six minutes later, Montreal’s new player Hernan Bernardello delivered a cross from 40 yards out that was headed into the goal by Hassoun Camara for the only goal of the game.

San Jose’s Sam Garza had a great scoring chance in the second half, but his header went just inches wide.

“Obviously we leave the field a little disappointed,” said Quakes interim head coach Mike Watson. “I thought overall our performance was quality. The key moment in the game was the penalty save, which would have given us a lead and something we could have hung onto for the rest of the game. Even after the goal I thought we responded well and had a bunch of chances. So, I’m disappointed to come out of the game with nothing.”

San Jose has three Group 5 games remaining, including a pair against Guatemalan side CD Heredia and a home match against Montreal. Next up is another road trip, this time to Guatemala City on Wednesday, Aug. 28. The club hosts Montreal on Wednesday, Sept. 18 and CD Heredia on Wednesday, Oct. 23 to close out of group play. The winner advances to an eight-team knockout tournament to be contested next year. 

SaberCats fail to upset Rattlers, eliminated from playoffs

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August 4, 2013
US Airways Center
By Emily Zahner and Kahlil Najar

PHOENIX, AZ—The San Jose SaberCats were eliminated from the Arena Football League playoffs Sunday night, as they were defeated by the defending champion Arizona Rattlers 59-49. San Jose’s QB Russ Michna completed 20 of 36 passes for 238 yards and five total touchdowns (one rushing), but mistakes cost the Cats and Michna’s impressive play was not enough to move on to the second round.

Coming in to tonight’s game, every favored team had advanced to the next round, creating an opportunity for the SaberCats to become the first upset of the playoffs. Last season, the Arizona Rattlers dealt the SaberCats a heart breaking defeat, but on the backs on QB Russ Michna and wide receivers Jason Willis and James Roe, the Cats clawed their way back into the post season to find some revenge. With the top two scoring teams in the league, this first round game was expected to be high scoring and intense. With the odds against them, the Cats would turn the ball to Michna, who began this game with a successful 4-0 record against Arizona.

In the first possession, the Cats struggled and prevented from building the momentum they were looking to carry into this game. San Jose was unable to make any forward progress, and on the turnover, the Rattlers took no time to get the first score, going up 7-0 just seconds into the game. It didn’t take the Cats long to get on the board, as the next possession they were able to convert for a score. At the end of the first, the game was tied 14-14, but it took less than two minutes into the second for the Rattlers to score again. After questionable officiating and physical play, the first half came to a close with the Rattlers leading 28-21.

A potential turning point of the game for the Cats occurred in the third quarter when Arizona’s kicker Garret Lindholm missed the opportunity for a field goal and defensive back Clevan Thomas returned the miss 49-yards for a San Jose touchdown. This turned the momentum to the Cats, and one score later, they had brought the score to 35-35. Arizona’s QB Nick Davila faltered, and threw an interception to Huey Whitaker who returned the pick-6, giving San Jose their first lead 42-35. Arizona kept pressing, and at the beginning of the fourth quarter, the score was tied 42-42.

In the fourth, the Cats turned the ball over at the one yard line that the Rattlers managed to return to regain the lead, and it was all Rattlers from there. Russ Michna had to take matters into this own hands, running for the touchdown with 3:27 left in the game, shortening the deficit to 56-49, but it wouldn’t be enough. More mistake by the defense cost San Jose, and Arizona punched their ticket to the next round with a final score of 59-49. The San Jose SaberCats end their thrilling season 13-6.