No revenge is sweeter than a 30 point trouncing of an instate rival.  That is exactly what the Xplosion (7-1) did when the Muskegon Thunder (4-3) came into Wings Stadium, where Kalamazoo is now a perfect 11-0. 

In front of a season best 2,516 fans, the Xplosion easily took care of the Thunder in a game that was both won and lost by the quarterbacks.   In split action, Thunder quarterbacks Dan Richard and Ryan Ferguson combined to complete just 14 of 36 passes, with three interceptions, two credited to Richard. 

David Gater was again on the other end of an opponents pass, at the end of the third quarter inside the red zone.  The interception gives Gater 12 on the year, which ties the CIFL record for most interceptions in a season, which he set in 2007.  Gater also added 10 tackles. Richard Newsome and Ben Richardson also picked off the Thunder quarterbacks.

Xplosion quarterback Randy Hutchison, on the other hand, had another stellar performance, going 12-for-21 for 140 yards and four touchdowns, three of which to Brian Dolph.  Hutchison has now thrown for at least three touchdowns in all seven games this season, and lead the CIFL with 36 total touchdown passes. 

After scoring a touchdown in three of the past five games, two of which being multi-touchdown games, Xplosion “multi-threat” Kelly Baraka has redeemed himself after a frustrating 2007 rookie campaign.

The 26-year old former high school All-American running back has stepped into a new role with the Xplosion, and first-year Head Coach Mike Sparks is glad Baraka decided to stick with the Black & Gold for another season.

“Piecing this team back together this year was dependent on guys like Kelly Baraka, that wanted to buy in,” said Sparks.  “I think we got so close last year, and Kelly knew we had something special here.  He plays a pivotal role, he’s a key guy, yet  a constant team player.  He’s never once hollered or argued about ‘get me the ball’, he just waits for his opportunity and when he gets it he makes the most of it, and I think that’s kind of what has put us where we are right now.  That unselfish attitude by everyone that we have.”

He's a six foot-one inch, 200 pound, walking interception machine, which is why defensive back David Gater has earned the nickname "Mr. INT" from a small group of fans who attend Xplosion games regularly.  

College student Ryan Franks, who claims he was the first to call Gater "Mr. INT", says Gater tops his list of favorite CIFL players and believes the second-year defender out of Ball State University should be taking home some hardware after the 2008 season.

"The guy is a stud," said Franks.  "What's he got like... 11 picks in seven games?  That's unheard of.  He should win DB of the year of course, but I can see him being a front runner for the league MVP."