Post by 50yardfan on Feb 26, 2012 14:03:19 GMT -5
www.coloradoan.com/article/20120226/SPORTS/202260359/Ice-road-first-game-season
The Colorado Ice open the season today against an unfamiliar opponent but one they figure to know well by the end of the season.
The Ice, who play in the Indoor Football League, play today at the New Mexico Stars, an expansion team playing their inaugural season.
The Ice and Stars will play three times this season - twice in New Mexico - and the teams from bordering states figure to develop a rivalry.
"I consider them a rival already," said Heron O'Neal, the first-year coach of the Ice. "They're pretty close to us and we play them three times. And I know coach (Chris) Williams will put a good team together."
Williams is a veteran coach in the IFL, having spent eight seasons coaching the West Texas Roughnecks. His team won a league championship in 2006.
O'Neal won three championships as head coach of the Billings Outlaws, including titles in 2009 and 2010 before the team ceased operation.
He spent last season as the defensive coordinator, then in July was named to replace Collins Sanders as head coach.
Sanders, now the franchise's president and general manager, led the Ice to an 11-4 record and into the playoffs last season. Colorado lost in the first round to the Tri-Cities Fever.
"We're trying to go past what we did last year," O'Neal said. "The goal is always to win a championship. I'm used to winning championships.
We've got to take care of business during the regular season, beating our rivals like Wyoming, Tri-Cities and New Mexico."
That of course begins today for the Ice, who on Friday cut their roster to the 25 players they will take into the first game.
David Knighton return as the team's quarterback and will have a familiar receiver in Duane Brooks. Andre Harris, who played at Northern Colorado, and Tobias Robinson will be the team's running backs.
O'Neal said the defense returns almost intact from last season, although they will have new faces along the defensive line.
"We have a nice nucleus back from last year and have added a new nucleus of guys," O'Neal said. "It's a good blend of players to go compete with this week."
Colorado will play its first home game March 4 against the Wyoming Cavalry. The game is set for 3 p.m. at the Budweiser Events Center.
» Next up: Ice at Stars, 3:05 p.m. today, Santa Ana Star Center, Rio Rancho, N.M.
» TV/radio: none/KFKA (AM 1310)
The Colorado Ice open the season today against an unfamiliar opponent but one they figure to know well by the end of the season.
The Ice, who play in the Indoor Football League, play today at the New Mexico Stars, an expansion team playing their inaugural season.
The Ice and Stars will play three times this season - twice in New Mexico - and the teams from bordering states figure to develop a rivalry.
"I consider them a rival already," said Heron O'Neal, the first-year coach of the Ice. "They're pretty close to us and we play them three times. And I know coach (Chris) Williams will put a good team together."
Williams is a veteran coach in the IFL, having spent eight seasons coaching the West Texas Roughnecks. His team won a league championship in 2006.
O'Neal won three championships as head coach of the Billings Outlaws, including titles in 2009 and 2010 before the team ceased operation.
He spent last season as the defensive coordinator, then in July was named to replace Collins Sanders as head coach.
Sanders, now the franchise's president and general manager, led the Ice to an 11-4 record and into the playoffs last season. Colorado lost in the first round to the Tri-Cities Fever.
"We're trying to go past what we did last year," O'Neal said. "The goal is always to win a championship. I'm used to winning championships.
We've got to take care of business during the regular season, beating our rivals like Wyoming, Tri-Cities and New Mexico."
That of course begins today for the Ice, who on Friday cut their roster to the 25 players they will take into the first game.
David Knighton return as the team's quarterback and will have a familiar receiver in Duane Brooks. Andre Harris, who played at Northern Colorado, and Tobias Robinson will be the team's running backs.
O'Neal said the defense returns almost intact from last season, although they will have new faces along the defensive line.
"We have a nice nucleus back from last year and have added a new nucleus of guys," O'Neal said. "It's a good blend of players to go compete with this week."
Colorado will play its first home game March 4 against the Wyoming Cavalry. The game is set for 3 p.m. at the Budweiser Events Center.
» Next up: Ice at Stars, 3:05 p.m. today, Santa Ana Star Center, Rio Rancho, N.M.
» TV/radio: none/KFKA (AM 1310)