Post by fwp on Jul 4, 2009 10:25:54 GMT -5
www.elpasotimes.com/sports/ci_12752017
EL PASO -- The El Paso Generals are just about out of tangible goals for the rest of the regular season.
From that standpoint, there isn't much at stake this evening against Rochester (New York) in the penultimate game on the schedule.
The reason for that, however, has everything to do with the standard of excellence the Generals have set for themselves, and they are counting on that to be all the motivation they need as they rev up for the postseason.
"We're not trying to coast into the playoffs," said coach Brian Brents, whose team has a 10-2 record and a Lone Star Division title in hand but would need a near miracle to grab home field through the playoffs from Billings.
El Paso hasn't needed to make any excuses during its five-game winning streak, but until this week, it's had some. The Generals won back-to-back games at the end of long bus trips to St. Louis and Fort Collins, Colo., then recovered from those journeys well enough to overcome a slow start and blow out Colorado last week at home.
Now it's Rochester (8-4) making a long flight, and the Generals should be over any ill effects from all their travel. They are 6-0 at home.
"Being here the whole week, we've gotten our legs back under us," Brents said. "We just have to stay focused and prepare like we have."
Receiver Deangelo Woodie said playing well has become a matter of pride.
"Our goal is to go out the same way, with the same intensity we've had all season," he said. "We can still get better. That's what we're trying to do."
After this game, the Generals close the season at San Angelo, then take a week off to prepare for a playoff game. "Man, it's crazy how fast it all goes by," Brents said. "The last couple of weeks of the regular season are grueling, grinding, but we've got to get through it to get to the playoffs."
That continues tonight against Rochester.
Bret Bloomquist may be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; 546-6359.
EL PASO -- The El Paso Generals are just about out of tangible goals for the rest of the regular season.
From that standpoint, there isn't much at stake this evening against Rochester (New York) in the penultimate game on the schedule.
The reason for that, however, has everything to do with the standard of excellence the Generals have set for themselves, and they are counting on that to be all the motivation they need as they rev up for the postseason.
"We're not trying to coast into the playoffs," said coach Brian Brents, whose team has a 10-2 record and a Lone Star Division title in hand but would need a near miracle to grab home field through the playoffs from Billings.
El Paso hasn't needed to make any excuses during its five-game winning streak, but until this week, it's had some. The Generals won back-to-back games at the end of long bus trips to St. Louis and Fort Collins, Colo., then recovered from those journeys well enough to overcome a slow start and blow out Colorado last week at home.
Now it's Rochester (8-4) making a long flight, and the Generals should be over any ill effects from all their travel. They are 6-0 at home.
"Being here the whole week, we've gotten our legs back under us," Brents said. "We just have to stay focused and prepare like we have."
Receiver Deangelo Woodie said playing well has become a matter of pride.
"Our goal is to go out the same way, with the same intensity we've had all season," he said. "We can still get better. That's what we're trying to do."
After this game, the Generals close the season at San Angelo, then take a week off to prepare for a playoff game. "Man, it's crazy how fast it all goes by," Brents said. "The last couple of weeks of the regular season are grueling, grinding, but we've got to get through it to get to the playoffs."
That continues tonight against Rochester.
Bret Bloomquist may be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; 546-6359.