Post by fwp on Aug 1, 2009 7:02:28 GMT -5
www.elpasotimes.com/sports/ci_12971975
EL PASO -- Through four months that have surpassed all reasonable expectations, the expansion El Paso Generals have established themselves as one of the two best teams in the Intense Football Conference.
The team has been so dominant, in fact, that it has left one question unanswered: What will happen when the Generals play someone at their level?
They find out today. They'll find out in Billings, Mont., when they play the Intense Football Conference's other 13-2 team, the Billings Outlaws, for a berth in next week's Indoor Football League title game. Saturday's winner will host it.
"I thought we've played some good teams this year. A lot of games, looking back on it that, prepared us for this point," coach Brian Brents said. "There was the long road trip to River City (suburban St. Louis for a 24-hour bus ride and a victory), the things we did for it.
"Things we have done so far will play a big factor in what we do this week. We have a lot of veteran guys who understand that preparation starts Monday, not Saturday morning."
This one, though, is a bit different. Obviously the stakes outweigh the first 15 games, and this also marks the first time El Paso has played someone who matched its record.
"I felt like we've been an underdog all year," Brents countered. "The last three or four weeks people have known about El Paso, we've gotten a lot of publicity and awards of late, but early in the year people didn't know who we were.
"The pressure is on them. I feel like we're the underdog."
The players, though, aren't dwelling on that.
"All that doesn't matter, as long as we do what we're supposed to do," end Ron Ellington said. "Our records are similar, but we don't pay attention to that."
"I don't look at it as we're underdogs," defensive back Sam Smith said. "It's kind of exciting going into a game where we're not favored to win. That motivates us."
Billings leads the league in total offense, scoring offense and rushing offense. El Paso is second in total offense and scoring offense and leads the IFL in passing offense.
El Paso quarterback Tommy Jones leads the league in total offense, Billings quarterback Chris Dixon is second and leads all IFL signal callers in rushing yards. Most importantly, they both are 13-2 as starters.
"We finally get to see the two best quarterbacks in the league against each other," Brents said.
Bret Bloomquist may be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; 546-6359.
EL PASO -- Through four months that have surpassed all reasonable expectations, the expansion El Paso Generals have established themselves as one of the two best teams in the Intense Football Conference.
The team has been so dominant, in fact, that it has left one question unanswered: What will happen when the Generals play someone at their level?
They find out today. They'll find out in Billings, Mont., when they play the Intense Football Conference's other 13-2 team, the Billings Outlaws, for a berth in next week's Indoor Football League title game. Saturday's winner will host it.
"I thought we've played some good teams this year. A lot of games, looking back on it that, prepared us for this point," coach Brian Brents said. "There was the long road trip to River City (suburban St. Louis for a 24-hour bus ride and a victory), the things we did for it.
"Things we have done so far will play a big factor in what we do this week. We have a lot of veteran guys who understand that preparation starts Monday, not Saturday morning."
This one, though, is a bit different. Obviously the stakes outweigh the first 15 games, and this also marks the first time El Paso has played someone who matched its record.
"I felt like we've been an underdog all year," Brents countered. "The last three or four weeks people have known about El Paso, we've gotten a lot of publicity and awards of late, but early in the year people didn't know who we were.
"The pressure is on them. I feel like we're the underdog."
The players, though, aren't dwelling on that.
"All that doesn't matter, as long as we do what we're supposed to do," end Ron Ellington said. "Our records are similar, but we don't pay attention to that."
"I don't look at it as we're underdogs," defensive back Sam Smith said. "It's kind of exciting going into a game where we're not favored to win. That motivates us."
Billings leads the league in total offense, scoring offense and rushing offense. El Paso is second in total offense and scoring offense and leads the IFL in passing offense.
El Paso quarterback Tommy Jones leads the league in total offense, Billings quarterback Chris Dixon is second and leads all IFL signal callers in rushing yards. Most importantly, they both are 13-2 as starters.
"We finally get to see the two best quarterbacks in the league against each other," Brents said.
Bret Bloomquist may be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; 546-6359.