Post by fwp on Mar 28, 2010 7:05:01 GMT -5
www.frontiersman.com/articles/2010/03/28/sports/doc4baefc509f481956104834.txt
WASILLA — History will be made at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center this afternoon.
When the Arctic Predators indoor football team takes the turf of Sicily’s Field inside the Menard today it will mark the first time a Mat-Su Valley professional sports franchise hosts a home game.
“The guys understand they’re making history and they’re really excited to be part of it,” Predators coach Hans Deemer said of his players, who host the Yakima Valley Warriors in an American Indoor Football Association contest today at 2 p.m. “That’s a lot of pressure to host a game like that, but it gives us some edge." Even though Deemer and his staff haven’t had a ton with the new crop of talent that makes up the expansion franchise, Deemer said he’s feeling fairly good about things.
“As a coach you never feel like we’re ready enough even though we’re probably as ready as we can be for the amount of time we’ve had,” Deemer said.
The Predators and the Warriors both dropped their first games of the season and meet with identical 0-1 records. The Predators suffered a 64-12 loss to the San Jose Wolves in California last week, while Yakima Valley feel to the Wenatchee Valley Venom 54-25.
Deemer said he has seen the tape of Yakima Valley’s first game, but the Warriors have experienced some roster turnover since then.
“They’ve sent some different players,” Deemer said. “So they’re a little bit unknown. The unknown is a little nerve-racking.”
Yakima quarterback Jason Williams finished 14-for-26 with 166 yards passing, a touchdown and two interceptions. Don Chapman led the Warriors with 59 yards on the ground.
The Predators finished with 200 yards of offense during their season-opener. Danny O’Neill and Monte Purvis scored touchdowns for the Wasilla-based team.
Earl Mason, a former member of the Alaska Wild, started the game at quarterback, completing 9-of-17 passes for 80 yards. Mason connected with O’Neill on the 25-yard score.
“I thought Earl played a pretty good game last week,” Deemer said.
As many as three quarterbacks could see action against Yakima Valley, Deemer said. The Predators hope to give Purvis and Damion Ward time behind center. Purvis finished 4-of-11 for 92 yards and an interception. He also had the 1-yard rushing score.
The Predators also may have found a weapon in wide receiver and defensive back Andre Velezuez. After making the start in the defensive backfield for the Predators, Velezuez was added to the offense during the San Jose game. Velezuez responded by catching five passes for 102 yards. He is currently second in the AIFA with 102 receiving yards per game.
“He’s a weapon, 6-foot-3 and as fast as anybody on the field,” Deemer said. “The kid’s just dangerous.”
Today’s contest is one of 14 on the regular season schedule and the first of seven home games. Next week, the Predators hit the road to face the Wyoming Cavalry April 2. The Predators return home to host the Cavalry on April 10.
Tickets for today’s game are still available at www.goarcticpredators.com and can be purchased at the door.
WASILLA — History will be made at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center this afternoon.
When the Arctic Predators indoor football team takes the turf of Sicily’s Field inside the Menard today it will mark the first time a Mat-Su Valley professional sports franchise hosts a home game.
“The guys understand they’re making history and they’re really excited to be part of it,” Predators coach Hans Deemer said of his players, who host the Yakima Valley Warriors in an American Indoor Football Association contest today at 2 p.m. “That’s a lot of pressure to host a game like that, but it gives us some edge." Even though Deemer and his staff haven’t had a ton with the new crop of talent that makes up the expansion franchise, Deemer said he’s feeling fairly good about things.
“As a coach you never feel like we’re ready enough even though we’re probably as ready as we can be for the amount of time we’ve had,” Deemer said.
The Predators and the Warriors both dropped their first games of the season and meet with identical 0-1 records. The Predators suffered a 64-12 loss to the San Jose Wolves in California last week, while Yakima Valley feel to the Wenatchee Valley Venom 54-25.
Deemer said he has seen the tape of Yakima Valley’s first game, but the Warriors have experienced some roster turnover since then.
“They’ve sent some different players,” Deemer said. “So they’re a little bit unknown. The unknown is a little nerve-racking.”
Yakima quarterback Jason Williams finished 14-for-26 with 166 yards passing, a touchdown and two interceptions. Don Chapman led the Warriors with 59 yards on the ground.
The Predators finished with 200 yards of offense during their season-opener. Danny O’Neill and Monte Purvis scored touchdowns for the Wasilla-based team.
Earl Mason, a former member of the Alaska Wild, started the game at quarterback, completing 9-of-17 passes for 80 yards. Mason connected with O’Neill on the 25-yard score.
“I thought Earl played a pretty good game last week,” Deemer said.
As many as three quarterbacks could see action against Yakima Valley, Deemer said. The Predators hope to give Purvis and Damion Ward time behind center. Purvis finished 4-of-11 for 92 yards and an interception. He also had the 1-yard rushing score.
The Predators also may have found a weapon in wide receiver and defensive back Andre Velezuez. After making the start in the defensive backfield for the Predators, Velezuez was added to the offense during the San Jose game. Velezuez responded by catching five passes for 102 yards. He is currently second in the AIFA with 102 receiving yards per game.
“He’s a weapon, 6-foot-3 and as fast as anybody on the field,” Deemer said. “The kid’s just dangerous.”
Today’s contest is one of 14 on the regular season schedule and the first of seven home games. Next week, the Predators hit the road to face the Wyoming Cavalry April 2. The Predators return home to host the Cavalry on April 10.
Tickets for today’s game are still available at www.goarcticpredators.com and can be purchased at the door.