Post by fwp on Apr 22, 2010 21:41:02 GMT -5
www.pantagraph.com/sports/football/professional/arena/extreme/article_cb66b2ac-4dc2-11df-8769-001cc4c002e0.html
BLOOMINGTON — Defensive backs James Temple and B.J. Brown each had one of the Bloomington Extreme’s franchise-best five interceptions last week against Maryland.
But both will be absent from the secondary when the Extreme meets the Rochester Raiders in Friday’s 6:35 p.m. Indoor Football League game at the Dome Arena in Henrietta, N.Y.
Coach Kenton Carr said Temple is unable to travel with the team when it leaves at 1 p.m. today, while Brown pulled a hamstring during Tuesday’s practice at Game Time Gym.
“What’s tough is playing on a Friday night going to New York,” said Carr, who will return to the sideline after serving a one-game suspension. “Having to leave (today) is hard for coaches and players to get off work.”
Carr said Rocky Hinds will make his third straight start at quarterback, with Luke Drone again serving as his backup. Receiver Ottis Lewis, who hasn’t played since the second game, will see action.
Making some points: While the Extreme’s offense has looked sharper in its last two games, they still rank third from the bottom in average points per game at 30.7. Bloomington ranks ahead of Maryland (28.2) and La Crosse (20.3), neither of which has posted a victory.
“We’re still trying to jell offensively. It’s tough to do when you’ve got a lot of new players, but I think we’re moving in the right direction,” said Carr.
However, the Extreme is tied for second in fewest points allowed per game at 31.0 — even with San Antonio and just behind Richmond (30.6). Oddly, Bloomington is one of only two teams to score more than 35 points against the Revolution.
Playoff picture: The race for the United Conference’s eight postseason bids is shaping into six teams vying for four spots.
The three division leaders (Richmond, Green Bay and Sioux Falls) have one loss apiece, while Wichita is on track for a berth at 5-2. Of the remaining teams, three are winless (Maryland, La Crosse and Colorado) and the rest are either at .500 or within a half-game in either direction.
White hot Blizzard: Green Bay maintained its 2½-game lead over the Extreme with a win over West Michigan last week, but needed an impressive offensive showing to do it. A 22-yard field goal by Tino Amancio in the final minute capped a 39-point fourth quarter and gave the Blizzard a 72-69 victory.
Jake Phillips threw six TD passes — four to Daniel Robinson — as Green Bay (6-1) won its fifth straight since a 24-20 loss to the Extreme on March 13. Phillips, named the league’s offensive player of the week for the second time, is second in the league in completions with 111 and ranks third in TDs with 23.
BLOOMINGTON — Defensive backs James Temple and B.J. Brown each had one of the Bloomington Extreme’s franchise-best five interceptions last week against Maryland.
But both will be absent from the secondary when the Extreme meets the Rochester Raiders in Friday’s 6:35 p.m. Indoor Football League game at the Dome Arena in Henrietta, N.Y.
Coach Kenton Carr said Temple is unable to travel with the team when it leaves at 1 p.m. today, while Brown pulled a hamstring during Tuesday’s practice at Game Time Gym.
“What’s tough is playing on a Friday night going to New York,” said Carr, who will return to the sideline after serving a one-game suspension. “Having to leave (today) is hard for coaches and players to get off work.”
Carr said Rocky Hinds will make his third straight start at quarterback, with Luke Drone again serving as his backup. Receiver Ottis Lewis, who hasn’t played since the second game, will see action.
Making some points: While the Extreme’s offense has looked sharper in its last two games, they still rank third from the bottom in average points per game at 30.7. Bloomington ranks ahead of Maryland (28.2) and La Crosse (20.3), neither of which has posted a victory.
“We’re still trying to jell offensively. It’s tough to do when you’ve got a lot of new players, but I think we’re moving in the right direction,” said Carr.
However, the Extreme is tied for second in fewest points allowed per game at 31.0 — even with San Antonio and just behind Richmond (30.6). Oddly, Bloomington is one of only two teams to score more than 35 points against the Revolution.
Playoff picture: The race for the United Conference’s eight postseason bids is shaping into six teams vying for four spots.
The three division leaders (Richmond, Green Bay and Sioux Falls) have one loss apiece, while Wichita is on track for a berth at 5-2. Of the remaining teams, three are winless (Maryland, La Crosse and Colorado) and the rest are either at .500 or within a half-game in either direction.
White hot Blizzard: Green Bay maintained its 2½-game lead over the Extreme with a win over West Michigan last week, but needed an impressive offensive showing to do it. A 22-yard field goal by Tino Amancio in the final minute capped a 39-point fourth quarter and gave the Blizzard a 72-69 victory.
Jake Phillips threw six TD passes — four to Daniel Robinson — as Green Bay (6-1) won its fifth straight since a 24-20 loss to the Extreme on March 13. Phillips, named the league’s offensive player of the week for the second time, is second in the league in completions with 111 and ranks third in TDs with 23.