Post by fwp on Apr 30, 2010 12:20:19 GMT -5
www.frontiersman.com/articles/2010/04/30/sports/doc4bda75201a6ca074898016.txt
WASILLA — The Arctic Predators and Yakima Valley Warriors have a few things in common.
Both teams are competing in their first season in the American Indoor Football Association. Both squads have faced similar first-year challenges, such as player turnover and changes to the schedule.
But one thing separates the two clubs. Yakima Valley has a pair of wins, while the Predators will be looking for their first when they travel to Yakima, Wash., to face the Warriors Saturday at 6:15 p.m. AST. It’ll mark the second meeting of the season between two of the AIFA’s newest rivals. Powered by a substantial second-half effort, Yakima Valley rallied to post a 52-21 win over the Predators in late March. Despite the loss, the Predators did lead 21-17 at halftime, which is enough for Predators coach Hans Deemer to believe his team has the ability to knock off the Warriors.
“We’re feeling good about ourselves,” Deemer said Thursday evening. “We feel like we can compete with them if we play four quarters. We haven’t done that yet.”
Playing a full four quarters may be the key. Predators quarterback Damion Ward tossed three touchdown passes during the first half against Yakima on March 28. The defense made stops and created turnovers. In the second half, it was a much different story.
The Predators (0-3) have had plenty of time to think about that loss. It’s been nearly a month since the team has hit the field for an official game, a loss to the Wyoming Cavalry in Laramie, Wyo., on April 2. The Cavalry were scheduled to play the Predators in Wasilla the following week, but the game was postponed until late May. Since, the Predators have been on back-to-back bye weeks.
The Predators have been able to use that extra time to expand their offense and add a hurry-up attack to their arsenal. But Deemer will be the first to admit he’s not a big fan of mid-season breaks.
“You lose momentum when you’re not playing games,” Deemer said.
Deemer will look to Ward to spark the Predators and create a little momentum. After missing his team’s game against Wyoming, Ward will get the nod as the starting quarterback Sunday. Deemer used multiple quarterbacks early in the season, but expects Ward to play a full four quarters against the Warriors.
During the Predators’ first meeting with Yakima, Ward was 9-for-12 for 97 yards and three touchdowns during two quarters of play.
“I thought he ran our base offensive really well,” Deemer said.
The Predators have added another lineman to help protect Ward, Deemer said. The team brought in Lokeni Lokeni Jr. to be its starting center. Lokeni played with the Alaska Wild of the Indoor Football League for two seasons.
“It’s huge. It’ll help us solidify (the line),” Deemer said. “A natural center is hard to find. The good ones move up the ranks really fast.”
Deemer said the addition of Lokeni is one of several changes that are being made to the starting units.
“We had to move around some people,” Deemer said. “There are a few people that the coaching staff felt were out of position.”
Yakima Valley enters the contest 3-2. The Warriors beat the Predators and Wenatchee Valley earlier in the season. The team also recently received a forfeit victory after the Ogden Knights canceled an April 16 game with the Warriors.
The Warriors have changed quarterbacks since playing the Predators. Ben Running, who was on the Southern Oregon University roster last fall, is now calling the signals. Running finished 11-for-29 for 223 yards, with five touchdowns and two interceptions in an 82-50 loss to San Jose on April 10.
Predators inviting potential boosters
The Arctic Predators are hosting a booster club meeting Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Glacier Canyon Grill inside the Grand View Inn and Suites. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the club and supporting Arctic Predator football is welcome to attend.
Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.
WASILLA — The Arctic Predators and Yakima Valley Warriors have a few things in common.
Both teams are competing in their first season in the American Indoor Football Association. Both squads have faced similar first-year challenges, such as player turnover and changes to the schedule.
But one thing separates the two clubs. Yakima Valley has a pair of wins, while the Predators will be looking for their first when they travel to Yakima, Wash., to face the Warriors Saturday at 6:15 p.m. AST. It’ll mark the second meeting of the season between two of the AIFA’s newest rivals. Powered by a substantial second-half effort, Yakima Valley rallied to post a 52-21 win over the Predators in late March. Despite the loss, the Predators did lead 21-17 at halftime, which is enough for Predators coach Hans Deemer to believe his team has the ability to knock off the Warriors.
“We’re feeling good about ourselves,” Deemer said Thursday evening. “We feel like we can compete with them if we play four quarters. We haven’t done that yet.”
Playing a full four quarters may be the key. Predators quarterback Damion Ward tossed three touchdown passes during the first half against Yakima on March 28. The defense made stops and created turnovers. In the second half, it was a much different story.
The Predators (0-3) have had plenty of time to think about that loss. It’s been nearly a month since the team has hit the field for an official game, a loss to the Wyoming Cavalry in Laramie, Wyo., on April 2. The Cavalry were scheduled to play the Predators in Wasilla the following week, but the game was postponed until late May. Since, the Predators have been on back-to-back bye weeks.
The Predators have been able to use that extra time to expand their offense and add a hurry-up attack to their arsenal. But Deemer will be the first to admit he’s not a big fan of mid-season breaks.
“You lose momentum when you’re not playing games,” Deemer said.
Deemer will look to Ward to spark the Predators and create a little momentum. After missing his team’s game against Wyoming, Ward will get the nod as the starting quarterback Sunday. Deemer used multiple quarterbacks early in the season, but expects Ward to play a full four quarters against the Warriors.
During the Predators’ first meeting with Yakima, Ward was 9-for-12 for 97 yards and three touchdowns during two quarters of play.
“I thought he ran our base offensive really well,” Deemer said.
The Predators have added another lineman to help protect Ward, Deemer said. The team brought in Lokeni Lokeni Jr. to be its starting center. Lokeni played with the Alaska Wild of the Indoor Football League for two seasons.
“It’s huge. It’ll help us solidify (the line),” Deemer said. “A natural center is hard to find. The good ones move up the ranks really fast.”
Deemer said the addition of Lokeni is one of several changes that are being made to the starting units.
“We had to move around some people,” Deemer said. “There are a few people that the coaching staff felt were out of position.”
Yakima Valley enters the contest 3-2. The Warriors beat the Predators and Wenatchee Valley earlier in the season. The team also recently received a forfeit victory after the Ogden Knights canceled an April 16 game with the Warriors.
The Warriors have changed quarterbacks since playing the Predators. Ben Running, who was on the Southern Oregon University roster last fall, is now calling the signals. Running finished 11-for-29 for 223 yards, with five touchdowns and two interceptions in an 82-50 loss to San Jose on April 10.
Predators inviting potential boosters
The Arctic Predators are hosting a booster club meeting Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Glacier Canyon Grill inside the Grand View Inn and Suites. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the club and supporting Arctic Predator football is welcome to attend.
Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.