Post by fwp on May 1, 2010 6:15:45 GMT -5
www.pantagraph.com/sports/football/professional/arena/extreme/article_88361478-54a7-11df-a6d4-001cc4c002e0.html
After a 13-hour or so bus trip last week to Rochester, N.Y., the Bloomington Extreme faced a mere seven hours on the road Friday to Nebraska for Saturday's 7:05 p.m. game against the Omaha Beef.
Extreme defensive lineman Larry Luster isn't complaining.
"When I was with the Peoria Pirates last year we had a ridiculous 19-hour trip," said Luster. "It could be worse."
Luster is definitely a half-glass full kind of guy. But with the Indoor Football League season at its halfway point, the Extreme (3-4) definitely is feeling a sense of urgency heading into Saturday's game at Omaha Civic Auditorium. Bloomington has dropped three of its last four games.
"Guys know it and feel it," said Extreme coach Kenton Carr. "We're preaching it. We're fighting injuries and have to find a way to win."
Carr knows adding a couple pieces can make all the difference. Two years ago, the Extreme was 1-3 before the addition of some key players paved the way for a United Bowl appearance.
Bloomington's roster underwent a change this week. Carr brought back linebacker Justin Harrison, who was the team's second-leading tackler last season. The former Bloomington High School and University of Illinois standout gives the Extreme a physical presence that Carr believes the defense, which is allowing 33.6 points per game, has been lacking.
Offensively, running back/wide receiver Andre Raymond has been added to the mix. Raymond was an offensive star two years ago for the Extreme in their run to the championship game. The Extreme also has signed 6-foot-3, 280-pound offensive lineman Justin Deal.
"Sometimes that's all it takes," said Carr of midseason additions. "We'll get there."
Luster is confident the Extreme is ready to turn things around. The Southern Illinois product was with the Green Bay Blizzard earlier this season before getting cut after coming back from a Canadian Football League tryout.
The defensive secondary will regain the services of James Temple and Terrill Mayberry, who didn't make the trip last week as the Extreme suffered a 56-41 loss to the Rochester Raiders.
"I feel the team has nothing to worry about. It's perseverance. It's part of life," said Luster. "We all know we have to win. That's nothing new. We just have to go out and do it. We have a solid team.
"Everyone has to handle their responsibilities and not others' responsibilities. We're good and only going to get better."
Carr believes the Beef (2-4) is probably saying the same thing. Omaha dropped a 50-49 decision at Central North-leading Green Bay last week and lost at Wichita, 56-50, two weeks ago. Green Bay and Wichita are a combined 13-3.
Omaha is led by veteran quarterback Ben Sanky, who has completed 112 of 177 attempts for 1,094 yards with 27 touchdowns and six interceptions. The Beef's leading receivers are O.J. Simpson (30 receptions, 334 yards, seven TDs) and Luke McArdle (24-289-13).
"They are not a 2-4 team," said Carr. "They're like us. Their biggest problem has been inconsistency."
On the road again
Extreme at Beef
Time: 7:05 p.m. Saturday
Broadcast: WJBC-FM (93.7)
After a 13-hour or so bus trip last week to Rochester, N.Y., the Bloomington Extreme faced a mere seven hours on the road Friday to Nebraska for Saturday's 7:05 p.m. game against the Omaha Beef.
Extreme defensive lineman Larry Luster isn't complaining.
"When I was with the Peoria Pirates last year we had a ridiculous 19-hour trip," said Luster. "It could be worse."
Luster is definitely a half-glass full kind of guy. But with the Indoor Football League season at its halfway point, the Extreme (3-4) definitely is feeling a sense of urgency heading into Saturday's game at Omaha Civic Auditorium. Bloomington has dropped three of its last four games.
"Guys know it and feel it," said Extreme coach Kenton Carr. "We're preaching it. We're fighting injuries and have to find a way to win."
Carr knows adding a couple pieces can make all the difference. Two years ago, the Extreme was 1-3 before the addition of some key players paved the way for a United Bowl appearance.
Bloomington's roster underwent a change this week. Carr brought back linebacker Justin Harrison, who was the team's second-leading tackler last season. The former Bloomington High School and University of Illinois standout gives the Extreme a physical presence that Carr believes the defense, which is allowing 33.6 points per game, has been lacking.
Offensively, running back/wide receiver Andre Raymond has been added to the mix. Raymond was an offensive star two years ago for the Extreme in their run to the championship game. The Extreme also has signed 6-foot-3, 280-pound offensive lineman Justin Deal.
"Sometimes that's all it takes," said Carr of midseason additions. "We'll get there."
Luster is confident the Extreme is ready to turn things around. The Southern Illinois product was with the Green Bay Blizzard earlier this season before getting cut after coming back from a Canadian Football League tryout.
The defensive secondary will regain the services of James Temple and Terrill Mayberry, who didn't make the trip last week as the Extreme suffered a 56-41 loss to the Rochester Raiders.
"I feel the team has nothing to worry about. It's perseverance. It's part of life," said Luster. "We all know we have to win. That's nothing new. We just have to go out and do it. We have a solid team.
"Everyone has to handle their responsibilities and not others' responsibilities. We're good and only going to get better."
Carr believes the Beef (2-4) is probably saying the same thing. Omaha dropped a 50-49 decision at Central North-leading Green Bay last week and lost at Wichita, 56-50, two weeks ago. Green Bay and Wichita are a combined 13-3.
Omaha is led by veteran quarterback Ben Sanky, who has completed 112 of 177 attempts for 1,094 yards with 27 touchdowns and six interceptions. The Beef's leading receivers are O.J. Simpson (30 receptions, 334 yards, seven TDs) and Luke McArdle (24-289-13).
"They are not a 2-4 team," said Carr. "They're like us. Their biggest problem has been inconsistency."
On the road again
Extreme at Beef
Time: 7:05 p.m. Saturday
Broadcast: WJBC-FM (93.7)