Post by fwp on May 7, 2010 8:36:27 GMT -5
www.frontiersman.com/articles/2010/05/07/sports/doc4be3b703adb61445195897.txt
WASILLA — Last week, the Arctic Predators earned their first win in franchise history. Saturday, the Predators will be looking for their first winning streak when they host the Wenatchee Valley Venom at 6:30 p.m. at the Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla.
“To be having success this early is a good feeling,” Predators coach Hans Deemer said of his team, which earned that historic victory in the organizations’ fourth game.
The Predators improved to 1-3 with the win, and sit just a game behind Wenatchee (2-4) in the American Indoor Football Association West Division standings. Deemer was thrilled about the work of his offense during last week’s win, a 66-63 victory over the Yakima Valley Warriors in Yakima, Wash. Two different receivers hit double digits in catches while eclipsing the 100-yard mark. Another receiver caught four touchdown passes. Quarterback Damion Ward threw for 330 yards and nine scores.
“I think he did a good job of spreading it around,” Deemer said of his signal caller.
That offensive explosion came just before the Predators host a Wenatchee Valley team that has allowed a combined 136 points in its last two games. Wenatchee Valley suffered a 70-38 loss to San Jose last week and were beat 68-28 in late April. Deemer said there are ways the Predators may be able to exploit the Wenatchee defense. But the Venom have also had a week to prepare for the Predators.
“I definitely think they have some chinks in their armor. A few things they do in their coverage, Yakima did similar things and we were able to take advantage,” Deemer said. “But they’ve had a week to watch the film too. They may have a few surprises for us.”
Wenatchee Valley is led by quarterback Ronnie Simpson, a New Mexico Highland University product, who has thrown for 763 yards and 17 touchdowns in five games this season. Phil Goodman, who played his college ball at Division I Temple, has a team-high 24 catches and is one of three Venom receivers with six touchdown grabs.
Like the Predators, Wenatchee Valley is a young franchise. But Deemer said the team has experience.
“Even though they’re a young team, they have quite a few veterans,” Deemer said.
While things on offense seem to be working, the Predators continue to work on their play on defense.
“We don’t have enough stops to make me happy, but I don’t know if you’d call it a concern,” Deemer said. “It’s an area we need to work on.”
Deemer said a few minor changes could prove to make a huge difference.
“A couple of adjustments on offense, and look what a difference it was,” Deemer said.
Predators hosting military appreciation night on Saturday
Saturday’s contest will also mark the team’s military appreciation night. All military personnel receive a discounted rate of $10 for general admission and $20 for sideline seats.
In addition, the Predators will have special guests to flip the coin. Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, the senior military officer in Alaska, will flip the coin, alongside Billy Bomar, the son of an Air Force colonel, who was confined in a North Vietnamese prisoner-of-war camp with U.S. Sen. John McCain.
The Predators have also planned a tailgate party, which is slated to start Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Menard Sports Center.
Predators invite fans to join booster club
The Arctic Predators are inviting fans to join their booster club. The club meets every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Glacier Canyon Grill inside the Grand View Inn and Suites.
Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.
WASILLA — Last week, the Arctic Predators earned their first win in franchise history. Saturday, the Predators will be looking for their first winning streak when they host the Wenatchee Valley Venom at 6:30 p.m. at the Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla.
“To be having success this early is a good feeling,” Predators coach Hans Deemer said of his team, which earned that historic victory in the organizations’ fourth game.
The Predators improved to 1-3 with the win, and sit just a game behind Wenatchee (2-4) in the American Indoor Football Association West Division standings. Deemer was thrilled about the work of his offense during last week’s win, a 66-63 victory over the Yakima Valley Warriors in Yakima, Wash. Two different receivers hit double digits in catches while eclipsing the 100-yard mark. Another receiver caught four touchdown passes. Quarterback Damion Ward threw for 330 yards and nine scores.
“I think he did a good job of spreading it around,” Deemer said of his signal caller.
That offensive explosion came just before the Predators host a Wenatchee Valley team that has allowed a combined 136 points in its last two games. Wenatchee Valley suffered a 70-38 loss to San Jose last week and were beat 68-28 in late April. Deemer said there are ways the Predators may be able to exploit the Wenatchee defense. But the Venom have also had a week to prepare for the Predators.
“I definitely think they have some chinks in their armor. A few things they do in their coverage, Yakima did similar things and we were able to take advantage,” Deemer said. “But they’ve had a week to watch the film too. They may have a few surprises for us.”
Wenatchee Valley is led by quarterback Ronnie Simpson, a New Mexico Highland University product, who has thrown for 763 yards and 17 touchdowns in five games this season. Phil Goodman, who played his college ball at Division I Temple, has a team-high 24 catches and is one of three Venom receivers with six touchdown grabs.
Like the Predators, Wenatchee Valley is a young franchise. But Deemer said the team has experience.
“Even though they’re a young team, they have quite a few veterans,” Deemer said.
While things on offense seem to be working, the Predators continue to work on their play on defense.
“We don’t have enough stops to make me happy, but I don’t know if you’d call it a concern,” Deemer said. “It’s an area we need to work on.”
Deemer said a few minor changes could prove to make a huge difference.
“A couple of adjustments on offense, and look what a difference it was,” Deemer said.
Predators hosting military appreciation night on Saturday
Saturday’s contest will also mark the team’s military appreciation night. All military personnel receive a discounted rate of $10 for general admission and $20 for sideline seats.
In addition, the Predators will have special guests to flip the coin. Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, the senior military officer in Alaska, will flip the coin, alongside Billy Bomar, the son of an Air Force colonel, who was confined in a North Vietnamese prisoner-of-war camp with U.S. Sen. John McCain.
The Predators have also planned a tailgate party, which is slated to start Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Menard Sports Center.
Predators invite fans to join booster club
The Arctic Predators are inviting fans to join their booster club. The club meets every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Glacier Canyon Grill inside the Grand View Inn and Suites.
Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.