Post by 50yardfan on Jul 24, 2010 10:04:25 GMT -5
Wyoming Cavalry hope to win first AIFA title against Baltimore Mariners
Wyoming wants to win first AIFA title
trib.com/sports/pro/article_92ec5818-e05b-501b-8178-095bd779186a.html
The Wyoming Cavalry have been in this situation before.
The Baltimore Mariners, on the other hand, are here for the very first time.
But when the two teams play for the American Indoor Football Association championship on Sunday in AIFA Bowl IV, both will be looking for their first title.
The Cavalry (14-1) are 0-4 in league championship games, having lost the National Indoor Football League title games in 2001 and '07 and AIFA title games the past two seasons.
"I've learned a lot from being in three [championship games] and losing," Cavs coach Dan Maciejczak said. "For my players, the ones that have been here four years and have put in the dedication and the commitment, it would mean a lot to solidify that with a championship."
The Cavs were oh-so-close to capturing their first last season.
Wyoming led Reading 34-23 late in the second quarter at the Casper Events Center, but gave up a long touchdown pass just before the half and the Express rolled over the Cavs in the second half, winning 65-42.
That championship-game experience, even in a losing effort, could finally work to the Cavs' advantage, however.
The Baltimore franchise, which is only in its third year of existence, will be playing in its first championship game and just its third playoff game.
But the Eastern Division champion Mariners (15-0) have proved to be unbeatable this season.
"We've tried to set up a standard here," Baltimore coach Chris Simpson said. "We bring in solid guys that are good athletes and we put certain expectations on them."
Simpson added that he looked to the West for some inspiration when building the Mariners.
"Wyoming has been an outstanding organization for a number of years," Simpson said. "They have built a winning tradition.
"Whenever you play in a championship game you want to play the best, and I think the Cavalry have proved that they're the best in the West."
Now the Cavalry want to prove that their dominance extends to the East.
"We've dealt with pretty much everything in these championship games," Maciejczak said. "Hopefully it all comes together this week.
"We have guys that have been in this situation before. We're not just excited to be here, we want to get over this hump."
Contact sports reporter Jack Nowlin at (307) 266-0528 or jack.nowlin@trib.com.
Cavalry Tracker
SUNDAY: AIFA Bowl IV, Casper at Baltimore, 2 p.m.
RECORDS: Cavalry (14-1); Mariners (15-0).
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW: The Cavs first fielded an indoor football team in 2000 and are playing in their third consecutive American Indoor Football Association championship game, while the Mariners are in just their third year of existence.
HE SAID IT: "We've dealt with pretty much everything in these championship games. Hopefully it all comes together this week." – Cavalry coach Dan Maciejczak.
Wyoming wants to win first AIFA title
trib.com/sports/pro/article_92ec5818-e05b-501b-8178-095bd779186a.html
The Wyoming Cavalry have been in this situation before.
The Baltimore Mariners, on the other hand, are here for the very first time.
But when the two teams play for the American Indoor Football Association championship on Sunday in AIFA Bowl IV, both will be looking for their first title.
The Cavalry (14-1) are 0-4 in league championship games, having lost the National Indoor Football League title games in 2001 and '07 and AIFA title games the past two seasons.
"I've learned a lot from being in three [championship games] and losing," Cavs coach Dan Maciejczak said. "For my players, the ones that have been here four years and have put in the dedication and the commitment, it would mean a lot to solidify that with a championship."
The Cavs were oh-so-close to capturing their first last season.
Wyoming led Reading 34-23 late in the second quarter at the Casper Events Center, but gave up a long touchdown pass just before the half and the Express rolled over the Cavs in the second half, winning 65-42.
That championship-game experience, even in a losing effort, could finally work to the Cavs' advantage, however.
The Baltimore franchise, which is only in its third year of existence, will be playing in its first championship game and just its third playoff game.
But the Eastern Division champion Mariners (15-0) have proved to be unbeatable this season.
"We've tried to set up a standard here," Baltimore coach Chris Simpson said. "We bring in solid guys that are good athletes and we put certain expectations on them."
Simpson added that he looked to the West for some inspiration when building the Mariners.
"Wyoming has been an outstanding organization for a number of years," Simpson said. "They have built a winning tradition.
"Whenever you play in a championship game you want to play the best, and I think the Cavalry have proved that they're the best in the West."
Now the Cavalry want to prove that their dominance extends to the East.
"We've dealt with pretty much everything in these championship games," Maciejczak said. "Hopefully it all comes together this week.
"We have guys that have been in this situation before. We're not just excited to be here, we want to get over this hump."
Contact sports reporter Jack Nowlin at (307) 266-0528 or jack.nowlin@trib.com.
Cavalry Tracker
SUNDAY: AIFA Bowl IV, Casper at Baltimore, 2 p.m.
RECORDS: Cavalry (14-1); Mariners (15-0).
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW: The Cavs first fielded an indoor football team in 2000 and are playing in their third consecutive American Indoor Football Association championship game, while the Mariners are in just their third year of existence.
HE SAID IT: "We've dealt with pretty much everything in these championship games. Hopefully it all comes together this week." – Cavalry coach Dan Maciejczak.