Post by 50yardfan on Jul 25, 2010 12:54:48 GMT -5
Both Wyoming and Baltimore feature stout defenders
trib.com/sports/pro/article_929f3482-ce20-57b7-9a94-9611a4a0a938.html
In a league designed to produce big offensive numbers, today's American Indoor Football Association championship game between the Wyoming Cavalry and the Baltimore Mariners will likely be decided by defense.
At least that's what Baltimore coach Chris Simpson is counting on.
"Defense sets the tone for the game," Simpson said. "Even in the indoor game ... defense will win you championships."
That would definitely favor the 15-0 Mariners, who lead the AIFA in fewest points allowed per game (27.1), sacks (47), interceptions (49) and turnover margin (+48).
Baltimore defensive linemen Melik Brown, Daniel Orlebar and Fearon Wright have combined for 30 sacks, with linebacker Adam Goloboski pitching in with 9.5 of his own.
With the front five putting so much pressure on opposing quarterbacks, the Mariners secondary of Desmoind Maul, Armar Watson and Richard Johnson has produced an impressive 32 interceptions.
"Baltimore does a great job of getting to the quarterback and forcing turnovers," veteran Cavs quarterback Matt Strand said. "We know it will be a hostile environment, so it's important that we keep our composure and don't panic."
The Cavs (14-1) have done that throughout the season, with their only blemish being a 43-39 loss to Wenatchee Valley late in the year after a five-week layoff.
Although Wyoming trails Baltimore in points allowed (33.3 per game) and turnover margin (+20), the Cavs defense made a habit of coming up with big plays at key moments.
In the Western Conference championship game against San Jose on July 11, the Cavs forced a fumble at the goal line to stop the Wolves' opening drive, and Rodell Razor ended the Wolves' second drive with an interception in the end zone.
Razor is part of a young but talented group of defenders that includes fellow DBs Emery Beckles, Jeff McNally and Antar Brame; linebackers Charles Hunt and Martini Hilliard; and defensive lineman Rhett Abernathy.
Offsetting the defense's championship-game inexperience are DB Stacey Edwards and DL Tomasi Kongaika, Josh Breske and Rodney Wasche.
"I don't feel like a rookie because the older guys have given us so much guidance," Razor said.
Added Cavs coach Dan Maciejczak: "I think we have a good mixture of new guys mixed with veteran guys. Our new guys have brought a high-intensity, college-level of excitement to the defense."
While the majority of the Wyoming defense will be playing in its first AIFA championship game, a number of Cavs offensive players -- Strand and receivers Dante Dudley, B.J. Charlton and James Everage -- will be making their third such appearance.
Strand once again leads the AIFA in most passing categories. He enters today's AIFA Bowl IV having completed 218-of-348 passes for 2,815 yards and 71 touchdowns. Strand has thrown only eight interceptions, with three of them coming in the loss to Wenatchee Valley.
He spearheads an offense that leads the AIFA in scoring (62.4 points) and passing yards (234.6) per game.
Strand's favorite targets this season have been Dudley (82 receptions for 951 yards and 23 touchdowns), Charlton (46-568 and 17 TDs) and newcomer Jasonus Tillery (62-1,000 and 25 TDs).
"Wyoming is a very good football team," Simpson said. "But Matt Strand is someone who really stands out when you watch them on film. If you give him time he'll pick you apart."
The Mariners don't plan on affording Strand and the Cavs offense that luxury.
"Defense is all about athletic ability," Simpson said. "Technique is important, but we rely on the speed of our front four to make things happen. We've got a bunch of gazelles."
On offense, the Mariners have used a balanced attack with quarterback E.J. Nemeth; running back Isaiah Greer; and receivers Scorpio Brown, Jamaal Stokes and Aaron Yarbrough to average 60.7 ppg.
"We're extremely excited because we know Baltimore is going to challenge us up front and on the back end and we've got to be physical," Razor said. "This is a game we've got to be prepared for mentally and physically more than any other game we've played."
And for the Cavs, it's a game that would finally put an end to their futility in championship games.
"This is what we play for and it's what I coach for," Maciejczak said. "For the players 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."
Contact sports reporter Jack Nowlin at (307) 266-0528 or jack.nowlin@trib.com.
Cavalry Tracker
TODAY: AIFA Bowl IV, Wyoming at Baltimore, 2 p.m.
RECORDS: Cavalry (14-1); Mariners (15-0).
GETTING DEFENSIVE: The Mariners lead the American Indoor Football Association in most defensive categories, including fewest points allowed (27.1 per game) and turnover margin (+48).
GETTING OFFENSIVE: The Cavs lead the AIFA in points (62.4 per game), with QB Matt Strand having thrown for 2,815 yards and 71 touchdowns.
HE SAID IT: "Wyoming is a very good football team. But Matt Strand is someone who really stands out when you watch them on film. If you give him time he'll pick you apart." -- Baltimore coach Chris Simpson
trib.com/sports/pro/article_929f3482-ce20-57b7-9a94-9611a4a0a938.html
In a league designed to produce big offensive numbers, today's American Indoor Football Association championship game between the Wyoming Cavalry and the Baltimore Mariners will likely be decided by defense.
At least that's what Baltimore coach Chris Simpson is counting on.
"Defense sets the tone for the game," Simpson said. "Even in the indoor game ... defense will win you championships."
That would definitely favor the 15-0 Mariners, who lead the AIFA in fewest points allowed per game (27.1), sacks (47), interceptions (49) and turnover margin (+48).
Baltimore defensive linemen Melik Brown, Daniel Orlebar and Fearon Wright have combined for 30 sacks, with linebacker Adam Goloboski pitching in with 9.5 of his own.
With the front five putting so much pressure on opposing quarterbacks, the Mariners secondary of Desmoind Maul, Armar Watson and Richard Johnson has produced an impressive 32 interceptions.
"Baltimore does a great job of getting to the quarterback and forcing turnovers," veteran Cavs quarterback Matt Strand said. "We know it will be a hostile environment, so it's important that we keep our composure and don't panic."
The Cavs (14-1) have done that throughout the season, with their only blemish being a 43-39 loss to Wenatchee Valley late in the year after a five-week layoff.
Although Wyoming trails Baltimore in points allowed (33.3 per game) and turnover margin (+20), the Cavs defense made a habit of coming up with big plays at key moments.
In the Western Conference championship game against San Jose on July 11, the Cavs forced a fumble at the goal line to stop the Wolves' opening drive, and Rodell Razor ended the Wolves' second drive with an interception in the end zone.
Razor is part of a young but talented group of defenders that includes fellow DBs Emery Beckles, Jeff McNally and Antar Brame; linebackers Charles Hunt and Martini Hilliard; and defensive lineman Rhett Abernathy.
Offsetting the defense's championship-game inexperience are DB Stacey Edwards and DL Tomasi Kongaika, Josh Breske and Rodney Wasche.
"I don't feel like a rookie because the older guys have given us so much guidance," Razor said.
Added Cavs coach Dan Maciejczak: "I think we have a good mixture of new guys mixed with veteran guys. Our new guys have brought a high-intensity, college-level of excitement to the defense."
While the majority of the Wyoming defense will be playing in its first AIFA championship game, a number of Cavs offensive players -- Strand and receivers Dante Dudley, B.J. Charlton and James Everage -- will be making their third such appearance.
Strand once again leads the AIFA in most passing categories. He enters today's AIFA Bowl IV having completed 218-of-348 passes for 2,815 yards and 71 touchdowns. Strand has thrown only eight interceptions, with three of them coming in the loss to Wenatchee Valley.
He spearheads an offense that leads the AIFA in scoring (62.4 points) and passing yards (234.6) per game.
Strand's favorite targets this season have been Dudley (82 receptions for 951 yards and 23 touchdowns), Charlton (46-568 and 17 TDs) and newcomer Jasonus Tillery (62-1,000 and 25 TDs).
"Wyoming is a very good football team," Simpson said. "But Matt Strand is someone who really stands out when you watch them on film. If you give him time he'll pick you apart."
The Mariners don't plan on affording Strand and the Cavs offense that luxury.
"Defense is all about athletic ability," Simpson said. "Technique is important, but we rely on the speed of our front four to make things happen. We've got a bunch of gazelles."
On offense, the Mariners have used a balanced attack with quarterback E.J. Nemeth; running back Isaiah Greer; and receivers Scorpio Brown, Jamaal Stokes and Aaron Yarbrough to average 60.7 ppg.
"We're extremely excited because we know Baltimore is going to challenge us up front and on the back end and we've got to be physical," Razor said. "This is a game we've got to be prepared for mentally and physically more than any other game we've played."
And for the Cavs, it's a game that would finally put an end to their futility in championship games.
"This is what we play for and it's what I coach for," Maciejczak said. "For the players 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."
Contact sports reporter Jack Nowlin at (307) 266-0528 or jack.nowlin@trib.com.
Cavalry Tracker
TODAY: AIFA Bowl IV, Wyoming at Baltimore, 2 p.m.
RECORDS: Cavalry (14-1); Mariners (15-0).
GETTING DEFENSIVE: The Mariners lead the American Indoor Football Association in most defensive categories, including fewest points allowed (27.1 per game) and turnover margin (+48).
GETTING OFFENSIVE: The Cavs lead the AIFA in points (62.4 per game), with QB Matt Strand having thrown for 2,815 yards and 71 touchdowns.
HE SAID IT: "Wyoming is a very good football team. But Matt Strand is someone who really stands out when you watch them on film. If you give him time he'll pick you apart." -- Baltimore coach Chris Simpson