Post by 50yardfan on Apr 8, 2011 14:29:53 GMT -5
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – For almost a month, the people surrounding the Canton organization have been touting Saturday’s game with Northern Kentucky as the “Rematch”. There have been billboards and radio ads highlighting the return of the River Monsters to the Canton Civic Center.
Northern Kentucky claimed the victory in the first meeting 63-41 in a game that was marred by four ejections and subsequent suspensions. This game, however, marks the third time the two teams have played, and the second time in three weeks. In that game two weeks ago, Canton took a lead into the fourth quarter before the River Monsters rattled off 15 unanswered points to seize all the momentum and the 62-53 victory.
Not sure if rematch typifies this match up because Canton’s team has undergone massive changes since the team’s first meeting, and even some changes from two weeks ago. The Cougars traded quarterback Tavares Woodley and Matt Speed to Johnstown for Nate Ford and future considerations earlier this week. They also added indoor veteran JoJo Polk to their young defensive backfield. Canton is hoping the changes help bolster a defense that is last in scoring.
Despite what is going on in Canton and with the Cougars, the River Monsters are poised to continue running the same course that has helped them to the 5-1 record and first place in the Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL) standings.
Quarterback Jared Lorenzen leads the league’s top scoring offense, and had a record-setting nine touchdown performance in the last meeting against Canton. The left-handed signal caller leads the league in passing (255.8 yards per game) and touchdowns (38). He is leading the league by equally distributing his passes.
Ricardo Lenhart’s 89.3 yards per game tops the conference, while Willie Idlette is second (82.6) and Harry Lewis is fourth with 80.7 yards. Lewis, who tied a UIFL record with five touchdown receptions against Canton, is second in the UIFL with 15 touchdown receptions.
With all of the offensive success, the River Monsters are aware that Canton in the league leader with 16 interceptions. Dwaon Woodard is tied for second with four interceptions, but the Cougars shipped off four more picks in shipping Speed to Johnstown.
Not to be outdone, the Northern Kentucky defense has come up with big plays in key situations. Defensive back Butch Abshire had two interceptions in the end zone in the second Canton game, while defensive back Brett Hamblen turned the tide of the Huntington game with a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Northern Kentucky’s two linebackers, Jon D’Angelo and Santino Turnbow, are the top two tacklers in the UIFL with 7.7 and 6.6 tackles, respectively. Luke Scarborough and Thomas McKenzie have been providing constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks, aiding the River Monsters’ defensive efforts.
The game is slated for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday at the Canton Civic Center.
Northern Kentucky claimed the victory in the first meeting 63-41 in a game that was marred by four ejections and subsequent suspensions. This game, however, marks the third time the two teams have played, and the second time in three weeks. In that game two weeks ago, Canton took a lead into the fourth quarter before the River Monsters rattled off 15 unanswered points to seize all the momentum and the 62-53 victory.
Not sure if rematch typifies this match up because Canton’s team has undergone massive changes since the team’s first meeting, and even some changes from two weeks ago. The Cougars traded quarterback Tavares Woodley and Matt Speed to Johnstown for Nate Ford and future considerations earlier this week. They also added indoor veteran JoJo Polk to their young defensive backfield. Canton is hoping the changes help bolster a defense that is last in scoring.
Despite what is going on in Canton and with the Cougars, the River Monsters are poised to continue running the same course that has helped them to the 5-1 record and first place in the Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL) standings.
Quarterback Jared Lorenzen leads the league’s top scoring offense, and had a record-setting nine touchdown performance in the last meeting against Canton. The left-handed signal caller leads the league in passing (255.8 yards per game) and touchdowns (38). He is leading the league by equally distributing his passes.
Ricardo Lenhart’s 89.3 yards per game tops the conference, while Willie Idlette is second (82.6) and Harry Lewis is fourth with 80.7 yards. Lewis, who tied a UIFL record with five touchdown receptions against Canton, is second in the UIFL with 15 touchdown receptions.
With all of the offensive success, the River Monsters are aware that Canton in the league leader with 16 interceptions. Dwaon Woodard is tied for second with four interceptions, but the Cougars shipped off four more picks in shipping Speed to Johnstown.
Not to be outdone, the Northern Kentucky defense has come up with big plays in key situations. Defensive back Butch Abshire had two interceptions in the end zone in the second Canton game, while defensive back Brett Hamblen turned the tide of the Huntington game with a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Northern Kentucky’s two linebackers, Jon D’Angelo and Santino Turnbow, are the top two tacklers in the UIFL with 7.7 and 6.6 tackles, respectively. Luke Scarborough and Thomas McKenzie have been providing constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks, aiding the River Monsters’ defensive efforts.
The game is slated for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday at the Canton Civic Center.