Post by 50yardfan on Mar 26, 2011 12:34:44 GMT -5
www.marionstar.com/article/20110326/SPORTS/103260317/Blue-Racers-focused-after-bye-week
MARION - Not having a game last Saturday was about the only thing different for the Marion Blue Racers last week.
Racers head coach Demetrius Ross put his squad through its paces just as if it was going to play.
Ross is hoping the time put in last week and this week will translate into a victory tonight as the Racers take on the Dayton Silverbacks at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.
During the bye week, the team got together to watch film of its first two games, a win over Port Huron and a loss to Cincinnati. Both games were not decided until the last snap of the ball.
"We saw a lot of young mistakes by a young team," Ross said. "But it also showed a team with a tremendous amount of fight. We were able to give them an opportunity to see what went wrong and correct mistakes."
"The big focus was bringing the team together," running back Christen Haywood said. "Watching the film together let the players see themselves on the field and be able to evaluate how we played. We came back this past Tuesday ready to go."
In both games, the Blue Racers rallied in the second half to either earn the victory or give them a chance to get the win.
"We want to play at the beginning like we are playing at the end," Ross said. "We need to complete assignments from beginning to end. By doing the little things right the rest of it will come."
The Blue Racers added defensive back Bryceson Lawrence to the roster this week. Ross likes what he has seen of the former Continental Indoor Football League Defensive Player of the Year, who played two seasons with the Marion Mayhem.
"Playing defense is a game of passion and Bryceson will help with the intensity," Ross said. "He has great instincts and things you can't teach."
The Silverbacks (1-1) come into the game with some knowledge of playing in the Coliseum.
"It will not be a new venue, as we are told there are some ex-Mayhem players on the rosters, and there are former Mayhem coaches," Ross said. "They are also coming off a loss. It will be a great battle, and it will come down to who cleans the mistakes the best."
Defensive lineman Mike Cross felt the team found some good things during the bye week.
"It was a great learning experience for everybody," he said.
But Cross also was glad to get back to preparing for an opponent.
"This past Tuesday we came in focused," he said. "We got a lot accomplished and we also got in a little hitting and I like that."
What:Continental Indoor Football League game between the Marion Blue Racers and Dayton Silverbacks
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight
Where:Veterans Memorial Coliseum at Marion County Fairgrounds
Tickets:$10
Website: blueracersfootball.com
MARION - Not having a game last Saturday was about the only thing different for the Marion Blue Racers last week.
Racers head coach Demetrius Ross put his squad through its paces just as if it was going to play.
Ross is hoping the time put in last week and this week will translate into a victory tonight as the Racers take on the Dayton Silverbacks at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.
During the bye week, the team got together to watch film of its first two games, a win over Port Huron and a loss to Cincinnati. Both games were not decided until the last snap of the ball.
"We saw a lot of young mistakes by a young team," Ross said. "But it also showed a team with a tremendous amount of fight. We were able to give them an opportunity to see what went wrong and correct mistakes."
"The big focus was bringing the team together," running back Christen Haywood said. "Watching the film together let the players see themselves on the field and be able to evaluate how we played. We came back this past Tuesday ready to go."
In both games, the Blue Racers rallied in the second half to either earn the victory or give them a chance to get the win.
"We want to play at the beginning like we are playing at the end," Ross said. "We need to complete assignments from beginning to end. By doing the little things right the rest of it will come."
The Blue Racers added defensive back Bryceson Lawrence to the roster this week. Ross likes what he has seen of the former Continental Indoor Football League Defensive Player of the Year, who played two seasons with the Marion Mayhem.
"Playing defense is a game of passion and Bryceson will help with the intensity," Ross said. "He has great instincts and things you can't teach."
The Silverbacks (1-1) come into the game with some knowledge of playing in the Coliseum.
"It will not be a new venue, as we are told there are some ex-Mayhem players on the rosters, and there are former Mayhem coaches," Ross said. "They are also coming off a loss. It will be a great battle, and it will come down to who cleans the mistakes the best."
Defensive lineman Mike Cross felt the team found some good things during the bye week.
"It was a great learning experience for everybody," he said.
But Cross also was glad to get back to preparing for an opponent.
"This past Tuesday we came in focused," he said. "We got a lot accomplished and we also got in a little hitting and I like that."
What:Continental Indoor Football League game between the Marion Blue Racers and Dayton Silverbacks
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight
Where:Veterans Memorial Coliseum at Marion County Fairgrounds
Tickets:$10
Website: blueracersfootball.com