Post by 50yardfan on Apr 7, 2011 9:08:48 GMT -5
Team to tackle league leaders
www.thetimesherald.com/article/20110407/SPORTS/104070319/Football-Coach-insists-Predators-will-bounce-back
John Forti's first game as head coach of the Port Huron Predators didn't go as planned.
But the veteran coach has used the game to motivate his team.
The Predators coach is expecting his players to respond Friday when they travel to face the Cincinnati Commandos (4-0), the reigning Continental Indoor Football League champions.
"I let them have it and chewed them out after the last game," Forti said. "It was a total lack of effort. There is only so much you can do. They are supposedly professional athletes. We were down only two points at the half, and they were acting like they were down by two touchdowns.
"They have responded in practice this week. Monday was a good practice and hopefully (Wednesday night) will be the same."
Even though the Predators are 2-2, they have been in position to win every game they have played. A victory against the Commandos could be just what the team needs to get back on track.
"It's not a good situation to be 2-2," Forti said. "But it's a good spot because we have a great challenge and a great opportunity to knock off the best team in the league and get going in a good direction."
The Predators offense, which was dynamic before it struggled in the 45-29 loss to the Chicago Knights, also will look to rebound.
Quarterback Jim Roth, a receiver by trade, completed 10-23 passes for 72 yards against Chicago. This week the Predators brought in Mike Akrawi, who tried out with the team before the season.
He is expected to start Friday in place of Roth, who will be unavailable for the game. Calvin Toliver, the other quarterback on the roster, continues to nurse his right throwing arm, which he injured two games ago.
"It's a really big game," Predators receiver Terry Mitchell said. "A lot of people feel like we should be 4-0. But that's not the case. We have to go in with a chip on our shoulder and believe we can beat them and go out there and shock the league."
PREDATORS WATCH
» FRIDAY: Predators at Cincinnati Commandos
» RECORD: 2-2
» STANDINGS: Third in the Continental Indoor Football League, two games behind Cincinnati.
www.thetimesherald.com/article/20110407/SPORTS/104070319/Football-Coach-insists-Predators-will-bounce-back
John Forti's first game as head coach of the Port Huron Predators didn't go as planned.
But the veteran coach has used the game to motivate his team.
The Predators coach is expecting his players to respond Friday when they travel to face the Cincinnati Commandos (4-0), the reigning Continental Indoor Football League champions.
"I let them have it and chewed them out after the last game," Forti said. "It was a total lack of effort. There is only so much you can do. They are supposedly professional athletes. We were down only two points at the half, and they were acting like they were down by two touchdowns.
"They have responded in practice this week. Monday was a good practice and hopefully (Wednesday night) will be the same."
Even though the Predators are 2-2, they have been in position to win every game they have played. A victory against the Commandos could be just what the team needs to get back on track.
"It's not a good situation to be 2-2," Forti said. "But it's a good spot because we have a great challenge and a great opportunity to knock off the best team in the league and get going in a good direction."
The Predators offense, which was dynamic before it struggled in the 45-29 loss to the Chicago Knights, also will look to rebound.
Quarterback Jim Roth, a receiver by trade, completed 10-23 passes for 72 yards against Chicago. This week the Predators brought in Mike Akrawi, who tried out with the team before the season.
He is expected to start Friday in place of Roth, who will be unavailable for the game. Calvin Toliver, the other quarterback on the roster, continues to nurse his right throwing arm, which he injured two games ago.
"It's a really big game," Predators receiver Terry Mitchell said. "A lot of people feel like we should be 4-0. But that's not the case. We have to go in with a chip on our shoulder and believe we can beat them and go out there and shock the league."
PREDATORS WATCH
» FRIDAY: Predators at Cincinnati Commandos
» RECORD: 2-2
» STANDINGS: Third in the Continental Indoor Football League, two games behind Cincinnati.