Post by 50yardfan on Apr 14, 2011 9:07:40 GMT -5
www.thetimesherald.com/article/20110414/SPORTS/104140315/1006/sports/Football-Predators-look-even-score-vs-Marion
The last time the Port Huron Predators met the Marion Blue Racers on the football field, the Predators were riding a high.
The team was coming off an impressive season-opening victory against the Indianapolis Enforcers at McMorran Arena.
"We'll know more about ourselves after we face Marion," then-coach Jason Lovelock said in the week leading up to his team facing Marion. "That's going to be the key game for us. It will show us where our season is headed."
The Predators lost a double-digit fourth-quarter lead at Marion and suffered a 44-37 setback. After that loss, the team has dropped three of its past four games.
Port Huron (2-3) looks to settle a score with Marion (4-1). The rematch is
7:30 p.m. Saturday at McMorran Arena.
"It's going to be a huge game," Port Huron defensive back and captain Ernie Smith said moments after last week's 47-22 loss to the Cincinnati Commandos. "We can't afford any more losses."
The Predators have gone through three starting quarterbacks.
"It's definitely been the biggest issue we've faced," said coach John Forti, who served as the team's offensive coordinator before Lovelock was fired. "We haven't been able to settle on a quarterback because of injuries."
First there was Damon Dowdell, the former Michigan State University quarterback.
Because of an ongoing family issue, Dowdell never reported to practice. Jim Roth, a receiver by trade, took over.
Next was Calvin Toliver. But on his first snap under center against the Dayton Silverbacks, Toliver threw an interception and separated his shoulder while trying to make a tackle.
Roth would make one more start before Mike Akrawi took over last week and struggled in the Predators' loss to the Cincinnati Commandos.
"I think it was a real eye-opener for him," Forti said. "I know going in he thought he was going to do really well. Playing quarterback in indoor football is difficult. You only get one or two reads and the ball has to be out."
Forti hopes having Toliver back in the fold this week will help.
"Most of the guys feel they should have beat them the first time," Forti said. "This is a big test for us. We have to win."
The Predators sit in fourth place in the Continental Indoor Football League, one game ahead of the Silverbacks (1-4) with four games left after Saturday. The top four teams qualify for the postseason.
Predators watch
» SATURDAY: Predators vs. Marion Blue Racers (4-1)
» WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday at McMorran Arena.
» RECORD: 2-3
» STANDINGS: Fourth in the CIFL, three games behind the Cincinnati Commandos.
» COST: Tickets range from $8-16
The last time the Port Huron Predators met the Marion Blue Racers on the football field, the Predators were riding a high.
The team was coming off an impressive season-opening victory against the Indianapolis Enforcers at McMorran Arena.
"We'll know more about ourselves after we face Marion," then-coach Jason Lovelock said in the week leading up to his team facing Marion. "That's going to be the key game for us. It will show us where our season is headed."
The Predators lost a double-digit fourth-quarter lead at Marion and suffered a 44-37 setback. After that loss, the team has dropped three of its past four games.
Port Huron (2-3) looks to settle a score with Marion (4-1). The rematch is
7:30 p.m. Saturday at McMorran Arena.
"It's going to be a huge game," Port Huron defensive back and captain Ernie Smith said moments after last week's 47-22 loss to the Cincinnati Commandos. "We can't afford any more losses."
The Predators have gone through three starting quarterbacks.
"It's definitely been the biggest issue we've faced," said coach John Forti, who served as the team's offensive coordinator before Lovelock was fired. "We haven't been able to settle on a quarterback because of injuries."
First there was Damon Dowdell, the former Michigan State University quarterback.
Because of an ongoing family issue, Dowdell never reported to practice. Jim Roth, a receiver by trade, took over.
Next was Calvin Toliver. But on his first snap under center against the Dayton Silverbacks, Toliver threw an interception and separated his shoulder while trying to make a tackle.
Roth would make one more start before Mike Akrawi took over last week and struggled in the Predators' loss to the Cincinnati Commandos.
"I think it was a real eye-opener for him," Forti said. "I know going in he thought he was going to do really well. Playing quarterback in indoor football is difficult. You only get one or two reads and the ball has to be out."
Forti hopes having Toliver back in the fold this week will help.
"Most of the guys feel they should have beat them the first time," Forti said. "This is a big test for us. We have to win."
The Predators sit in fourth place in the Continental Indoor Football League, one game ahead of the Silverbacks (1-4) with four games left after Saturday. The top four teams qualify for the postseason.
Predators watch
» SATURDAY: Predators vs. Marion Blue Racers (4-1)
» WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday at McMorran Arena.
» RECORD: 2-3
» STANDINGS: Fourth in the CIFL, three games behind the Cincinnati Commandos.
» COST: Tickets range from $8-16