Post by 50yardfan on May 19, 2011 9:30:50 GMT -5
Marion team enjoyed big home field advantage
www.marionstar.com/article/20110519/SPORTS/105190316/Home-kind-Racers
MARION - The Marion Blue Racers completed their six-game home schedule last Saturday with a 73-12 victory over the Indianapolis Enforcers at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
"Marion has some loyal fans and they show the team means something to them," Blue Racers running back Christen Haywood said. "This is my first year with indoor football. It was a good experience for me, finding out how much it meant to our fans."
The Blue Racers went 5-1 on their home turf, with a 50-44 loss to the Cincinnati Commandos on March 12 their only setback.
Marion will have a chance to return the favor on May 28 at Cincinnati. But it first must deal with the Chicago Knights on Sunday in Loves Park, Ill. Kickoff will be at 3 p.m.
The Blue Racers (7-1) have clinched a home game in the first round of the CIFL playoffs and want to keep alive the possibility of earning home-field advantage in both rounds.
The trip will be longest the team will have this season.
"We still need to keep our composure when we go on the road," Marion wide receiver/kick returner Mike Tatum said. "It doesn't matter the length of the trip, we will be ready to play."
"It will be a different road trip than any we've had," Haywood said. "But we will be prepared well enough to go up and get another victory."
In the first meeting between the two teams, Marion won 31-3.
Blue Racers CEO/general manager LaMonte Coleman was not sure how much success the first-year franchise would have.
"I never thought of being 7-1 with a new franchise," Coleman said. "Since last October our coaching staff has been putting in the hours to put us in the position we are today. Our destiny in is our own hands."
Coleman also appreciated the several hundred fans that came to each of the home games.
"They were able to help make Blue Racers football what it is," he said. "After the former teams that were here, hopefully they will see us as a serious, competitive and family-oriented franchise. The fans, Marion County Fair Board and sponsors have been good to us and what else more can be said."
One of the keys this season has been the low turnover rate of the team, allowing consistency to happen from week to week.
Coleman estimated 80 percent of the team has been here "front to back."
"The indoor football veterans are helping the young players," Tatum said. "The players will never quit on you."
"It was a new experience for me and I really did not know what to expect," Haywood said.
www.marionstar.com/article/20110519/SPORTS/105190316/Home-kind-Racers
MARION - The Marion Blue Racers completed their six-game home schedule last Saturday with a 73-12 victory over the Indianapolis Enforcers at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
"Marion has some loyal fans and they show the team means something to them," Blue Racers running back Christen Haywood said. "This is my first year with indoor football. It was a good experience for me, finding out how much it meant to our fans."
The Blue Racers went 5-1 on their home turf, with a 50-44 loss to the Cincinnati Commandos on March 12 their only setback.
Marion will have a chance to return the favor on May 28 at Cincinnati. But it first must deal with the Chicago Knights on Sunday in Loves Park, Ill. Kickoff will be at 3 p.m.
The Blue Racers (7-1) have clinched a home game in the first round of the CIFL playoffs and want to keep alive the possibility of earning home-field advantage in both rounds.
The trip will be longest the team will have this season.
"We still need to keep our composure when we go on the road," Marion wide receiver/kick returner Mike Tatum said. "It doesn't matter the length of the trip, we will be ready to play."
"It will be a different road trip than any we've had," Haywood said. "But we will be prepared well enough to go up and get another victory."
In the first meeting between the two teams, Marion won 31-3.
Blue Racers CEO/general manager LaMonte Coleman was not sure how much success the first-year franchise would have.
"I never thought of being 7-1 with a new franchise," Coleman said. "Since last October our coaching staff has been putting in the hours to put us in the position we are today. Our destiny in is our own hands."
Coleman also appreciated the several hundred fans that came to each of the home games.
"They were able to help make Blue Racers football what it is," he said. "After the former teams that were here, hopefully they will see us as a serious, competitive and family-oriented franchise. The fans, Marion County Fair Board and sponsors have been good to us and what else more can be said."
One of the keys this season has been the low turnover rate of the team, allowing consistency to happen from week to week.
Coleman estimated 80 percent of the team has been here "front to back."
"The indoor football veterans are helping the young players," Tatum said. "The players will never quit on you."
"It was a new experience for me and I really did not know what to expect," Haywood said.