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Commandos Prep for Stiffest 2012 Challenge

April 20, 2012 - Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL)
Cincinnati Commandos News Release


CINCINNATI - As head coach Billy Back addressed his team prior to a practice this week, he made sure to inform his Cincinnati team that Sunday's opponent is the best team they have faced in its three-year existence.

The Commandos (4-0) travels to face the 4-1 Erie Explosion in a pivotal North division game. A Cincinnati win will give the Commandos a two-game lead over its chief competitor for the top seed in the North, while also keeping pace with the Florida Tarpons (5-0) for hosting rights to the Ultimate Bowl II, sponsored by Trophy Awards.

Stopping the league's second best offense comes down to slowing down Erie quarterback A.J. McKenna. He is 3-0 as a starter while bringing an additional aspect to the Explosion offense.

"A.J. McKenna is a freaking athlete," said head coach Billy Back. "He is a great runner and very efficient passer. A lot of his passes have come with a very little pressure. It's a testament to his receivers. They have a great group of receivers and his offensive line is solid, from the fullback to the center. I think Bob Hammer is a damn good fullback. Joe Blanks is one of the top offensive linemen in the league."

McKenna leads the league in passing (275.3 yards per game) and rushing (50 yards per game). He is completing 64.3 percent (63-of-98) for 826 yards, 18 touchdowns and just two interceptions. When you toss in a league-high eight rushing scores, McKenna is also leading the UIFL in scoring.

He has a trio of weapons at his disposal, Tirone Morris, A.J. Harris and Willie Idlette. All three are capable of having huge games if opposing defenses forget about them. Harris is leading the team with 98 yards per game, while Morris has more than half of the team's touchdown catches with 17.

Getting pressure on McKenna will be a key as Erie has only surrendered nine sacks this season. Conversely, keeping Tyler Sheehan upright will benefit the Cincinnati offense. The Commandos offensive line, which has yet to yield a sack, will have to deal with the league's leader in sacks.

Erie comes into the game with 29 sacks, including 10.5 from league leader Mike Robinson. He set a new league mark earlier this season with five sacks in one game.

"It's going to be predicated on what our o-line and d-line does," said Back. "The defensive backs are going to have to bring kryptonite to stop Superman (Willie Idlette). They have playmakers at receiver, but it's dependent on who is throwing the ball to you."

Cincinnati will also be the most prolific team Erie has face this season.

"Do what we do every game," said Back. "We going to put the ball in Tyler Sheehan's hands and run our system. Our offense is like a Hurricane, you know its coming - how are you going to stop it. It's going to come down to which offense stumbles, not necessarily which defense makes a stop."

The Commandos have spread their touchdowns as they are led by Phillip Barnett, who has nine scores. They have three receivers - Nez Mincy, Brandon Boehm and Mack Ogletree - who all have five touchdowns.

Sheehan brings in the best touchdown to interception ratio in the UIFL with 30 touchdowns against two picks.

Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Louis J. Tullio Arena.



Ultimate Indoor Football League Stories from April 20, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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