El Paso Begins '09 Post-Season On July 26 Versus San Angelo

July 23, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
El Paso Generals News Release


EL PASO, TX. : This weekend marks the start of the second round of the 2009 IFL playoffs featuring many great match-ups but none more intriguing than the El Paso Generals (12-2) hosting the San Angelo Stampede Express (6-9) on Sunday, July 26 from the El Paso County Coliseum. The Stampede Express seemed to be a team that was heading in the opposite direction of the Generals midway through the regular season but now they have become the Cinderella story of the Lone Star Division and quite possibly the IFL playoffs. The Stampede Express clinched the final playoff spot out of the Lone Star Division with a 5-9 record and last weekend they upset the Abilene Ruff Riders in the first round of the post-season (37-34) thanks to a last second 22-yard field goal by Tommy Staples.

Now the problem for San Angelo is that they face a Generals team that finished the regular season having won seven straight games, finished undefeated at home and defeated the Express in all four match-ups during the regular season. Additionally, the Generals should be well rested following a first-round bye in the playoffs. However, even though San Angelo has lost all four meetings against El Paso, the end results of each game have been relatively close and do not be surprised if this game is offensively back and forth going into the fourth quarter.

This game will feature two of the top five quarterbacks in the IFL in Tommy Jones (El Paso) and Sonny Cumbie (San Angelo). Jones has consistently been beating the opposition through the air all season long and he has done so with the help of arguably the best-dual wide receiving core in the IFL consisting of DeAngelo Woodie and Lemans Casimier. Casimier led the Generals this year in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions but Woodie has been the all-purpose X-factor dominating in the receiving category and on kickoff returns. Maybe a bigger threat for San Angelo's defense is Ulysses Odom who has registered seven rushing touchdowns against the Stampede Express. Look for Odom to be the key factor inside the red-zone for El Paso. Expect San Angelo to come after Tommy Jones with Jonathan Hamm and Clay Harrell on the defensive line and additionally look for Jason Snell to be the key factor in the secondary for the Stampede Express. But for San Angelo to have any shot they must pressure Tommy Jones early and often because of Jones's ability to deliver passes quickly.

Sonny Cumbie will lead a San Angelo offense that has come on strong as of late. The Stampede Express supply a receiving core that can be a dangerous threat for El Paso's secondary featuring Bobby Chase, Tarvarres Williams and Kaylon Price. Beyond the fact that San Angelo can score through the air, their dual-running back system has been the main ingredient to their storybook run during the late portion of the season. Brannon Hatley and Voncarie Owens will change the tempo of the game especially inside the red-zone. Owens, who recorded two rushing touchdowns last week, will be key in kickoff returns as well. El Paso will be strong defensively up front with Ron Ellington and look for Sam Smith to be the key weapon in the secondary for El Paso.

There could be a good amount of points put on the scoreboard during this game, but the end result will be based around the game-changing turnover. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m and the winner of this playoff game will clinch a spot in the Intense Conference Championship Game. Further information regarding these topics can be obtained by contacting the El Paso Generals front office at (915) 598 - PASS (7277) or by visiting the official website of the El Paso Generals at www.elpasogenerals.net.



Indoor Football League Stories from July 23, 2009


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