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Battle Wings Look To Re-Group For #1 Florida

May 9, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings News Release


BOSSIER CITY - Keith Barefield's Battle Wings had hoped to be entering this Saturday's game against the Florida Firecats on a two-game winning streak. Now, they have to approach the match against the reigning ArenaCup champions like they did the contest at Rio Grande Valley.

Barefield and company look to re-group from Saturday's 75-40 loss to Bakersfield and find the offense that helped them score 143 over the previous two games. Against the low-scoring Blitz, the seemingly-polished 'Wings offense sputtered and even contributed a pair of touchdown to the visitors from California. Bossier's "D" gave up 61 points, still more than all but one other club in the league.

"We're not going to be able to come out and play flat like that, not again," Barefield said of the loss to Bakersfield, the Battle Wings' seventh-consecutive setback at home. "Florida will come in here and give us everything we can possibly handle."

Still, Barefield likes the chances his squad has against any team in the af2, what with the increasing comfort of quarterback Tim Hicks and the emergence of some new defensive players and a couple returning from the injured reserve list. Then, of course, there is Bo Smith.

"The BOssier Bullet" had another career night returning kickoffs and now has almost 100 yards more than his nearest league rival. Saturday against Bakersfield, the Miami, FL native started slow but ended up with a career-best 181 return yards on seven kicks, one of which he brought back 56 yards for a score. It was the third consecutive game in which Smith had scored on an opponents kickoff.

"Bo's confidence level continues to climb," Barefield added. "He was off a bit receiving, but he sill ended up with more than 200 total yards. There's no doubt that Florida will be paying him a lot of attention."

One wrinkle discovered against Bakersfield was the additional facet of FB/LB Fred Perry, who rambled for 42 yards and a touchdown on five rushing attempts, his first carries of the year. Perry repeatedly dragged defenders downfield, particularly on his long carry of the night, an 18-yard tote.

"Fred is a very tough man to bring down," Barefield said. "He's tough to block, too. We'd love to see him in the opposing backfield more, but he's still a key contributor."

The Battle Wings practice Tuesday at Independence Stadium, with skill position players reporting at 4 p.m. and the rest of the squad arriving on the field at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, the team will be back in the Century Tel Center from 6-8 p.m. in preparation for the undefeated Firecats.



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