Copperheads - Renegades Preview
April 27, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Texas Copperheads News Release
Another opportunity to get a victory presents itself for the Texas Copperheads as the team travels to Lubbock to face the expansion rival Renegades this Saturday.
The Renegades have a solid defense but porous offense as they have yet to win a game (0-3) this season.
"They're pretty bad," Copperheads head coach Bryan Blake said. "They lost to Spokane last week pretty bad and they aren't really anything special."
Lubbock ranks 20th (out of 30 teams) in total offense, but seventh in total defense.
It allows just 221 yards per game, and is sixth in passing defense. "Every week's a test for our offense at this point," Blake said. "But (quarterback) Tony's (Eckert) come a long way and he's continuing to improve. He's looking sharper with each passing day. Lubbock's got some weaknesses in their secondary that I think we can exploit, and I think we can have a good game."
Texas is coming off its first win of the season, a 56-42 victory over Corpus in which it scored in all three phases of the game - offense, defense and special teams.
Lubbock has not established any sort of consistency on offense, ranking 25th in scoring offense (33.3 points per game) and it doesn't run or pass the ball exceptionally well.
With the offense struggling, it doesn't help that the Renegades will be introducing a new quarterback this week.
Justin Midgett was traded to Alabama in return for Robert Kent earlier this week.
Midgett has compiled a 58.35 QB rating and had completed just 47 percent of his passes, compiling a 5/4 TD-Interception ratio. The 6-4, 221-pound Kent brings a more versatile game at the quarterback spot. In three games with the Steeldogs this season, the 26 year-old Kent has thrown for 462 yards, completing 44 of 88 passes for five touchdowns, with two interceptions. He currently ranks ninth in the af2 in rushing yards with 62 on 12 carries, and rushing yards per carry with an average of 5.2 per rushing attempt.
But if Texas can maintain its consistency on defense, where it allows just 47 points per game, there should be no troubles.
"We just want to continue working on maintaining our momentum," defensive backs coach Eric Jackson said. "Players believe in the schemes and continue to work hard. The defensive pressure we've been getting is a big help in getting to the opposing quarterback and opening up opportunities for our secondary. Against Corpus, we forced sacks, turnovers, hurries and made (Sharks quarterback) De Los Santos release the ball quicker."
With that said, Texas has a much larger picture in mind. Many coaches and players have the confidence that they can be a winning team and make an early impression on the league.
After Lubbock, seven of the team's last 12 games are against expansion clubs, and seven will be in the friendly confines of the Berry Center. So not only are the Copperheads focusing on the task at hand against the Renegades, but they're also looking forward to competing for a playoff spot.
"We should finish with a winning record," Blake said. "Due to our schedule, we have a great chance to get some wins and compete. Expansion teams like Spokane (who won the ArenaCup championship last year) have proven they can have success. I don't see why we can't either."
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