Dorados Game Preview
August 2, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados News Release
RGV DORADOS (No. 1) vs. Alabama Steeldogs (No. 8)
Sunday, August 5, 2007 at 4 p.m.
Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas
THE GAME: Rio Grande Valley led af2 in a host of defensive categories, including fewest points allowed (525), turnover margin (+33), total defense (212.6 ypg) and sacks (66). An interesting matchup will be how the Alabama offense, led by QB Mitch Tanney (16 GP, 325-490-9, 3404, 67TD), stacks up to the Rio secondary. The Dorados had the league's best pass defense (196.6), while the Steeldogs managed an average of 235.1 yards per game (17th overall). Rio may also be able to exploit Alabama's offensive line, which gave up 32 sacks (23rd in af2).
Rio's offensive line will need to step up and provide Josh Kellett (309-546-17, 3982, 86 TD) some time; his 17 interceptions were a concern during the regular season. Alabama returned just 10 interceptions, but had the league's best return average at 22.7 yards. That said, David Philyaw accounted for two of those returns (for 69 yards and a TD) but was placed on injured reserved on July 26 and will not be in the lineup.
Another interesting sidebar for the Dorados will be what Head Coach Marty Hammond does with the lineup. With the addition of Dwight Counter prior to Week 17's game vs. Lubbock, Rio now has five top-level receivers along with George Williams, Coco Blalock, Jermaine Carpenter and Travis McAlpine. The Dorados dressed all five in the final two games, but another angle would be to take DB Derrick Harris off team suspension and go with four receivers and four DB's (along with Chris Canty, Andre Goines and Robert Towns).
One barometer to take note of is each team's records vs. common opponents. Both teams faced Bossier-Shreveport, Oklahoma City, South Georgia and Texas. Rio (which faced both Bossier and Texas twice) went 5-1 in those games and outscored opponents 313-207 (avg. 52.1 points for, 34.5 against).
Alabama (which faced South Georgia twice, going 2-0) went 3-2, outscoring opponents 263-247 for an average of 52.6 points for and 49.4 against. In their two games vs. South Georgia, they averaged 64 points for and 57.5 against.
In the two games vs. Bossier, the Dorados averaged 47 points scored and 43.5 points allowed. Alabama lost 49-32 in their lone game against the Battle Wings.
Take away the games vs. Texas, and Rio's points for/against totals were 202-181 (avg. 50.5 for, 45.2 against) with a 3-1 record. Alabama, meanwhile, was 2-2 with 205 points for and 220 against (averages of 51.2 for and 55.0 against).
What does all that mean? This week's game could be more of a high-flying affair than the overall statistics indicate.
DORADOS PLAYOFF HISTORY
The Dorados reached the 2005 National Conference Finals, losing to eventual ArenaCup champs Memphis. Rio beat Quad City at home (56-38) and Tulsa on the road (65-42) before falling 64-49 to the Xplorers.
Playoff Overall Record - 1-2
Playoff Home Record - 1-0
Playoff Road Record - 1-1
THEY WERE THERE IN 2005
The Dorados have four players on the current roster who were also on the 2005 playoff team; Josh Kellett, Dwight Counter, Travis McAlpine and Curtis Jeter.
Passing
Kellett - 100-58-5, 855 yards, 15TD
Receiving
Counter - 23/448, 9TD
McAlpine - 7/91, 0TD
Kick Returns
Counter - 10/200, 0TD
Defense
McAlpine - 6.5 tackles, 1 INT
Jeter - 4 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR
Counter - 1 tackle
• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...
arenafootball2 Stories from August 2, 2007
- Round One Matchups - af2
- Twister Showdown - Arkansas Diamonds
- Wolves Pregame Notes - Manchester Wolves
- Dorados Game Preview - Rio Grande Valley Dorados
- Firecats QB Sets New Team Passing Record - Florida Firecats
- Amarillo Dusters Announce Coaching, Front Office Changes - Amarillo Venom
- Week In Review - Corpus Christi Sharks
- First Round: Friday Night Matchups - af2
- Wildcats Complete Record-breaking Regular Season - South Georgia Wildcats
- Louisville Fire game notes - Louisville Fire
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.
