Game Day Preview - West Texas Roughnecks Vs. Corpus Christi Hammerheads
June 18, 2010 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release
MIDLAND, TX. : Two playoff bound teams in the West Texas Roughnecks and the Corpus Christi Hammerheads will meet for the third time this year to close out regular season play on Saturday, June 19 from the Ector County Coliseum. The Roughnecks (6-7) are entering Saturday evening having won three straight and four out of their last five, and they face a team in Corpus Christi (6-7) who are looking to gain momentum heading into post-season play. Both teams will be looking to finish the season at 7-7 and both will be looking to win the regular season-series. The series is currently tied at one game apiece with this being the final match-up of the regular season.
Both teams faced one another back on Saturday, May 29 at the Ector County Coliseum as the Roughnecks came away with the 50-38 victory. QB Tommy Jones threw for over 200 yards and five touchdowns in the win as WR Steve Bergeski caught five passes for 64 yards and four touchdowns. Jones has been on a hot streak as of late by throwing for 663 yards and 15 touchdown passes in his last three games. The Roughnecks receiving core has been as good as Jones during that span as Steve Bergeski, Ryan Bugg and Dexter Henderson all caught three or more passes for 50-plus yards and at least one touchdown in the win over Abilene from last Saturday. Josh Floyd additionally caught two passes for 22 yards with one score, and returned three kickoffs back for 87 yards. The improving facet of the offense has been the running game which was productive in the win over Abilene. RB Jorvorskie Lane rushed for 54 yards and three scores against the Ruff Riders, and both Ryan Bugg & Josh Floyd added rushing touchdowns in the winning effort.
The Hammerheads enter Saturday having lost two of their last three with the most recent result being a 53-50 loss in overtime to San Angelo. Corpus made an incredible comeback in the second-half to send the game into overtime, but a Darren Brown field goal sealed the win for the Stampede Express. The Hammerheads will bring a strong running game to the table featuring Redford Borel and Justin Hardman. Borel did not play in the previous game against the Roughnecks, and he posted 41 yards on the ground with three scores against San Angelo. If the Roughnecks defense can slow down the Hammerheads rushing attack, then Corpus will look to the air with QB Wesley Cooper. Cooper threw for five touchdowns against the Roughnecks back on May 29, and wide outs Corey Brittian and Brian Murphy combined for 11 receptions for 106 yards & five scores. The Roughnecks secondary will face a tough challenge in the Corpus receiving core. Look for the Roughnecks to use press coverage and look for rover backs Eric Henri and Antonio Sims to be key factors in the aerial attack.
The Roughnecks defensive core struggled in the first-half in containing the Abilene Ruff Riders passing attack featuring QB Robert Kent back on Saturday, June 12. The defensive line will need a better performance this week in order to pressure Wesley Cooper. Look for Jermaine Blakely to fill the gaps on running situations, and look for James Vess & Jerrickus Speights to pressure Cooper from the ends. The Hammerheads feature a solid secondary with Henry Hall & Jason Lee. The Hammerheads will use man-to-man coverage to slow down the Roughnecks receivers and the Roughnecks offensive line will be looking to give time for Tommy Jones to throw in the pocket on Saturday evening. Look for early turnovers to be essential in this long-time rivalry match-up and expect the special teams units to be important factors especially in the later portions of the game.
Game Time / Location: 7:11 p.m. Kickoff - Ector County Coliseum, Odessa, Texas
Broadcast: 95.1 BOB FM (6:45 p.m. start time)
Online: BOB FM - www.boblivesintexas.com / B2 Networks - www.b2livetv.com
Next Game: This is the final game of the 2010 regular season for both the West Texas Roughnecks and the Corpus Christi Hammerheads. Both teams will begin post-season play starting the weekend of June 26.
• Discuss this story on the Indoor Football League message board...
Indoor Football League Stories from June 18, 2010
- Amarillo Venom Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings - Amarillo Venom
- Game Day Preview - West Texas Roughnecks Vs. Corpus Christi Hammerheads - West Texas Roughnecks
- Venom Game Preview: Amarillo at San Angelo - Amarillo Venom
- Extreme Close Regular Season in Wisconsin - Bloomington Extreme
- Wild Close Regular Season In Omaha On Saturday - Wichita Wild
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.
