Game Day Preview: Roughnecks at Bricktown Brawlers
May 27, 2011 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release
MIDLAND, TX. : The West Texas Roughnecks (7-4) return to Oklahoma City this week to face the Bricktown Brawlers (2-9) in the final road game of the 2011 regular season on Saturday, May 28. For the first time this season the Roughnecks enter a regular season match-up having lost two straight ball games with the most recent being a 22-21 loss to the Wichita Wild at home back on Saturday, May 21. However, with a win on Saturday against the Brawlers the Roughnecks can wrap up a post-season berth for the seventh time in the team's eighth season of play, and a win will also put the Roughnecks in a first-place tie with the Allen Wranglers in the Lone Star Division at 8-4.
Despite the recent struggles at home, the Roughnecks have played well on the road as they enter this weekend riding a two-game road winning streak outscoring their last two opponents (Amarillo, Arizona) 148-50. The Roughnecks defensive unit has recorded a combined 13 turnovers in those last two wins and Roughnecks starting QB Arkelon Hall posted 13 total touchdowns. However, the Roughnecks will be without QB Arkelon Hall for another week therefore newly acquired QB K.J. Black will get the start in OKC. With Black under center on Saturday, WR Josh Floyd will be back at his normal position as a wide out and kick returner. Floyd enters this week third in the IFL in all-purpose yards and leads the Roughnecks with 15 total touchdowns. Wide outs Wilson Kimble & Tim Bush will be key factors in the passing game on Saturday as well with plenty of attention being drawn to Josh Floyd.
Defensively, the Roughnecks have continued to develop into one of the top units in the IFL by allowing a league-leading 29.8 points a game. The Roughnecks defensive unit also leads the IFL in yards allowed per game at 134.5 and interceptions (29). The Roughnecks defensive line featuring Jeramie Richardson and Ronnie Mason will look to pressure a Brawlers offensive unit that is averaging 27.4 points a game. LB Eric Henri is coming off one of his most impressive performances of the season last week against Wichita by posting 10.0 total tackles including an interception. Henri and Tray Hardaway will be key factors for the Roughnecks defense in terms of containing the Brawlers rushing attack especially inside the red-zone. One of the more important keys will be the play from the Roughnecks secondary, a unit that has intercepted 13 passes in the last two road games featuring Marrio Norman, Anthony Beck, Clarence Wright & Derrick Boyd. Look for the Roughnecks running game to be key in terms of taking pressure off QB K.J. Black especially against a Brawlers team that has lost seven straight games, and allowing just over 45 points a game.
Game Time / Location: 7:11 p.m. kickoff - Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Broadcast: 95.1 BOB FM (6:45 p.m. pregame show start time)
Online: BOB FM - www.boblivesintexas.com / B2 Networks / America One Network - www.b2livetv.com
Next Game: The West Texas Roughnecks will return home to close out the 2011 regular season with home games versus Arizona on June 4 and versus Amarillo on June 11; The Bricktown Brawlers will be on the road next week to face the Amarillo Venom on Monday, June 6 followed by a road meeting with the Allen Wranglers on June 11.
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Indoor Football League Stories from May 27, 2011
- Blizzard Defense Stifles Spartans in Convincing Defeat - Green Bay Blizzard
- Game Day Preview: Roughnecks at Bricktown Brawlers - West Texas Roughnecks
- Omaha Beef Reach Playoffs for 12th Straight Year - Omaha Beef
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