Game Day Preview: West Texas Roughnecks Vs. Arkansas Diamonds
April 30, 2010 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release
MIDLAND, TX. : The West Texas Roughnecks return to the road for two straight ball games with the first against the Arkansas Diamonds (6-1) on Saturday, May 1. The Roughnecks (2-5) are looking to get off to a good start for the second-half of the regular season following a 60-27 loss to the San Angelo Stampede Express back on Saturday, April 24. The Roughnecks are reaching an important point in the season with every game becoming a crucial mark in regards to playoff implications. Throughout the first-half of the regular season the Roughnecks have been hurting themselves with second half turnovers and the inability to execute on key plays. However, the offense has been clicking and the defense has been growing stronger throughout each week. QB Tommy Jones currently ranks third in the IFL in passing yards and receivers Ryan Bugg & Steve Bergeski are in the top fifteen in regards to receptions & receiving yards. Linebacker Eric Henri leads the Roughnecks defense with 40 tackles, and the defense will have Johnny Anderson and DL James Vess back in the line-up for Saturday's match-up with the Diamonds.
Head Coach Chris Williams will be adjusting some offensive formations leading into Saturday's game, but the key will be the adjustments on the offensive line. Jermaine Blakely has been called upon to play the center position for this Saturday, but that will likely change with the Roughnecks acquiring center Dustin Washburn this week. With the change at center it forces Damien LaVergne and Peter Fields to compete for the right tackle position. The offensive line will face a big test against one of the best defensive units in the league as Arkansas enters this Saturday having given up an average of 23.3 points a game.
The Diamonds are coming off a come-from-behind win over the Abilene Ruff Riders, 26-23, back on last Saturday. Arkansas has won four straight entering this Saturday as they will be looking for a spark in their offense with recently acquired quarterback Brian Jones. The former AFL-standout Jones threw for 106 yards in his Diamonds debut and won the game for Arkansas last Saturday on a last-second scramble to the end-zone. Jones will look to WR Steven Savoy to be his number one target through the air. Savoy leads the Diamonds with 29 receptions for 339 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Diamonds defense has been the storyline to their 6-1 start in 2010. The defense has posted nine total interceptions so far this season including three defensive touchdowns. The Diamonds only give up 127 yards a game through the air, but they will be tested by a Roughnecks offense that is averaging almost 200-yards passing a game. Arkansas DL Luis Vasquez will be a key player to watch on the Diamonds defense as he enters Saturday with 6.5 sacks on the year. Tyler Knight will also be another factor to watch for as he leads the Diamonds with 50 total tackles including three sacks and two forced fumbles. This will be another match-up that could be decided based on the turnover battle and based on the Roughnecks offensive line matching-up with the pass rush of the Diamonds. This is the first of two meetings between both clubs this season with the second meeting scheduled for Saturday, May 15 in Odessa. On a side note, this is the first season for the Diamonds as part of the Indoor Football League after spending ten previous seasons as part of the AF2 and under the name of the Arkansas Twisters.
Game Time / Location: 7:00 p.m. kickoff - Verizon Arena, North Little Rock, AR
Broadcast: 95.1 BOB FM (6:40 p.m. start)
Online: BOB FM - www.boblivesintexas.com / B2 Networks - www.b2livetv.com
Next Game: The West Texas Roughnecks travel to Austin to face the Turfcats on Saturday, May 8
Arkansas remains at home to face the Omaha Beef on Saturday, May 8
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