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Generals Wrap Up Two-Game Road Trip In River City

June 18, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
El Paso Generals News Release


EL PASO, TX. : Following a 65-33 win over the Colorado Ice back on June 13, the El Paso Generals (8-2) clinched a spot in the 2009 IFL post-season. Now the El Paso Generals turn their attention towards the River City Rage (8-4) and they additionally turn their attention to their quest of clinching the Lone Star Division Championship. With a win over the Rage and an Abilene loss to Corpus Christi on June 20, the Generals would capture the division and guarantee themselves a first round bye in the playoffs. But the Generals have a tough test in front of them this weekend as they face a team that has already sealed a spot in the playoffs in River City.

The Rage at one point this season held a 7-1 overall record but recently River City has dropped three of their last four games and in those three losses the Rage scored more than 20 points just once. The problem now for the Rage is at the quarterback position. Former starting quarterback Dixie Wooten was recently signed by the Wichita Wild after throwing for 1,819 yards and 41 touchdowns for River City this season. This time around John Dutton will be the starter for the Rage at quarterback and in his first game with River City he threw for 149 yards and one touchdown, however the Rage lost to Bloomington 20-16.

River City has three very talented wide receivers and it all starts with Hurtis Chinn who leads the team with 69 receptions. Maurice Avery is right behind Chinn with 53 receptions but he leads the Rage with 811 yards and 16 touchdowns. The third wide out is Luke McCardle who is second on the team with 12 touchdown receptions including 549 yards receiving. Randy Bell is the primary running back with seven rushing touchdowns and 280 yards rushing this season.

"River City has a very talented and strong defensive line. It will be a good test for our O-line." stated El Paso Generals Head Coach, Brian Brents. The Rage defense has a good combination of speed in the secondary and strength on the line. Xzavie Jackson has five sacks this season including eight tackles for loss, and he will attempt to pressure Generals QB Tommy Jones through out the game. Look for Daryon Brutley to be a key factor in the passing game as he enters this weekend with five interceptions.

The key for the Generals offense will be to protect Tommy Jones and give him time to throw. Jones has been tearing apart opposing team's secondary's as he enters this game having thrown for 2,300 yards and already 51 touchdowns. Give credit to his wide outs especially Lemans Casimier and IFL MVP candidate DeAngelo Woodie. Both have 16 touchdown receptions this season however Casimier has more receptions but Woodie has more receiving yards. In any case, it's a dangerous combination. Look for RB Ulysses Odom to be the X-factor for this offense whether it would be in the running or passing game.

This will be an exciting game that features an intriguing match-up with the Generals offense versus the Rage defense. This game could come down to the final moments of regulation depending on the pressure River City can put on Tommy Jones and how consistent QB John Dutton will be against a Generals defense that ranks tenth overall in total defense in the IFL.

Further information regarding these topics can be obtained by contacting the El Paso Generals front office at (915) 598 - PASS (7277) or by visiting the official website of the El Paso Generals at www.elpasogenerals.com.

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