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Rawls to get his chance

July 6, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings News Release


BOSSIER CITY - For the second time this year, the Bossier/Shreveport Battle Wings are making a change at quarterback.

Local football fans are going to be more than somewhat familiar with the tall, lanky milker barking out signals, too.

Brent Rawls, who starred at Evangel Christian then scuffled his way through two universities before signing with the Wings last fall, has received the starting nod for the Bossier this Saturday evening when the Rio Grande Valley Dorados visit the Century Tel Center. Kick-off for the down-but-not-out Battle Wings' affair is scehduled for 7:05 p.m.

"It's been a long time, but I'm excited," Rawls told The (Shreveport) Times in a story published Wednesday. "I definitely have a feel for the game and am comfortable with this situation knowing what I know."

"Knowing what he knows" about the arena game has taken even more than the 14 weeks of in-season practice, study and patience, according to head coach Keith Barefield.

"This goes back to November when we originally signed him," Barefield said. "We knew we had a young man that is a talented athlete with a lot of potential. He just had not taken advantage of the playing opportunities he had in college. We'v believed all along he has a bright future ahead of him in professional football, not just at this level, but beyond."

Rawls starts Saturday in the place of Tim Hicks, who was traded to the Battle Wings in April from Wilkes/Barre-Scranton and replaced Bossier's season-opening quarterback, Caleb Slover. Hicks, an All-af2 performer last year for the Pioneers, started the last nine games for Bossier and threw for just over 2,000 yards and 36 touchdowns. The big Tennesseean also ran for 11 scoring tallies on the ground, leading the Wings to all three of their 2005 victories to date.

"There's absolutely nothing wrong with Tim Hicks," Barefield was quick to point out. "We're just at a stage of the season where we're not only looking ahead to this big game against Rio Grande Valley, but we're also looking ahead to 2006. We haven't been eliminated from this playoff race either. Tim has been a great teacher of this game for him (Rawls) as well. Brent has watched, studied and learned all this season and we feel now is his time. He's earned this opportunity to start."

Rawls has called signals in three previous games, but always in mop-up situations. In those games - against Memphis and Bakersfield at home and on the road at Oklahoma City - he's completed six of 12 passes for 53 yards. He also was picked off four times. With the exception of one missed game, he has served as the club's holder on field goal attempts and extra point kicks.

"Those weren't exactly the ideal situations for him to get into a game," Barefield added. "Here, he's going to have a little bit of a comfort zone and a crowd that's behind him. It won't be a bit like the hostile environment he faced in Oklahoma City. He's got the week to prepare himself to start a game and when you know you're going to be out there for the first snap, you're always a little more in-tune and focused.

"All you can do is try to put a player into a situation that's condusive to success and this is the best weekend for that. I think Brent's the kind of individual who feels pressure regardless of the situation because he always feels pressure to perform well and win."

From a chemistry standpoint, Barefield said the team is behind him for every step.

"They (his teammates) respect him," Barefield said. "The guys that have been here have been supportive of his learning curve all season and I think the newer guys understand he's worked all year for this. For the new guys, this week in practice has really opened their eyes a bit and they're excited about the prospects of what can happen Saturday night."

Tickets for Saturday's game between the Battle Wings and Rio Grande Valley Dorados are available at the Battle Wings Headquarters (4400 Barksdale Blvd.) and can also be ordered at (318) 746-8755. Bossier plays at Bakersfield next Friday before returning to the Century Tel Center for the 2005 home finale against Quad Cities on July 23. Kick-off for that Saturday game is also scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

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