Roughnecks Begin Key Three-Game Home Stretch On Saturday
May 28, 2010 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release
MIDLAND, TX. : The West Texas Roughnecks closed out their 2010 regular season road schedule on a high note by defeating the Abilene Ruff Riders back on May 22, 54-51. The Roughnecks now look to continue their late-season surge at home on Saturday, May 29 against the Corpus Christi Hammerheads. This Saturday's game begins a three-game home stretch for the Roughnecks as the club stands at 4-7 and fighting for a spot in the post-season. In a similar scenario from last Saturday's meeting with Abilene, this will be the first time since week three of the regular season that the Roughnecks and Hammerheads will face each other. It is the second of three meetings between both teams during the regular season as Corpus came away with the win in the first meeting back on March 21, 47-35.
In their first meeting back in March, the Roughnecks got off to a fast start in the first half and took a 27-20 lead into halftime. However, early third quarter miscues and turnovers allowed the Hammerheads to shut-out the Roughnecks in the quarter at 15-0. Even though the Roughnecks would tie the ball game at 35 early in the fourth quarter, the Hammerheads would tack on two late scores and hold on for the win. Several weeks later, both teams are looking to solidify a playoff spot in the Intense Conference with the Hammerheads standing at 5-5 on the season. The Hammerheads have won three straight going into Saturday including two wins over Austin and one over Amarillo. The Hammerheads defense has been the main ingredient behind the three-game winning streak. In their previous victory over Austin, the Hammerheads held the Turfcats to 84 yards of total offense including 31 yards passing. The Hammerheads will use man-to-man coverage schemes in the secondary against a surging Roughnecks passing attack. Look for DL Joe Small and LB Deandrae Fillmore to attempt to pressure Roughnecks QB Tommy Jones on Saturday and the secondary will feature Reuben Flowers & Henry Hall, two key players that will look to slow down the Roughnecks receiving core.
The Roughnecks offensive unit, minus two turnovers in the third quarter, played well in the win over Abilene during last Saturday. Tommy Jones is coming off a 235-yard performance with five touchdowns as he enters this Saturday just shy of 2,000 yards passing this season. The Roughnecks receiving core is playing consistently well as Ryan Bugg posted 10 receptions for 105 yards and two scores against Abilene, and Steve Bergeski has recorded 17 receptions for 203 yards and three touchdowns in his last two games. Look for the Roughnecks to work Josh Floyd and Dexter Henderson a bit more in this Saturday's game, and both receivers will be factors on special teams. Perhaps the most improved factor in the Roughnecks offense has been the running game, which has been more productive inside the red-zone. Look for RB Jorvorskie Lane to get his carries as he has found the end-zone three times in his last two games.
The Roughnecks defense has been coming together as a unit lately, and that unit posted two interceptions and two sacks in the win over Abilene. The Roughnecks defense will focus on containing the Hammerheads running game, and by doing so it will force Corpus Christi to throw the ball more with QB Wesley Cooper. The Roughnecks defensive line and linebacker core will face a strong Hammerheads running back combination in Redford Borel and Justin Hardman. Look for either Nathaniel Dunn or Eric Henri to be pressuring the running backs & Wesley Cooper through blitz packages during Saturday's ball game. The key match-ups will be the Hammerheads secondary coverage against the Roughnecks passing game and look for the Roughnecks to use more shotgun formations on Saturday. Additionally, expect another key match-up to be the Roughnecks defensive line versus the Corpus Christi running 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: Following a bye week, the West Texas Roughnecks host the Abilene Ruff Riders on Saturday, June 12, 2010
The Corpus Christi Hammerheads host the Abilene Ruff Riders on Saturday, June 6, 2010
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For further information on these topics please contact the West Texas Roughnecks Front Office at (432) 563 - KICK (5425) or visit the official website of the West Texas Roughnecks at www.wtxroughnecks.com.
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