Roughnecks Look To Split Season Series With Corpus Christi
Published on June 26, 2009 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release
ODESSA, TX. : The Roughnecks enter this weekend in unfamiliar territory as they are playing the role of spoiler against the Corpus Christi Hammerheads on Saturday, June 27 from the Ector County Coliseum. The Odessa defense has been improving over the past several weeks but now the offense has to find a way to get back on track. Coming off a bye week the Roughnecks should be healthy and ready to go but the team did make a few changes including the re-signing of former â05 starting quarterback Jason Johnson. Johnson led Odessa to a rare undefeated regular season in 2005 and he might have the opportunity to lead the Roughnecks offense once again in 2009. However, Head Coach Chris Williams will likely start with Dennis Gile because Gile is more familiar with the offense at this point in the season.
Corpus Christi could arguable be the hottest team in the Lone Star Division with the exception of the El Paso Generals. The Hammerheads have won four straight and they are back to .500 (6-6) for the first time since early April. The story for Corpus during their winning streak has been the defense. Corpus is the best at stopping the run in the IFL but their secondary has tendencies to breakdown in coverage. Look for DL Chris Williams to be the key factor in pressuring Dennis Gile and/or Jason Johnson through out the game. Wali Mumin has been an outstanding secondary member through most of the season and expect Johnny Anderson to be an important factor in the game as well.
The Roughnecks defense has been playing solid over the past few games. The defensive line is containing the running game and pressuring the pocket while the secondary has been tackling well in the open field. However, the defense must find a way to contain the big play and any breakdowns in the secondary. Look for Keith Turner to be a factor on the D-line but also look for newly acquired lineman Jerrickus Speights to come after Corpus QB Cory Miles as well. Arthur Harris has developed into one of the premier linebackers in the IFL and the secondary should once again be well-equipped with Larry Thompson, Michael Hinton and Darren Barnett.
Offensively, the big story for the Hammerheads has been Cory Miles. Miles has developed into a solid quarterback at the IFL level and he has found ways to get the ball to his play-makers in Toric Goins, Nathaniel Dunn and Schuyler Anderson. Look for Redford Borel to be a key player inside the red-zone, Borel leads Corpus in total rushing yards and rushing touchdowns this season. But like most consistent offenses, everything will have to start up front with the offensive line.
Odessa's offense has been playing much better inside the red-zone but the passing game will have to be much more consistent if the running game is a non-factor. Jimmy Conner will be the X-factor on offense as he is on route to compile a 2,000 all-purpose yard season. Eric Taylor will be the normal deep threat and expect DeWayne Hogan to get plenty of carries inside the red-zone. This game has all the makings of a back and forth battle but the Roughnecks have a chance at snapping their four-game losing streak if they can avoid the game-changing turnover.
Further information regarding these topics can be obtained by contacting the Odessa Roughnecks front office at (432) 332 - PASS (7277) or by visiting the official website of the Odessa Roughnecks at www.odessaroughnecks.com.
Indoor Football League Stories from June 26, 2009
- Generals Looking To Capture Two Straight Over Colorado - El Paso Generals
- Ruff Riders Looking To Secure Playoff Spot In San Angelo - Abilene Ruff Riders
- Roughnecks Look To Split Season Series With Corpus Christi - West Texas Roughnecks
- Sioux Falls Storm 8th Annual Golf Tournament - Sioux Falls Storm
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