Roughnecks Looking To Make It Two Straight At Home
May 9, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release
ODESSA, TX : The Odessa Roughnecks could not ask for a more crucial time in the season to pick up their first win. In the first of back-to-back meetings, the Odessa Roughnecks won a nail-biting ball game over the Corpus Christi Hammerheads back on May 2, 47-44. The Roughnecks made significant changes to the defense heading into last weekend which of course included the acquirement of new defensive coordinator, Ron Rankin. Rankin utilized more speed on the defensive line to cause problems for QB Michael Bishop, and the changes paid off as Odessa shut down the Hammerheads offense in the second half. Odessa had arguably one of their best second half performances of the season as they outscored Corpus 27-14.
Odessa will need the same performance out of their defense once again to capture a second consecutive win over Corpus. On an even better note, the Roughnecks should have some their primary defensive players back in the line-up with Ahmad Childress who is fighting both a back and knee injury, and Elex Reed who attended a funeral last weekend. DB Darren Barnett is also projected to be back for this game and he enters this Saturday leading Odessa with four interceptions.
The big question for Corpus Christi is whether or not Michael Bishop will make the trip for this game. Bishop currently lives in Houston and he normally flies from Houston to the location of the game on Friday of each week. Bishop had a solid performance against Odessa, throwing for 179 yards and four total touchdowns. However, Bishop was sacked once and intercepted twice in the loss, but he will of course look to go to wide outs Nathaniel Dunn, Schuyler Anderson and Toric Goins in the passing attack. If Bishop cannot go for the Hammerheads, do not be surprised to see former Roughneck Ty Sellers under center and possibly at wide receiver.
The Roughnecks offense has been cruising so far this season averaging more than 50 points a game and averaging 240 yards of total offense a game which is good enough for seventh in the IFL. Dennis Gile is arguably playing his best football as he has thrown 14 touchdown passes in the last three games and WR Jimmy Conner is coming off a monster performance against Corpus Christi, collecting nine receptions for 113 yards and three touchdowns. Conner also returned five kickoffs for 82 yards total giving him 195 all-purpose yards for the game. Additionally, look for WR Eric Taylor to be a deep threat in the passing game along with a healthy Torrey Day. Look for Head Coach Chris Williams to use more four-wide receiver sets in the offense with Day, Taylor, Conner and Mike Glover. Expect running back Voncarie Owens to get the start in the backfield for Odessa.
"We are going to take everything one game at a time." explained Roughnecks Head Coach Chris Williams. Odessa has a realistic opportunity to get themselves back in playoff contention. A win against Corpus Christi tonight and a win next week over San Angelo changes the perspective on not just the season overall but the perspective on the Lone Star Division. But this will be no easy test as the Hammerheads have a fierce defense led by Stephen Fillmore and Johnny Anderson. The same story from last week will take effect this weekend and that story will be turnovers, third down conversions and time of possession throughout the game.
Indoor Football League Stories from May 9, 2009
- ICE Fall to Grizzlies 36-50 - Colorado Crush
- Roughnecks Looking To Make It Two Straight At Home - West Texas Roughnecks
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