Roughnecks Prep For Wild Meeting In Wichita On

May 21, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release


ODESSA, TX. : The Odessa Roughnecks (2-5) look to continue their winning ways as they travel to Wichita to face the Wild (3-5) on Saturday, May 23. The Roughnecks enter this weekend having won two of their last ball games with the most recent coming on May 16, defeating San Angelo 47-43. The main concern this week for Odessa has been injuries specifically to WR Jimmy Conner, LB Arthur Harris and OL Courtney Abbott, however Head Coach Chris Williams does not see any of those players missing playing time on Saturday.

"We have a tough core of guys that will be ready to go for this Saturday. Like we've said this season, we are going to take everything one game at a time and I'm positive the momentum we had from last week is going to carry over into this game." stated Odessa Roughnecks Head Coach, Chris Williams.

The Wichita Wild are coming off a loss to Sioux Falls by a score of 49-21. The Wild have also won two of their last three games and they have won two straight at home with their last home victory being against the Abilene Ruff Riders (49-33). The question for Wichita offensively will be at the quarterback position. Derek Rasmussen has been dealing with a back injury but he has managed to throw for 758 yards and 13 touchdowns. However, there might be a chance that Alex Melugin might get playing time and he too has thrown for more than 700 yards with 12 touchdown passes. Wichita is averaging 38 points a game this season and they are getting outscored 116-61 in the second quarter this season.

The Roughnecks defense will have to contend with a solid running back in Darius Fudge who leads Wichita with 411 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Passing wise, WR Clinton Solomon has developed into the number one receiver as he leads the Wild in basically every receiving category; receptions (42), yards (677) and touchdowns (13). However, the Roughnecks defense has been steadily improving each week and last Saturday Odessa registered three turnovers (2 Int., 1 Fumble) in the win over San Angelo. Look for the Roughnecks secondary, led by Larry Thompson, to cover well down field. Reigning IFL Defensive Player of the Week, LB Arthur Harris, will look to build off of his 11.5 tackle performance against San Angelo as DL Elex Reed will provide pressure in the pocket.

Offensively, the Roughnecks will be led by QB Dennis Gile who was thrown for 1,260 yards and 29 total touchdowns this season. Gile will have his receiving arsenal in Jimmy Conner and Torrey Day to throw to, but look for reigning IFL Offensive Player of the Week, Eric Taylor, to be the deep threat in the passing attack. DeWayne Hogan will get the start at tailback for a second consecutive week after collecting two rushing touchdowns last Saturday. In conjunction with Wichita's second quarter problems, Odessa has scored 114 points in second quarters this season, more than any total of the other three quarters.

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 May 21, 2009


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