Ruff Riders Begin '09 Playoff Run On Saturday Versus San Angelo
July 16, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Abilene Ruff Riders News Release
ABILENE, TX. : The playoffs are here as the Abilene Ruff Riders (8-6) are set to host the San Angelo Stampede Express (5-9) in the first round of the 2009 IFL post-season on Saturday, July 18 from the Taylor County Expo Center. It will be an intriguing match-up with the strong Abilene defense versus the explosive San Angelo offense. Both teams faced one another twice during the â09 regular season. Abilene won the first meeting back on April 25, 2009 by the score of 59-20 as QB Quincy Carter torched the San Angelo defense for eight touchdown passes and the Ruff Riders intercepted then starting quarterback Damion Carter three times. San Angelo defeated Abilene at home back on June 27, 2009 by the score of 56-32 as QB Sonny Cumbie threw for three touchdowns as Voncarie Owens added two rushing touchdowns. Ruff Riders quarterback David Bowie was intercepted four times before Quincy Carter replaced him in the fourth quarter to throw for three touchdowns.
Offensively, things for Abilene have certainly changed since their last meeting with San Angelo. Quarterbacks David Bowie and Quincy Carter are no longer with the team and so they turned to former wide out Randy Hymes to lead the offense. Hymes has done a good job of managing the offense especially in the last two wins of the regular season over the Odessa Roughnecks. If the Ruff Riders can move the ball consistently on the ground with Carlos Alsup and Bernard Payton, and Hymes can be more consistent through the air then the Ruff Riders should be alright on offense. Look for Juan Reese, Chris Morris and Mike Carrillo to be key factors in the passing game and on kickoff returns. But if Abilene is going to win this game it's going to have to be done through their defense.
San Angelo has arguably been the most surprising team in the Lone Star Division. The Express are back in the post-season for the first time since 2004 and the reason for their late season success has been the offense. Since taking over at quarterback, Sonny Cumbie has compiled almost 2,000 yards passing and 43 touchdown passes. San Angelo won two of their last three games to nail down the final playoff spot and in those two wins the offense put up 50 plus points. Wide outs such as Tarvarres Williams, Bobby Chase and Kaylon Price have stepped up their games over the past month and they will be important factors in San Angelo's passing department. However, look for a dual-running back system, such as Abilene's, to be a key factor which includes Brannon Hatley and Voncarie Owens.
Defensively, look for Express defensive linemen Jonathan Hamm and Clay Harrell to be applying pressure on Randy Hymes. Expect Hamm and Harrell along with Courtney Edmunds to be containing the running game. However, if San Angelo's defense cannot slow down the Abilene running game early then San Angelo's defense could be in for a long night. Abilene's defense has been rock solid through most of the season. Look for All-IFL defensive back, Joey Longoria, to be the key weapon in the secondary and look for Fred Thrweat to bring the heat on Sonny Cumbie.
The end result, like the first two meetings, will be based around the turnover battle but this game has all the makings of being a close competitive ball game. As stated previously, the big match-up from a overall aspect will be Abilene's defense matching up with San Angelo's offense.
Further information regarding these topics can be obtained by contacting the Abilene Ruff Riders front office at (325) 677 - PASS (7277) or by visiting the official website of the Abilene Ruff Riders at www.abileneruffriders.com.
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Indoor Football League Stories from July 16, 2009
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