Ruff Riders Look To Clinch Playoff Spot At Corpus
June 18, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Abilene Ruff Riders News Release
ABILENE, TX.: The Abilene Ruff Riders will be looking to clinch a playoff spot in the IFL â09 post-season when they face the Corpus Christi Hammerheads in Robstown on Saturday, June 20. Abilene will attempt to avenge a 27-22 loss to the Hammerheads back on May 30, however Corpus is on a three-game winning streak and they too are looking to clinch a playoff spot and get back to a .500 record for the first time since April 11 when the team was 1-1. This game has all the makings of a defensive battle and it will be likely that the Ruff Riders will have QB David Bowie under center for the ball game. Bowie threw for 119 yards and three touchdowns in the 40-27 win over the Odessa Roughnecks back on June 13 and his go-to players in the passing department this week will be Fred Howze, Juan Reese and Mike Carrillo. Abilene will also try to establish the running game with their usual dual-running back system consisting of Carlos Alsup and Bernard Payton. Alsup only has one rushing touchdown this season but he does lead the team with 251 rushing yards.
Corpus Christi's defense has been playing outstanding during the three-game winning streak. Their defense has not allowed more than 30 points during the streak and their turnover ratio has improved steadily week after week. Wali Mumin has been the key defensive factor all season long for Corpus. Mumin leads Corpus in total tackles with 49.5 and he is tied with Jason Lee with five interceptions. Johnny Anderson and Stephen Fillmore will be key prospects in short-passing situations and open-field tackling. Look for DL Chris Williams to be pressuring the pocket during passing situations as he leads the Hammerheads with 3.5 sacks this season.
Abilene's defensive line consistently pressured Roughnecks QB Dennis Gile back on June 13 and they will try to do the same against Hammerheads quarterback Cory Miles. Miles has thrown for just over 1,000 yards this season and 22 touchdowns. Toric Goins, Schuyler Anderson and Nathaniel Dunn represent a solid core of wide receivers but look for the possible X-factor to be RB Redford Borel who has found the end-zone 13 times this season. The Ruff Riders defense is well-equipped with LB Henry Russell who leads Abilene with 52.0 total tackles and look for IFL MVP candidate DB Joey Longoria to be a huge weapon for Abilene in defending the pass.
Expect a good defensive battle between both teams but the end result will be based on the turnovers and which quarterback will be more consistent through out the ball game.
NICK PERTUIT NAMED IFL SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK -
Ruff Riders Kicker Nick Pertuit was named IFL Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 14 of the regular season on Wednesday afternoon. Pertuit went 4-6 in field goals against the Odessa Roughnecks back on June 13, hitting from 29, 27, 30 and 19 yards. Pertuit was also 3 of 3 on extra point attempts. Pertuit is 14 of 31 this season in field goal kicking and 30 of 45 in extra point attempts.
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.
• Discuss this story on the Indoor Football League message board...
Indoor Football League Stories from June 18, 2009
- Roughnecks To Be Involved With Charity Football Camp For Children - West Texas Roughnecks
- Generals Wrap Up Two-Game Road Trip In River City - El Paso Generals
- Ruff Riders Look To Clinch Playoff Spot At Corpus - Abilene Ruff Riders
- Wild Add Talent and Experience to QB Position - Wichita Wild
- Three Raiders players earn shot with the Buffalo Bills - Rochester Raiders
- Colorado Ice Travel to Billings to Face Outlaws - Colorado Crush
- Dale Buck earns Defensive Player of the Week - Rochester Raiders
- Storm Tailgate Party - Sioux Falls Storm
- Fudge Named IFL Player of the Week - Wichita Wild
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
