Run to Ultimate Bowl II Starts Outdoors
Published on June 13, 2012 under Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL) News Release
The run to the Ultimate Bowl II, sponsored by Trophy Awards, is beginning with two teams that ended the regular season with the first overtime game in UIFL - Erie and Marion.
They will kick off the playoffs with another first, an outdoor game. Due to renovations to the Louis J. Tullio Arena, the Explosion will host the game at Erie Cathedral Prep. A 50-yard boarding system will be installed for the 7:30 p.m. start on Saturday.
After suffering a loss to the Blue Racers that cost them the chance to claim the North championship, Erie may have lost something more important in the game - its starting quarterback.
A.J. McKenna was hurt on the final play of the first half, and is more than likely lost for the remainder of the playoffs. The midseason acquisition played in eight games, leading the Explosion to a 6-2 record, including the finale against Marion in which he missed the entire second half.
McKenna leads the league in passing (255.4 yards per game), pass efficiency rating (105.0), completion percentage (61.0 percent) and rushing touchdowns (16). However, he will be replaced by Darmel Whitfield, who started one game and played in three others. Whitfield is 41-of-73 for 718 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions. In the second half of the Marion game, he was 10-of-21 for 183 yards and three touchdowns.
With a more mobile quarterback, the Blue Racers defensive line will have to maintain their rush lane integrity. Erie is one of the league's worst in protecting the quarterback, yielding a UIFL high 31 sacks.
Marion defensive lineman Thomas McKenzie and linebacker Raymond Saunders are third and fourth, respectively, in sacks.
While the Explosion have been deficient in keeping its signal callers upright, Marion has allowed a league-low nine sacks. But, the Blue Racers will be faced with the stout task against the best pass rushing group in the UIFL. Led by the Mike Robinson and Andre Portis, Erie leads the league with 62 sacks. Robinson had both of Erie's sacks in the loss in the finale.
Whitfield isn't the only back-up quarterback thrust into action as Boo Jackson will lead the Blue Racers after Josh Harris hurt in the first of four Cincinnati match-ups. Jackson was a utility member of the offense as he has scored touchdowns on kick returns, receiving, rushing and passing. In his five games as a quarterback, Jackson is averaging 171.0 yards per game with 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Unlike Erie, which has three main receivers - A.J. Harris, Tirone Morris and Willie Idlette, the Blue Racers have eight receivers with at least 11 receptions and a total of 12 pass catchers with at least one catch.
Defensively, Erie has made its mark rushing the passer, but it's Marion that has possibly the most dynamic player defensive back in the game. Marcus Dorsey leads the UIFL with 13 interceptions in just seven games. He has taken two of those picks back for touchdown.
The Explosion defense also knows how to turn its opponent over as A.J. Saunders is fourth with eight interceptions, while Jon D'Angelo and Jamaal Stokes each have six interceptions.
Ultimate Indoor Football League Stories from June 13, 2012
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