Sharks and Bluecats set to battle at the Fish Bowl

Published on May 13, 2004 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Evansville BlueCats News Release


The Evansville Bluecats will come home to the Fish Bowl at Roberts Stadium this Saturday as they play host to the Atlantic City Card Sharks of the NIFL's Atlantic East Division. The 1st ever meeting between the two teams will feature two of the league's best quarterbacks as the Bluecats' Ramon Robinson-fresh off a record setting performance against the Show-Me Believers-will go up against Atlantic City's Tony Racioppi (3rd in the NIFL with 207 yards passing per game). Both teams feature high-powered passing as the ‘Cats are 6th in passing offense and the Sharks are a very close 7th in the same category. As it has been in recent weeks, protection for the quarterbacks will again be a key as the Bluecats lead the league with 16 sacks on the defensive side of the ball and have only given up 3 sacks in 6 games. Conversely, the Card Sharks have only 6 sacks on the season (14th) and have given up 10 (16th).

What initially appears to be a battle of the arms of the quarterbacks may come down to the legs of Evansville veteran running back Michael Cosey and rookie kicker Brad Zientara. Evansville will take its 6th ranked rushing offense led by Cosey (4th with 345 yards) up against a Card Sharks' defense ranked 16th against the rush. Atlantic City will also be without their leading tackler, linebacker Earl Biddy, for the game.

In a close game, look for Bluecats' kicker Brad Zientara to play a huge role in the game. Zientara's 48-yard field goal against Ft. Wayne and onside kick recovery against Show-Me have been game-sealers in the Bluecats' last 2 victories. Zientara is 8th in the NIFL in PAT conversions and 11th in field goal percentage while Atlantic City has struggled in the kicking game, converting only 11.1% of their field goals and 23.5% of their PATs with 4 different kickers during the season.

Kickoff will be at 7:05 PM in what will be a key game for both teams. Jacksonville Jaguars' free safety Deke Cooper and a number of NFL and former Notre Dame stars will be on hand for autograph signing on EVSC High School ½ price night. Tickets can be purchased at the Roberts Stadium box office, by calling 812-476-1383 extension 25 or at the Ticketmaster link on www.evansvillebluecats.com. For more information, call the Bluecats office at 812-491-9401.

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National Indoor Football League Stories from May 13, 2004


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