Shaw named UIF Defensive P.O.W.; Raptors head to Ohio Valley
April 22, 2005 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Tennessee Valley Raptors News Release
HUNTSVILLE â A dominating defensive performance by Fernandez Shaw didn't escape the eye of United Indoor Football, which has named the Tennessee Valley Raptors defensive end its Defensive Player of the Week.
Shaw (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) had a franchise-record 3.5 sack to go along with 8.5 tackles during Tennessee Valley's 36-20 home win over the Tupelo Fireants last weekend at the Von Braun Center.
"Fernandez made some huge plays for us against Tupelo and he looked unstoppable on the pass rush,'' Raptors coach Dick Adams said. "He never let up the whole game and he played hard every down."
The Tennessee Valley defense will be looking for another strong showing Saturday night when the Raptors (1-2) play the Ohio Valley Greyhounds (1-3) at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, W.V. Kickoff is set for 6:30 and the game will be broadcasts on WUMP 730 AM.
Tennessee Valley enters the game winless on the road after close losses at Evansville and Sioux City to start the season. The Raptors notched their first UIF win behind quarterback Mike Scipione's three touchdown passes and a defense that had nine sacks against the Fireants.
"We've got to keep the momentum going,'' Adams said. "Keeping pressure on the quarterback, our kickoff coverage and staying on our blocks a little longer will be important. Offensively, we've got to get rid of the ball on time and make plays."
The Raptors' pass defense ranks first in the UIF in allowing 113.7 yards a game, while the Greyhounds lead the league in total defense at 175.5 and are second against the pass at 115.2.
Tennessee Valley will face a Greyhounds team that's coming off a bye week following a 31-20 home loss to Fort Wayne on April 10. That defeat, coupled with a franchise-worst start, prompted Ohio Valley to fire coach Mike Siani and defensive coordinator Shawn Hackett.
Former Ohio Valley coach Mark Bonar, who led the Greyhounds to a 44-5 record and a pair of NIFL titles from 2002-04, has returned to coach the team.
"We just have to go in there with the idea that we've got to play our best football game both offensively and defensively, and adjust on the run because you don't know exactly what they're going to be able to do (with the changes),'' Adams said.
United Indoor Football Association Stories from April 22, 2005
- Greyhounds trade for two, sign two - Ohio Valley Greyhounds
- Shaw named UIF Defensive P.O.W.; Raptors head to Ohio Valley - Tennessee Valley Raptors
- Elvis, Animals and NASCAR Highlight Saturday's FireAnts Home Game - Tupelo FireAnts
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