SIFL Championship Game Breakdown
by Danny Burnham
July 24, 2009 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
QUARTERBACK
Gary Cooper has taken the job away from Deron Ellis in Austin and we still don't know just how good he is or how good the Turfcats are with him behind center. We do know just what Alvin Bartie can do and even what Freddie Harrison can do for the Swashbucklers.
Advantage: Louisiana
RUNNING BACK
Keith Clay and David Banks both are formidable ball carriers for the Turfcats, while Kirt Duhon has rushed for 100 yards in two consecutive indoor football games. That doesn't happen very often.
Advantage: Even
OFFENSIVE LINE:
Both teams are strong in the Hogmolly department. Austin has John Cardenas, Louisiana features Lance Fremin and Jabari Hendricks. Games are won in the trenches.
Advantage: Even
WIDE RECEIVER
Austin's trio is incredibly balanced. Robert Quiroga could have a great game with Cooper if the 'Cats decide to air it out. Louisiana plain and simple has the league's most dangerous duo with Marcus Wilridge and Sammy Knight and a solid third option in Henry Hunter.
Advantage: Louisiana
DEFENSIVE LINE
If this were any other league we'd give the advantage to Austin because of Kevin Earvine. But Louisiana's John Paul Jones (who has indeed not yet begun to fight) would've taken a run at this position in the AFL.
Advantage: Louisiana
LINEBACKER
Both have solid players in Avery Cleveland and Thomas Bennett. It's always tough to be against a guy who has the same name as a city, but in this case we'll just have to flip a coin.
Advantage: Even.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Austin's JR Turner isn't bad, but didn't Damien Huren or Brandon Thomas take over a game practically every week?
Advantage: Louisiana
KICKER
Darren Brown is good, but Tommy Hebert should be kicking on Sundays...Sorry Darren.
Advantage: Louisiana
KICK RETURNER
Louisiana's Sammy Knight was good, but Austin's Darrick Wallace had 7 TDs on returns in nine games. Watch for a lot of kickoffs bouncing off the scoreboard.
Advantage: Austin, but there won't be any returns.
INTANGIBLES
Louisiana has won two straight championship games and 27 games overall in Lake Charles. They've been there, done that, got the t-shirt.
Advantage: Louisiana
PREDICTION: Louisiana 65, Austin 55
Southern Indoor Football League Stories from July 24, 2009
- SIFL Names Coach and Offensive Player Of The Year - SIFL
- Turfcats Hold Last Practice Of The Season - Austin Turfcats
- SIFL Championship Game Breakdown - OSC Original by Danny Burnham
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
