Steeldogs Host Firecats with Playoffs Looming
July 11, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Alabama Steeldogs News Release
Birmingham, Ala. - When the Alabama Steeldogs take the field against the Florida Firecats at the BJCC Arena this Saturday night, head coach Ron Selesky is hoping his defense will play as well as it did in the two teams' first meeting.
The Steeldogs held Florida's high-powered offense to a season-low in points on June 2 when the two teams met a Germain Arena in Fort Myers, Fla. Alabama lost the game 29-21, but Selesky said his squad can take a lot from their first meeting with the Firecats into Saturday's matchup.
"We know we have the ability to play against them and win," Selesky said. "We hurt ourselves with turnovers in the first game and that is something we will have to change if we want to have a chance on Saturday."
The Steeldogs' have struggled with turnovers throughout the 2007 season, giving the ball back to their opponents seven times in the last four games alone.
"You can't turn the ball over against good, experienced teams and expect to win," Selesky said "It's something that I stress everyday to our players, but ultimately they have to take control of the game and be responsible with the football."
Saturday's match-up with Florida was big implications on the Steeldogs' playoff hopes. With losses to both Tennessee Valley and Oklahoma City - two teams vying against Alabama for the eighth and final playoff spot- the Steeldogs are down to their final three games as they try to earn their first postseason trip since the 2004 season.
Alabama needs help from the Vipers' and Yard Dawgz' opponents over the next few weeks, and must earn key wins against the Firecats this week, South Georgia on July 21 and Cincinnati on July 28.
While Alabama would not be mathematically eliminated by a loss to Florida on Saturday, Selesky said his team doesn't want to take any chances.
"This is a must win for us - hands down," Selesky said. "We want to go out there and play like there's no tomorrow."
The Steeldogs made a number of roster moves this week in preparation for Saturday's showdown with Florida. Alabama signed defensive lineman Greg Green on Monday and released lineman Rodney Jones in an effort to help out the team's pass rush.
Alabama will be without the services of defensive back Adrian Ghent and lineman Myron Powe, however. Ghent will not play another game during the regular season after being place on IR with a shoulder injury. Powe, who made his return to the field last week in Oklahoma City after being out four weeks on IR, will be out again this week after re-aggravating the injury.
"We've been banged up for the entire second half of the season," Selesky said. "A lot of guys are playing through pain right now."
Florida owns a strong advantage in the all-time series between the two teams at 7-3. The Firecats have one their last six games against the Steeldogs going back to 2004, including the 29-21 victory on June 2. The last time Alabama defeated the Firecats was a 55-34 victory at the BJCC on May 14th 2004.
The Steeldogs and Firecats square off at the BJCC this Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 715-6000 or by logging on to steeldogs.com.
Steeldogs games can be heard live on the Alabama Steeldogs Flagship station WSPZ 690 "The Animal" and online at www.themightyx.com, with veteran broadcasters Matt Coulter and Roger Shultz calling the action.
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