West Texas Roughnecks Friday, June 11, 2010 - Game Day Preview: West Texas Roughnecks Vs. Abilene Ru
June 11, 2010 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release
MIDLAND, TX. : The West Texas Roughnecks play host to the Abilene Ruff Riders on Saturday, June 12 and it is the second time in three games that both teams will meet in the late portion of the regular season. This game marks the third and final meeting of the regular season between both clubs as the Roughnecks have won the first two meetings by a combined six points. The Roughnecks (5-7) have won two straight and three of their last four entering Saturday night as the Ruff Riders (2-11) have lost three straight including a 54-51 loss to the Roughnecks back on Saturday, May 22 in Abilene. Before their recent bye week, the Roughnecks defeated the Corpus Christi Hammerheads back on Saturday, May 29, 50-38.
The Roughnecks now look to complete the regular season-series sweep of the Ruff Riders and move closer to a possible playoff berth. Roughnecks QB Tommy Jones has thrown for 448 yards and 10 touchdowns in his last two games and the Roughnecks receiving core has been explosive during that span. WR Steve Bergeski posted four touchdown receptions in the win over Corpus and he currently leads the Roughnecks with 13 touchdown receptions in 2010. WR Ryan Bugg continues to be the team's leader in receptions and yards as wide outs Josh Floyd and Dexter Henderson are consistently making impact plays. The key improvement from the offensive unit has been the running game, especially inside the red-zone. RB Jorvorskie Lane will be a key factor in that department as he currently leads the Roughnecks with nine rushing touchdowns. Look for the Abilene defense to match-up with the Roughnecks offense by using man-to-man coverage in the secondary.
The Abilene Ruff Riders are coming off a 49-46 loss to the Corpus Christi Hammerheads back on Sunday, June 6. The Ruff Riders held a 13-point lead at one point in the first-half but second half turnovers allowed Corpus to work back into the ball game and seal the win. The Ruff Riders will look to end their season on a high note, and they will do so by trying to run the ball effectively and use short-yardage passing schemes against the Roughnecks defense. QB Robert Kent threw for three touchdowns against Corpus last Sunday, and he was certainly effective by running with the football against the Roughnecks in their previous meeting. The Roughnecks defense will have to contend with the dual-threat quarterback Kent along with RB/LB Trae Ivory who is effective inside the red-zone. The Roughnecks secondary will be challenged by a quick Abilene receiving core which features Ivory McCann and LeJuan Edwards. McCann, along with Robert Gill, are explosive special team threats that will attempt to provide good field positioning for the Ruff Riders.
The Roughnecks defensive unit is progressively growing stronger as a unit each week. The defensive line, featuring James Vess and Jermaine Blakely, has been consistently providing pressure on the quarterback position and the line has been effective against the running game. The Roughnecks will need another solid performance again this week out of the defensive line in order to contain Kent and the Abilene rushing attack. Look for LB Nathaniel Dunn to be a key factor in Saturday's game as he has made a successful transition from wide out to linebacker in the last few weeks of the season. Eric Henri will play an important role as the rover back on Saturday and look for the Roughnecks secondary to contain the short-yardage passing schemes of the Ruff Riders. Early turnovers and second-half special teams play will be important factors to follow in this match-up between these two Lone Star Western Division rivals.
Game Time / Location: 7:11 p.m. Kickoff - Ector County Coliseum, Odessa, Texas
Broadcast: 95.1 BOB FM (6:45 start)
Online: BOB FM - www.boblivesintexas.com / B2 Networks - www.b2livetv.com
Next Week: West Texas Roughnecks vs. Corpus Christi Hammerheads (Saturday, June 19, 2010) - Ector County Coliseum, Odessa, Texas
This is the final game of the 2010 regular season for the Abilene Ruff Riders
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