Post by AZ Adrenaline Junkie on May 5, 2008 12:40:34 GMT -5
Adrenaline travel to Utah, await Wyoming showdown
Special to the Courier
Sunday, May 04, 2008
PRESCOTT VALLEY - Taking a team seriously that has allowed an average of 99 points per game in its last two outings might not seem like a given. Especially with the biggest game of the season looming just five days later.
But the Arizona Adrenaline are taking the "on any given Tuesday" approach when they travel to the Salt Lake City suburb of Riverton, Utah to take on the winless and troubled Utah Saints in what figures to serve as a tune-up for the Mother's Day matchup against unbeaten Wyoming May 11 in Prescott Valley.
"The phone never stops ringing in this league," Adrenaline running back Ty Evans said. "You can never be sure who these teams will bring in from week to week. They could have some veterans out there Tuesday and be a completely different team."
One of the phone calls the Saints received during the week came from American Indoor Football Association co-owner Mike Mink. Word has it that Mink flew to Salt Lake to discuss the Saints' situation, which has included, among other things, small crowds and a non-competitive team that yielded 95 points two weeks ago to the Adrenaline and 103 six days later at Wyoming.
"We're going to respect every opponent that we have," said Adrenaline head coach Andrew Moore, whose team is 4-1 and is averaging 66.5 points, second most in the AIFA.
"I've been around long enough to know that anything can happen. We're concerned with Utah right now, then we'll worry about Wyoming."
The Adrenaline plan to open their 20-man roster to some players who have not seen much action this year. Chino Valley's own Robert Jones will replace starter Paris Moore, who is suffering from a knee injury.
Jones, a standout running back in the semi-pro Copper Football League, will share time with Evans in the backfield. Lineman Lia Atuatasi will also make the trip in place of Lucian Scott, who is attending to a family matter, and defensive back Kentrell Williams, who did not play at New Mexico last week, will travel to Utah.
The team has also announced that the toe injury to kicker Carlos Ojeda is not as bad as originally thought. Ojeda will be available for kicking duties in Utah.
The Saints rank at the bottom of the league in pass defense, an area that the Adrenaline excel with receivers Quincy Jackson and Maurice Bryant racking up big numbers, and David Penland now fitting comfortably in the No. 3 role.
"I'm a little bit surprised that I'm starting," said the 23-year-old Penland, who didn't crack the 20-man roster until the third game of the season. "All I can do is just come out and work hard each day."
Penland scored a key fourth-quarter touchdown in last week's 63-46 win at New Mexico at a time when the Adrenaline led only 47-40 and were being pushed for the first time in four weeks.
Meanwhile, Wyoming (6-0) blasted New Mexico 80-34 on Thursday, setting up a first place showdown May 11, if the Adrenaline first take care of business in Utah.
Six of Wyoming's final eight games will be on the road.
"I don't really think of Utah as a tune-up," quarterback Chad DeGrenier said. "Every day of the season is a tune-up for the next day. You just try to get better each day and everything will take care of itself."
• Adrenaline (4-1) at Utah (0-5)
• Tuesday, 6 p.m.
• Radio: 94.3 FM, KDDL, radio webcast at www.adrenalinefootball.com
Special to the Courier
Sunday, May 04, 2008
PRESCOTT VALLEY - Taking a team seriously that has allowed an average of 99 points per game in its last two outings might not seem like a given. Especially with the biggest game of the season looming just five days later.
But the Arizona Adrenaline are taking the "on any given Tuesday" approach when they travel to the Salt Lake City suburb of Riverton, Utah to take on the winless and troubled Utah Saints in what figures to serve as a tune-up for the Mother's Day matchup against unbeaten Wyoming May 11 in Prescott Valley.
"The phone never stops ringing in this league," Adrenaline running back Ty Evans said. "You can never be sure who these teams will bring in from week to week. They could have some veterans out there Tuesday and be a completely different team."
One of the phone calls the Saints received during the week came from American Indoor Football Association co-owner Mike Mink. Word has it that Mink flew to Salt Lake to discuss the Saints' situation, which has included, among other things, small crowds and a non-competitive team that yielded 95 points two weeks ago to the Adrenaline and 103 six days later at Wyoming.
"We're going to respect every opponent that we have," said Adrenaline head coach Andrew Moore, whose team is 4-1 and is averaging 66.5 points, second most in the AIFA.
"I've been around long enough to know that anything can happen. We're concerned with Utah right now, then we'll worry about Wyoming."
The Adrenaline plan to open their 20-man roster to some players who have not seen much action this year. Chino Valley's own Robert Jones will replace starter Paris Moore, who is suffering from a knee injury.
Jones, a standout running back in the semi-pro Copper Football League, will share time with Evans in the backfield. Lineman Lia Atuatasi will also make the trip in place of Lucian Scott, who is attending to a family matter, and defensive back Kentrell Williams, who did not play at New Mexico last week, will travel to Utah.
The team has also announced that the toe injury to kicker Carlos Ojeda is not as bad as originally thought. Ojeda will be available for kicking duties in Utah.
The Saints rank at the bottom of the league in pass defense, an area that the Adrenaline excel with receivers Quincy Jackson and Maurice Bryant racking up big numbers, and David Penland now fitting comfortably in the No. 3 role.
"I'm a little bit surprised that I'm starting," said the 23-year-old Penland, who didn't crack the 20-man roster until the third game of the season. "All I can do is just come out and work hard each day."
Penland scored a key fourth-quarter touchdown in last week's 63-46 win at New Mexico at a time when the Adrenaline led only 47-40 and were being pushed for the first time in four weeks.
Meanwhile, Wyoming (6-0) blasted New Mexico 80-34 on Thursday, setting up a first place showdown May 11, if the Adrenaline first take care of business in Utah.
Six of Wyoming's final eight games will be on the road.
"I don't really think of Utah as a tune-up," quarterback Chad DeGrenier said. "Every day of the season is a tune-up for the next day. You just try to get better each day and everything will take care of itself."
• Adrenaline (4-1) at Utah (0-5)
• Tuesday, 6 p.m.
• Radio: 94.3 FM, KDDL, radio webcast at www.adrenalinefootball.com
