Post by rkb on Jul 18, 2008 9:48:49 GMT -5
www.djournal.com/pages/story.asp?ID=276269&pub=1&div=Sports
How will the West be won?
7/18/2008 5:26:25 AM
Daily Journal
BY GENE PHELPS
Daily Journal
Darryl Carter's watched enough film of the Wyoming Cavalry to know his Mississippi Mudcats possess more talent and speed.
But the Mudcats' leading receiver also knows that edge doesn't guarantee a victory in tonight's AIFA Western Division championship game.
"They've won 12 games, so they're doing something good out here," Carter said in a telephone interview from Casper, Wyo., the site of the game. "They're a good team and they execute well."
Wyoming features the league's top offensive team, one that's averages 65 points and 268 yards per game.
Mudcats' interim head coach William McCarthy said he is concerned about Wyoming's bulk on offense.
"They have a lot of big bodies ... 6-3 and 6-4 receivers, a big quarterback with a strong arm," he noted. "They just throw it up and make plays."
Wyoming's quarterback, Matt Strand, has passed for 2,900 yards and 77 touchdowns. He's thrown just seven interceptions. James Jones, a 592-yard rusher with 23 scores, leads the ground game.
Carolina for winner
The winner of tonight's game will travel to Florence, S.C., next weekend to play Florence in the AIFA Championship Game II.
The Mudcats reached the semifinals with their comeback win, 52-50, at home against Columbus, Ga., on July 5.
Wyoming earned its berth the same day with a 51-26 victory against Arizona.
Mississippi made it to the semifinals last season before falling to Lakeland, Fla.
"We've got a chip on our shoulders because of that loss last year to Lakeland," Carter said. "We didn't play one of our best games that day.
"I think it's a blessing to get this opportunity again. Hopefully, we'll get the job done."
Air concerns
McCarthy's chief concern is how his players will respond to the altitude.
"Some of the guys ran in the air here (Wednesday) and got winded," he said. "We have a team full of speed and they have a team full of size. It could be a factor."
McCarthy believes the Mudcats have enough depth on both sides of the ball to counter any breathing problems that may arise.
"The good thing about coming out here early was to get acclimated to all this," he said. "By game time we'll be fine.
"The guys are excited and ready to play."
Road trip
A crowd of 7,000 is expected for tonight's game at the Casper Events Center. The semifinals could have been played in Tupelo, but Mudcats majority owner Jim Waide deferred hosting the game for financial reasons before the playoffs kicked off.
"We'd lose less money playing away than at home because of slim attendance," Waide said.
The Mudcats drew just 1,500 for their playoff opener against Columbus.
"The decision wasn't 100 percent financial," Waide added. "There were some other reasons. I think it will be a good experience for our guys to go to that arena.
"I know from the players' point of view they would rather play at home."
As it turns out, Waide said, the team's trip to Wyoming didn't "save us anything." The plane tickets and bus rentals - Tupelo to Nashville, Denver to Casper - were more expensive than planned.
Appeared originally in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 7/18/2008, section D , page 1
How will the West be won?
7/18/2008 5:26:25 AM
Daily Journal
BY GENE PHELPS
Daily Journal
Darryl Carter's watched enough film of the Wyoming Cavalry to know his Mississippi Mudcats possess more talent and speed.
But the Mudcats' leading receiver also knows that edge doesn't guarantee a victory in tonight's AIFA Western Division championship game.
"They've won 12 games, so they're doing something good out here," Carter said in a telephone interview from Casper, Wyo., the site of the game. "They're a good team and they execute well."
Wyoming features the league's top offensive team, one that's averages 65 points and 268 yards per game.
Mudcats' interim head coach William McCarthy said he is concerned about Wyoming's bulk on offense.
"They have a lot of big bodies ... 6-3 and 6-4 receivers, a big quarterback with a strong arm," he noted. "They just throw it up and make plays."
Wyoming's quarterback, Matt Strand, has passed for 2,900 yards and 77 touchdowns. He's thrown just seven interceptions. James Jones, a 592-yard rusher with 23 scores, leads the ground game.
Carolina for winner
The winner of tonight's game will travel to Florence, S.C., next weekend to play Florence in the AIFA Championship Game II.
The Mudcats reached the semifinals with their comeback win, 52-50, at home against Columbus, Ga., on July 5.
Wyoming earned its berth the same day with a 51-26 victory against Arizona.
Mississippi made it to the semifinals last season before falling to Lakeland, Fla.
"We've got a chip on our shoulders because of that loss last year to Lakeland," Carter said. "We didn't play one of our best games that day.
"I think it's a blessing to get this opportunity again. Hopefully, we'll get the job done."
Air concerns
McCarthy's chief concern is how his players will respond to the altitude.
"Some of the guys ran in the air here (Wednesday) and got winded," he said. "We have a team full of speed and they have a team full of size. It could be a factor."
McCarthy believes the Mudcats have enough depth on both sides of the ball to counter any breathing problems that may arise.
"The good thing about coming out here early was to get acclimated to all this," he said. "By game time we'll be fine.
"The guys are excited and ready to play."
Road trip
A crowd of 7,000 is expected for tonight's game at the Casper Events Center. The semifinals could have been played in Tupelo, but Mudcats majority owner Jim Waide deferred hosting the game for financial reasons before the playoffs kicked off.
"We'd lose less money playing away than at home because of slim attendance," Waide said.
The Mudcats drew just 1,500 for their playoff opener against Columbus.
"The decision wasn't 100 percent financial," Waide added. "There were some other reasons. I think it will be a good experience for our guys to go to that arena.
"I know from the players' point of view they would rather play at home."
As it turns out, Waide said, the team's trip to Wyoming didn't "save us anything." The plane tickets and bus rentals - Tupelo to Nashville, Denver to Casper - were more expensive than planned.
Appeared originally in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 7/18/2008, section D , page 1
