Post by marinersmedia on Jun 5, 2010 8:19:41 GMT -5
MARINERS LOOK TO CLINCH THE NUMBER ONE SEED IN THE EAST
BALTIMORE, MD (June 5, 2010) – Last week, the Mariners took step number one in their quest for the AIFA championship by clinching a playoff spot, defeating the Richmond Raiders 57-39. Now, the Mariners return to Baltimore with another goal in mind, and that is to clinch the number one seed in the eastern conference. They will have to contend with a team they have not played yet this year, the third place Erie Storm. Erie has a solid team, with a strong offensive unit and a solid defensive unit, and will look to challenge the Baltimore Mariners strong offense and outstanding defense. As we have seen all season long, it’s not easy going head to head with this Baltimore Mariners team. The Mariners have blown out their opponents this season, the only exceptions being a three-point win over the Raiders in Baltimore, and the season opening seven point win over the Stampede. The rest of the year, they have defeated their opponents by an average of 32 points per game. In order for the Mariners to defeat the Erie Storm; here are my keys to victory.
ANOTHER CHALLENGE: Last week, the Mariners defense had to deal with the Raiders third ranked offense, and handled them very well forcing four turnovers. Now, they will have to contend with the Erie Storm second ranked offense. Erie’s passing offense ranked 1st in the AIFA, averaging 227 yards through the air and 51 passing touchdowns. Erie wide receivers Eugene Baker and Denayne Dixon are tops in the AIFA in receiving yards per game, both averaging 89 receiving yards per game. Baltimore will have to hold their own as they have been doing all season long. The Swashbuckler’s pass defense ranks fifth in the AIFA, holding opponents to just 160 passing yards per game. Of course, they have to always account for defensive back Armar Watson, who leads the AIFA with 10 interceptions. Other defensive backs have been stepping up for the Mariners as well, including Richard Johnson who has racked up six interceptions this season. This will surely be the match-up to watch.
STUFF THE RUN: The Mariners run defense is the best run defense in the AIFA. Last week, they held the Richmond Raiders to just three yards on the ground. Overall, the Mariners unstoppable run defense only allows 13 yards per game. What awaits them this week in Baltimore? The 13th ranked rushing offense of the Erie Storm, which averages 17 rushing yards per game.
HIGH SCORING: The Mariners claim the top spot in the AIFA in scoring, averaging 64 points per game and racking up 78 total offensive touchdowns. Mariners offensive coordinator Mike Moyseeko will have to come up with another stellar and flawless game plan, as Erie ranks 9th in the AIFA in points allowed (46 points allowed per game).
MOVE THOSE CHAINS: The Mariners and Storm match up perfectly when it comes to third down conversions and first downs. Erie has converted the most first downs in the AIFA (184), while Baltimore has allowed the third fewest first downs in the AIFA (116). One aspect of moving the ball that the Mariners have the edge over the Storm would be third down conversions. The Mariners have converted 43% of their third downs, the second most in the AIFA.
The Mariners just need to play their game this Saturday night at the 1st Mariner Arena. They can’t worry about not playing Erie yet this season, or the Erie offensive until; they just need to play the game. So far, that has worked for the Mariners, and they will look to host the AIFA Eastern Conference Championship game come playoff time.
- Steve McNelly
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.
BALTIMORE, MD (June 5, 2010) – Last week, the Mariners took step number one in their quest for the AIFA championship by clinching a playoff spot, defeating the Richmond Raiders 57-39. Now, the Mariners return to Baltimore with another goal in mind, and that is to clinch the number one seed in the eastern conference. They will have to contend with a team they have not played yet this year, the third place Erie Storm. Erie has a solid team, with a strong offensive unit and a solid defensive unit, and will look to challenge the Baltimore Mariners strong offense and outstanding defense. As we have seen all season long, it’s not easy going head to head with this Baltimore Mariners team. The Mariners have blown out their opponents this season, the only exceptions being a three-point win over the Raiders in Baltimore, and the season opening seven point win over the Stampede. The rest of the year, they have defeated their opponents by an average of 32 points per game. In order for the Mariners to defeat the Erie Storm; here are my keys to victory.
ANOTHER CHALLENGE: Last week, the Mariners defense had to deal with the Raiders third ranked offense, and handled them very well forcing four turnovers. Now, they will have to contend with the Erie Storm second ranked offense. Erie’s passing offense ranked 1st in the AIFA, averaging 227 yards through the air and 51 passing touchdowns. Erie wide receivers Eugene Baker and Denayne Dixon are tops in the AIFA in receiving yards per game, both averaging 89 receiving yards per game. Baltimore will have to hold their own as they have been doing all season long. The Swashbuckler’s pass defense ranks fifth in the AIFA, holding opponents to just 160 passing yards per game. Of course, they have to always account for defensive back Armar Watson, who leads the AIFA with 10 interceptions. Other defensive backs have been stepping up for the Mariners as well, including Richard Johnson who has racked up six interceptions this season. This will surely be the match-up to watch.
STUFF THE RUN: The Mariners run defense is the best run defense in the AIFA. Last week, they held the Richmond Raiders to just three yards on the ground. Overall, the Mariners unstoppable run defense only allows 13 yards per game. What awaits them this week in Baltimore? The 13th ranked rushing offense of the Erie Storm, which averages 17 rushing yards per game.
HIGH SCORING: The Mariners claim the top spot in the AIFA in scoring, averaging 64 points per game and racking up 78 total offensive touchdowns. Mariners offensive coordinator Mike Moyseeko will have to come up with another stellar and flawless game plan, as Erie ranks 9th in the AIFA in points allowed (46 points allowed per game).
MOVE THOSE CHAINS: The Mariners and Storm match up perfectly when it comes to third down conversions and first downs. Erie has converted the most first downs in the AIFA (184), while Baltimore has allowed the third fewest first downs in the AIFA (116). One aspect of moving the ball that the Mariners have the edge over the Storm would be third down conversions. The Mariners have converted 43% of their third downs, the second most in the AIFA.
The Mariners just need to play their game this Saturday night at the 1st Mariner Arena. They can’t worry about not playing Erie yet this season, or the Erie offensive until; they just need to play the game. So far, that has worked for the Mariners, and they will look to host the AIFA Eastern Conference Championship game come playoff time.
- Steve McNelly
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.
