Post by marinersmedia on Jun 12, 2010 7:52:41 GMT -5
Mariners Seek to Maintain Momentum for Playoffs, Finish Regular Season Strong
BALTIMORE, MD (June 12, 2010) – When the Baltimore Mariners (11-0) take on the Erie Storm (7-5) this Sunday at 2:00 PM in Pennsylvania they will do so knowing they have already secured a spot in the Eastern Conference Championship Game in Baltimore on July 10th even though they have three regular season games left. What’s a coach to do to keep the troops motivated?
“I told the players in practice that we are now the defending regular season champions of the Eastern Conference. There will be no easy games for us for the remainder of the season. The time to take a break is after the season once we accomplish our goal of winning the championship. We have unfinished business left to do,” said Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson.
In addition to maintaining momentum for the playoffs the Mariners also have something very unique to play for: an undefeated season. In the American Indoor Football Association’s (AIFA) four seasons no team has completed a regular season undefeated.
Standing in the Mariners’ way is the Erie Storm. The Storm entered last week’s game against the Mariners as one of the hottest teams in the AIFA, having won six of seven contests, but Baltimore triumphed 51-34.
The Storm is led by quarterback Rod Rutherford who leads the AIFA with 2,567 yards passing and is ranked third in touchdowns with 48. His undoing has been 22 interceptions. Last week against the Mariners he also racked up large passing numbers, but was undone by six interceptions.
Heading into this weekend’s game the Storm have the league’s number one ranked passing offense with 228.3 yards per game, but that has not always converted to points scored as Erie ranks ninth in the AIFA with 43.5 points per game; over 20 points lower than the Mariners
To achieve that spread the Mariners league leading scoring offense (63.9 points per game) have had a few weapons of their own. Running back Isaiah Grier leads the league in rushing yards (386), rushing touchdowns (23), total touchdowns (30), and points (180). Quarterback E.J. Nemeth is also enjoying the best season of his career ranking fourth in the league with 42 touchdown passes, sixth in the AIFA with 1,878 passing yards. Perhaps most importantly he ranks third in the AIFA in passing efficiency throwing only eight picks against his 42 touchdowns.
Not to be outdone the Mariners’ defense also ranks amongst the league leaders in several categories. They are second in the AIFA in scoring defense, allowing only 29 points per game, lead the league in rushing defense, allowing a meager 11.5 yards per game, and takeaways (46) providing Baltimore with a league best +35 turnover margin; 17 more than their nearest competitor.
Leading the defensive pack has been a veteran group of defensive backs led by Armar Watson, the league’s top interception man with 11; also, a punishing defensive line of Melik Brown, Daniel Orlebar, and Melik Brown. This trio along with linebackers Brian Bradford and Adam Goloboski has produced 31.5 sacks.
Hitting on all cylinders, the Mariners also have the league’s top kicker, J.R. Cipra, who tops the AIFA in extra points, field goals, unos, and kicking points.
Simpson is also confident the team can maintain the same formula that has earned them 11 straight wins, “We will continue to focus on winning one game at a time. We will continue to work harder and prepare harder than our opponents. That has been the approach that has gotten us to this point in the season and that is what we will continue to do. We have no intention of resting players unless they are not 100% come game time.”
– John Wolfe
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.
BALTIMORE, MD (June 12, 2010) – When the Baltimore Mariners (11-0) take on the Erie Storm (7-5) this Sunday at 2:00 PM in Pennsylvania they will do so knowing they have already secured a spot in the Eastern Conference Championship Game in Baltimore on July 10th even though they have three regular season games left. What’s a coach to do to keep the troops motivated?
“I told the players in practice that we are now the defending regular season champions of the Eastern Conference. There will be no easy games for us for the remainder of the season. The time to take a break is after the season once we accomplish our goal of winning the championship. We have unfinished business left to do,” said Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson.
In addition to maintaining momentum for the playoffs the Mariners also have something very unique to play for: an undefeated season. In the American Indoor Football Association’s (AIFA) four seasons no team has completed a regular season undefeated.
Standing in the Mariners’ way is the Erie Storm. The Storm entered last week’s game against the Mariners as one of the hottest teams in the AIFA, having won six of seven contests, but Baltimore triumphed 51-34.
The Storm is led by quarterback Rod Rutherford who leads the AIFA with 2,567 yards passing and is ranked third in touchdowns with 48. His undoing has been 22 interceptions. Last week against the Mariners he also racked up large passing numbers, but was undone by six interceptions.
Heading into this weekend’s game the Storm have the league’s number one ranked passing offense with 228.3 yards per game, but that has not always converted to points scored as Erie ranks ninth in the AIFA with 43.5 points per game; over 20 points lower than the Mariners
To achieve that spread the Mariners league leading scoring offense (63.9 points per game) have had a few weapons of their own. Running back Isaiah Grier leads the league in rushing yards (386), rushing touchdowns (23), total touchdowns (30), and points (180). Quarterback E.J. Nemeth is also enjoying the best season of his career ranking fourth in the league with 42 touchdown passes, sixth in the AIFA with 1,878 passing yards. Perhaps most importantly he ranks third in the AIFA in passing efficiency throwing only eight picks against his 42 touchdowns.
Not to be outdone the Mariners’ defense also ranks amongst the league leaders in several categories. They are second in the AIFA in scoring defense, allowing only 29 points per game, lead the league in rushing defense, allowing a meager 11.5 yards per game, and takeaways (46) providing Baltimore with a league best +35 turnover margin; 17 more than their nearest competitor.
Leading the defensive pack has been a veteran group of defensive backs led by Armar Watson, the league’s top interception man with 11; also, a punishing defensive line of Melik Brown, Daniel Orlebar, and Melik Brown. This trio along with linebackers Brian Bradford and Adam Goloboski has produced 31.5 sacks.
Hitting on all cylinders, the Mariners also have the league’s top kicker, J.R. Cipra, who tops the AIFA in extra points, field goals, unos, and kicking points.
Simpson is also confident the team can maintain the same formula that has earned them 11 straight wins, “We will continue to focus on winning one game at a time. We will continue to work harder and prepare harder than our opponents. That has been the approach that has gotten us to this point in the season and that is what we will continue to do. We have no intention of resting players unless they are not 100% come game time.”
– John Wolfe
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.