Post by marinersmedia on Jul 24, 2010 15:37:52 GMT -5
MARINERS LOOK TO CAP OFF HISTORIC SEASON AS AIFA CHAMPIONS
BALTIMORE, MD (July 24, 2010) – For the first time in franchise history, the Baltimore Mariners will have the honor of playing for the AIFA Championship. On Sunday July 25th at 1st Mariner Arena, the undefeated, Eastern Conference Champions will welcome in the Western Conference Champions, the Wyoming Cavalry. The Cavalry has put together an impressive team this season, and their 14-1 record reflects their success. Wyoming defeated the expansion San Jose Wolves in the Western Conference Championship 57-37, to advance to AIFA Bowl IV. The Cavalry was on the cusp of an undefeated regular season, until they fell to the Wenatchee Valley Venom the second-to-last week of the regular season 43-39. This will be the Cavalry’s third straight trip to AIFA Championship Bowl, but they have yet to finish out the season as champions.
The Baltimore Mariners have had an incredible journey this year to the AIFA national title game. Coach Simpson and his staff had one goal in mind coming into the 2010 season, and that was to make it to, and win, the AIFA Championship. Little did the coaches, the players, and the fans realize they would set several AIFA and franchise records in the process. The Mariners recorded the first shutout in AIFA history defeating the Fayetteville Guard 59-0 at the 1st Mariner Arena. Baltimore put up the most points in franchise history a few weeks later in Fayetteville, defeating the Guard 91-19. The Mariners also have the largest margin of victory in AIFA history, defeating the New Jersey Revolution 84-6. To top it all off, Baltimore is the first team to go undefeated in AIFA regular season history.
The Mariners will have a tough task in taming the Wyoming Cavalry this weekend. In order for the Mariners to win their first AIFA Championship in franchise history; here are my keys to victory.
DISRUPT THE PASSING GAME: I have said time and time again that E.J. Nemeth is the best quarterback in the AIFA. One player that may have something to say about that is Wyoming quarterback Matt Strand. Strand has had a phenomenal year, passing for 66 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. Stand also boasts an incredible 66% pass completion rate and leads the most efficient passing game in the AIFA. Baltimore will have to disrupt this passing game by getting into the backfield and hitting him often. One thing can be said about Matt Strand is that he loves his quarterback pocket, and Baltimore loves to bring down the quarterback. The Mariners rank first in sacks in the AIFA, bringing down the quarterback 45 times this season. They will have to contend with a Wyoming offensive line that doesn’t give up many sacks; only 15 on the season.
WIDE OPEN OFFENSE: The Wyoming Calvary brings a wide open, passing offense that the Baltimore Mariners must adapt to defending. The wide receivers for the Calvary are among the best in the AIFA. The duo of Dante Dudley and Jasonus Tillery are ranked in every wide receiver category in the AIFA. Dudley has 76 receptions on the season for 886 yards and 21 touchdowns, while Tillery
has caught 58 passes for 857 yards and 22 touchdowns. Baltimore’s pass defense has been solid, allowing just 160 yards passing per game and 38 total touchdowns. Mariners’ defensive back Armar Watson leads the AIFA in interceptions with 13, and Richard Johnson is not far behind with eight interceptions on the season.
MIGHT NEED A LADDER: For this game, the Baltimore Mariners wide receivers must take advantage of their height over the Wyoming Calvary defensive backs. Scorpio Brown (6’4”), Jamaal Stokes (6’2”) and Aaron Yarbough (5’10”) will go up against the Wyoming defensive backfield that average only 6’0” in height.
EXPLOSIVE RUNNING GAME: The Wyoming defense come in with the eighth ranked run defense in the AIFA, giving up, on average, 29 yards per game. They will have to contend with the best running back in the AIFA, Isaiah Grier. Grier leads the AIFA in rushing yards (565) and rushing touchdowns (30), which will help Baltimore balance out their running attack.
This is going to be a great championship game, Mariners fans. These teams are very evenly matched, but in my opinion, the Mariner Way has not wandered off and has not failed yet this season. Reach up there and grab that ring, Mariners, its right there for the taking.
- Steve McNelly
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.
BALTIMORE, MD (July 24, 2010) – For the first time in franchise history, the Baltimore Mariners will have the honor of playing for the AIFA Championship. On Sunday July 25th at 1st Mariner Arena, the undefeated, Eastern Conference Champions will welcome in the Western Conference Champions, the Wyoming Cavalry. The Cavalry has put together an impressive team this season, and their 14-1 record reflects their success. Wyoming defeated the expansion San Jose Wolves in the Western Conference Championship 57-37, to advance to AIFA Bowl IV. The Cavalry was on the cusp of an undefeated regular season, until they fell to the Wenatchee Valley Venom the second-to-last week of the regular season 43-39. This will be the Cavalry’s third straight trip to AIFA Championship Bowl, but they have yet to finish out the season as champions.
The Baltimore Mariners have had an incredible journey this year to the AIFA national title game. Coach Simpson and his staff had one goal in mind coming into the 2010 season, and that was to make it to, and win, the AIFA Championship. Little did the coaches, the players, and the fans realize they would set several AIFA and franchise records in the process. The Mariners recorded the first shutout in AIFA history defeating the Fayetteville Guard 59-0 at the 1st Mariner Arena. Baltimore put up the most points in franchise history a few weeks later in Fayetteville, defeating the Guard 91-19. The Mariners also have the largest margin of victory in AIFA history, defeating the New Jersey Revolution 84-6. To top it all off, Baltimore is the first team to go undefeated in AIFA regular season history.
The Mariners will have a tough task in taming the Wyoming Cavalry this weekend. In order for the Mariners to win their first AIFA Championship in franchise history; here are my keys to victory.
DISRUPT THE PASSING GAME: I have said time and time again that E.J. Nemeth is the best quarterback in the AIFA. One player that may have something to say about that is Wyoming quarterback Matt Strand. Strand has had a phenomenal year, passing for 66 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. Stand also boasts an incredible 66% pass completion rate and leads the most efficient passing game in the AIFA. Baltimore will have to disrupt this passing game by getting into the backfield and hitting him often. One thing can be said about Matt Strand is that he loves his quarterback pocket, and Baltimore loves to bring down the quarterback. The Mariners rank first in sacks in the AIFA, bringing down the quarterback 45 times this season. They will have to contend with a Wyoming offensive line that doesn’t give up many sacks; only 15 on the season.
WIDE OPEN OFFENSE: The Wyoming Calvary brings a wide open, passing offense that the Baltimore Mariners must adapt to defending. The wide receivers for the Calvary are among the best in the AIFA. The duo of Dante Dudley and Jasonus Tillery are ranked in every wide receiver category in the AIFA. Dudley has 76 receptions on the season for 886 yards and 21 touchdowns, while Tillery
has caught 58 passes for 857 yards and 22 touchdowns. Baltimore’s pass defense has been solid, allowing just 160 yards passing per game and 38 total touchdowns. Mariners’ defensive back Armar Watson leads the AIFA in interceptions with 13, and Richard Johnson is not far behind with eight interceptions on the season.
MIGHT NEED A LADDER: For this game, the Baltimore Mariners wide receivers must take advantage of their height over the Wyoming Calvary defensive backs. Scorpio Brown (6’4”), Jamaal Stokes (6’2”) and Aaron Yarbough (5’10”) will go up against the Wyoming defensive backfield that average only 6’0” in height.
EXPLOSIVE RUNNING GAME: The Wyoming defense come in with the eighth ranked run defense in the AIFA, giving up, on average, 29 yards per game. They will have to contend with the best running back in the AIFA, Isaiah Grier. Grier leads the AIFA in rushing yards (565) and rushing touchdowns (30), which will help Baltimore balance out their running attack.
This is going to be a great championship game, Mariners fans. These teams are very evenly matched, but in my opinion, the Mariner Way has not wandered off and has not failed yet this season. Reach up there and grab that ring, Mariners, its right there for the taking.
- Steve McNelly
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.