Post by Free Agent Fan on Mar 9, 2007 14:56:18 GMT -5
Coach McPeek: Lineup a Work in Progress
After their 43-40 come from behind victory last Saturday at Florence, the Heroes again will take a week off to re-group and prepare for the season's stretch run. Coach McPeek took time to talk with us during this bye week. We discussed the win at Florence and the on going lineup changes.
Finding themselves trailing by 18 midway through the third quarter at Florence the Heroes dug in and managed to come back and get the win. The game was thrilling for the fans and was equally as thrilling for the players and coaching staff. "It was a great game," said Coach McPeek, "typical arena game that was back and forth in the first half. We got down 18 in the 2nd half and fought back and had the ball on the last possession with an opportunity to win. In indoor football that is all that you can ask for. The defense kept us in it in the 2nd half and enabled the offense to make some plays at the end and get a W."
A win like that can help build up a team, and bring out the best in the players, "It was definetly a team builder and an example of what they are capable of doing when we play our best. The tenacity to keep on even when you are down 18 points. It was a great team win."
The Heroes have been experimenting with the lineup all season and the Florence game saw some new faces. The process is still ongoing. "We are still looking for the right mix of 20 players." Said McPeek. "We probably have 16 spots that are nailed down right now. We have four that are wide open. We would like to answer those questions before we get back to division play on March 24."
One of the most notable changes was at quarterback where Joey Conrad joined the team and made his first start in place of Jimmy Skinner. "Conrad did a good job at QB. He led us to the winning drive with less than 20 seconds to go. I still have a lot of confidence in Jimmy Skinner, however for now Joey Conrad is our QB."
Another lineup change in the Florence game was at wide receiver. Coach McPeek took the opportunity to sit some guys and give some others an chance to show what they can do. "Shane Holsinger did not play. He was still a little banged up so I felt that not playing him was the best. Kenny Davis got his first game experience of the year and did a good job with three catches and a touchdown. Demarcus Thomas played on the defensive line and did a tremendous job. It was his first game playing with us this year. He started 10 games for us last year. We are still searching for a couple defensive backs and will continue that experiment until we get it right."
The Heroes are now preparing for a mid season exhibition game, a charity event with the Carolina Speed. The Speed defeated the Heroes 61-57 in the season's first game. Even though it is an exhibition game the Heroes would like to redeem themselves from that earlier loss, "We are not proud of our performance the first time out against Carolina, so we are looking forward to the rematch in Concord."
The exhibition/charity game is scheduled for March 17 in Concord, NC. The Heroes return to action March 24 when they host division rival Johnstown. Tickets for the Johnstown game are on sale at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena box office, online or by calling 304-696-4400.
After their 43-40 come from behind victory last Saturday at Florence, the Heroes again will take a week off to re-group and prepare for the season's stretch run. Coach McPeek took time to talk with us during this bye week. We discussed the win at Florence and the on going lineup changes.
Finding themselves trailing by 18 midway through the third quarter at Florence the Heroes dug in and managed to come back and get the win. The game was thrilling for the fans and was equally as thrilling for the players and coaching staff. "It was a great game," said Coach McPeek, "typical arena game that was back and forth in the first half. We got down 18 in the 2nd half and fought back and had the ball on the last possession with an opportunity to win. In indoor football that is all that you can ask for. The defense kept us in it in the 2nd half and enabled the offense to make some plays at the end and get a W."
A win like that can help build up a team, and bring out the best in the players, "It was definetly a team builder and an example of what they are capable of doing when we play our best. The tenacity to keep on even when you are down 18 points. It was a great team win."
The Heroes have been experimenting with the lineup all season and the Florence game saw some new faces. The process is still ongoing. "We are still looking for the right mix of 20 players." Said McPeek. "We probably have 16 spots that are nailed down right now. We have four that are wide open. We would like to answer those questions before we get back to division play on March 24."
One of the most notable changes was at quarterback where Joey Conrad joined the team and made his first start in place of Jimmy Skinner. "Conrad did a good job at QB. He led us to the winning drive with less than 20 seconds to go. I still have a lot of confidence in Jimmy Skinner, however for now Joey Conrad is our QB."
Another lineup change in the Florence game was at wide receiver. Coach McPeek took the opportunity to sit some guys and give some others an chance to show what they can do. "Shane Holsinger did not play. He was still a little banged up so I felt that not playing him was the best. Kenny Davis got his first game experience of the year and did a good job with three catches and a touchdown. Demarcus Thomas played on the defensive line and did a tremendous job. It was his first game playing with us this year. He started 10 games for us last year. We are still searching for a couple defensive backs and will continue that experiment until we get it right."
The Heroes are now preparing for a mid season exhibition game, a charity event with the Carolina Speed. The Speed defeated the Heroes 61-57 in the season's first game. Even though it is an exhibition game the Heroes would like to redeem themselves from that earlier loss, "We are not proud of our performance the first time out against Carolina, so we are looking forward to the rematch in Concord."
The exhibition/charity game is scheduled for March 17 in Concord, NC. The Heroes return to action March 24 when they host division rival Johnstown. Tickets for the Johnstown game are on sale at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena box office, online or by calling 304-696-4400.