Post by Canton Cougar Fan on Jan 22, 2007 6:22:22 GMT -5
Canton Legends ‘team to beat’
Monday, January 22, 2007
By Jim Thomas Repository Sports Writer
CANTON For the Canton Legends, the new year has presented them with a new football league in which to showcase their talents. They will compete in the American Indoor Football Association, a reshaping of the American Indoor Football League - the Legends' home the previous two seasons.
But while 2006 brought an AIFL championship, 2007 brings with it new expectations, Legends Head Coach Bobby Olive said.
"We know we'll have the bull's-eye on our chest all year," Olive said. "Last year, we were a team coming off a 3-9, 4-10 season. Our goal coming into the season was to make the playoffs. Then as the season progressed, I believed we could win it all.
"This year, we know we are the team to beat."
Confidence builds when you have nearly six months to think about a title. After a slow start in 2006, the Legends finished 10-4, tied for second in the North Division. They acquired quarterback Kevin Mason, defensive back Jo Jo Polk and kicker J.R. Cipra near midseason to key their stretch run.
Canton then capped an improbable finish to its championship with a 61-40 American Bowl victory July 3 over the Rome (Ga.) Renegades.
Olive said Mason, by far the league's top quarterback after arriving in the Hall of Fame city, is returning. So are Polk, who had three picks in the American Bowl, and the strong-legged Cipra.
The Legends are in the process of fine-tuning their roster in preparation for the Feb. 2 season-opener in Johnstown, Pa. Canton's home opener is 7 p.m. Feb. 9 against Erie, Pa.
"We've got a lot of the old players, mixed with some younger guys," Olive said. "On paper, we've got a better team.
"But we've got to get the team chemistry first. A lot of guys want to be a part of this now. Kevin Mason is back, and he drove down here (from Buffalo, N.Y.) to practice last week. He's so excited."
Canton's backup quarterback is former Ohio State QB Scott McMullen, who played for the Columbus Destroyers in 2005.
"I think we have the two best quarterbacks in the league," Olive said.
While Canton's team remains largely the same, Olive said the North Division is revamped and improved. Erie, like Canton 10-4 last year, and Northern Division champs Reading, Pa., will be out to overtake the Legends.
Huntington, W.Va, and Johnstown also finished above .500 last year, and the depth in the North is outstanding.
New teams in the division are the Pittsburgh RiverRats and the Danville Demolition. Road trips this year include Lakeland, Fla., and Baltimore.
"From a talent standpoint, the whole league is an upgrade," Olive said. "But I think we are the team to beat."
Reach Repository sports writer Jim Thomas at (330) 580-8336 or e-mail: jim.thomas@cantonrep.com
Repository Bob Rossiter
TWICE AS NICE Canton Legends Head Coach Bobby Olive (center) has reason to smile as the 2007 AIFA season approaches. Olive has a pair of solid quarterbacks in returning starter Kevin Mason (right) and former Ohio State Buckeye Scott McMullen.
Monday, January 22, 2007
By Jim Thomas Repository Sports Writer
CANTON For the Canton Legends, the new year has presented them with a new football league in which to showcase their talents. They will compete in the American Indoor Football Association, a reshaping of the American Indoor Football League - the Legends' home the previous two seasons.
But while 2006 brought an AIFL championship, 2007 brings with it new expectations, Legends Head Coach Bobby Olive said.
"We know we'll have the bull's-eye on our chest all year," Olive said. "Last year, we were a team coming off a 3-9, 4-10 season. Our goal coming into the season was to make the playoffs. Then as the season progressed, I believed we could win it all.
"This year, we know we are the team to beat."
Confidence builds when you have nearly six months to think about a title. After a slow start in 2006, the Legends finished 10-4, tied for second in the North Division. They acquired quarterback Kevin Mason, defensive back Jo Jo Polk and kicker J.R. Cipra near midseason to key their stretch run.
Canton then capped an improbable finish to its championship with a 61-40 American Bowl victory July 3 over the Rome (Ga.) Renegades.
Olive said Mason, by far the league's top quarterback after arriving in the Hall of Fame city, is returning. So are Polk, who had three picks in the American Bowl, and the strong-legged Cipra.
The Legends are in the process of fine-tuning their roster in preparation for the Feb. 2 season-opener in Johnstown, Pa. Canton's home opener is 7 p.m. Feb. 9 against Erie, Pa.
"We've got a lot of the old players, mixed with some younger guys," Olive said. "On paper, we've got a better team.
"But we've got to get the team chemistry first. A lot of guys want to be a part of this now. Kevin Mason is back, and he drove down here (from Buffalo, N.Y.) to practice last week. He's so excited."
Canton's backup quarterback is former Ohio State QB Scott McMullen, who played for the Columbus Destroyers in 2005.
"I think we have the two best quarterbacks in the league," Olive said.
While Canton's team remains largely the same, Olive said the North Division is revamped and improved. Erie, like Canton 10-4 last year, and Northern Division champs Reading, Pa., will be out to overtake the Legends.
Huntington, W.Va, and Johnstown also finished above .500 last year, and the depth in the North is outstanding.
New teams in the division are the Pittsburgh RiverRats and the Danville Demolition. Road trips this year include Lakeland, Fla., and Baltimore.
"From a talent standpoint, the whole league is an upgrade," Olive said. "But I think we are the team to beat."
Reach Repository sports writer Jim Thomas at (330) 580-8336 or e-mail: jim.thomas@cantonrep.com
Repository Bob Rossiter
TWICE AS NICE Canton Legends Head Coach Bobby Olive (center) has reason to smile as the 2007 AIFA season approaches. Olive has a pair of solid quarterbacks in returning starter Kevin Mason (right) and former Ohio State Buckeye Scott McMullen.
