An Odd Pair of Cats
Keith Murphy
Friday August 16, 2002
The Firecats reached this game with a powerful defensive effort against one of the top offenses in the league, Macon. Florida shut down Macon’s powerful passing attack by switching to a two-man line and dropping everyone else into coverage. As a result, Knights’ quarterback John Rayborn was forced to try to throw the ball through a forest of waving arms on each play. Cape Fear head coach Chris Siegfried says that his squad has been preparing for any wrinkle the Firecats might throw at them. “We’re prepared for them. When they’re rushing we’re going to attack them and when they’re not rushing we’re going to continue to attack them. They do a good job of getting their hands up on defense. I’m just glad that our quarterback’s 6’ 5”.”
The Firecat defense ranks third in the league in scoring defense. Siegfried admits that they are a tough team to play. “They’re good tacklers and I was really impressed with their secondary. The big challenge is just getting our guys to step up and realize that even though their record isn’t that great that this is a very good team. I don’ think they are where they’re at by luck. They outplayed Tallahassee and Macon. Now those teams might not have played their best, but hey, a lot of times the team you’re playing determines that.”
Florida’s defense is led by Roy Stabler who is a vicious-hitting Defensive Specialist. Siegfried says that his team is ready. “Richmond hits. Albany hits. We’re going to be ready. I know Stabler has a reputation of being a hitter, but hey, albeit AF2, this is pro football and you expect to see teams that hit in the playoffs. It’s nothing new for us.”
Cape Fear got to the championship with a 46 to 30 win over Albany. The Cats’ were led by OS Matt Burstein’s franchise and playoff record 16 receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown. Another budding Wildcat star is QB Bobby Pesavento who, in only his second start, completed 23 of 30 passes for 202 yardsand two touchdowns. Siegfried was pleased with his team’s effort. “ Bobby did okay. Albany had a good game plan defensively. We did what necessary to win.”
Siegfried is happy that the Firecats upset of Macon gives the Wildcats the chance to play at home this weekend. “It’s always nice to play at home. The fact that we don’t have to travel is nice. We’ve got a couple of guys who are starting their teaching jobs and it makes it a lot easier that we’re at home than if we had to travel because they’d be really tired. Our crowds have been steadily getting better. I think that they’re [Florida] going to find that it’s tougher to play in front of seven thousand people than thirty-five hundred. Not to knock Macon, but I was embarrassed for Kevin [Porter] that the crowds weren’t better since he’s worked so hard to build that program. They had the best offensive team in the league and they just didn’t support them. The crowd’s important and we’ve got a good, loud, local following. A good crowd always helps the cause.”
John Fourcade’s sideline antics are already legendary. But, the explosive head coach of the Firecats, can rub some people the wrong way, but not Siegfried. “ I like John. We’ve got a lot in common. We were teammates back in 1993. We both expected to be in the post season.”
Both teams enter this game tired and with a host of minor injuries. Siegfried says that at this point in the season, winning is often a matter of desire. “It’s a battle of wills at this time. Whoever wants it more is going to win.”
Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm Saturday at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville. The winner will face the winner of the Birmingham – Peoria game in next week’s Arenacup championship game.
Dr. Murphy has nearly 20 years of media experience ranging from radio to the Internet. He has served as webmaster for two AF2 teams and the football team at Fort Valley State University. He is a professor at FVSU and directs www.bunniwerks.org, a non-profit rabbit rescue organization. He has been commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel. Murphy is also serving as a first party editor of af2 stories for ArenaFfan. For more information about Dr. Murphy see: www.keithmurphy.info
