Latest Win gives Wranglers New Hope
Mick Cornett
Sunday July 9, 2000
Whereas last week, talk centered on just getting into the playoffs, now the players are wondering if they can sweep their last two opponents and host a first-round playoff game.
Not that a victory over Florida should get a team this excited. The Bobcats are searching for a quarterback and while they’re at it, they might search for some fans. The crowd was embarrassingly small. Add to the fact that the team ‘fired’ its dance-team earlier in the week and you have a very quiet night at the beautiful National Car Rental Center. They are a franchise ripe for a new city.
When the Wranglers don’t turn the ball over they are as tough as any team in the league. On this night, starting quarterback Jeff Loots threw only one interception and they never lost a fumble. Did I say starting quarterback Jeff Loots? Yes, that’s right. The physically-battered Ron Lopez and his sore elbow were left in Oklahoma City. A quarterback controversy? Maybe. Publicly, Head Coach Bob Cortese is taking an optimistic approach pointing out that he has two good quarterbacks. Realistically, he knows that of all the decisions he makes this season, picking his quarterback for the rest of the year is the biggest decision he’ll make. And most likely it will determine this team’s ultimate fate.
 The Wranglers may have a quarterback controversy between Ron Lopez (above) and Jeff Loots. Image courtesy of Jeff Marshall |
The Wranglers close out the regular season with a road game Saturday night at Milwaukee and then a nationally televised home game with Grand Rapids on Thursday, July 20. This franchise has never reached the playoffs before. Last year, they finished 7-7 and missed out on a tie-breaker. This year, they are 6-6 and thankful for an expanded playoff bracket.
Mick Cornett was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2000 to 2001.
