Early Playoff Atmosphere in Macon
Keith Murphy
Wednesday July 23, 2003
Despite the complexity of the af2 playoff tiebreakers, the Knights want to make it simple for everyone with a win over the Vipers. “We all know what is at stake this week,” said Knights’ Offensive Coordinator Tres Sullivan. “Obviously there is a chance that if we lose, we go home next week. Everybody understands what’s on the line this Saturday. We’ve got to win to get into the playoffs and we are playing a good team.”
The Vipers have clinched the top seed in the American Conference playoffs and they come into the game having just lost their bid for a perfect regular season. However, as Sullivan explains, don’t expect them to look past Macon. “I’m sure they are a little frustrated with the way they played last week and obviously they wanted to take a run at the record of being undefeated this season. I think there is probably some disappointment on their part since they are not able to do that now. I think it probably refocuses them on what their task is. I’m not sure if the loss exposed any weaknesses. I think it was just one of those weekends where they got caught off guard. Things just didn’t go their way and we’ve had a few of those weekends. Last week it just caught up with them. I think it will probably refocus them on their goals for the rest of the year.”
Records aside, a comparison of statistics show that there’s not much difference between the Knights and the Vipers. For instance, the Vipers rank 5th in total offense, the Knights are 7th. Sullivan says that, despite the records, the Knights are ready for this battle, “We feel pretty good about where we are at. We’ve played pretty good the last four weeks. We were only 2 and 2 but I think that a couple of bounces here or there and we could have won all four. I think we feel pretty good about where we are at. We wouldn’t want the season to end any other way than facing one of the best teams in the league. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
The Vipers are led by quarterback Matt Sauk who has thrown for 80 touchdowns this year. Sauk runs an offense that has outscored opponents by nearly 200 points on the season. Sullivan, however, credits the big men in the trenches for the Viper’s success. “I think up front is what sets their tone. They’ve got a good quarterback and good receivers. Offensively, they are pretty talented. Defensively, it starts up front. They create turnovers in the secondary by the pressure they get up front. I think the strength of their defense and their offense is their line. If they can get to the quarterback, they are going to create some turnovers for the secondary. I think it all begins up front with those guys.”
Sullivan says that the Knights’ preparation this week has been good and that they’re ready for the Vipers. “We feel pretty good about where we are at. Everybody is relatively healthy. We’re looking forward to the challenge. If we can get a win under our belt this week, then I think we are putting ourselves in a good position to finish out this season. It’s a big weekend for us and we are looking forward to the challenge.”
Kickoff is slated for 7:30 pm at the Coliseum. Saturday’s game is fan appreciation night. Camelot activities will get underway at 4:30pm, weather permitting.
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
