Preds Hop into First Place
Jason Lucas
Sunday April 16, 2006
The last four weeks since the 87 point "Dallas Debacle" has seen the Predator defense give up just 141 points (35.5 PPG). The defense has constantly pressured opposing quarterbacks led by Henry Taylor and Greg White. Defensive Specialist Kenny "The Glove" McEntyre has returned to greatness over the last four weeks breaking up pass after pass from Force Quarterback Matt Nagy on Friday evening. They had to go without starting DS Jeroid Johnson this week due to a hamstring injury and new Predator Khalil Carter stepped in with a great performance against the Force. Carter made the tackle on Force receiver Derek Lee on a fourth down play to hold Georgia short of a first down and giving the ball back to the Preds offense in the fourth quarter.
The Orlando Predators offense stepped up big time scoring on 9 of 10 possessions led by QB Joe Hamilton who had his best game as a Predator in three seasons. Hamilton threw for 339 yards and four touchdowns, but most importantly did not fumble the ball or throw an interception in this important game. Last year the Georgia Force had the "Three Headed Monster" of Lee, Chris Jackson, and Troy Bergeron, this year the Orlando Predators have the "Fantastic Four" of Jimmy Fryzel, Jerrian James, Javarus Dudley, and DeAndrew Rubin. Fryzel caught two fourth quarter touchdown passes, and James opened the quarter with a 45 yard touchdown reception that put the Preds in the lead for good. Dudley rushed for 10 yards and a touchdown to go with a receiving touchdown just before halftime. Rubin had a rather quiet night with just 37 yards on four receptions, but has continued to play well since coming back from an ankle injury suffered at Tampa Bay in week four.
Friday Night Jungle
The Jungle was rocking and rolling like the days of old Friday night. If you ask any of the old timer Predator fans like myself we will tell you that every game should be played on a Friday night. After three straight Sunday home games with mediocre crowds it was nice to be playing on a Friday night. The Predators have not lost a game on a Friday or Saturday night in the Jungle since Georgia beat them in the 2004 season.
In the second quarter Force OS Chris Jackson caught a touchdown pass that tied the game at 14. He immediately ran over to the crowd and was attempting to toss the ball to his wife; unfortunately for the Jackson family that ball was intercepted by a Preds fan. About a minute later a fight ensued down in the "Dream Seats" that appeared to be started by some fans from Georgia. One man grabbed another by the throat, shoving him into a lady who flew over the boards onto the field. Welcome to the Jungle baby!
Hamilton and the "Fantastic Four"
In week nine at Austin a new trend began for the Orlando Predators. OS Jimmy Fryzel returned from being diagnosed with diabetes two weeks earlier and had three touchdown receptions. The Predators also started Jerrian James and Javarus Dudley at the receiver positions as well as the return of DeAndrew Rubin from Injured Reserve. Since then the Predators are 4-0 and Joe Hamilton has not thrown an interception. In the first half of the season Hamilton threw 12 interceptions which were key in all four of the Preds losses. James is by far the best Ironman the Predators have to offer. He scores touchdowns on offense, defense from the Jack linebacker position and has been very effective on kickoff returns this season. Dudley was a guy the Preds picked up from the October open tryout camp. So far he has been a great asset for the Preds as a deep threat and also gives them a tough runner from the backfield on receiver sweeps. Rubin has also served as primarily a deep threat as he backs up James at the WR/LB spot. His coming out party was in the aforementioned game at Tampa Bay filling in for the injured Clif Dell.
If the Predators continue to get great efforts from Joe Hamilton and the "Fantastic Four" they could be looking at a trip to Las Vegas much like Georgia last season with their "Three Headed Monster".
War on I-4
I guess it is that time of the year again when we welcome our friends from the west over to the Jungle. Tampa Bay is coming off a tough loss at Austin Saturday night in which Wranglers QB John Fitzgerald beat them running in a two point conversion to win 60-59 and keep pace with the Predators. Storm QB Shane Stafford has had some monster games this season, including his first performance against the Preds. McEntyre and company will have a tough challenge as always with Storm receivers Lawrence Samuels and Freddie Solomon in town. For once I really think the Predators have a talent edge on the Storm at the receiver positions. The Storm defensive backfield has had a rough season with Jonathan Ordway and Tremain Jones being torched on many occasions this season including giving up 67 points to the Preds in week four. The Storm come in with a 6-6 record and fighting for their playoff lives. There should be a sold out Jungle crowd on hand to find out if the Predators can sweep the Storm for the first time since the 2001 season!
Happy Easter! The Preds have hopped into first place!
Jason Lucas is a part-time freelance writer based in the Orlando, Florida area. A former director of media relations with the Orlando Predators, Jason is making his return to Arenafan.com after a short stint as a public relations assistant with the UFL‘s Florida Tuskers in 2010. Lucas has followed the AFL since 1992 and began covering the Predators for Arenafan during the 2004 season. He held that position until being picked up by the Preds front office after the 2007 season. Jason‘s knowledge of arena football and love of the game is what drives him to continue covering the sport.
