Sweet Home Alabama!!!
Eric Starling
Friday May 4, 2007
It took a few changes in the early stages of the second half, but the Alabama Steeldogs were able to put some distance between themselves and the Texas Copperheads ensuring their first 3-game home winning streak since the 2004 campaign.
When looking at the final score of 58-27, one might believe the Steeldogs made easy work of it. In Coach Ron Selesky’s mind, his guy’s should have found paydirt a little more often and should have taken a decided advantage to the locker room at the half.
“It was a good win for us tonight, but as a team we still have some areas we need to shore up,” stated Selesky. “For some reason in the second quarter, our pass protection broke down and it limited our first half offense. In my opinion, we should have scored in the 70’s had we not had this breakdown.”
The breakdown spoken of, led to Alabama only scoring 3 touchdowns in the first half on five possessions. On their fourth drive, the Steeldogs started at their own 5-yard line and managed just two first downs. Forced to go for a 34-yard field goal, the kick was blocked. Jarrod Fuller, Copperheads return man, scooped up the ball and scampered fifty yards for the Texas score. After a Nick Hayes field goal for Alabama to end the half, Coach Selesky and his staff took a 24-14 lead to the locker room.
When the Steeldogs returned to the field to start the second half, rookie OL, Jaden Volchoff was at the guard position. “Jaden has been with us for the season and with the pass protection as it was to end the half, we saw the opportunity to put him in and give him a shot.” Selesky commented that, “He did a great job for us tonight and we believe we have found a way to fill some holes.”
In just his second game as the Alabama starting QB, Mitch Tanney finished the night 22-33 for 283 yards and 7 touchdowns. Recent addition Bradley Chavez, posted 118 yards on ten catches and two scores. On the longest play from scrimmage, Tanney connected with wide receiver Jon Olinger for a 33-yard scoring strike. Olinger finished with 55 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.
When asked about the 3-game streak at home, Selesky said, “It helps to be winning at home, because it gets the fans back in the stands.” Thursdays announced attendance was 3,788. “When looking at the schedule and the second half stretch, it is obvious we must become ‘Road Warriors’ and start getting those wins away from home if we are to have the success that we want to achieve.”
On May 12, the Steeldogs will have the opportunity to build on that home streak before heading out on the road when they face the Quad City Steamwheelers at the BJCC.
