Dallas Uses VooDoo to Stay Unbeaten
Scott Smithey
Tuesday April 15, 2008
Desperado Coach Will McClay had some VooDoo of his own to use. With Dallas taking a slim lead 41-37, McClay decided to use some magic of his own and had Remy Hamilton kick a successful onsides kick. Dallas quarterback Clint Doelzel hit Anthony Armstrong two plays later for a Desperado touchdown and a 48-37 lead. “It’s Arena Ball,” Clay explained; “offenses are going to score so you have to find ways to put people out.”
Dallas set the tone early on when defensive end Colston Weatherington blasted New Orleans quarterback Danny Wimprine before he could pass, and recovered the fumble he caused in the process. Doelzel was 5 of 7 passing in the opening quarter and Dallas led 14-3 after one period. Doelzel would finish the game 25-41-1. The offense seemed a little more refined after last weeks return revealed some rust. Will Pettis found the endzone 5 times Saturday night ending the evening with 10 catches for 129 yards. Last weeks star for Dallas WR Marcus Nash finished with 7 catches for 73 yards and only 1 touchdown. “Good teams have different players step it up week after week,” Doelzel said.
As for assessing his own performance Doelzel said, “I thought our execution was better. We had so many wide open receivers that it made my job easy. I really did not throw the ball well and still was able to get the ball to our receivers.”
Billboard signs all around Dallas display Dallas Maverick players and the words “It’s All About The D.”
It’s not all about the Desperados “D”, but they made sure to do their part. Wimprine was pressured and battered all night. He was sacked by Weatherington twice, took a solid hit from Duke Pettijohn, and ended his evening with an interception thrown to Pete Hunter. It did not help the VooDoo that they entered the red zone 4 times and only came away with 2 scores. “I was thinking to myself, please throw it,” Hunter said of his game ending interception.
Except for some early 3rd quarter miscues, Dallas was the dominant team and the physical team. So, is Dallas’ 7th regular season win a sign that the 2008 Desperados are right on schedule? Not if you listen to their coach and quarterback. “I’m concerned with our sloppiness,” said McClay in reference to some miscues and 11 penalties. Doelzel added, “I’m mad that we haven’t been able to put people away when we’ve had the chance. We have so much more we can do.”
Take this as a good sign Desperado fans. This team is not feeling fat and sassy as the regular season wins are piling up again. They can’t afford to with a date on the road against the Philadelphia Soul up next on the schedule. By the way the Soul are the AFL’s other undefeated team left besides the Desperados.
But first, Dallas gets a well deserved bye week before heading to Philadelphia.
Clint Doelzel, what are you going to do with your week off? “A lot of golf,” Doelzel answered.
At least he did not announce he was going to Cabo with a super model like another Dallas area quarterback. As a seasoned veteran and being 38 years old, a few rounds of golf is all Doelzel needs to get away from it all before his focus turns to Philadelphia.
Scott Smithey is a high school teacher and coach (23 years). He has a degree in Journalism and has pioneered high school student newspapers. He is also a high school coach with seven years experience as a head coach and has coached soccer, track, baseball and powerlifting. Scott is married to a high school teacher and coach, and has three sons active in football at the high school and collegiate levels. He is pationate about sports, family and photography.
