Command need win against winless Shock

Sharon Soares
Friday April 1, 2011

Always be prepared; Expect the unexpected; Expect the worst, but hope for the best.  How many times in life have you thought you knew what to expect, only to have something else happen? 

The only truth that can be expected on Friday when the Kansas City Command takes on the Spokane Shock in Spokane, Washington is that someone will earn their first win of the season.  Can the Shock win?  Yes!  Can the Command win?  Yes!  Can they both win?  No, obviously not, the players no longer play in the peewee league.  Someone has to be the winner and someone has to be the loser. 

So what will it take for the Command to come out on top?

Teamwork - It has been said before and will be a primary reason for the Command's win.  The Command usually comes on the field as individuals and leaves the field a team, united by heart and the love for the game.  The Command needs to come onto the field as a team at the beginning.  They need to show the Shock that they are there to win.  This can start with more quarterback to receiver completions in the first quarter and score like they have in the following quarters. 

The Command has only scored six total points in the first quarter.  They have been outscored by the opponent in both previous games by a totlal of 27-6  For the remaining quarters, the Command has outscored their opponents: 36-30 in the second, 27-23 in the third and 34-33 in the fourth.  Add some points in the first quarter and the Command can win.

Get rid of all the penalties.  As a team, in both games combined, the Command has received 14 penalties resulting in 68 yards lost.  Their opponents have only been flagged for nine penalties for 47 yards.  Those are costly yards, especially in the red zone.  Penalties are expected in football, the Command just needs to dial back a bit.  One reason for the penalties is due to the youth of the team.  As the season goes on, the fans should see less of them as the players become more experienced.

Keep up those great fourth down conversions (7 of 9 for the season) but preferably convert before fourth down.  The team works well under pressure.

Spokane is beat up.  They have played for the past three weeks and lost to each opponent.  The Command has just come off a bye week and a near win against the SaberCats.  The players need to keep their head in the game and not get too cocky.  They should plays as a team and leave their heart on the field.  Go get 'em.  Many more weeks are to come so players need to play smart and be safe.