Knights and Firecats Square Off in Battle of Top Defenses
Keith Murphy
Thursday June 12, 2003
Saturday night, the Firecats (4-5) return to the Macon Coliseum for the first time since that game and, once again, the Firecats are among the top defensive teams in the league; leading the af2 in scoring defense holding their opponents to an average of 35 points per game. However, Macon Offensive Coordinator Tres Sullivan, doesn’t see this as a grudge match, “I don’t think so. In the back of our minds that game left a sour taste. Most of the guys who were here last year remember that we lost to them in the playoffs ending our season. But, I think that since it’s midseason we’ve all moved on. We’re trying to get back to where we were last year and, at the same time, so are they. I don’t think revenge will play a big factor in this game.”
Experience is the key word in any description of the Florida squad. “They pretty much have the same secondary as last year,” Sullivan explained. “The have about three or four guys from last year’s Tallahassee team up front. So, they are a very experienced group. Again they are one of the top defensive teams in the league. Obviously they’ve figured out what’s going on and they get the job done there. The biggest thing is that they have a very experienced group of players.”
The Macon defense ranks third in the league, holding opponents to an average of only 38 points a game. Will this weekend’s match up result in a low-scoring defensive struggle? “I hope not,” Sullivan said. “I think the biggest thing we have to do is maximize our opportunities. Florida does a good job of playing ball control. They generally don’t give you a lot of opportunities. Which means you may only get eight opportunities a game on offense so you need to score eight times. If you only score five or six out of eight you are playing right into their hands. We have to maximize opportunities when you get them.”
Jermaine Alfred will, for the second game in a row, start at quarterback and Sullivan is pleased with his progress. “He’s getting a lot more comfortable with his surroundings as well as the receivers and linemen. I think he’s getting a lot more comfortable with the terminology and the offense. I think he’s settling in really well.” With Sunday’s release of former starter Sean Peterson, Kenton Evans will suit up as Alfred’s backup.
Despite a 6-3 record and the team’s obvious struggles for consistency, Sullivan remains optimistic. “I think we’ve, over the last couple of weeks, have made some progress. Obviously it didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to at Birmingham, but think with Jermaine coming in and getting his feet wet that first week. I think we made a huge improvement last week. I think we are continuing to get better. I think we’re making small steps forward.”
Kickoff is set for 7:30 at the Macon Coliseum. Weather permitting, Camelot tail-gating activities will get underway at 4:30 pm
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
