Macon Needing a Win
Keith Murphy
Thursday May 16, 2002
The Knights have played three tough games in three weeks. Losses to Tennessee Valley and Augusta sandwiched a win over Jacksonville. “It’s been tough,” Porter agreed. “We played three good teams. I felt we had an opportunity to win all three, but it was just little things here and there. It’s time for us to start coming out on top of those close games”
Porter believes that instead of being negatively affected by these adversities the Knights have learned from them. “We’ve watched the film as a group and everybody sees that we just need to focus a little better in some areas and play harder. These guys realize that losing a couple of games isn’t the end of the world but it is always tough to lose when you don’t play your best.”
One of Macon’s brightest stars this season is Offensive Specialist Jaquez Rumph, a 5’-9” rookie from Carson Newman College. Rumph has already racked up 84 points this season which is the sixth best total in the league. Porter credits Rumph’s blossoming talents to his work ethic. “He didn’t make the team last year and I think he spent the off-season focusing on getting better and putting himself into a position where he would get an opportunity to show what he is capable of doing. He’s worked very hard and he doesn’t take anything for granted. He’s a talented guy who can do a lot of things well.”
Another bright spot on the Knights’ roster has been Defensive Specialist Quesan Wigfall, a 5’- 11” 180 pound rookie from Virginia Military. “He’s played well. All of the defensive backs are in a tough position playing in a league that’s geared towards the offense. Having to be confident and play confident enough to know that he’s gonna get beat sometimes yet you have to keep working and keep playing.”
Porter knows the Barracudas well. He coached Pensacola during their 2000 season and Porter’s offensive coordinator that year, Mike Buck, has been Pensacola’s coach ever since. Porter left Pensacola to head the then fledgling Knights franchise.
Porter expects the game with Pensacola to be a tough, well-played game. “Their personnel’s gotten better. . . . They’ve closed the gap pretty quickly. Last week was their quarterback’s first game and now he’s gonna have two weeks under his belt to get more familiar with the offense. Will Pettis, one of their defensive backs, in my opinion he’s candidate for defensive player of the year. He’s that good. They’ve got some athletes. They’re just struggling to put it together just like everyone else.”
Kickoff is set for 7:30 Friday night at the Macon Coliseum.
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
