Steeldogs Prepare for Quad City
Wednesday May 9, 2007
Birmingham, Ala. – The Alabama Steeldogs will look to extend their home winning streak to four games this Saturday as the welcome the Quad City Steamwheelers to the BJCC at 7 p.m.
The Steeldogs (3-2) have been consistent winners at home, having already defeated South Georgia, Louisville and Texas at the BJCC by a combined score of 178-128.
“We’ve had some solid performances at home this year,” Steeldogs Head Coach Ron Selesky said. “But we still have a lot of mistakes to correct from the Texas game.”
The Steeldogs are coming off a convincing win against the Texas Copperheads (1-4), in a game that Alabama starting quarterback Mitch Tanney used as his coming out party.
Tanney completed 22-of-33 passes for 283 yards and 7 touchdowns in the 58-27 victory, despite being pressured for the majority of the evening by the Texas defensive line.
“Mitch is doing a great job,” Selesky said. “It is incumbent upon us and his teammates to buckle down in pass protection and help Mitch out.”
The Steeldogs’ line has given up five sacks in the last two games, forcing Selesky to adjust his starters on the offensive line. One new starter for the Quad City game will be Alabama’s international player, Jaden Volchoff, who performed well for the Steeldogs in the second half against the Copperheads.
“Jaden did a great job coming off the bench,” Selesky said. “He has earned the right to play. His ability will give us added depth and flexibility within our offensive line group.”
Quad City brings one of the af2’s most high-powered offensive units to the field Saturday. The Steamwheelers are ranked 8th in the league for total offense (279.2 ypg) and 1st in the league for converted first downs (114).
Even with a tough offense, the Steamwheelers biggest threat lies in their defensive secondary. Defensive back Kevin Adams enters Saturday’s game as one of the top ranked DBs in the af2. Adams has racked up 31.5 solo tackles, 13 passes defended (2nd in the af2) and five interceptions (2nd in the af2).
Despite Adams’ play, Selesky said the Steeldogs will try to exploit Quad City’s Achilles’ heal: passing defense. The Steamwheelers are ranked last in the af2 in passing yards allowed, giving up an average of 285.2 yards per game.
Steeldogs wide receiver Bradly Chavez has been on a tear in his first two games. The UAB receiver, who joined Alabama for its game against Tulsa two weeks ago, has averaged 113 yards per game and reached the end zone five times.
“Mitch and Bradly are really starting to click,” Selesky said. “We’re excited about the great receiving group that we have on the field right now.”
Joining Chavez in the Steeldogs receiving corps. is rookie Jon Olinger (24 catches, 311 yards, 7 TDs) and AFL and af2 veteran wide receiver Markeith Cooper (27 catches, 359 yards, 4 TDs).
The Steeldogs and Quad City square off at the BJCC this Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 715-6000 or by logging on to steeldogs.com.
Steeldogs games can be heard live on the Alabama Steeldogs Flagship station WSPZ 690 “The Animal” and online at www.themightyx.com, with veteran broadcasters Matt Coulter and Roger Shultz calling the action.
