Post by psx234 on Jun 28, 2011 7:49:50 GMT -5
A funny side note given discussion on other media mistakes, the print article in the paper had Colorado winning last night and Allan playing them in two weeks! Looks like they fixed in for the electronic edition.
www.argusleader.com/article/20110628/SPORTS0305/106280302/Revived-Storm-hope-ride-title-wave?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports
www.argusleader.com/article/20110628/SPORTS0305/106280302/Revived-Storm-hope-ride-title-wave?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports
With a record of 14-1 and a spirited playoff win under their belt, you might think the Storm would be anxious to hit the field again as soon as possible.
But the IFL powerhouse is fine with the fact that its United Conference final against the Green Bay Blizzard won't be played until July 9 at the Arena.
"It works out great for us," said Storm coach Kurtiss Riggs, whose team is coming off Saturday's 52-39 home win over Omaha. "Some weeks we would prefer to keep playing, but our offensive line is pretty beat up. Plus, playing on the Fourth of July weekend would probably affect attendance."
The home crowd was a factor in Saturday's win and should be the rest of the way as Sioux Falls seeks its first title since 2008.
A victory over Green Bay - a team the Storm defeated by 19 points last month - would send Riggs' high-scoring squad to its second straight United Bowl on July 16 in Sioux Falls.
The opponent would be the winner of the Intense Conference final between the Tri-Cities (Wash.) Fever and the Allen (Texas) Wranglers.
"If we get there, either of those teams have to travel to Sioux Falls, which gives us a distinct advantage," said Riggs. "But it's tough to say who's going to come out of that side of the bracket."
Where's the Beef?
Storm quarterback Chris Dixon, the league MVP, completed 17 of 25 passes for 191 yards and five touchdowns in Saturday's victory over the Beef.
His main target was Carl Sims, who caught six passes for 100 yards and three touchdowns. The speedy Western Illinois alum left to play for the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League but returned to Sioux Falls after being released.
"He has NFL speed," said Riggs. "The question is whether he can polish the other elements of his game, and that's why he's here. He played very well (against Omaha), and he does a lot of things that people don't. His speed allows (fellow receivers) Dusty Hovorka and James Terry to get freed up."
Though Omaha moved the ball well offensively at times against Sioux Falls, the Storm made enough big plays to rather easily avenge a shocking loss to the Beef in the regular-season finale.
"A lot of times we just wear teams down," said Riggs. "If we're clicking offensively, teams have to match our scoring, and that can become a problem for them."
Scouting Green Bay
The Storm defeated Green Bay 57-38 at the Arena on May 15, building a 24-16 halftime lead and pulling away to improve to 10-0.
Dixon completed 17 of 26 passes for 218 yards and four touchdowns but was intercepted twice by the Blizzard, which led the IFL in interceptions (34) and was second in sacks (38).
Both interceptions against Sioux Falls came from B.J. Hill, an all-IFL kick returner who Riggs calls "the most explosive special teams player I've ever seen."
The defense also includes first-team all-league defensive back Arkeith Brown and second-team defensive lineman James McClinton.
Green Bay found some success on offense during that May 15 loss, racking up 256 yards (to 303 for Sioux Falls) as quarterback Willie Copeland threw for 232 and three TDs with two interceptions.
Copeland has missed the last two games with a fractured throwing hand, and backup Jameel Sewell returned from a knee injury to spark Saturday's 68-51 playoff win over the Reading Express.
But Riggs expects that Copeland will be back in action for the conference finals, with Sewell being used out of the backfield or in the slot.
"I think that we'll face the same offense we faced the first time around," said Riggs.