Post by Banana Cat on Mar 23, 2012 9:36:18 GMT -5
www.sedaliademocrat.com/sports/outlaws-42010-drawing-wideout.html
Outlaws have put last year's disappointment behind them, are geared up for opener at Springfield
March 22, 2012
Outlaws at Springfield WolfPack
7 p.m. Saturday
Even drawing from his playing days as a wideout with the Mid-Missouri Outlaws — when the Sedalia-based program was mowing down semi-pro squads en route to three straight Central Plains Football League championships — coach Ben Lyles concedes he’s never seen an Outlaws team this prepared heading into a season.
Whether it be the new mandatory practice schedule, the strict workout regimen with trainer Kristin Rambo, the open pocketbooks of co-owners Chad Jackson and Ethan Henson or the competitive fire lit from the expansion of the American Professional Football League, Lyles argues the Outlaws are not the same crew that went 5-7 last season, which was more losses than the team had accrued in its first four seasons.
“Without a doubt this is the deepest and most talented group we’ve ever had,” Lyles said. “In fact, the most challenging job I’ve had is getting the roster down to 25 guys.
“We had a live scrimmage this past Sunday, and on both sides of the ball and special teams the play was just outstanding.”
Good news for the Outlaws. Bad news for the Springfield WolfPack, who host the Outlaws in the season opener at 7 p.m. Saturday.
It will be the first time the teams have faced since their controversial June 25 meeting in Springfield.
The Outlaws were well on their way to a fifth consecutive win against the WolfPack as they led 35-15 in the third quarter. But with the environment turning hostile and the Outlaws already locked into at least a No. 3 spot for the playoffs, Jackson pulled his team off the field fearing injuries to his staff and players and forfeited the contest.
Asked about the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the loss, Lyles said, “We’ve moved on and put it behind us. Over 50 percent of our current roster wasn’t apart of that game, so it’s not something we’ve dwelled on.”
Still, the bad blood is undeniable between the two programs.
“We expect it to be a pretty hostile environment with a little emotion carrying over from last season,” said Lyles, whose team leads the all-time series 4-2.
“Talent wise, we really match up well with them. When you see a team as much as we’ve seen them and get the wins, you develop a comfort level. With that said, I would expect they’re going to be pretty hungry on Saturday.”
As will the Outlaws, who are ready to show off the renovated roster filled with familiar names and highly touted newcomers.
The familiar faces begin with quarterback Kyle Middleton, who returns for his sixth year under center, and running back Marcus James, who have never had such a talented offensive line giving them space to roam.
The crew up front includes 6-foot-6, 350-pound twins Seth and Micah Brimer, who were all-conference linemen at Central Methodist University, 325-pounder Tony Vaka and former Smith-Cotton standout Lucas Ficken.
“I’m going to feel very comfortable in the pocket this year,” said Middleton, who teaches and coaches girls basketball at Tuscumbia, after the team’s initial tryout in January. “Being protected by three terrific linemen (and Ficken), our offense has the size to do things we haven’t been able to do in the past.”
And he has ample weapons at wideout. The bottomless well of talent includes returners Jacob Cahill and Aaron Luebbe and newcomers Gary Taylor, Mark Moore Jr. and Josh Reed.
Also adding to the team’s offense is Derrick Doerfler, a four-time All-American kicker for Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan.
On defense, linebacker Marc Tiernan, defensive linemen Tenney Barber and Jeff Clancy and defensive back Jajwan Shields return to lead a well-balanced corps.
“I really don’t see any rust so far with this team,” Lyles said. “We’re ready to play and looking forward to a great season.”
March 22, 2012
Outlaws at Springfield WolfPack
7 p.m. Saturday
Even drawing from his playing days as a wideout with the Mid-Missouri Outlaws — when the Sedalia-based program was mowing down semi-pro squads en route to three straight Central Plains Football League championships — coach Ben Lyles concedes he’s never seen an Outlaws team this prepared heading into a season.
Whether it be the new mandatory practice schedule, the strict workout regimen with trainer Kristin Rambo, the open pocketbooks of co-owners Chad Jackson and Ethan Henson or the competitive fire lit from the expansion of the American Professional Football League, Lyles argues the Outlaws are not the same crew that went 5-7 last season, which was more losses than the team had accrued in its first four seasons.
“Without a doubt this is the deepest and most talented group we’ve ever had,” Lyles said. “In fact, the most challenging job I’ve had is getting the roster down to 25 guys.
“We had a live scrimmage this past Sunday, and on both sides of the ball and special teams the play was just outstanding.”
Good news for the Outlaws. Bad news for the Springfield WolfPack, who host the Outlaws in the season opener at 7 p.m. Saturday.
It will be the first time the teams have faced since their controversial June 25 meeting in Springfield.
The Outlaws were well on their way to a fifth consecutive win against the WolfPack as they led 35-15 in the third quarter. But with the environment turning hostile and the Outlaws already locked into at least a No. 3 spot for the playoffs, Jackson pulled his team off the field fearing injuries to his staff and players and forfeited the contest.
Asked about the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the loss, Lyles said, “We’ve moved on and put it behind us. Over 50 percent of our current roster wasn’t apart of that game, so it’s not something we’ve dwelled on.”
Still, the bad blood is undeniable between the two programs.
“We expect it to be a pretty hostile environment with a little emotion carrying over from last season,” said Lyles, whose team leads the all-time series 4-2.
“Talent wise, we really match up well with them. When you see a team as much as we’ve seen them and get the wins, you develop a comfort level. With that said, I would expect they’re going to be pretty hungry on Saturday.”
As will the Outlaws, who are ready to show off the renovated roster filled with familiar names and highly touted newcomers.
The familiar faces begin with quarterback Kyle Middleton, who returns for his sixth year under center, and running back Marcus James, who have never had such a talented offensive line giving them space to roam.
The crew up front includes 6-foot-6, 350-pound twins Seth and Micah Brimer, who were all-conference linemen at Central Methodist University, 325-pounder Tony Vaka and former Smith-Cotton standout Lucas Ficken.
“I’m going to feel very comfortable in the pocket this year,” said Middleton, who teaches and coaches girls basketball at Tuscumbia, after the team’s initial tryout in January. “Being protected by three terrific linemen (and Ficken), our offense has the size to do things we haven’t been able to do in the past.”
And he has ample weapons at wideout. The bottomless well of talent includes returners Jacob Cahill and Aaron Luebbe and newcomers Gary Taylor, Mark Moore Jr. and Josh Reed.
Also adding to the team’s offense is Derrick Doerfler, a four-time All-American kicker for Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan.
On defense, linebacker Marc Tiernan, defensive linemen Tenney Barber and Jeff Clancy and defensive back Jajwan Shields return to lead a well-balanced corps.
“I really don’t see any rust so far with this team,” Lyles said. “We’re ready to play and looking forward to a great season.”