Post by Banana Cat on Apr 9, 2012 2:57:31 GMT -5
Wow. They beat Springfield and an expansion team with air mattresses as side boards. Wake me when they beat Sioux City or Oklahoma.
www.sedaliademocrat.com/sports/first-42473-outlaws-impressions.html
www.sedaliademocrat.com/sports/first-42473-outlaws-impressions.html
Outlaws 'couldn't be much happier' with 2-0 start heading into April 14 home opener
April 06, 2012
By Seth Stringer / The Sedalia Democrat
UP NEXT:
Outlaws vs. Kansas
7:05 p.m. April 14 at Mathewson Exhibition Center
From the earliest age, we are ingrained with the notion that first impressions are paramount.
So with the 2-0 Mid-Missouri Outlaws heading into their first of two bye weeks for the 2012 campaign, what first impressions have been gathered from a squad that has yet to be formally introduced to home fans?
Well, despite such a small sampling, quite a lot.
Defensively, the Outlaws are shining in a sport that typically features less defense than an NBA All-Star game. Allowing just 27.5 points per game, the unit — which is now being headed by defensive backs coach Jason Tallo after the organization recently parted ways with Kirk Brazil — has found the end zone twice and last week made a pivotal fourth-quarter stand to pull out a 42-39 win over the Colorado Lightning in the mile-high city.
“That Colorado team is a really good football team that will give teams fits,” Outlaws coach Ben Lyles said. “They’re very fast, very physical and very strong. That was probably the most physical APFL game we’ve ever played.”
And a late turnover sealed the win. Following a Kyle Middleton fumble on a quarterback sneak, the Lightning were well within field goal range and driving with under a minute to play. But Jajwan Shields got a hand on a pass and Jamel Sims hauled in the interception with 16 seconds left to seal the win.
“The defense is doing what it takes for us to win ballgames,” Lyles said.
On the other side of the ball, while only putting up a little less than 40 points per game, the Outlaws’ offense is also finding a way to get the job done.
Benefiting from the strong play upfront of Seth and Micah Brimer, Tony Vaka and Lucas Ficken, Marcus James has run for four scores and, highlighted by a three-touchdown, no-interception effort in a hostile environment in Springfield, Middleton has utilized a receiving corps led by Gary Taylor and Jacob Cahill — who also scored on the ground last week — and thrown for five scores compared to just two picks.
“I think the offense has been playing extremely well and we’ve had a great run-to-pass balance,” Lyles said.
The blend of strong play on both sides of the ball bodes well for the Outlaws, but more important is that their success came away from the friendly confines of the Mathewson Exhibition Center. The 2-0 start is a 180-degree turnaround from last year’s 1-5 road mark, which led to a program worst 5-7 mark.
“I’m extremely thrilled with our play so far,” Lyles said. “We were 1-5 on the road last season and now we’re off to 2-0 start. I couldn’t be much happier.”
More impressive was that both wins came against two squads the Outlaws had little to no information about.
“Not knowing what Springfield had done in the offseason and with the Lightning not playing the first week, we had no film to work from,” Lyles said. “From a preparation standpoint, the players, coaches and our trainer Kristin Rambo, who really stepped up in getting the players prepared and physically focused, did a great job. Now I look for us to get even better now that we’ll be able to prep.”
While helping the five to six currently injured players heal from minor setbacks, the week off will also serve as an opportunity to work on the team’s few weaknesses in preparation for an upcoming schedule that includes back-to-back contests on May 12 and May 20 against the defending APFL champion Sioux City Bandits and the Council Bluffs Express (formerly the Iowa Blackhawks).
“I’d like to see us control the line of scrimmage more and shut down the run more, and our special teams and kicking game has to continue to get better,” Lyles said. “Last week we allowed a kickoff return, but our kicker, Derrick Doerfler, went six for seven on extra-point attempts. So little things have to be worked on, but we’re making strides.”
April 06, 2012
By Seth Stringer / The Sedalia Democrat
UP NEXT:
Outlaws vs. Kansas
7:05 p.m. April 14 at Mathewson Exhibition Center
From the earliest age, we are ingrained with the notion that first impressions are paramount.
So with the 2-0 Mid-Missouri Outlaws heading into their first of two bye weeks for the 2012 campaign, what first impressions have been gathered from a squad that has yet to be formally introduced to home fans?
Well, despite such a small sampling, quite a lot.
Defensively, the Outlaws are shining in a sport that typically features less defense than an NBA All-Star game. Allowing just 27.5 points per game, the unit — which is now being headed by defensive backs coach Jason Tallo after the organization recently parted ways with Kirk Brazil — has found the end zone twice and last week made a pivotal fourth-quarter stand to pull out a 42-39 win over the Colorado Lightning in the mile-high city.
“That Colorado team is a really good football team that will give teams fits,” Outlaws coach Ben Lyles said. “They’re very fast, very physical and very strong. That was probably the most physical APFL game we’ve ever played.”
And a late turnover sealed the win. Following a Kyle Middleton fumble on a quarterback sneak, the Lightning were well within field goal range and driving with under a minute to play. But Jajwan Shields got a hand on a pass and Jamel Sims hauled in the interception with 16 seconds left to seal the win.
“The defense is doing what it takes for us to win ballgames,” Lyles said.
On the other side of the ball, while only putting up a little less than 40 points per game, the Outlaws’ offense is also finding a way to get the job done.
Benefiting from the strong play upfront of Seth and Micah Brimer, Tony Vaka and Lucas Ficken, Marcus James has run for four scores and, highlighted by a three-touchdown, no-interception effort in a hostile environment in Springfield, Middleton has utilized a receiving corps led by Gary Taylor and Jacob Cahill — who also scored on the ground last week — and thrown for five scores compared to just two picks.
“I think the offense has been playing extremely well and we’ve had a great run-to-pass balance,” Lyles said.
The blend of strong play on both sides of the ball bodes well for the Outlaws, but more important is that their success came away from the friendly confines of the Mathewson Exhibition Center. The 2-0 start is a 180-degree turnaround from last year’s 1-5 road mark, which led to a program worst 5-7 mark.
“I’m extremely thrilled with our play so far,” Lyles said. “We were 1-5 on the road last season and now we’re off to 2-0 start. I couldn’t be much happier.”
More impressive was that both wins came against two squads the Outlaws had little to no information about.
“Not knowing what Springfield had done in the offseason and with the Lightning not playing the first week, we had no film to work from,” Lyles said. “From a preparation standpoint, the players, coaches and our trainer Kristin Rambo, who really stepped up in getting the players prepared and physically focused, did a great job. Now I look for us to get even better now that we’ll be able to prep.”
While helping the five to six currently injured players heal from minor setbacks, the week off will also serve as an opportunity to work on the team’s few weaknesses in preparation for an upcoming schedule that includes back-to-back contests on May 12 and May 20 against the defending APFL champion Sioux City Bandits and the Council Bluffs Express (formerly the Iowa Blackhawks).
“I’d like to see us control the line of scrimmage more and shut down the run more, and our special teams and kicking game has to continue to get better,” Lyles said. “Last week we allowed a kickoff return, but our kicker, Derrick Doerfler, went six for seven on extra-point attempts. So little things have to be worked on, but we’re making strides.”