Post by CF4L on May 26, 2011 15:29:36 GMT -5
Outlaws not feeling sorry for themselves
www.sedaliademocrat.com/sports/football-34411-last-outlaws.html
By Seth Stringer
The Sedalia Democrat
Asked about last week’s 48-42 loss in Topeka, Mid-Missouri’s fourth-straight after beginning the season 3-0, Kyle Middleton took a deep breath and let out a sigh before answering in a muddled groan.
“It was rough,” the Outlaws quarterback said in a phone interview on Tuesday.
“Rough” may not be the best word to describe last week’s loss, which came to a 1-5 team and dropped the Outlaws to 1-3 away from Sedalia.
Heartbreaking, agonizing or distressing may have summed it up better.
But amidst a streak of futility unparalleled in the history of the five-year program, the Outlaws are refusing to feel sorry for themselves.
“Our attitude hasn’t changed,” Middleton said. “Just to keep working hard. We didn’t lose (and haven’t been losing) because of a lack of effort. A couple of plays here, a couple of plays there and things just haven’t gone our way.”
They’re hoping lady luck, or just the law of averages, will catch up to them Saturday as they welcome their most heated rival to the Mathewson Exhibition Center at 7 p.m. Saturday.
That, of course, is the 4-2 Iowa City Blackhawks, who defeated the Outlaws in last year’s APFL championship and earlier this year, 72-62, in Council Bluffs. According to Middleton, a win would go a long way in reminding the team, especially the younger players, that the Outlaws have the talent to compete for an APFL title.
“A win would just be a confidence booster for some of the guys, specifically the younger players who haven’t beaten those big opponents like Iowa. ... We’re a talented and quick team, but we’re inexperienced. Hopefully these last few games have helped us mature.”
The Outlaws, just two weeks after bidding adieu to a 31-game unbeaten mark in Sedalia that spanned back to 2007, are also looking to start a new win streak at home. A victory would also put the Outlaws within 1/2 a game for the second spot in the APFL standings and a home playoff game.
“We expect to win, especially at home,” Middleton said. “We play well at home and we match up very well with this team.”
And in the run-and-gun nature of arena football, the Outlaws offense will be expected to carry the load.
Highlighted by last week’s three-touchdown haul, Darryl Madry has come on strong of late as the deep threat. Coupled with Aaron Luebbe running the underneath route and the playmaking abilities of Marcus James, Allen Williams and Shawn Johnson, Middleton is confident the offense can light up the scoreboard.
“The offense is feeling pretty good right now,” said Middleton, who has thrown for 22 touchdowns passes compared to seven interceptions. “The line’s blocking well, the guys are running the right routes and everyone knows where they need to be. We’re looking good and we’re still confident we can get the job done.”
UP NEXT:
Outlaws vs. Iowa Blackhawks
7 p.m. Saturday at Mathewson Exhibition Center
www.sedaliademocrat.com/sports/football-34411-last-outlaws.html
By Seth Stringer
The Sedalia Democrat
Asked about last week’s 48-42 loss in Topeka, Mid-Missouri’s fourth-straight after beginning the season 3-0, Kyle Middleton took a deep breath and let out a sigh before answering in a muddled groan.
“It was rough,” the Outlaws quarterback said in a phone interview on Tuesday.
“Rough” may not be the best word to describe last week’s loss, which came to a 1-5 team and dropped the Outlaws to 1-3 away from Sedalia.
Heartbreaking, agonizing or distressing may have summed it up better.
But amidst a streak of futility unparalleled in the history of the five-year program, the Outlaws are refusing to feel sorry for themselves.
“Our attitude hasn’t changed,” Middleton said. “Just to keep working hard. We didn’t lose (and haven’t been losing) because of a lack of effort. A couple of plays here, a couple of plays there and things just haven’t gone our way.”
They’re hoping lady luck, or just the law of averages, will catch up to them Saturday as they welcome their most heated rival to the Mathewson Exhibition Center at 7 p.m. Saturday.
That, of course, is the 4-2 Iowa City Blackhawks, who defeated the Outlaws in last year’s APFL championship and earlier this year, 72-62, in Council Bluffs. According to Middleton, a win would go a long way in reminding the team, especially the younger players, that the Outlaws have the talent to compete for an APFL title.
“A win would just be a confidence booster for some of the guys, specifically the younger players who haven’t beaten those big opponents like Iowa. ... We’re a talented and quick team, but we’re inexperienced. Hopefully these last few games have helped us mature.”
The Outlaws, just two weeks after bidding adieu to a 31-game unbeaten mark in Sedalia that spanned back to 2007, are also looking to start a new win streak at home. A victory would also put the Outlaws within 1/2 a game for the second spot in the APFL standings and a home playoff game.
“We expect to win, especially at home,” Middleton said. “We play well at home and we match up very well with this team.”
And in the run-and-gun nature of arena football, the Outlaws offense will be expected to carry the load.
Highlighted by last week’s three-touchdown haul, Darryl Madry has come on strong of late as the deep threat. Coupled with Aaron Luebbe running the underneath route and the playmaking abilities of Marcus James, Allen Williams and Shawn Johnson, Middleton is confident the offense can light up the scoreboard.
“The offense is feeling pretty good right now,” said Middleton, who has thrown for 22 touchdowns passes compared to seven interceptions. “The line’s blocking well, the guys are running the right routes and everyone knows where they need to be. We’re looking good and we’re still confident we can get the job done.”
UP NEXT:
Outlaws vs. Iowa Blackhawks
7 p.m. Saturday at Mathewson Exhibition Center