Riders Look to Nail 'Heads Again.

Well let me begin by saying this... Coach Dock told me he intended to enter the Bye week with a record of 6-3. Now it is clear we are on that very road. Only one win away from that goal.
What a big win over the El Paso Generals!
So I read in the local paper the other day that a woman reporter was to write the article recapping the El Paso/Abilene game. I thought to myself, so what?
Before I get started here, I just want to say I am not a Feminist in any way. In fact, I dislike any extreme view points what-so-ever. But I wondered to myself why her gender was even mentioned.
I mean, granted I or very few women have put on pads and gone head-to-head with the boys on the gridiron. However, as I see it right now, it's Indoor Football for crying out loud. How many guys out there have even tried it? Thats what I thought.
When reading Ms. Daralyn's article I found it hilarious. Comparing Big guys to the Lil guys. I loved the way she poked fun at the whole situation. It was brilliant.
Here's a link...
http://http//www.reporternews.com/news/2009/may/24/abilene-big-guys-win-over-guys-in-bad-camo/
So as I start to recap... you decide for yourself who is a big guy and who are the little fellas. (After all, these guys are all big to me...jeez I'm only 5'2)
Here goes...Abilene stormed out and took an early lead in the ball game. QB Quincy Carter (who is 6'2) hooked up with WR Juan Reese (5'10) for a 15-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0. DB Darvin Peterson (6'0) then recorded a rouge, (a what?) extending Abilene’s lead to 8-0. So how many Abilene IFL fans knew what a rouge was? Pretty cool to tack on an extra point.In the second quarter, Abilene got right back to work. Quincy Carter ran in a one-yard touchdown run to make it 14-0. Carter hasn't used his feet much this season, but when he does he makes things happen and finds the end zone.
The Riders shut down Generals QB Tommy Jones (6'5 definitely a BIG GUY!). He went 16 of 30 with 1 interception and 5 TD's. A quieter night for the IFL's leading passer.
'Ol Mr. Carter finished with 13 for 28 and 187 yards with 4 TD's and 1 INT . As Carter got hurt in the second half, Backup David Bowie(6'2) stepped in. Folks, his name is pronounced Boowie for the record. He is at a mere perfect, 2 for 2 and a TD on his first pass of the season. I was impressed with this guy...he even uses his feet.
So bottom line we beat the Generals with our backup quarterback...without any fan harassment or taunting the players... or theft in the locker rooms.
Now, we head into another matchup with the Hammerheads. The last game of the homestand and you can bet it will be up to the hard hitting Defensive Unit and the wide selection of wide receivers to make some big plays. However we pull out the win... we will do it with class and style.

Thanks for reading!

VS.

VS.

Well We’re Back!! Ready for Game 2 of this 3-game home stand!
The Riders are coming into this week off a big, well-deserved win.
The Abilene Ruff Riders defeated the Corpus Christi Hammerheads last Saturday. The Ruff Riders entered the ball game on a two-game losing streak while the Hammerheads were coming off a big road win over the Odessa Roughnecks.
Head Coach Gerald Dockery told me before the game… the Riders need to win all of these home games and they intend to go into the BYE week standing at 6-3 on the season.
As many know star wide-out, Jerale Badon is out with a broken ankle and had to have surgery. Luckily for the receiving core, Badon will now step in as an assistant coach. Doc told me Jerale is his eyes and ears of this core.
Starting a recap…
Corpus struck first in the contest as QB Cory Miles found WR Schuyler Anderson for a 22-yard touchdown pass to give the Hammerheads a 6-0 lead, this all coming after a Ruff Riders fumble on offense.But Abilene retaliated on the ensuing drive as Quincy Carter drove the Ruff Riders down the field and capped off the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to WR Fred Howze to tie the game at six. Then Quincy Carter struck again and hooked up with Mychal Carrillo for a 15-yard touchdown reception to give Abilene a 13-6 lead. Abilene’s defense…one word… WOW! Making big stops throughout the game… Joey Longoria forced WR Nathaniel Dunn to fumble the ball which was recovered by Danyell Robertson at the Abilene 24 yard line. The defensive unit played a big role in the game, making big stops, interceptions, sacks and not to mention some big hits.
DB Joey Longoria now leads the IFL in interceptions as he grabbed his 8th of season. The guy is averaging about one a game! Phenomenal!
An unfortunate note, the Riders lost the Beast for the season, former Player of the Week, Rico AKA the Beast Brooks. He broke his fibula and will be out the rest of the season. The Doc said you can’t replace a guy like Rico… people just have to step up!
Quincy Carter, had another 7 Touchdowns added to the list. One in which he took into the end zone on his own 2 feet.
It was interesting to see how the team really focused up, rallied together and pulled out the victory to snap the streak. All season long we have mentioned the “Never Say Die” attitude the Ruff Riders have and they seem to never let up.
But this week I think presents itself with the biggest test yet. The Ruff Riders host Lone Star Divisional leader the El Paso Generals who are 5-1 on the season.
The Riders lost to the Generals 2 weeks back, but I believe they want their REVENGE.
Let’s just say the experience in El Paso was not an example of that wonderful Texas Hospitality. It was more like some Texas Hostility.
So Tonight I leave you with one request: Make the Generals feel welcome, BUT also let them know whose house they are in!! (that’s 2 requests)

Thanks for reading!
Michelle Dapper, KRBC Sports Director
So are you Ruff Enough?
Tune into 96.1 The Wolf!

Until next time…go Ruff Riders!

On the Ruff Road with the Riders

Well it's been awhile as the Ruff Riders and I have been on the road for the past 2 weeks.
What a 2 weeks it has been!
The Ruff Riders having traveled 2,000 miles the past 2 road trips, to Wichita, KS and then to El Paso.
First let's take it up in Wichita. The Riders suffering their first loss outside of Texas, ending a 2-game winning streak by a score of 49 to 33.
Carter had 5 TD's against the Wild, but the keys to a victory would be consistency.
Let me tell you my hats off to these guys...that was one heck of a road trip. I didn't even play a game and I was exhausted.
So a week goes by and we head to the wild west of El Paso. In a battle with the Generals for first place.
The pressure was on and the Riders told me they enjoy being on the road. While they enjoy being away from home, I know they are not satisfied with losing.
The game against El Paso got interesting lets just say.
Quincy Carter had another 5 TD's, now third in the IFL averaging about 204 yards a game.
The El Paso Generals QB, Tommie Jones leads the IFL with 225 yards per game. But to argue, Quincy Carter has more completions and less interceptions. So far this season Carter has impressed on the field.
So why the 2 losses? Well for one it is hard for any team to win on the road and in these guys defense they were some LONG road trips, about 32 hours total on a bus.
For the most part this is a relatively young team, only returning about 5 men from last season.
So what have I noticed from hanging around on the road trips?
I like how the guys have grown together so fast. The guys look out for each other. 20 something guys from all walks of life coming together to form one unit and what a fun bunch of fellas to be around.
The Ruff Riders are still a work in progress. Finding so much about each other and about themselves.
I look forward to the rest of the season as they will put it all together.
So this week Abilene hosts Corpus Christi. Last time the Riders met up with the 'Heads, Willis Hogan blocked a field goal and recovered it in the end zone to give the Abilene their first lead of the game, 33-27, with just over five minutes to play.
Two plays later, the Ruff Rider defense forced a fumble to preserve the comeback victory.
So now the Riders find themselves without their leading receiver, Jerale Badon. Coach Doc telling me the Riders remain focused.
So Game 7... the Riders have their toughest test yet, adapting to adversity.
So for now Powder Puff is out (that’s me)
Thanks for reading!
Michelle Dapper, KRBC Sports Director
So are you Ruff Enough?
Tune into 96.1 The Wolf!
Until next time…go Ruff Riders!