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2006 KICKS OFF IN
MICHIGAN
Warriors travel to
Kalamazoo, Michigan to play the Southwest Michigan
Punishers
By
JOEL RENNER, University Independent
Lima Warriors Staff Reporter
5/30/06 – LIMA -
A
well-organized franchise with quality players, coaches
and history is not in every city. Lima does possess
such a team and area residents are looking forward to
another great season.
The
Lima Warriors open up the 2006 season Saturday, June 3
on the road in Kalamazoo, Michigan at Mayors
Riverfront Park against first year team Southwest
Michigan Punishers.
Saturday will mark the first time that the Warriors
and Punishers have met.
The
(0-1) Punishers franchise played their first game last
week in a heartbreaking 22-20 loss against the
Michigan Renegades.
The
Punishers had a 20-14 lead in the fourth quarter when
the Renegades scored a touchdown and were successful
on a two point conversion.
The
Warriors finished 11-2 last season. They are not too
familiar with the opening match up, but know that the
first year team has great potential.
"Kalamazoo has a strong history for producing talented
players and strong teams, but we do not know much
about them because this is our first game against them,"
said head coach John Parkins.
The
Punishers have very talented players such as
quarterback Bobby Hicks who the Warriors defense will
look to attack all game.
Hicks
had a fine first game as he threw for 7-15, ran for a
touchdown and had one interception.
"Hicks
is a very good quarterback with tremendous size and a
strong throwing arm," said Parkins.
Hicks
threw for 168-yards including a 49-yard pass to
Punishers wide receiver JJ Doubleday in the end zone
as time expired in the first half.
Hicks
is very versatile and Punishers head coach Jason
Stewart may let him do whatever he wants in leading
the offense.
The
Warriors come into the season as returning divisional
champions. Both teams come into this game with their
eyes on a Minor League Football Association (MLFA)
Championship.
Of
course, the team caught looking ahead will lose, so do
not expect either to be game-planning for their
respective June 10 match ups.
If
you are a Warriors fan, expect a strong showing from
the defense. The Warriors have a tendency to wear
down the opponent and will frustrate Hicks all day.
The amazing defense only allowed 61 points all of last
season and nine total touchdowns.
The
Warriors secondary may be tested deep, since Hicks
threw long passes last game and the Warriors
All-American safety Brandt Huttis is out with injuries
sustained from a car accident on May 20. They will
need to remain patient and sound. It also wouldn’t
hurt if they could force a couple turnovers.
When
the Warriors have the ball, expect third team
All-league quarterback Justin Henderson to hand the
ball off to an array of running backs including
Columbus “Toledo” Mitchell, Jeremy Bott, Chris Brooks
and Andrew Cleckley. The Warriors averaged over six
yards per carry last year, which is one of the reasons
they were so successful.
Once
the Warriors rough up the defense with the running
game, expect the play action passing to leave a mark.
If
the Punishers try to stop the run, then Justin
Henderson can pick on a first year pass defense.
The
Warriors offensive line is solid, so Henderson who
threw for over 1,200 yards last season should have
plenty of time in the pocket.
The
crowd may see more of the deep ball to Joe Butcher or
Porfirio Sutton this week as well since they were both
very successful in the preseason and Bobby Huttis is
also sidelined because of the accident.
The
Warriors look to start off a season full of high
expectations with a win in Michigan in a game that
promises to be exciting the whole way through.
"We
are going there knowing that we will have to play
great football, but our players are pumped up for our
first game," said Parkins.
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