Team Preview by: Jesus Jara (Summary and some commentary by Ed Cerise; as indicated)

 

MATADOR OFFENSE

 

PASSING GAME-

 

Tom Bennett returns as the starting QB of the Matador offense.  After a big 2007 season Bennett is primed and ready to lead his team further into the playoffs.  All Star Javon Lincoln (WR) returns for his second year and will look to continue his dominance over his fellow AA defensive backs.  Although Lincoln is virtually unstoppable, he will need someone to replace outgoing receiver Chris Bailey.  Several newcomers are fighting for the job but it appears that James Cluphf and Josh Larson are the front runners. (TE) Justin McNicholl returns and has improved dramatically.  He is a solid run blocker and looks to get more love in the passing game this season as he has buried his head in the playbook.

 

RUNNING GAME-

 

All Star (RB) Anthony Pomerlee returns for his second season and will look to improve his amazing 2007 numbers.  Pomerlee is shifty and explosive and will need a big year from his leading blockers (FB’S) Rob Longshaw and Kyle Hogg to continue his success.  Longshaw moves over from LT where he was an All Star last season.

The offensive line is looking very promising.  3 starters return and the new bodies have brought some improvement.  Gone are LT Longshaw who will definitely be missed and RT Eric Derrosett.

LT- Jesus Jara (320lb)

LG-Jeff Williams (310lb)

C-Trey Payson (260lb)

RG-Bobby Brace (330lb)

RT spot is still up for grabs and three capable replacements are still battling it out.

EX Matador Starters Josh Packard (270lb) Grady White (260lb) and James Felhaber (310lb).

 

Cerise’s Comments: The Matador’s offense finished the 2007 season ranked 4th .  Now that all four teams above them are now in AAA, I expect the Matadors offense to be near the top.  They have an experienced QB in Tom Bennett and have added quality receivers to bolster their Offensive output.  If they can solidify their line and running game this will be one of the better offenses in the AA.

 

MATADOR DEFENSE

 

DEFENSIVE BACKS

 

Team Captain Nick Russell (CB) is the leader of a very strong group of defensive backs.   Newcomer Ryan Lindquist (CB) will man up the other corner spot giving the Matadors a very good starting two.  Logan Rupp will be the first one of the bench as a nickel back and will continue to push Lindquist for that second spot.  Wesley Zedalis returns to the team and is the new Free Safety.  He is a good athlete with good hitting power.  Nick Fuls drops back into the Strong Safety role and fourth linebacker on a 4-4 look. Fuls was the second best tackler on the team last season as a LB.

 

LINEBACKERS

 

This group took a big hit with the loss of Nick Ramsey.  Ramsey was the best LB ever to suit up for the Matadors and will be sorely missed.  But, starters Brady Warfield and Mario Lopez return.  Newcomer Kyle Coombs will man up the middle of the defense and has taken his teammates by storm.  Will he be able to produce Ramsey like numbers? Probably not, but he has true LB instincts and has demonstrated great tackling ability. This group will be the key to the Matador Defense.

 

DEFENSIVE LINE

 

This group has finally come together.  Joel Gunstream moves down to the line and will man up the strong end.  Gunstream will be a force against any AA tackle.  He has the ability to chase down RB’s and drop into coverage if needed.  Newcomer and man-child Josh Driskell has been the most impressive addition to the team.  Driskell is strong and quick and has given everyone fits in practice.  We hope that continues during game day.  He will be an excellent compliment to Gunstream.  The DT will have an active rotation of six different linemen.   This spot poses the biggest question mark on the team but with players sharing playing time, we will definitely get the best out of them every play.

 

Cerise’s Comments: The Matador’s defense has been very solid throughout the years, and was lead by inside linebacker Nick Ramsey who was the heart of the defense.  With Ramsey’s departure the Matadors have shoes to fill on defense if Kyle Coombs can make his own mark in the RMFL, then the Matadors will again have another solid defense, but is that going to be enough to win a RMFL Championship?  A defense usually comes together faster than offense, so it remains to be seen.   The Matadors are a strong organization that improves every year from coaching to quality of players.  Only a few years ago the Matadors were close to falling apart, in 2008 they just may play for a championship.

 

OVERALL RANKING: 2nd