PHOENIX DROP AA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME LAST YEAR; LOOKING TO RISE FROM THE ASHES TO BE AAA CONTENDERS IN 2008

Team Preview by: David Sire

Missoula – No matter what anyone’s opinion is of the Phoenix, there is one thing they have for certain - absolutely the finest venue in the RMFL in Washington Grizzly Stadium. A number of teams are eager and excited to make the long trip to Missoula for the chance to play at the Phoenix home field. The Phoenix lost only three games last year, all to rival Bitterroot Blaze. The last loss came in the AA championship game. In the semi-finals, they beat the undefeated AA Mountain Conference champion Vipers putting 34 points on the board. That happens to be 24 more points than they scored in all three losses combined to the Blaze. They were shut out in two of those games and managed only 10 points in the other. Now, it’s not like they were blown out in those three losses. They actually were in all three games and, with a little luck, could have won all three. In their three losses, they held last year’s #3 ranked AA offense to scores of 6-0, 20-10, and 15-0. The Phoenix will remain pretty much the same team as they were last year with no key additions or losses. The Phoenix have some of the league leaders in the AA last year where Brian Hughes led the AA in interceptions. Mark Spencer finished as the #5 kicker and Dave Garza finished as the #5 receiver. Overall, the offense finished #5 and the defense finished #4. Although only #4 in QB rating in AA last year, QB Shane Jurasek threw for 16 touchdowns against only 7 interceptions. He was 2^nd in the AA in total yards passing and led the AA in pass completions. The Phoenix now get to test themselves week after week against bigger, better, and more talented AAA teams. I think they will struggle this year in that task. I see them finishing as the #8 team keeping them in the AAA for another year. With a year in the AAA under their belts, I see them challenging for the playoffs next year.

On offense, the Phoenix will return veteran QB Shane Jurasek. He will be throwing to TE Nick Lumpkin and wide receivers Tyler Boaz and Shane Byers. In the backfield, the Phoenix will have Boyce Urdahl and Kirby Couvillion. The O-line will be big (well mostly) with BJ Theroux (305 lbs), Trevor O'Neil (310 lbs), Joe Tobel (281 lbs), Cody New (338 lbs), and Lucas Conder (215 lbs, Is that right?? Someone check their web page). Returning as place kicker will be Mark Spencer.

On defense, the Phoenix return interception leader Brian Hughes in the secondary joined by Mike Hardenburgh, Stephen Schreibeis, and Tony Sanderson. The Phoenix will run a three man D-line anchored by NG Jeff Hecht (305 lbs). Playing on the ends of the D-line will be Kent Vargas (230 lbs) and Andrew Leichtnam (225 lbs). These two are light by AAA standards. They will have to depend on quickness and finesse to control the outside. Filling in the holes of the 3 man defensive line will be linebackers Zach Renner, James Jacobson, Nick True, and Derek Jordan.

In an unusual scheduling effort to save on travel, the Phoenix will play a home and away series against the rival Blaze conveniently scheduled as their first and last game of the year. This gives the Phoenix two chances to avenge last year’s losses. And in what I predict to be a very tight race for the playoffs, two key games that could vault them from their pre-season rank of #8 into the playoffs. They face the #2 preseason Wolverines and #3 preseason Mustangs at home. They also will face their last year’s semi-final opponent Vipers at home this year. Along with their home game against the Blaze, a great schedule for the Phoenix fans.

OVERALL RANKING: 8^th