Fan Blog

Litaker's Fan Blog: Week 13 - Last Chance for the Dance

Last Chance for the Dance
by Steve Litaker

This Saturday night is the last games of the SIFL regular season and there’s one more postseason berth on the line.  Don’t let the standings fool you - Houma and Texas have the same record in the playoff race.  Texas is 1-8 while Houma is 2-8 in the standings, but Houma’s win over the Lafayette Bayou Bulls doesn’t count towards the playoff seedings. This leaves them both at 1-7 in that race and the Hurricanes have the tie breaker.

On April 19th, Texas beat Houma 46-27 for a +19, then on June 6th Houma beat Texas 34-20 for a +14.  Head to head that puts Texas at +5.  Houma MUST win against Acadiana this Saturday to remain in the race, if Houma loses it doesn’t matter what Texas does Saturday.  If Texas beats Austin they’re in, if Texas and Houma both lose, Texas is in.  Placeyourbets.com has Acadiana and Austin winning their final regular season game on Saturday sending Houma home and Texas to Lake Charles for round one of the Inaugural SIFL Playoffs, and Acadiana to Austin.

Let’s start in College Station at the Arctic Wolf Ice Center where I’ll be rooting on the Turfcats.  This will be my 8th Turfcat game this season, the only three I missed were all in Louisiana.  Last week the T-cats also played Texas on the road and it was an ugly one.  While I’m very happy we left with the “W”, there wasn’t much else to be happy about.

The game produced 17 turnovers, 7 by Austin.  It was also a low scoring affair, but then again it is hard to score when you keep losing the ball.   I just kept thinking how glad I was the game wasn’t against the `Bucs or `Bugs.

Texas started a new QB that was only signed the day before and he threw 7 picks.  At least he had an excuse for being confused about the game plan and routes of the receivers.  Austin played both of their QB’s and it was difficult to tell them apart.  I usually don’t like to dog our own players but WHAT THE…………..!   We looked bad, is this what happens when there’s no kickoffs or missed field goals to return?

This week I want to see a smackdown.  Last chance to enter the playoffs on a high note.  When Acadiana comes to Austin on the 18th they’ll be looking for revenge.  They’re the only team to beat us in our house and they’ll have some confidence.  I hope we can shake off the dropsies this week and head into the post season looking like the team to beat instead of licking our wounds from lack of focus and poor execution.

Some equate games like last week as playing down to the competition, I look at it as a lack of focus.  A mental lapse that can cause injuries.  Not disrespecting the Hurricanes but Austin is the #2 seed in the league!  They shouldn’t struggle against a 1-8 team.  If QB Michael Bishop plays this Saturday the Hurricanes offense will be immensely better than it was last Tuesday.  If Will Pettis plays it adds another terrific offensive weapon.  He might even get some time on the defensive side of the ball where he’s very good but has a reputation of no patience and attempts to jump too many routes early.  Then it’s 50/50 if it’s a pick 6 or he just becomes a piece of burnt toast looking at a Turfcat scamper to the end zone.  I’ve seen pump fakes eat him up.  Maybe neither will play but we had better prepare as if they will.

I would really love to see some more T-Cat fans at the game.  It’s an easy road trip, no hotel needed and tickets are only $10.  If you do go, arrive early for a parking spot and seat.  The space is limited and they did sell out on Tuesday.  I’m not saying the crowd was large, the seating is limited.  Come join us and help send the team into the playoffs knowing the fans are behind them.

del.icio.us digg facebook Google twitter

IFL Standings

Sponsors