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This week the Thunder plays host to Madison and we get to see rookie QB Owen Whalen up close. Of particular interest to Thunder management of course is whether or not Whalen is indeed the spawn of the devil given his role in the departure of ukpatsfan.
It was my first week in the league and we were on the eve of the 2031 draft when Vermont traded out of the 1.1 slot with Madison, paving the way for the Demons to select Whalen. The so-called "middling" terms of trade were too much for some to bear and it touched off a heated debate (which you can read right here) that Hooper eventually shut down and it was at some point after this debate was concluded that a) we lost ukpatsfan b) Vermont traded down again and c) life moved on.
So what to make of the trade?
Whalen started the season strongly leading Madison to three consecutive victories but after he got hurt in week 5 the Demons' season took a turn south. While he did manage to lead his team to a win over Vermont he was unimpressive in that game and they haven't won since.
Whalen looks like the real deal but with three consecutive losses Madison needs a big game from him this week and playing the Thunder may be just what he needs.
For our part Little Rock's woes this season have been well-chronicled by yours truly and in spite of play that has been frequently patchy and occasionally downright awful, we are surprisingly still in the hunt for the division title. Go figure.
After getting to the mid-point of the season with a 2-6 record we have turned things around in the last few weeks to be at 5-6 a renaissance of sorts that owes everything to a 21-point comeback victory against Texas and an OT win over Tulsa that our kicker pulled out with a 59 yard FG after missing attempts from 43 yards, 53 yards and 34 yards during regulation time.
In spite of all that the line for the game is even (as it should be) and the power ratings have us pegged for what we are: mediocre.
KEY MATCHUPS:
Madison RB Carlton Dabrowa: Last time we played the Demons "Squirt" ran 27 times for 136 yards and 1TD and added another 45 yards on 6 receptions.The nuggety Dabrowa is just 5'6" tall but weighs in at an astonishing 211 pounds and has the speed to get to the outside. Look for Madison to feed him the ball in an attempt to beat the Thunder into submission.
Madison QB Owen Whalen: This year's first overall draft pick has had some ups and downs in his rookie campiagn (see above) and has also missed some time to injury. Without any great options on the perimeter TE Fred Terrell is Whalen's best target in the passing game but don't be surprised if the rookie QB finally showcases his Long and Deep passing skills this week.
Little Rock RBs Dave Cassidy and Jeff Meyer vs Madison Front Seven: The Thunder RBs have combined for 98 carries, 511 yards and 3 TDs during the team's 3-game winning streak and look set to feast on a Demons defense that got gouged for 248 yards on the ground by Anchorage last week.
Little Rock QB Noodle-Arm: Gianettino shows me up every time I talk him down...so I'm going to keep on doing what I've been doing and hope Bert keeps up his end of the deal. Last week against Murfreesboro Fusilli-Bertie had an efficient but unspectacular game going 12/16 for 129 yards and a TD. Those 12 attempts included just one reception by a WR but there wasn't much more needed on that front as the Thunder had an early lead and just chewed up the clock. If Madison loads up to stop the run Gianettino will be counted on to do a lot more this week at which point it becomes a crap-shoot for us...
Madison P Spencer Campbell vs Little Rock PR Pedro Franz: OK I admit that I'm biased when it comes to Franz and I'm always looking for an excuse to talk about him but it's no stretch to say that the Demons do not want to be giving him a chance at a return this week. Campbell has had an ok season for the most part in spite of modest KP and PHT attributes but he struggled last week against Anchorage with a 38.9 yard gross average on 7 punts. Franz meanwhile is averaging 12.3 yards per return and if Campbell punts short again this week we could see the Demons paying the price with someone (ie Franz) bringing it all the way back to the house.
Little Rock Turf: Last week the Worst Turf on Earth claimed Mules LT Morris Hickman (Out for 2 weeks) and dinged up SE Pat Durham (Probable, 1 week) while Thunder SE Perry Clinton (Doubtful, 2 weeks) and DE Shannon Grier (Probable, 1 week) also made their way to the trainers room. Let's see what happens this week...
Point Spread:
Even
Head to Head:
This will be the 16th meeting of the teams and Little Rock leads the series 8-7.
Last Meeting:
Week 3, 2030: Madison 34 def Little Rock 21 at Madison.
It was my first week in the league and we were on the eve of the 2031 draft when Vermont traded out of the 1.1 slot with Madison, paving the way for the Demons to select Whalen. The so-called "middling" terms of trade were too much for some to bear and it touched off a heated debate (which you can read right here) that Hooper eventually shut down and it was at some point after this debate was concluded that a) we lost ukpatsfan b) Vermont traded down again and c) life moved on.
So what to make of the trade?
Whalen started the season strongly leading Madison to three consecutive victories but after he got hurt in week 5 the Demons' season took a turn south. While he did manage to lead his team to a win over Vermont he was unimpressive in that game and they haven't won since.
Whalen looks like the real deal but with three consecutive losses Madison needs a big game from him this week and playing the Thunder may be just what he needs.
For our part Little Rock's woes this season have been well-chronicled by yours truly and in spite of play that has been frequently patchy and occasionally downright awful, we are surprisingly still in the hunt for the division title. Go figure.
After getting to the mid-point of the season with a 2-6 record we have turned things around in the last few weeks to be at 5-6 a renaissance of sorts that owes everything to a 21-point comeback victory against Texas and an OT win over Tulsa that our kicker pulled out with a 59 yard FG after missing attempts from 43 yards, 53 yards and 34 yards during regulation time.
In spite of all that the line for the game is even (as it should be) and the power ratings have us pegged for what we are: mediocre.
KEY MATCHUPS:
Madison RB Carlton Dabrowa: Last time we played the Demons "Squirt" ran 27 times for 136 yards and 1TD and added another 45 yards on 6 receptions.The nuggety Dabrowa is just 5'6" tall but weighs in at an astonishing 211 pounds and has the speed to get to the outside. Look for Madison to feed him the ball in an attempt to beat the Thunder into submission.
Madison QB Owen Whalen: This year's first overall draft pick has had some ups and downs in his rookie campiagn (see above) and has also missed some time to injury. Without any great options on the perimeter TE Fred Terrell is Whalen's best target in the passing game but don't be surprised if the rookie QB finally showcases his Long and Deep passing skills this week.
Little Rock RBs Dave Cassidy and Jeff Meyer vs Madison Front Seven: The Thunder RBs have combined for 98 carries, 511 yards and 3 TDs during the team's 3-game winning streak and look set to feast on a Demons defense that got gouged for 248 yards on the ground by Anchorage last week.
Little Rock QB Noodle-Arm: Gianettino shows me up every time I talk him down...so I'm going to keep on doing what I've been doing and hope Bert keeps up his end of the deal. Last week against Murfreesboro Fusilli-Bertie had an efficient but unspectacular game going 12/16 for 129 yards and a TD. Those 12 attempts included just one reception by a WR but there wasn't much more needed on that front as the Thunder had an early lead and just chewed up the clock. If Madison loads up to stop the run Gianettino will be counted on to do a lot more this week at which point it becomes a crap-shoot for us...
Madison P Spencer Campbell vs Little Rock PR Pedro Franz: OK I admit that I'm biased when it comes to Franz and I'm always looking for an excuse to talk about him but it's no stretch to say that the Demons do not want to be giving him a chance at a return this week. Campbell has had an ok season for the most part in spite of modest KP and PHT attributes but he struggled last week against Anchorage with a 38.9 yard gross average on 7 punts. Franz meanwhile is averaging 12.3 yards per return and if Campbell punts short again this week we could see the Demons paying the price with someone (ie Franz) bringing it all the way back to the house.
Little Rock Turf: Last week the Worst Turf on Earth claimed Mules LT Morris Hickman (Out for 2 weeks) and dinged up SE Pat Durham (Probable, 1 week) while Thunder SE Perry Clinton (Doubtful, 2 weeks) and DE Shannon Grier (Probable, 1 week) also made their way to the trainers room. Let's see what happens this week...
Point Spread:
Even
Head to Head:
This will be the 16th meeting of the teams and Little Rock leads the series 8-7.
Last Meeting:
Week 3, 2030: Madison 34 def Little Rock 21 at Madison.