Blogs

Angela McRae

Tea with friends

Lorrie Lynch

Who's News

Published Saturday, May 10, 2008 in Sports

Still trying to feel the Force within Arena Football

I was initially skeptical. And for good reasons.

The potential for players to be sent over the wall. A clock that continously runs, even on incomplete passes. A field half the size of what we are all accustomed to. A receiver coming full speed towards the line of scrimmage, seemingly going past the line before the snap of the ball.

Arena football just wasn't for me.

And while today I'm not sold 100 percent, I have tried to be more open-minded. Especially when it comes to the team just up the street, the Georgia Force.

The Force enjoyed an exceptional season a year ago, registering a 14-2 record. The team allowed a couple of key players to go unsigned and their losses have been felt.

The Force enter tonight's game at The Arena at Gwinnett Center against the Philadelphia Soul fresh off their most impressive outing of the season, a 66-39 whipping of a strong New Orleans squad.

Georgia improved to 4-5 on the season and the game tonight with the Soul is a key contest. Force starting center Ben Nowland shared with me on Friday the significance of the game tonight.

"We really need this game. We've lost a couple of tight games, but we came through last week. We need to ride the momentum we earned with our win and get another tonight," said the anchor of the offensive line.

It's hard to think about playoffs, when you aren't even a .500 club. But in fairness to the Force, two peculiar calls against Orlando, resulted in two controversial losses.

The Soul enter the contest with the best record in Arena Football. Philadelphia, led by former Force receiver Chris Jackson, is 9-1 on the season.

Nine and two sounds better to me. But it won't be easy. Philadelphia leads the league in scoring (64.0). Jackson is the biggest reason. Jackson, who was first team All-Arena for the Force a season ago, was a mistake to let get away. Jackson has 87 receptions and 33 touchdown catches already this season.

Georgia counters with a potent offensive attack of its own right. Quarterback Chris Greisen has completed 215 passes for 2,769 yards. Greisen also has a league second-best 54 touchdown passes to his credit.

Georgia's offensive line has given Greisen ultimate protection, allowing only three sacks all season. Nowland and company lead the league in fewest sacks allowed.

Although the game will be televised live on ESPN2 at 8:00, Force officials are expecting a huge turnout.

The outing will serve as "UGA Night" and several former Bulldog players are expected to be available to sign autographs after the game. D.J. Shockley, Tony Taylor, and Martrez Milner have all committed.

University of Georgia athletic director Damon Evans will be on hand for a special pre-game presentation. All UGA alumni and students are elgible for discounted tickets. A student i.d. or some proof of status will be required.

Two more home games remain but none are likely to be more entertaining. I realize for many of you that watching the Braves on television is a nightly ritual, but Atlanta wrapped up a four-game series in Pittsburgh this afternoon so you can't use missing the Braves play as an excuse.

I'll justrelay a few words Nowland, who is from Jacksonville, Fla,shared with me. "We sure would appreciate the good people of Coweta County coming out to support us. It's a big game and we're going to do everything we can to get a win."