23.06.2010 - SWARCO Raiders want Revenge against Graz
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The playoffs in the Austria Football League Season 2010 are getting started. Effective immediately is the KO principle: only the winner will survive. Playing on July 9th in the Austrian Bowl will only be the of this game. The SWARCO Raiders will meet the Turek Graz Giants in the AFL Semi finals on June 26th at 17:00, and this for the second time in two weeks. |
In the last regular season game the Tyroleans dropped the match to the Giants 28-42. For this reason there are two important points that are to be addressed: first of all revenge for the loss and secondly, giving the fans in Tivoli Stadium something to cheer about.
'We have unfinished business and have no option but to win. The Austrian Bowl is taking place in Innsbruck for the first time and we absolutely want to be playing in that game,' says SWARCO Raiders Head Coach Santos Carrillo. 'I expect a very tough game. This being sad however, I want us to have fun and to simply give our best. I am certain we?ll see a different SWARCO Raiders team than the first game against Graz. THE BALANCE: Graz Again... Two weeks ago the SWARCO Raiders met against the Giants for the 23rd time and cashed in their 13 loss. In this game Chriss Gunn made his name a reality and came in with all guns blazing. The Graz QB completed 13 of 20 passes for 281 yards and threw 5 TDs and rushed himself for a 6th TD. 'Our top priority has to be to stop Chriss Gunn,' states Carrillo. 'He is a very experienced player who doesn't make many mistakes. He's a true leader. We just experienced just how dangerous he can be. I think that if we can stop him, we can win this game.' The loss to Gunn and Co. was the second home loss in a row for the SWARCO Raiders. The five of six home games leading up this contest have been won by the Raiders. THE OPPONENT: Roller Coaster -Trend broken With the win two weeks ago the Giants not only assured their spot in the playoffs, but also broke an unwanted pattern. The win in Innsbruck was the second in a row in the AFL. Leading up to this, they always followed up a win with a loss. In the first game of the year Graz set back EFAF-Cup Champions Prag by a score of 42-28. Following this was a home loss to the Black Lions 23-28. On the fifth game day they won decidedly against he Invaders 68-26. THE STARS: A Sharp Shooter by the Name of Gunn The axel of the Graz game is Gunn, who not only accounted for 6 TDs in the first game, but also didn?t through a single interception. This season he has completed 81 of 136 passes for 1228 yards. In addition to this he?s run the ball 33 times for 247 yards. RB Michael Andrew had 10 rushes for 94 yards, but did allow for a fumble. The Graz Defense is under the leadership of Brain Avery, who was Defensive Line coach last year for the SWARCO Raiders. The defense is built around Gregor Kodella who leads his team with 34 tackles. Defensive linemen George Cooper is the best pass rusher in the league with 6 sacks. Four players of the Giants have at least two interceptions and two have one apiece. Despite his two interceptions in the game against Graz, QB Leon Jackson III leads the AFL with 17 TDs. He has completed 103 of 152 passes for a completion percentage of 67,8 procent and 1,365 yards. This tops the AFL. Two weeks ago he competed 29 of 43 passes for 264 yards with 4 TDs and two INTs. RB Tory Cooper has up to this point 78 carries for 638 yards and 6 TDs. Against Graz he?s shooting for revenge as he was held under 100 yards for the first time this season. Yet he caught 13 passes for 123 yards and a TD. RB Floran Grein is hoping for a resurgence in a great comeback. He?s had 241 yards and 6 TDs on 39 carries. Jackson, along with Cooper, can depend on a who group of trusted targets. WR Jakob Dieplinger leads the team with 25 catches for 417 yards and 4 TDs. WR Andreas Pröller has 16 catches for 245 yards and 4 TDs. WR Phillip Heider has 13 catches and 4 TDs. The defense of the SWARCO Raiders have 19 take-aways in the AFL and EFL (10 fumbles and 9 interceptions. Two weeks ago DB Markus Krause recovered a fumble against Graz. It was only the 5th turnover of the season for the Giants. The Tyroleans have totaled 22 sacks. Accounting for these sacks are Mario Rinner (3,5), Michael Dawodu (1,5), Marquay Love (1,5), Florian Hueter (3), Christoph Schilcher (4,5). Photo: Schellhorn