Many Story Lines in Game 5 vs Desperados
This game has many different story lines that will take place. First of all, both teams are 2nd year teams in the RMFL and enjoyed the rare inaugural season success that most newly formed organizations aspire for. The Utah Valley Desperados were able to make it to the AA division championship game in 09 and lost to the champion Logan Stampede. The Wasatch REVolution won their championship game in the AAA division in 09. Both teams are used to winning, and enter the game with a win/loss record of 3 - 1.
Another storyline for this game is the player personnel of both teams. Outside of these 2 teams, most wouldn't know the differences between the 1st and 2nd years. But within the organizations, the players changing teams are clear and present. Former REV owner/manager Matt Shoda decided to hand over his part in the decision making and managerial duties to both Charlie Peterson and Golden Whetman after the season, and surprised them both when they found out that he was going to be making to the move to the Desperados. They were told that he wanted the chance to play both offense and defense in positions the REV were already stacked in. That was completely understandable for all parties involved. Matt was crucial to the success of the 09 team, and his camaraderie and behind the scenes presence is surely missed. His partner is crime, Roger Shulze/SS, made the switch with Shoda. Roger has been a perennial All Star in the RMFL and will certainly be a headache for his former teammates. Former REV Defensive Tackle Jason Ford will also be suiting up against his former teammates. Jason at 6'2" 350 pds, is a mammoth of a man and will be a force in the middle against the REV offensive line. Expect to see some fireworks between these players and the boys in Blue.
When Shoda and Shulze left, they were able to also drag a few of their offseason flag football teammates with them. Former REV Wide Receiver JD Dawson made the switch as well, deciding that it was his turn to shine and be a #1 WR after playing along side REV receivers Dave and Toby Christensen in 09. So far its been a great decision for him, as in 09 he had 300 yards receiving, while in the current season with only 4 games under his belt he has already surpassed that. In fact, both Toby and Dave Christensen have less yards combined than Dawson does in 2010.
Both George Uyema/WR/RB and Ryan Lang/WR/RB are also 2 players who have made the switch between the teams. Only this time the REV were a recipient of a Desperado player instead of vice versa. Both players fit the requirement for the perfect teammate. They never run their mouths, are so versatile that they will play anywhere the team needs them, and are the first guys to step out on the field for special teams if needed. In fact, in the 09 Championship game for the REV, all of the LB's (including Matt Shoda) for the REV except defensive captain, got hurt early on in the game. George Uyema/REV stepped up to the plate at Linebacker and filled the role nicely. Doing all of this after dislocating his elbow earlier that year, and being undersized at LB at 5'9" 185 pds. But Uyema plays big and hard, and did perfect. Ryan Lang has filled Uyema's shoes with the REV. In the first game of 2010, the REV only traveled with FB Perry Laulu to Idaho, and Head Coach Eric Drage asked Lang to fill in at Tailback even tho he hadn't practiced one snap all preseason. He ran hard, took some hard hits, and bounced right back up and ran to the huddle. Both players are ideal examples of what the RMFL needs to be about.
Longtime teammates James Owens/WR and Jason Hermansen/LB have been playing the last few years in the professional arena league, the AIFA for the Ogden Knights. When things changed in the direction that both players weren't too thrilled about, they decided to take their games back to the outdoor field. Both Owens and Hermansen went to a few different teams practices to see which fit their style and playing time. They eventually decide to split up and play against each other with Owens suiting up at WR for the REV, and Hermansen making the move to the Desperados at LB/S.
Outside of the inner workings of the players movement, are 2 teams in the playoff hunt with only 1 loss each. The REV losing its first game to the undefeated Treasure Valley Spartans, and the Desperados to the Utah Shock. The REV were able to defeat the Shock in Week 2, and the Desperados have not yet played the Spartans. Even after 4 games, the REV have had mismatching personnel on the offensive side for each game. The last 2 games have shown some continuity between them and look forward to continuing the momentum.
In crunching the numbers of offense and defense for the REV and Desperados, the 2 teams are nearly even in offensive production with the REV averaging 342 yds of offense per game and the Rados averaging 330 yds/game. Defensively is where the difference lies. The REV have been nearly inpenetrable in their first 4 games of the season only allowing the opposing opposition on average of 101 yards of total offense per game while keeping them to a 4 game total of 17 points scored for the season. The Desparados defense has allowed 245 yds on average for each of their games, and hope to contain the high powered REV offense.
Gametime will be 6:00p.m. at Bingham High School. The concession stand will be cranking out the burger, hot dogs and nachos. The game promises to be a shootout, so don't miss it.
