[MIJB#19]

Maassluis At Frederick Preview
Looking to last season, this game provides the most winning opponent for the Merchantmen all season. The Frederick Red Menace won a tough division with an 11-5 record, ahead of the highly touted Chesapeake Chitterlinks. Today, the Merchantmen hope to be competitve like they were last year on the road against other favorites like Boston, North Plainfield and San Antonio.
A relief for the Maassluis offense is the absence of Red Menace pass rush maniak Ronnie Oxley, who had 9.5 sacks and 20 QB Hurries in the 2004 season. But other then that, the Red Menace are at full strenght.
Jackie Percy is a second-year quarterback, who had a comparable 2004 season like Maassluis passer Justin McDavid. However, Frederick provised a top talent running back in James Cull with stand-out blocking fullback Danny Wickman in front of him. And those stars are playing against one of the worst run defense in the league. Not to mention the strong offensive line in front of the backs opening gaps in the opposing front seven. Interesting is the Red Menace center J.J. Burroughs in that matter as the Merchantmen never made it a secret that Burroughs was their primairy target for the 2005 amateur draft.
On defense, the Menace provide a 3-4 front seven with interesting linemen and a quality linebackers group. Stand-outs are insinde linebacker Barney Pascoe, who's sore elbow could limit his actions, and defensive end Frank Kerrigan, who had 8 sacks and 27 quarter back hurries in 2004. The Merchantmen running game and pass protection should be able to keep pace with this front seven. Last but not least is the Frederick secondary. Cornerback Harold Worsham could keep the Merchantmen's top receiver unreachable all day, while safety Aaron Windsor is a young and inspiring secondary leader.
It's interesting to look at how Frederick managed to beat Astoria Heroes. The Menace had less yards per rush, less passing yards and more turnovers in the 24-17 victory. Not to mention the Frederick having almost 70 yards of penalties more and comparable third down statistics. Fredrick managed to win as they had 22 yards less to advance towards to goalline per drive, a more then likely significant decission maker. Or maybe it all came down to Marshall Fisher's 103 yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
All in all, these are signs for a traditional Merchantmen coming short game, with the opponent halted on the pass, yet keeping the chains moving with excellent running plays. Not in the last place with both teams having comparable return specialists, kickers and punters.
For the Merchantmen, the return of Justin McDavid has caused some media to predict another #1 pick clinching season. And the biggest loss at home in team history, desite the obvious improvement of the team. Especially on the offensive line the Merchantmen have improved already.
Still, we're talking about a game with on one side a winning team playing at home and on the other side a team that broke the longest streak of losing games last week, setting it at 14 games. Nobody in the league expect the Merchantmen to win today, yet the reborn Justin McDavid has proven in the pre-season he can get things moving. If McDavid can keep his play turnover free like in pre-season, we're up for one heck of an exciting game. If not, the Menace could destroy McDavid's ambition and opportunity as starting quarterback.