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MIJB#19 · 03-02-2005, 06:41 AM

Merchantmen Versus Bordeaux Vineyards Preview
Okay, it's been a fun ride for the Maassluis Merchantmen, but tomorrow it's time to wake the lovable losers up. Being 6-2 and division leaders is quite the achievement, but the Bordeaux Vineyards are coming to town. The Vineyards are 4-4 and have been sitting in last place for most of the season now. The feelings of the three time European champions have been hurt and they're detirmined to leave Oranje Haven victorious. And they have condifence, the Vineyards did it in all of the previous Maassluis-Bordeaux games. Since 2004, the Vienyards swept the Merchantmen.

"If we're ever going to get a shot at beating Bordeaux, now is the time." Merchantmen star defensive tackle Charles Gomez stirs up the sentiments. "The Vineyards are missing Joey Hammer and are missing their guy in the middle of the defensive line." The Merchantmen lost Gomez for four games this season and went 2-2 in that period. The Merchantmen defense got ran over by Vicksburg's Ronnie Kemp. And now the Merchantmen's Randy Harris hopes to return the favor against Bordeaux. But some fear Randy Harris will be out ran by Gerald Harris, who's the tailback in Bordeaux.

"Not gonna happen," linebacker Cody Cluff said, "Gerald Harris is a wide receiver playing at running back. Besides, we are preparing for rookie Zach Sakurai." In Maassluis they already call him 'The Samurai' and the defense is preparing for him. Cluff adds: "Mike (Kershner), Carl (Meier), Ellsworth (Thelen) and I are ready for them. And with Charles playing in front of us, no way they'll have a 100-yard runner."

The passing game could be more of an issue, as Joe Johnson is a familiar face to the Merchantmen defense. In te past six meetings, Johnson completed 131 of 192 passes (68%) for 237 yards per game, 7 touchdowns and no interceptions. Tai Wayne and Winford Endicott look like a great cornerback duo, but they're no interception makers. Endicott has made 1 in 39 games, Wayne is without interceptions after 25 games. The Merchantmen have one interception specialist in Johnnie Sitdham, but he's going to miss the game with another knee injury.

Once again, key in the game will be the Merchantmen pass rush. The Vineyards allow 2 sacks per game and with a few linemen nursing minor injuries they might be fulnerable. And with the Merchantmen being the #1 pass rush in the entire league with 25 sacks and 169 yards in 8 games. The league single-season record is 55 sacks and 369 yards. But those records are a non-issue at this point. Wally 'World' Wilcox, part of the 2004 Leesburg Generals unit that set 49 sacks said: "If we keep haunting quarterbacks, we'll break those records without even noticing."

On the other end of the ball, there also some concern. Left tackle Ivan Jacques is not 100% fit, while right guard Timothy Lacy is expected to be replaced by veteran Brian Hammond. Not a great timing as ex-Merchantmen defensive end Harold Wells is returning in Oranje Haven. Left tackle Harold Hurtado said: "We know Harold (Wells). His production has been down a bit so far, but he's a two time All-IHOF selection with reason."

But if the offensive line can't protect Louie Flannery, the turnover mess from last game could return. Flannery threw 4 interceptions and fumbled 1 ball as he was sacked a season high 4 times. Headcoach Leroy Van Der Woude admits: "Flannery is still vulnerable when he's pressured. I think it will be another thing to look at for next season, we can't allow our passer to get afraid and make bad calls. Times like these, the fans might start wanting Justin McDavid back. Justin is a cool guy, but he's not the guy he once was. The knee injury limits his balance, it makes him pass less accurately."

Flannery good or not, the Merchantmen have been spreading the word they used three game plans this season and one of those three was used in all six of their wins. With five wins on the road, a franchise single-season record, and a win over Paris, they are 6-0 with the game plan. And with Bordeaux being 6-0 all-time verus Maassluis, after thursday's game either of the two will be 7-0 while the other drop to 6-1. After their first road win in a divisional game, the Merchantmen have set new standards for themselves and they have the confidence to make it four wins in a row. Let's hope so!

03-02-2005, 06:41 AM	#743
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Merchantmen Versus Bordeaux Vineyards Preview Okay, it's been a fun ride for the Maassluis Merchantmen, but tomorrow it's time to wake the lovable losers up. Being 6-2 and division leaders is quite the achievement, but the Bordeaux Vineyards are coming to town. The Vineyards are 4-4 and have been sitting in last place for most of the season now. The feelings of the three time European champions have been hurt and they're detirmined to leave Oranje Haven victorious. And they have condifence, the Vineyards did it in all of the previous Maassluis-Bordeaux games. Since 2004, the Vienyards swept the Merchantmen. "If we're ever going to get a shot at beating Bordeaux, now is the time." Merchantmen star defensive tackle Charles Gomez stirs up the sentiments. "The Vineyards are missing Joey Hammer and are missing their guy in the middle of the defensive line." The Merchantmen lost Gomez for four games this season and went 2-2 in that period. The Merchantmen defense got ran over by Vicksburg's Ronnie Kemp. And now the Merchantmen's Randy Harris hopes to return the favor against Bordeaux. But some fear Randy Harris will be out ran by Gerald Harris, who's the tailback in Bordeaux. "Not gonna happen," linebacker Cody Cluff said, "Gerald Harris is a wide receiver playing at running back. Besides, we are preparing for rookie Zach Sakurai." In Maassluis they already call him 'The Samurai' and the defense is preparing for him. Cluff adds: "Mike (Kershner), Carl (Meier), Ellsworth (Thelen) and I are ready for them. And with Charles playing in front of us, no way they'll have a 100-yard runner." The passing game could be more of an issue, as Joe Johnson is a familiar face to the Merchantmen defense. In te past six meetings, Johnson completed 131 of 192 passes (68%) for 237 yards per game, 7 touchdowns and no interceptions. Tai Wayne and Winford Endicott look like a great cornerback duo, but they're no interception makers. Endicott has made 1 in 39 games, Wayne is without interceptions after 25 games. The Merchantmen have one interception specialist in Johnnie Sitdham, but he's going to miss the game with another knee injury. Once again, key in the game will be the Merchantmen pass rush. The Vineyards allow 2 sacks per game and with a few linemen nursing minor injuries they might be fulnerable. And with the Merchantmen being the #1 pass rush in the entire league with 25 sacks and 169 yards in 8 games. The league single-season record is 55 sacks and 369 yards. But those records are a non-issue at this point. Wally 'World' Wilcox, part of the 2004 Leesburg Generals unit that set 49 sacks said: "If we keep haunting quarterbacks, we'll break those records without even noticing." On the other end of the ball, there also some concern. Left tackle Ivan Jacques is not 100% fit, while right guard Timothy Lacy is expected to be replaced by veteran Brian Hammond. Not a great timing as ex-Merchantmen defensive end Harold Wells is returning in Oranje Haven. Left tackle Harold Hurtado said: "We know Harold (Wells). His production has been down a bit so far, but he's a two time All-IHOF selection with reason." But if the offensive line can't protect Louie Flannery, the turnover mess from last game could return. Flannery threw 4 interceptions and fumbled 1 ball as he was sacked a season high 4 times. Headcoach Leroy Van Der Woude admits: "Flannery is still vulnerable when he's pressured. I think it will be another thing to look at for next season, we can't allow our passer to get afraid and make bad calls. Times like these, the fans might start wanting Justin McDavid back. Justin is a cool guy, but he's not the guy he once was. The knee injury limits his balance, it makes him pass less accurately." Flannery good or not, the Merchantmen have been spreading the word they used three game plans this season and one of those three was used in all six of their wins. With five wins on the road, a franchise single-season record, and a win over Paris, they are 6-0 with the game plan. And with Bordeaux being 6-0 all-time verus Maassluis, after thursday's game either of the two will be 7-0 while the other drop to 6-1. After their first road win in a divisional game, the Merchantmen have set new standards for themselves and they have the confidence to make it four wins in a row. Let's hope so! __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail Last edited by MIJB#19 : 03-03-2005 at 02:24 AM.