[MIJB#19]

Week 4 Preview
The fans are confident, the players are and the management is trying to keep things cool in Maassluis. The Merchantmen haven't lost a home game in the first season of the IHOF, yet the Columbus Architects are coming to town, tagged as underdogs. The Merchantmen have been underdogs al year thusfar, especially veterans like Harold Hurtado, Dennis Preciado and Vincent Lopez have a tough job keeping the players focused. Lopez: "We're lucky to have so little injuries, were lucky against Gothenburg, and very unlucky on the road. If the defense keeps stepping up like they have done until now, I think we have a chance to improve to 2-2, but everybody has to focus on their job." Preciado, coming of an amazing game with 7 passes defended, praises the offense: "Sure, we lost due to some bad timed turnonvers. But what are the odds that every single fumble or interception leads to a score, we've been unlucky, but are glad to be competitive with this young team so far." Harold Hurtado has another opinion: "We have a big group of potential stars, yet thusfar it came all down on the legs of Randy Harris. It's amazing how well he's been converting the little opportunities we've given him. Not to mention how well Justin (McDavid) has been anticipating on the weakness of our line on passing plays. Let's hope we can get another upset victory added to our record." The Merchantmen will play the Architects later today in Oranje Haven, which is expected to be about 1,000 seats close to sold out.