Sabres vs. Pioneers
This week’s action in the Fieldturf IFL pits the Dancing Camel Hasharon Pioneers (1-2) against the still winless Mike’s Place Tel Aviv Sabres (0-3) in a game that is significant for both teams, who are facing each other for the first time this season. Each side is looking to rebound from a heart-breaking loss in their last contest; Tel Aviv let the game slip away against Haifa in a 35-30 tilt, while Hasharon played very tough against Jerusalem but fell short in the second half. The match will take place on Friday at 11:00 AM at Maccabi Fields in Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv’s offence both starts and finishes with quarterback Adi Hakami and wide receiver Liran Hovav. The two must get going early for them to have a chance at their first victory of the year.
The Sabres’ ball-control is most effective when Hakami escapes the pocket and makes plays with his feet, both on the ground and through the air. His ability to scramble and elude the rush frustrates pass rushers and hidden yardage compiled from the runs allows the team to sustain drives.
Hovav, the IFL’s leading pass-receiver, scorched Haifa for 12 catches for 165 yards and two scores in his last game, so he is sure to see a ton of double coverage from the Pioneer’s defence on most of his routes. Tel Aviv will need another receiver to step up and establish himself as a bona fide threat to complement Hovav and alleviate some of the pressure on the offence that has been relying exclusively on both him and Hakami.
As well, look for Mike’s Place to try and open up the field by getting running backs Daniel Gev and Asaf Katz involved early to keep the Pioneers from focusing exclusively on the passing game.
For its part, Hasharon must take some of the positives from their loss to Big Blue and build upon them in this match. With Shmuel O’neil likely still sidelined, the game plan should involve focusing both their offence and defense around emerging all-around talent Mike Levy.
His versatility allows them to line him up all over the field to take advantage of mismatches in space and coverage on both sides of the ball. Against Jerusalem, Levy finally got enough touches to get into a rhythm. Against an improving Tel Aviv defense, Hasharon must continue to run the ball to control the tempo of the game.
They will also look to attack the Sabres’ secondary with an assortment of underneath crossing patterns. Quarterback Johan Tynell must continue to make smart decisions and not turn the ball over by using a high-percentage passing game featuring shorter routes.
On defense, Dancing Camel certainly has the personnel to neutralize Hovav by mixing up their nickel and dime packages to keep a defensive back with him on passing downs. Their penchant for creating turnovers is a product of their ‘Tampa Two’ defense, capitalizing on tips or overthrows, and they will continue to focus on takeaways against a pass-happy Tel Aviv offense.
Also expect the Pioneers to crowd the line on early downs to try to stop the run and force Hakami to throw against their two-deep coverage in long-yardage situations.
I predict a high-scoring affair between two teams who are looking to showcase their offense and prove that they belong in the top of the league. If the Sabres’ can curtail their tendency of giving up a big turnover at a crucial point in the game, I believe they will put enough points up on the board to secure their first win.
The IFL gets under way again next week with a Thursday night match-up between Big Blue Jerusalem (4-1) and the Dancing Camel Hasharon Pioneers. The game will take place at Kraft Family Stadium in Jerusalem at 7:00 PM. Please secure your tickets early to guarantee a seat.
League notes: The IFL is actively seeking players for new franchises slated to begin play in the 2008-09 season. Regions presently being considered for expansion include Be’er Sheva, Nazareth, Gush Etzion, Modi’in, Rishon LeTzion/Holon and Ra’anana/Kfar Saba. Interested players should contact Adam Slater in the IFL office at afi@barak.net.il or register on the league website at www.ifl.co.il.
Prepared by Uriel Sturm, IFL League Statistician, who has (objectively) viewed and recorded each and every IFL down and game ever played from the best seat in the house – the field! Please feel free to contact at uesturm@gmail.com
