vs.
Friday, March 11, 20118:00 PM
TV: NFL Network
Radio: 93.7 The Fan
Consol Energy Center - Pittsburgh, PA
The dust has finally settled. The brand new Consol Energy Center is open for business - but for this new crown jewel of Pittsburgh's downtown renaissance, only a smash-mouth, high-scoring, high-octane anchor tenant will suffice.
Yes, after over a messy decade without major league indoor football in the 'Burgh -- The AFL has finally returned.
In the inaugural game of the Pittsburgh Power's first ever season, it is hated cross-state rival Philadelphia who invades the CEC. The Soul, winners of the 2008 ArenaBowl, are coached by Mike Honesee, who also has an ArenaBowl under his belt, winning ArenaBowl XX with the venerated Chicago Rush.
On off
ense, the Soul are lead by former Tulsa Talon's stud Justin Allgood. Allgood lead the league last year with 109 touchdown passes. Algood checks in at a stout 6'2" and 240 lbs - the AFL's very own version of the Pillsbury Throw Boy.
So, the Soul have a gunslinger -- That's "All good" -- but can they compete with the raw emotion and the aura that will be all over Consol Energy Center tomorrow night? I can tell you right now, I live thirty miles away, and I've already got out the Ginsu knives -- the tension is so thick it takes three of these things to cut it.
Power head coach Chris Siegfried had a bit of a scramble in a short offseason to put together a stable of young quarterbacks, but Coach Seig has more than a solid one-two punch with Marshall University standout Bernard Morris and Cal U (PA) grad and AF2 stalwart Kevin McCabe.
I've had beers at the Cactus Lounge with McCabe - let me tell you - I can see why this guy beat out Anthony Morelli for the backup QB spot. He eats, breathes, sleeps, pukes, bleeds, and ejaculates football. He is a born leader for the 50 yard indoor war -- and don't be surprised if Seig has a quick hook for Morris if he doesn't light it up early -- McCabe can play.
Also, coming out of training camp, a lot of my sources have noted the chemistry between Morris, McCabe, and WR Terry Grossetti. I know that Dave Ball and Jerome Mathis figure to be the go-to guys and the ones who put up the gaudy numbers - but the ace in the hole for the Bolts is Grosetti. He's deceptively quick.
PREDICTIONS:
For every Power game we cover here on the BOLTSBURGH POWER BLOG, our three contributing editors will pass along their expert picks for the game, along with the key to victory. We call these our BOLTSBURGH POWER BLOG KEYS TO VICTORY! There are three of them. One each.
- Perry -
MIKE and JACK LB'ers Bostic and Graham get huge support from the D-Line's major-league pass rush and get to Allgood early and often.
Power 65
Soul 50
- Pro -
The Soul have no soul, but what they do have is experience. And they were featured heavily on the Real World Philadelphia. I think the Power have all the tools to put up a fight, though, and most importantly, that ol' Black & Gold spirit.
Power 66
Soul 63
- Schwartz -
This is Pittsburgh's week to lose 76-74.
Soul 76
Power 74
KEYS TO VICTORY:
1) Pressure the QB early and often
2) Ole' Black and Gold Spirit
3) Lose
Yes, after over a messy decade without major league indoor football in the 'Burgh -- The AFL has finally returned.
In the inaugural game of the Pittsburgh Power's first ever season, it is hated cross-state rival Philadelphia who invades the CEC. The Soul, winners of the 2008 ArenaBowl, are coached by Mike Honesee, who also has an ArenaBowl under his belt, winning ArenaBowl XX with the venerated Chicago Rush.
On off
ense, the Soul are lead by former Tulsa Talon's stud Justin Allgood. Allgood lead the league last year with 109 touchdown passes. Algood checks in at a stout 6'2" and 240 lbs - the AFL's very own version of the Pillsbury Throw Boy.So, the Soul have a gunslinger -- That's "All good" -- but can they compete with the raw emotion and the aura that will be all over Consol Energy Center tomorrow night? I can tell you right now, I live thirty miles away, and I've already got out the Ginsu knives -- the tension is so thick it takes three of these things to cut it.
Power head coach Chris Siegfried had a bit of a scramble in a short offseason to put together a stable of young quarterbacks, but Coach Seig has more than a solid one-two punch with Marshall University standout Bernard Morris and Cal U (PA) grad and AF2 stalwart Kevin McCabe.
I've had beers at the Cactus Lounge with McCabe - let me tell you - I can see why this guy beat out Anthony Morelli for the backup QB spot. He eats, breathes, sleeps, pukes, bleeds, and ejaculates football. He is a born leader for the 50 yard indoor war -- and don't be surprised if Seig has a quick hook for Morris if he doesn't light it up early -- McCabe can play.
Also, coming out of training camp, a lot of my sources have noted the chemistry between Morris, McCabe, and WR Terry Grossetti. I know that Dave Ball and Jerome Mathis figure to be the go-to guys and the ones who put up the gaudy numbers - but the ace in the hole for the Bolts is Grosetti. He's deceptively quick.
PREDICTIONS:
For every Power game we cover here on the BOLTSBURGH POWER BLOG, our three contributing editors will pass along their expert picks for the game, along with the key to victory. We call these our BOLTSBURGH POWER BLOG KEYS TO VICTORY! There are three of them. One each.
- Perry -
MIKE and JACK LB'ers Bostic and Graham get huge support from the D-Line's major-league pass rush and get to Allgood early and often.
Power 65
Soul 50
- Pro -
The Soul have no soul, but what they do have is experience. And they were featured heavily on the Real World Philadelphia. I think the Power have all the tools to put up a fight, though, and most importantly, that ol' Black & Gold spirit.
Power 66
Soul 63
- Schwartz -
This is Pittsburgh's week to lose 76-74.
Soul 76
Power 74
KEYS TO VICTORY:
1) Pressure the QB early and often
2) Ole' Black and Gold Spirit
3) Lose
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