The Wauwatosa Spartans came within an overtime field goal of winning last year's Iron Bowl XIII in the Ironman Football League. This year they want to take it one more step.
The Spartans find themselves in a familiar situation, hosting the Rock County Gladiators (4-6) in round one of the IFL playoffs for the second consecutive season. Game time is 7 p.m. Saturday at Hart Park.
With a victory, the Spartans likely will advance to play the Burlington Blue Devils for the American Football Conference Championship and the right to go to Iron Bowl XIV.
The Spartans beat the Gladiators and Blue Devils, in that order, in the 2009 playoffs. The only thing that has changed from last year is the seeding of the top two teams - Burlington and Wauwatosa - in the AFC.
This year the Blue Devils (9-1) grabbed the top seed with the Spartans (6-4) falling to the No. 2 seed.
"Last year we were riding an eight-game winning streak going into the playoffs and had home-field advantage throughout. But we still feel pretty good about where we're at now," said Adam Kujath, the Spartans' right tackle. "Anything can happen in the postseason and we're rested and ready to make another run at the title."
Who's at quarterback?
The road back to the Iron Bowl starts Saturday night. The Spartans and Gladiators met in Week 3 of the regular season, when the Spartans traveled to Janesville and came home with a 19-7 win in hurricane-like conditions.
But the Gladiators have fallen on hard times in recent games, going 0-2 at the end of the season, and have been outscored 86-24.
A major contributor to the late-season collapse are questions surrounding the Gladiators' quarterback position, where Jeff Suppernaw was replaced midseason by Dan Roberts after he finished his indoor season with the Wisconsin Wolfpack arena football team.
Subsequently, Roberts sprained his shoulder and Suppernaw reportedly left the team. The Spartans are preparing for Roberts, but aren't sure who will line up under center on Saturday.
Regardless of who plays quarterback, the No. 1 offensive weapon for the Gladiators is wide receiver Jermar Ayers. A perennial all-star, Ayers will have the Spartan secondary's full attention.
The Spartans' offense will look for leadership from its finally healthy offensive line, which averages 6 feet, 4 inches and 310 pounds, and quarterback Tony Henner.
Wide receivers Raymon Porchia, Greg Rebella and Ric Levy lead a dangerous passing attack, while running backs Bobby Windom and Cedric McFadden comprise the ground game, which has undergone a resurgence in recent weeks.
On defense, the Spartan line needs to contain the elusive Roberts, and that responsibility will fall on the shoulders of defensive ends Joe Flick and Justin Morrow, both with double-digit sacks on the year.
Defense must step up
Defensive tackle Nick Corgiat and middle linebacker Darrell Jack spearhead the run defense, and cornerback Jesse Robinson will likely match up on Ayers most of the night.
The Wauwatosa/Lake County winner will meet the winner of the Burlington/Shorewood Monarchs game, which is at Burlington at 7 p.m. Saturday.
The AFC Championship will be played Aug. 22. The AFC champion will advance to Iron Bowl XIV, which will be played at Hart Park on Aug. 28.
"We're certainly not overlooking the Gladiators and expect a tough game on Saturday, but I'd be lying if I said this team wasn't looking for another shot at the Blue Devils," said Tosa left tackle Luke Kujath.
When the Spartans lost to the Blue Devils, 32-22, in Burlington on July 17 they were missing numerous starters. Then they lost several more players to injuries during the game.
"They've pretty much already punched their ticket to the Iron Bowl and we'd really like to be the ones that send them home for the off-season," Kujath said.
- Tom "Sky" Skibosh
E-mail Newsletter
Your link to the biggest stories in the suburbs delivered Thursday mornings.
Enter your e-mail address above and click "Sign Up Now!" to begin receiving your e-mail newsletter
Get the Newsletter!
More from Sports
- BOYS BASKETBALL Trojans' losing streak increases to 12
- East boys 'hit rock bottom' in 66-57 loss to Chargers
- Track and Field: Kilpin signs with Golden Eagles
- Trojans whip Tosa East girls
- SKY'S TAKE
- Tosa finishes second at conference meet
- Benz, Brovarney have third-place finishes
- GIRLS BASKETBALL Chargers beat Red Raiders
- GIRLS BASKETBALL First-place Packers beat Tosa West
- SKY'S TAKE
2 COMMENTS
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
Hello! The burning hot summer arrived, this is the demonstration stature
- Share
-
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
YOU MUST NOT MISS IT!!!
- Share
-
Back to toplgugiui - Sep 02, 2010 10:17 PM - Report Abuse
good season,
the retreat winter sincere appearance, lets lithe, the individuality, the
fashion,
the sex appeal, mature you start from here! Has a good news to tell
everybody: Recently,
every bought full 200 US dollars in this company, then has the present to see
off,
Vietnam which buys delivers are more, please do not miss this good
opportunity!!!
welcome to :====== http://www.newgoing.com/ ====
free shipping
competitive price
any size available
accept the paypal
fb
lgugiui - Sep 02, 2010 10:16 PM - Report Abuse
http://www.kogoal.com
Our company specializes in manufacturing from located in CHINA and
Netherlands,With more than 6 Years of experience,we are mainly dealing
with are:Nike shox,Christan Audigier t-sh irt,Ed Hardy,COACH Bag,New Era
cap ,Tiffany_Ring. More products.
Supply . COACH Bag,Nike shox.Ed Hardy t- sh irt.
Safe Payment.Paypal
Fast Shipment.5-7 days you can receive your order product.
No min order request.You can order only one product
Free Shipping.The price on our website are including
everything.
http://www.kogoal.com
kogoal,Inc. We are the best online dealer,about all kinds of jordan.run
retailing and wholesale trade wordwidely for years. Free Shipping And
Customs,Super Sale Off Retailing,With 1Week Delivery to your door.
http://www.kogoal.com
a leading worldwide w holesaler company (or ucan say organization). We
supply more than 100 thousand high-quality merchandise and famous brand
name products all at wholesale prices.
http://www.kogoal.com
fbsf