RMFL GAME PREVIEW CAPSULE
Rocky Mountain Mudd Ducks (1-2, 1-0 Utah South Division) at Dixie Rebels (3-0, 1-0 Utah South Division)
Tonight, 7 p.m., at Dixie High School
Previous Meeting: May 12, 2013 Rebels 48 Mudd Ducks 6.
DIXIE REBELS
Head Coach: Dale Stott
Offense: Multiple
Defense: Pro 4-3, Nickel
Last Game: Beat Utah Shock in 2 OTs, 37-31.
Players to watch: The Rebels had to overcome a 10-point deficit late to beat the Utah Shock. They move to 3-0, joining the Brigham Sting with the best record in the RMFL. They had to beat preseason top-five teams Revolution and Shock to be there. QB Misi Tupe had a monster week against the Shock with 194 yards rushing. But it was the Dixie defense that stepped up last week, continually stopping the Shock in the fourth quarter to give the offense a chance.
Trend: Tupe continues to be the answer to needed late-game heroics. It is doubtful that there will exist a need for that tonight. The Rebels will have to develop at least a mediocre passing attack to prevent future sturdy defenses from loading the box. Tonight’s game would be the time to work on that.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN MUDD DUCKS
Coach: Tyler Garcia
Offense: Split back
Defense: 3-4
Last Game: Beat Magic Valley Bulldawgs 20-16
Players to watch: The Mudd Ducks are led by running back Matthew Murray with 156 yards. The Mudd Ducks have a new quarterback this year in dual threat Ryan Flake. Flake is second on the team in rushing with 102 yards. The Mudd Ducks are led on defense by defensive tackle Sita Ripley and defensive back Tyler Konesky, who leads the league in interceptions.
GAME OUTLOOK
The Mudd Ducks have been perennial doormats in the RMFL. They were not only winless last season, but were blown out each week. They totally revamped and infused a lot of new blood. It has paid immediate dividends. They won their first game last week against the Bulldawgs, but were also competitive against RMFL contender Brigham Sting, losing by a touchdown in the first week. Though expansion and revamping will help the Mudd Ducks, they are still not in the same caliber as their division foe Rebels. Dixie should be able to handle the Mudd Ducks easily this week.
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