Seems like just two weeks ago I was writing about our beloved and reliable Arizona Hot Shots playing those devious, cult like, sinning Salt Lake Stallions. That’s because that’s what I did. I don’t know why the schedule makers of the Awesome As Fuck League, in their infinite wisdom, decided to have Arizona and Salt Lake play each other twice within the first three weeks, but that’s why they get paid the big bucks from an NHL owner, allegedly.
We all know what happened two weeks on the AAF’s inaugural weekend, when the Hot Shots tangoed with the Stallions. It was a bludgeoning, much more than the 38-22 indicates. The Hot Shots were always in control and the Stallions were always, desperately ice skating uphill. Arizona neutralized everything Salt Lake threw at them, and the Hot Shots led by surprise starter John Wolford, comfortably, systematically and surgical tore them a part whenever they felt like. The Hot Shots offensive line handled the rush of the Stallions with ease giving Wolford, what felt like centuries, all the time he needed to carve away. The pass was setup by the consistent running of Jhurrell Pressley and Larry Rose III. That scenario can’t exactly happen due to Larry Kissed by a Rose III being released this week. That shouldn’t really be an issue due to the emergence of Tim I’m not Brandon Cooks and Justin I swear I’m not Dick Stockton shouldering some of the running back duties.
We saw, last week, that the Hot Shots are in fact mortal and if they come out very very very flat, they can possibly be had. Fortunately, the Hot Shots were playing a football team led by Christain Hackenberg. This week, unfortunately, the services of Christain Hackenberg will not be present. This week, the Stallions QB situation is even more of a mess than it was in week 1 where Josh Woodrum and Matt Linehan both played and both played poorly. Their other QB, Austin Allen, is also in play to start against Arizona. It certainly seems that the Stallions are trying to recreate what the Hot Shots did against them when they put John Wolford as the starter over Trevor Knight right before game time. If that’s the Stallions angle, it’s a funny one because to think that the Hot Shots haven’t seen this coming for weeks is laughable.
Remember, the Hot Shots are the ones who dictate terms to everyone else, not the other way around. In lieu of that grip over the competition, I can’t really tell you which one of the Hot Shot’s receivers will be the one that is in Coach Neuheisel’s game plan as being the guy that will be targeted more. Will it be Josh Huff who had his best game of the season last week against the Express with two catches for 86 yards, or will it be old reliable Rashad Ross, who seems to strengthen his rapport with Wolford by the week? Truth is, it doesn’t matter because the answer is that Wolford will hit the open man, who ever it is.
The Stallions running game led by Brandon Oliver, Matt Asiata and relatively unknown Joe Bouagnon had a solid week against the Iron, so look for them to try and control the line of scrimmage. Last week, the Hot Shots had a little bit of trouble containing Zac Stacy and Terrance McGee. But have no fear. Coach Neuheisel surely would of drilled that out of them by doing as many Oklahoma drills as it takes to make them understand that in the AAF, you have to wrap up.
One guy the Hot Shots need to keep their eye on is DL Karter Shult who leads the AAF in sacks with 3. This guy is a player and if left unchecked, can cause problems. I have no doubt that the Hot Shots have watched his tape frontwards and backwards, so I don’t expect him to be anything more than just another guy or a JAG for you football guys out there.
Here’s some Arizona Hot Shots stats to get your engines going…
This game will be determined by DNA. We all saw last week how the Hot Shots started the first 2 and a half quarters. That’s to say that they started well below their standard and it almost cost them. The cream rose and Arizona took care of business when they ultimately had too and defeated the Express just when they though they had them. On the contrary, you might of saw what happened with the Stallions. They were in command, or in as much command as their sorry unit can ever be against the Birmingham Iron, leading the game into the 4th. Then they did the exact opposite of rising cream and sunk like a stone in crunch time losing 12-9 and moving to 0-2. Arizona needs to understand that they are the superior team, but also not wait until the last second, though they could if they want, to put the Stallions away. Finish it quickly and take away all hope. Do that and 3-0 will be our reward and the next leg in the dynasty will be behind us.
So, when the clock strikes 3PM on Saturday, tune into Bleacher Report Live and hook your CPU into your TV, and watch YOUR Arizona Hot Shots dismantle those freaks from Salt Lake this time on their field.
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