ROCKY MOUNTAIN FOOTBALL LEAGUE GAME PREVIEW CAPSULE
Utah Cobras (0-0, 0-0) at Zion Lions (1-0, 0-0)
Tonight, 7 p.m., at the Sunbowl, St. George
Previous Meeting: Dixie Rebels (Lions) 34, Utah Cobras 6 (May 31, 2014 — The Rebels turn the ball over five times, but outgain the Cobras 370-220 yards in dominant win to go 7-0 last season.)
LIONS
Head Coach: Dale Stott (1-0) (9-2 overall)
Offense: Multiple
Defense: Pro 4-3, Nickel
Last Game: Beat the Vegas Hawks 62-6 (March 21, 2015 )
Players to watch: Offensively, the Lions are led by quarterback Misiovala Tupe. He is joined in the backfield by former RMFL rushing champion Sione Tapuosi at fullback but lost starting tailback Rimo Mapu last week to injury. The team is hoping to have former NFL running back Fahu Tahi to replace him this week. Tahi missed the first game due to illness. Receivers Tanner Wood and Dalton Groskreutz impressed last week. Finau Lomu and Ryne Wall showed superior return skills. The defense is led by Vince Feula. The linebackers return Andrew Misa and will have the Katoa brothers from Pine View, Isaac and Thor, on the outside. The secondary has Hurricane alum Trey Smith at cornerback and Wall at safety.
Trend: Last week was almost boring, with the Lions’ dominance and the slow down of the game with injuries and clock issues. The Lions looked in mid-season form with the offense and the defense looked like it took no time off from last season. Tupe has new weapons and used them. The more they play together, the scarier they will become.
COBRAS
Coach: Cameron Comer (0-0) (4-5)
Offense: Multiple, mainly wildcat, spread
Defense: 4-3
Last Game: Lost to Utah Shock 31-20 in first round of RMFL playoffs (June 21, 2014).
Players to watch: The Cobra offense is led by quarterback Ty Talbot (546 yards passing, 525 yards rushing). Hans Hatchett also saw action at QB in passing situations. The leading receivers are Preston Hadley (22 catches) and Illiott Alexander (13 catches). The defense is led by safety Matt Birrenkott (40 tackles), linebackers Cole Clark (30 tackles, 6 sacks) and Jeremy Covington (34 tackles)and defensive end Ryan Jensen.
GAME OUTLOOK
The Cobras finished 4-4 last year in the tougher Utah South Division. They play well, but lack the size and speed to match-up with the elite teams in the league. This is their first game while the Lions have one under their belt. Hopefully the clock issues have been worked out, but expect the Lions to win easily. It probably won’t be the cakewalk they had last week.
Prediction: Lions 35, Cobras 7
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @oldschoolag
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.