by Cover photo credit to MisterLos Tee
The (1-3) Columbus Aviators look to stay hot as they travel to the (1-3) Houston Gamblers this weekend. Columbus is coming off a huge 28-14 win at home over the previously unbeaten Dallas Renegades who were seen as the leagues best team. This could be the chance for the Aviators to begin a run as they follow this game with a home tilt against the struggling Birmingham Stallions.
One of the biggest reasons for success against Dallas was the dominance in the running game as they went for over 200 plus yards on the ground. Surprisingly, their leading rusher through 4 games is their quarterback Jalan McClendon. Coach Ginn spoke about the options a running quarterback can give you, “It helps out to have a dual threat back there while he is going through his reads and seeing what the defense is going to do. It is one of the best kind of duel threats you can have. He is a pocket passer, but can also be a running quarterback as well. “
Quarterback Jalan McClendon was quick to give credit to his backs who had a big game and explain how that helps everything they do on offense, “It helps tremendously, if you’re able to run the ball, it makes winning the game easier on any level, no matter who it is you are fighting. The whole team takes pride in it and we just want to go out there and win. “
The key to the win over Dallas was their ability to manage the clock late and put together a nearly 10 minute long, 97 yard touchdown drive to put the game away late. Ginn touched on the confidence this gives his team moving forward that they could put together a drive such as that in a key moment, “It gives us a lot of confidence and shows how unselfish this team is. We all dialed in to make whatever work for us, that includes the defense. Again, the wideouts may have had 2 targets each, but we got the job done being unselfish.”
Ginn went on to say what it will take to defeat the Gamblers this weekend, “Fight, we need to come out and fight. That is just what football is about, playing sound and don’t get beat before the snap. Once we get that all under control, we can get into who we are.”
As they travel to Houston, quarterback Jalan McClendon knows this Gambler squad very well from his time there. He was there last year when the squad was 1-3 before rattling off some wins to get in the playoff picture, so he is no stranger this this situation. He touches on what it will take to defeat the Gamblers and what momentum can do to help the team, “we need to have the same mindset and not concern ourselves with the record of either team. That is my mindset, I’m a competitor and just trying to win. The opponent is faceless to me. This is just the next game for us. “
This game will take place Sunday on FOX. Kickoff is set for 12pm.
