Cincinnati defensive back Jeff Demary
ERIE, PA – No matter the level of football, defense wins championships. Behind a championship performance, Cincinnati remained unbeaten with the 55-34 victory over Erie Sunday.
Commandos prep for stiffest 2012 challenge
Cincinnati's defensive line will have to apply pressure to Erie quarterback A.J. McKenna. (Tony Tribble Photography)
CINCINNATI – As head coach Billy Back addressed his team prior to a practice this week, he made sure to inform his Cincinnati team that Sunday’s opponent is the best team they have faced in its three-year existence.
The Commandos (4-0) travels to face the 4-1 Erie Explosion in a pivotal North division game. A Cincinnati win will give the Commandos a two-game lead over its chief competitor for the top seed in the North, while also keeping pace with the Florida Tarpons (5-0) for hosting rights to the Ultimate Bowl II, sponsored by Trophy Awards.
Stopping the league’s second best offense comes down to slowing down Erie quarterback A.J. McKenna. He is 3-0 as a starter while bringing an additional aspect to the Explosion offense.
“A.J. McKenna is a freaking athlete,” said head coach Billy Back. “He is a great runner and very efficient passer. A lot of his passes have come with a very little pressure. It’s a testament to his receivers. They have a great group of receivers and his offensive line is solid, from the fullback to the center. I think Bob Hammer is a damn good fullback. Joe Blanks is one of the top offensive linemen in the league.”
McKenna leads the league in passing (275.3 yards per game) and rushing (50 yards per game). He is completing 64.3 percent (63-of-98) for 826 yards, 18 touchdowns and just two interceptions. When you toss in a league-high eight rushing scores, McKenna is also leading the UIFL in scoring.
He has a trio of weapons at his disposal, Tirone Morris, A.J. Harris and Willie Idlette. All three are capable of having huge games if opposing defenses forget about them. Harris is leading the team with 98 yards per game, while Morris has more than half of the team’s touchdown catches with 17.
Getting pressure on McKenna will be a key as Erie has only surrendered nine sacks this season. Conversely, keeping Tyler Sheehan upright will benefit the Cincinnati offense. The Commandos offensive line, which has yet to yield a sack, will have to deal with the league’s leader in sacks.
Erie comes into the game with 29 sacks, including 10.5 from league leader Mike Robinson. He set a new league mark earlier this season with five sacks in one game.
“It’s going to be predicated on what our o-line and d-line does,” said Back. “The defensive backs are going to have to bring kryptonite to stop Superman (Willie Idlette). They have playmakers at receiver, but it’s dependent on who is throwing the ball to you.”
Cincinnati will also be the most prolific team Erie has face this season.
“Do what we do every game,” said Back. “We going to put the ball in Tyler Sheehan’s hands and run our system. Our offense is like a Hurricane, you know its coming – how are you going to stop it. It’s going to come down to which offense stumbles, not necessarily which defense makes a stop.”
The Commandos have spread their touchdowns as they are led by Phillip Barnett, who has nine scores. They have three receivers – Nez Mincy, Brandon Boehm and Mack Ogletree – who all have five touchdowns.
Sheehan brings in the best touchdown to interception ratio in the UIFL with 30 touchdowns against two picks.
Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Louis J. Tullio Arena
Day one of “The OchoCinco Project” featuring Eric Hicks
Eric Hicks chats with quarterback Tyler Sheehan during Tuesday's practice.
CINCINNATI – The first day of “The OchoCinco Project” featuring former Cincinnati Bearcats forward Eric Hicks has come and gone. One thing is for sure, he will be able to make a huge impact for the Cincinnati Commandos in the redzone.
After watching film of last week’s victory over Western Pennsylvania, Hicks joined his teammates on the practice field at D1 Sports Facility. He ran through all of the receiver drills and showed the hands of a power forward attacking a round ball coming off the backboard. Unfortunately, a football isn’t round nor does it carom off of anything.
“You can tell Eric is an athlete, his routes and hands are still there from his high school days and will continue to get better,” said head coach Billy Back. “His physical basketball skills will translate to the football field well, along with his 6’8, 250 pound frame.”
Hicks will play for the Commandos on Saturday, April 28 as Cincinnati takes on rival Marion. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at the historic Cincinnati Gardens. It will be University of Cincinnati night in honor of Hicks suiting up. Tickets for the game will start at $6, while they will have $1 pizzas and $1 beer during Happy Hour.
The Cincinnati Commandos are the longest-tenured professional indoor football team in the city of Cincinnati. All seven home games are played at the historic Cincinnati Gardens. Tickets are currently on sale via TicketMaster or via the Cincinnati Gardens box office, calling (513) 631-7793 or visiting in person at 2250 Seymour Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45212.
Former Bearcat Hicks to play with Commandos
New Cincinnati receiver Eric Hicks
CINCINNATI, OH – Former Cincinnati Bearcats forward Eric Hicks will be leaving the hardwood, temporarily.
Underwood, Mincy bring home UIFL honors
FT. MYERS, FL – The UIFL announced its weekly honor roll today (Monday, April 9), and two Cincinnati Commandos brought home their first awards of the season.
Receiver Kyenes Mincy (Jacobs Center) earned Conquest Cards Offensive Player of the Week, while defensive back E.J. Underwood (Hamilton/Ohio State) picked up All-Star PR Cincinnati Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Mincy led the Commandos with 75 yards on five catches and two touchdowns as Cincinnati posted the 76-20 victory over Western PA. He added three catches for two-point conversions. Defensively, Underwood picked up his first two interceptions of the season. He took the second of his picks back 48 yards for a touchdown.
Cincinnati (4-0) is the lone unbeaten team remaining in the North division, but will face the meat of it schedule with a road game at Erie (4-1) and back-to-back games with Marion (4-1).
The Cincinnati Commandos are the longest-tenured professional indoor football team in the city of Cincinnati. All seven home games are played at the historic Cincinnati Gardens. Tickets are currently on sale via TicketMaster or via the Cincinnati Gardens box office, calling (513) 631-7793 or visiting in person at 2250 Seymour Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45212.
Cincinnati remains unbeaten
Quarterback Tyler Sheehan accounted for six touchdowns, while Demetrius McCray added three.
CINCINNATI, OH – For its final tune-up until they hit the meat of its schedule, Cincinnati dispatched Western Pennsylvania Saturday with the 76-20 victory at the historic Cincinnati Gardens.
Following its upcoming bye week, Cincinnati will travel to Erie (3-1) on April 22 and play back-to-back contests with Marion (4-1). The Commandos will host the Blue Racers on April 28, then travel to Marion on May 5.
Quarterback Tyler Sheehan continued his strong performances, throwing for 175 yards on 12-of-21 passing with five touchdowns and one interception. He was also 7-of-8 passing on two-point conversions.
Receivers Nez Mincy and Mack Ogletree had five catches and two touchdowns apiece for 75 and 71 yards, respectively. Mincy caught three two-point scores, Brandon Boehm two, while Moe Lee and James Frazier each had one.
Cornerback Darren Barnett recorded three interceptions, while E.J. Underwood hauled in two interceptions – taking one back 49 yards for a touchdown. Frazier added a six-yard fumble return for another defensive tally.
Jeff Demary and Tony Longo each recorded six stops to lead Cincinnati, while Harry McCall – in his first game – added five tackles.
Canady earns UIFL honors
FT. MYERS, FL – Cincinnati linebacker Antwone Canady became the second defensive Commandos player to earn honors from the UIFL.
Cutie of the Week: Heidi
Name: Heidi
Hometown: Centerville, OH
Birthday: Sept 15
Degree/Education: BA in Psychology from DePauw University and DDS Indiana University School of Dentistry
Occupation: Dentist
What are you favorite sports to watch and play? I love to watch football, and I love to snow ski!
Who has been your biggest inspiration? My Mom
What is something about you that the fans might not know? I like to make jewelry
Name one place you would like to visit and why? Santorini, Greece because it looks so beautiful in photographs and I hope to see it in person
What is your most memorable experience? The day my daughter was born, and all of her milestones
What makes you laugh? My daughter
What is the most important attribute to a Commando Cutie Dancer? The most important attribute is the ability to put the team first. The ideal Commando Cutie in my mind is a lady with a bright disposition who thinks of what is best for the group.
Best advice to kids? Study hard, set high goals, and brush and floss every day.
Sheehan leads Commandos to 104 points
CINCINNATI– In their first season in the UIFL, the Cincinnati Commandos continue to put an assault on the record books. Tyler Sheehan set a team record and tied a league mark with 10 passing touchdowns as the Commandos racked up more than 100 points in beating Huntington 104-12 Saturday at the Cincinnati Gardens.
The 104 points are new UIFL and Commandos scoring records. The previous Cincinnati record was 84, set in 2011 against Indianapolis, while the old UIFL record was set Friday as Erie racked up 88 against Western Pennsylvania.
Sheehan was efficient in leading the Commandos to the victory as he completed just 14 passes to reach his double figure scoring total. Each of the four active receivers caught touchdowns from Sheehan. Phillip Barnett, who caught the final touchdown, finished with six catches for 86 yards and four touchdowns. In his first extended action at receiver, Mack Ogletree hauled in four passes for a team-high 89 yards and three scores.
Cincinnati’s offense wasn’t alone in finding the end zone as defensive lineman James Frazier scored twice, recovering fumbles in the end zone. Newly acquired linebacker Antwone Canady made his presence felt with a team-high 10 tackles to go along with a fumble recovery for touchdown. Santino Turnbow added 10 stops and two interceptions.
Defensive linemen James Spikes, Thomas Claggett and Frazier were primarily responsible for holding Huntington to negative 72 yards rushing. The trio registered eight of the team’s nine sacks.
Huntington was able to get on the board in the third quarter in an unusual fashion. Turnbow fumbled his first interception and Huntington lineman Bob Reiter fell on it in the end zone. The scored the traditional route in the fourth quarter as Jason Marshall connected on a 30-yard touchdown to Johnston.
The Commandos added four touchdowns in the final eight minutes to secure the triple digit total.
After its second bye in three weeks, Cincinnati returns to the historic Cincinnati Gardens to face the Western Pennsylvania Sting 7:30 p.m. April 7.
The Cincinnati Commandos are the longest-tenured professional indoor football team in the city of Cincinnati. All seven home games are played at the historic Cincinnati Gardens. Tickets are currently on sale via TicketMaster or via the Cincinnati Gardens box office, calling (513) 631-7793 or visiting in person at 2250 Seymour Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45212.
Cincinnati offers contract to Lance McAlister
CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Commandos professional football team has extended an one-game contract offer to local radio host Lance McAlister.
McAlister can be heard on ESPN 1530 and 700 WLW, and usually has the pulse of the Cincinnati athletics. He would suit of for the team’s game on May 12 against the Rome Rampage should he accept.
The plan is for McAlister to play in a variety of roles for the team, including the kickoff team and possibly the punter (NOTE: Indoor football rules don’t allow for punting). The May date would allow for McAlister to attend the team’s practices and get acclimated to the playbook.
In addition to a roster spot, the contract allows for his son, Casey, to be a team captain for the game.
The Cincinnati Commandos are the longest-tenured professional indoor football team in the city of Cincinnati. All seven home games are played at the historic Cincinnati Gardens. Tickets are currently on sale via TicketMaster or via the Cincinnati Gardens box office, calling (513) 631-7793 or visiting in person at 2250 Seymour Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45212.
