Wranglers Prepare for the Storm

The Wranglers (3-5) take on division rivals the Tampa Bay Storm (2-6) 3pm Sunday at the Frank Erwin Center. Starting in 1987 as the Pittsburgh Gladiators, the Storm are the oldest franchise in the modern Arena Football League, making a total of eight Arena Bowl trips under the two team names and winning the damn thing five times as the Storm. Coach Tim Marcum is the most successful in AFL history, with seven bowl wins. The Storm is also ahead in series history, 4-2, between the teams. This season, though, illustrious history or whatever probably won't be as much of a factor as TB's quarterback injuries.

After losing QBs John Kaleo and Stoney Case in back-to-back games, the Storm is left with two rookies behind center. Brett Dietz gets his first AFL start this week, and B.J. Symons from my alma mater Texas Tech (Whoo! Whooooo!) will suit up for his first game in the league. Wrangler QB Adrian McPherson, in contrast, is just starting to realize his sweetass potential. The Storm rank second in rushing touchdowns this season, but the Wranglers only allow 15.4 yards a game on the ground. Reminds me of the time I asked my ninth grade science teacher, Mr. Sharp, what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. "Jeremy," he said,"why don't you just sit quietly and wait for your meds to kick in." That's good advice anytime. For more on the Austin Wranglers check out this week's sports feature, "Arena Rock." For tickets to Sunday's game, go to the Austin Wranglers Web site.