Thunder's Only Concern Saturday A Victory

SAN ANGELO, Tex. (May 16, 2008) -- If you came to the Frisco Thunder's web site looking for a discussion about facing the team's former coach and leading wide receiver, click on the link to www.SanAngeloStampede.com and see if they're talking about it. We're not.

The Thunder's priority Saturday is snapping a two-game losing streak, regain some focus and swagger, and remain healthy as the push to the Intense Football League post-season continues.

Frisco (5-4) travels to San Angelo (1-7) in a three-way battle for third place in the IFL standings. The Thunder is also looking for its first road victory on this unique seven-game road swing caused by renovations to the Dr Pepper StarCenter.

Yes, San Angelo is now coached by Jon Loudermilk, who led the Thunder to an inaugural season playoff berth and features Antwuan Courington, who torched IFL defenses for 1,137 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2007.

However, it wouldn't matter if Wade Phillips and T.O. were on the other side of the ball as far as Frisco head coach Troy Esprit is concerned.

``If we take care of business on the field, then everything else takes care of itself off the field,''Esprit said. ``It's a big ball game for us and we have to focus on what we need to do to get a victory.''

The Thunder enters Saturday's game in a bit of an offensive slump, averaging just 33 points in the past two games. Last Saturday's 25 point output against CenTex was the lowest in franchise history. The defense played well, allowing just a first-half first field goal and registering five sacks before the Barracudas eventually pulled away for a 41-25 victory.

``We're playing fairly well on defense, we just need to get a rhythm back on offense,'' Esprit said.

The offense will have to do that without leading receiver Richard Morris, out with an injury.

``I want to keep Richard healthy for the playoff run,'' Esprit. ``Jason Deml is capable of stepping up to be the lead receiving and I've been pleased with Daron Lawrence's play the past two games. We're a bang-upped football team right now, but injuries are part of the game.''

Frisco defeated San Angelo 63-44 in the season opener March 1, but that means little.

``You can't take any team or any game for granted,'' Esprit said. ``We're going to San Angelo intent on getting back on track and playing Frisco Thunder football."

Game time is 7 p.m. CST. Fans can listen live or purchase a video webcast on the Thunder's www.friscothunderifl.com web site or view the live blog on frisco-online.com