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01/06/2005: "Thunderbirds begin playoff run"
MFL Playoffs Round 1, Pioneers: Review
Thunderbirds begin playoff run
2005-09-16
The Central Minnesota Thunderbirds will begin their Mid-American Football League championship run on Sunday, when they host the Midwest Pioneers in the opening round.
The Thunderbirds clinched the regular-season title last weekend when they defeated the Twin Cities Titans 41-32 to remain undefeated at 8-0 this season.
But the game wasn't one of the team's best performances.
"I think last week we had a letdown from previous weeks," defensive back Ramon Burroughs said. "After the last game, I think the defense needs to start believing in each other a little more. A couple tweaks here and there and we'll be all right."
Sunday's playoff game matches the top-seeded Thunderbirds with the Pioneers, who have yet to win a game this season. The two teams went head-to-head in early August, with the Thunderbirds coming away with a 37-6 victory. But Coach Chad Baldwin isn't taking the rematch lightly.
"There's a lot of uncertainty in the game," he said.
Baldwin said that because of the Pioneers' 0-8 record, they'll be going all-out with nothing to lose.
"They're not gonna come out and lie down," he said.
For the Thunderbirds, a victory Sunday is of utmost importance as the team tries to remain in the top 10 of the national rankings. The T-Birds are currently No. 8 in the North American Football League power ratings, and fifth in national polls.
Baldwin said that in order to get a solid shot at going to nationals, a team needs to have 10 victories.
"It's very important game," he said. "We absolutely have to win this game. We have to play wide open and we have to win big just like we did in every other game this season."
Burroughs had two interceptions in last week's victory over the Titans. He also had a pair of interceptions the last time the T-Birds battled the Pioneers. Burroughs said he isn't concerned about the team's ability to rebound from last week's mistakes.
"We'll bounce back with no hesitation," he said.
The Thunderbirds will host the Pioneers at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. John's University. The winner will advance to the semifinals of the league playoffs.