By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
The Joplin Crusaders visit the Fort Smith-based Arkansas Lions today for a noon non-pro Central Football League game at Mansfield High School.
The early kickoff has Joplin coach Dave Pitts a bit concerned.
“They (Mansfield High School) obviously have something going on (likely at night) at the field,” Pitts said. “We’ll have to leave early, of course, and it probably means that, because of the early start, we’ll be without a few guys because of work.”
The injury bug found the Crusaders on March 27 during their 13-12 victory against the Arkansas Warriors at Decatur High School.
For sure, Pitts said, Gary Joyce, an offensive guard, will miss the game because of a knee injury. His probable replacement is Alex Hunter, Pitts said.
Pitts also said that Joplin quarterbacks Michael Swalley and Jason Byars will miss the contest because of non-injury reasons.
“We’ll probably go with Danny Knighten at quarterback,” Pitts said. “We worked with him all winter at quarterback. He has a tremendous arm.”
Pitts believes the athleticism of Knighten, who’s been a force at returning kicks, will make him a double threat. His ability as a runner will result in open receivers, Pitts said.
“He’s very athletic,” Pitts said. “We’ll run things that will allow him to make plays.”
Joplin, three-time defending CFL champion, will take a 3-0 record and an overall winning streak of 12 into the game after rallying from a 7-0 halftime deficit to beat the Warriors 12-10. The Lions are 0-3.
The remainder of today’s CFL schedule is Enid (3-0) at Kansas Cougars (2-1), Arkansas Golden Eagles (1-2) at Tulsa Knights (2-1) and Arkansas Warriors (1-2) at Springfield Mustangs (0-3).
Joplin will return to Arkansas next week, Pitts noted, with a visit to the Paris-based Golden Eagles.
Sports
April 10, 2010
Crusaders traveling to Arkansas
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Stanton’s homers fuel Marlins’ surge in May
- Five sign to join Missouri Southern women's track team
- Whisner ignites Joplin Miners past Webb City
- Venus Williams joins Serena on sideline in Paris
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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