Ruff Riders Weekly Update: Learning From A Loss

Heading down to Houston, the Ruff Riders knew that the Stallions were going to be big competition, but they didn't anticipate the kind of defeat they suffered on Sunday Night. I talked to head coach Joe Brannen and asked him what needs to change with this team. He said being able to play on the road. Being 100% mentally prepared and completely focused when they are playing on another team's field.

"We have to have that mindset," says Josh Conner, " Because when we play at home we are very relaxed. We are comfortable, we know the territory and we are  very relaxed, so when we go on the road, stuff like riding on the bus and the long ride there and the long ride back wears out your body.  I think in that game we were let down mentally. We had the physical tools to take care of the job, we just let ourselves down mentally."

 "We know we have to come better prepared. We have to prepare ourselves mentally while we traveling, all the way up to leading to the beginning of the game. Especially taking a long trip like that, we know we have to take care of our bodies and what we need to do. Just get everything together, stay together, and get ready to play." adds Desmond Sanders.

Now it is a lesson that this team is going to have to learn quickly, as their next two games are on the road, including this week's game against the Corpus Christi Hammerheads. A team the Ruff Riders have seen twice already this season.