Cavalry offensive line remains "relentless" after loss

By DAVID BUCK
Star-Tribune staff writer

It's a good thing for the Wyoming Cavalry that Ray Gilmore is comfortable around guys from Chadron State College.

Gilmore, the Cavalry's center, is surrounded by ex-Chadron State players. Quarterback Matt Strand, right tackle Robby Klinetobe and left tackle Chase Olsen all played college football for the Eagles.

Olsen has a torn meniscus in his right knee and has missed the past three games, including Friday's late game against Utah. With Olsen out, John Strand, Matt's younger brother and another former Chadron State player, is filling in.

"One thing I like about Chadron guys is they are fearless," Gilmore said. "That's what I like about them. They are relentless and never give up. They play to the whistle every play and that makes it fun."

That fearlessness helped the Cavs to a 9-0 start before last week's loss to Arizona. Statistically, the line is one of the best in the American Indoor Football Association, allowing just five sacks in 10 games. Arizona leads the league with one sack allowed entering this weekend's games.

"You've got to have a great offensive line or you don't have anything," Wyoming coach Dan Maciejczak said.

Up until last week, the Cavs had everything.

Last week, however, the offensive line faltered for the first time in the loss to Arizona. Even though the line didn't give up a sack, Matt Strand was under pressure most of the game.

"The pressure on our quarterback, I don't think it killed us, but it was part of the contributing factor to our offense kind of spitting and sputtering instead of flowing nicely like it always does," Maciejczak said.

The spitting and sputtering was caused in part by a combination of John Strand playing his first indoor football game and pressure from the Adrenaline's defense. It was also Strand's first game since December.

Gilmore and Klinetobe said adjusting to a new lineman is tough. The line must work as a unit, and trust and chemistry are big factors. Gilmore was used to Olsen's steps and he could predict the left tackle's moves, but Gilmore doesn't yet have that comfort level with Strand. Klinetobe, who played alongside Strand in college, didn't have as much of an adjustment.

Also factoring into the o-line's difficulties last week was that the transition from outdoor football to indoor football takes time.

"As far as college, you have five guys, you have help here and there and it's a wide field," Gilmore said. "Arena, everything is shorter, so the edges are quicker. You are by yourself, you are one-on-one most of the time. I think that is a big aspect to get used to."

Olsen, who is getting his knee scoped on June 16, could be out for a few weeks or the rest of the season.

Whether Olsen comes back or not, Wyoming is taking steps to make sure Strand and the rest of the offensive line become a cohesive unit. Strand isn't able to make it to Casper for practice, so the offensive and defensive lines are bringing practice to him.

The Cavs' lines will go to Chadron, Neb., on Tuesday to practice with Strand.

"I was really kind of surprised," Strand said. "That's a long way to come for practice. They want to do good and any work they can do to get better, they will try to do it because they want to improve and get those wins."

Maciejczak said it was nothing more than teammates helping teammates.

"The work is going to go both ways," Maciejczak said. "John needs work, our d-line needs work, and so does our offense, and the way to get it is for us to drive over there, so we'll get it done."

Contact sports reporter David Buck at (307) 266-0596 or david.buck@trib.com.

Cavalry Tracker

FRIDAY: Wyoming 42, Utah Saints 41

RECORDS: Saints (1-10); Cavalry (10-1)

CHADRON SHUFFLE: The Cavalry's offensive line includes Robby Klinetobe and Chase Olsen from Chadron State College. When Olsen went down with a knee injury he was replaced by John Strand, another former Chadron State player.

ROAD PRACTICE: Strand can't make it to Casper for practice, so the Cavs are bringing practice to him in Chadron, Neb., starting this Tuesday.

HE SAID IT: "One thing I like about Chadron guys is they are fearless. That's what I like about them. They are relentless and never give up. They play to the whistle every play and that makes it fun." n- Wyoming center Ray Gilmore.