The Memphis Showboats Prepare To Take on The San Antonio Brahmas

Coming off an impressive opening weekend victory, the Memphis Showboats next face a tough opponent in the surprisingly red-hot San Antonio Brahmas. Coach John DeFilippo and the Showboats take on a San Antonio team that looked exceptionally strong on both sides of the ball last week. Currently ranked number two in the league, the Brahmas dominated the D.C. Defenders 27-12 with a smothering defensive effort by LB Jordan Williams who led the team with 10 tackles.

Brahmas Head Coach Wade Phillips, who is viewed as one of the finest defensive minds in the NFL, scripted a game plan that held the Defenders out of the endzone. The Defenders’ best scoring opportunity came when Jordan Ta’amu connected on an 8-yard touchdown pass to WR Keke Coutee. But Coach Phillips challenged the call and the TD was subsequently overturned on a personal foul.

Watch Out for Those Trick Plays

Adding to the Defenders misery, San Antonio capitalized on a trick play in the first half, when punter Brad Wing heaved a 40-yard TD pass to center Alex Mollette. Although the TD made all the highlight reels, Phillips later conceded that Mollete was not his original designated receiver. Instead, he credited Wing with the ability to pivot and find the open man.

As the Showboats prepare to host the Brahmas this weekend, the Showboats will have to find a way to contain Quarterback Chase Garbers who made a sterling debut with San Antonio, passing for 158 yards, two TDs, and another rushing touchdown. Anthony McFarland is bound to be a favorite target after making a stunning reception of a 28-yard TD pass.

Threatening Defense

In addition to containing Chase Garbers and Wade Phillips’ penchant for calling trick plays, the Showboats also need to be wary of Brahmas cornerback Darius Phillips who made a crucial interception of Ta’amu last week. Phillips ran it back 88 yards and Garbers scored on the very next play. Coming up with two sacks on Ta’amu, NFL veteran DE Wyatt Ray could be another defensive threat.

After defeating the Houston Roughnecks on the road last weekend, the Showboats are eager to treat their hometown fans to another strong showing. If Coach John DeFilippo can put together the kind of offense the Showboats displayed last week, the Brahmas defense might be in for a long afternoon.

Case Cookus looked terrific in his Showboats debut, eating up the clock and firing off one stunning pass after another to his receivers. The “Chef” did a great job of spreading the ball around and keeping the Renegades’ defense on their toes with his quick release of the ball. Cookus’ spot-on coordination and chemistry with his receiving core made the offense look like a well-oiled machine. If the team employs a similar offensive strategy and the running game led by Darius Victor heats up, the Showboats pose a real threat. In a matchup between two teams eager to start the season off 2-0, this game promises to be quite a battle.  

Sue Levine

Sue Levine spent the past five years creating and producing a successful weekly health and wellness podcast starring a wonderful iconic woman as the program host. As part of Sue's responsibilities, she scripted every episode and discovered a genuine love of writing. When the podcast ended late last year, she shifted the focus of her writing to covering pro sports. A passionate fan of NFL and UFL football as well as fantasy, she is delighted to be able to share her articles with other football fans.

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