On Wednesday, with the Houston Roughnecks heading into their first UFL game with a wealth of quarterback talent beyond their already announced starter of Jarrett Guarantano, head coach Curtis Johnson remarked that they had not yet made a decision whether their number two pivot would be Reid Sinnett or Nolan Henderson.
“They’re still battling it out a little bit. I like both of them,” Johnson said. “You’re looking at two different players. One with a run option (Henderson), and then you’re looking at a guy who’s extremely accurate, smart in their experience (Sinnett). We’ll make the decision, probably Friday.”
Coach Johnson was also quick to respond to questions about running back Mark Thompson, who had been injured in training camp, saying, “He was good today, so I don’t know as that was limited exposure. He looked pretty decent today as he was out there running around doing his thing.”
Coach Johnson is clearly fired up for this weekend’s game as he led off his words with a hearty, “Let’s go! Let’s go!”
“Here’s the deal,” Johnson explained. “You never get a chance to do the first – It’s the first weekend in the league, the first in a new league.”
Johnson’s game plan against the Showboats is simple.
“We have to run the football. We can’t turn the ball over and have penalties. And if we can do that, that’ll give us a chance to play. We have to hit on some big plays. We’re going to take some shots down field. If we can do those things, I think we’ll be alright… and stop them from running the ball. Our defensive front has to dominate in this game.”
In the days remaining before the upcoming game, coach Johnson plans to keep working on plays for third down, two minute drill and red zone. On Saturday they board a bus to Houston and look forward to meeting seeing their home field and meeting fans at a scheduled pep rally in their host city.
“I’m excited about that,” Johnson said.
After that, the team will have one last meeting and then be ready to play the game on Sunday.
The Roughnecks will meet the Memphis Showboats on Sunday, March 31 at 2 p.m. at Rice Stadium, 6100 Main St., Houston, Texas. Stadium Entry Gates Open at 2:30 p.m. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. (All times local).
