I never knew his name was Lavonya

(Note: This is a couple of days old, sorry 'bout that. I did give some consideration to going to this game, I've never attended an arena football game in person. I did something equally time-consuming, though, worked on this blog )


Despite having a former Dallas Cowboys quarterback in the starting lineup, the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings aren't expecting a warm welcome tonight in the Amarillo Civic Center.

"We've been Googled," said a re-energized Battle Wings coach Jon Norris on Monday after his coach's show. "They've Googled me, they've Googled Quincy, they've Googled everybody on our team to find out as much as they can about us.

"They'll be wanting to get under our skin. They Google because there's nothing much else to do in Amarillo."

Norris, of course, was referring to the Internet search engine that allows you find out everything from how to raise peaches to how to build a fertilizer bomb.

Google up Battle Wings quarterback Quincy Carter and you find out first that his given name is Lavonya Quintelle "Quincy" Carter. On his first game back two weeks ago after a four-game layoff, Carter threw for a franchise record eight touchdown passes in an 81-35 victory.

If the Dusters want to make fun of Carter's name, they might want to think again. Carter's not a guy that you want to provide with additional motivation.

Google up defensive end Elex Reed and you find out that he played collegiately at Mary Hardin-Baylor. Ohio State, USC or Oklahoma it ain't and Mary Hardin won't strike fear in opposing offensive linemen.

But if the Dusters plan on making fun of Reed's soon-to-be alma mater, they can expect the same wrath that other af2 teams have come to dread. Reed has a wide lead in the 30-team af2 in sacks (15.5) and tackles for a loss (20.5).

Google up Jon Norris and you find out about a guy who is a graphic designer, artist, photographer, sculptor, and musician. There's another "Jon Norris" who has reviewed 61 items, including some Target shelving, on Amazon.com. Neither of those Norris guys coach the Battle Wings.

For harassment purposes, the latter Jon Norris is listed on the ArenaFan Web site as a 6-foot-3, 260-pound lineman, who played at American International and then played in the AFL for several seasons. There wasn't much else found to gig the guy who has turned the Battle Wings from a cellar dweller to a title contender in one short year.

With the Battle Wings on a roll and standing just a gnat's hair away from clinching the first playoff game in franchise history, the Amarillo Dusters would be well-advised to keep their Google razzing to a minimum.

FOND MEMORIES: The game at Amarillo will be a homecoming of sorts for Norris and for offensive coordinator Jon Lyles. Norris coached Lyles at Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Okla., located just a short drive from Amarillo.

"Amarillo had the closest mall for my wife to drive to," Norris said. "In Goodwell, we had a 26-mile drive to get a carton of milk. We hope there'll be a crowd driving down to watch us coach."
While at Panhandle State, Norris led the first-year NCAA Division II school to its inaugural victories over NCAA Division I-AA and Division II opponents. Lyles was the assistant head coach for the Dusters during their championship run in the IPFL.

QUINCY TIME: What did Quincy Carter do during the team's recent bye week?
"I stayed around here working and hanging out," said Carter, who was busy selling ArenaCup tickets on Tuesday afternoon.

NINJA'S RETURN: Several Battle Wings players will also be returning to a homey site tonight. Linemen Nick Codutti, Greg Hodges and Kert Turner, along with Kendrick Walker, previously played for the Dusters.

Turner, one of Norris' offensive line "ninja's," was a late-season offensive line pickup for the Wings and has been instrumental in filling in for injured players. Walker was on pace to be one of the top defensive backs in the af2 until he was sidelined with an injury. He could return in the next couple of weeks.

AMARILLO BY MORNING: The Battle Wings departed the CenturyTel Center about 11 p.m. on Wednesday for the nine-plus hour drive on a sleeper bus to Amarillo for today's 7:30 p.m. contest.

"We'll wake up in Amarillo, get some breakfast, then go about our regular routine," Norris said.