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| Sports ExtraSaturday, June 28, 2008 8:30 PM CDT |
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Bevis top player for indoor football, 'nucleus' of Extreme
BLOOMINGTON -- Ken Stills knew Joe Bevis was a franchise-type linebacker. The first-year RiverCity Rage coach had so much confidence in Bevis’ raw ability that he ultimately decided he would be the entire linebacker corps. “I don’t even have a backup linebacker,” Stills said. Bevis is that special. Lacking the size and strength that epitomize the physical makeup of a middle linebacker, Bevis’ heart and dedication have turned the former University of Illinois product into one of United Indoor Football’s top players. After rededicating himself to the game last offseason, Bevis has reaped the rewards by earning the UIF Defensive Player of the Year award and helping his team advance to Monday’s Eastern Conference championship game against the Bloomington Extreme. “When I first took over the team, I knew he was the nucleus,” Stills said. In 2007, Bevis put up solid defensive numbers, totaling 76½ tackles and 4½ sacks despite missing two games with a sprained ankle. The nagging injury forced Bevis to alter his offseason regimen. “I took my offseason a lot more serious,” Bevis said. “I was in the weight room four or five times a week.” Bevis dropped 15 pounds off his 5-foot-11 frame, making him more agile and mobile. “It’s definitely helped,” Bevis said off dropping his weight to 225 pounds. “I’m able to get sideline to sideline better.” His personal performances have proved it. This season, Bevis has league-leading 119½ stops with eight sacks. His tackle total is the third highest in UIF history. “The guy plays hard,” said Extreme coach Kenton Carr, whose team will face Bevis for the fourth time this season Monday at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. “He brings it each and every play. He’s not real big but he’ll take on anybody and sometimes he’ll get punished. But the guy doesn’t stop.” Bevis has displayed that grittiness since his college days. A four-time letterwinner who started 19 times at Illinois from 2000-03, Bevis was described by former college teammate and current Extreme kicker Peter Christofilakos as “a little crazy.” “When he plays, he plays with a passion that a lot of people don’t have,” Christofilakos said. “You got to love a guy like that on your team.” The desire displayed by Bevis has caused havoc all season. In all but three games, Bevis recorded at least six tackles, including a season-high 14 stops in a win over Omaha in Week 3. His knack for making plays and deciphering an offense allows him to have free reign. “He makes the calls on the field,” Stills said. “He’s a coach on the field.” Christofilakos attributes that to Bevis’ terrific football instincts. “He’s very talented, very skillful and has a good head on his shoulders,” Christofilakos said. That makes Bevis such a coveted player. “I’d love to have a Joe Bevis,” Carr said. “He’s just a guy you want to have.” Rage at ExtremeWhat: UIF Eastern Conference championship game When: 7:05 p.m., Monday Where: U.S. Cellular Coliseum Records: RiverCity 7-8, Bloomington 7-7 Radio: WTRX-FM (93.7) E-mail this story | Print this story | Search archives | RSS Show comments |  Hide comments | Hide comments on all stories |
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