Ask any championship caliber coach how he got his team to battle through the playoffs for a title and they usually say something along the lines of "we peaked at the right time." When I discussed the upcoming IFL playoffs with Silverback's coach Pat Miletich (Pictures), he said the same thing about his squad and what it would take for them to get to the finals. He should know, his team peaked at the right time and won the whole thing last year.
It's been smooth sailing for the west coast team until now. Two of their top fighters, Chris Horodecki (Pictures) and Jay Hieron (Pictures), will not be suiting up for the semi-final match. Horodecki broke his hand during his epic June slugfest with Seattle's Shad Lierly and Hieron suffered a recent training injury that will keep him out of action.
With two of their major weapons missing, Coach Shawn Tompkins (Pictures) will have to hope his two substitutes -- lightweight Adam DiSabato and welterweight Chris Clements (Pictures) -- are able to contribute to the IFL's number one seeded team. Anaconda stalwarts Benji Radach (Pictures), Alex Schoenauer (Pictures) and Krzysztof Soszynski (Pictures) will need to take the playoff leadership reigns if Tompkins gang wants to take a crack at the IFL team title.
The only problem with that scenario is that Schoenauer and Soszynski will be facing opponents that beat them in the last L.A.-Quad Cities meeting. With Mike Ciesnolevicz (Pictures) and Ben Rothwell (Pictures) both on their way to the IFL's all-star grand prix later this year, it could be a tough order to fulfill.
Miletich's Silverbacks won't be sending out their starting five either. Ryan McGivern (Pictures) had to bow due to marital plans. With McGivern off getting hitched, Gerald Harris, who was plucked from Matt Lindland (Pictures)'s Portland Wolfpack will take his place on the Quad Cities' roster.
Originally, Miletich wanted to get Robbie Lawler (Pictures) to fill-in but an injury while filming The Ultimate Fighter 5 reality show kept him from entertaining the offer. Harris has one prior IFL fight, a close split-decision loss to Fabio Leopoldo (Pictures), so he's no pushover.
"I told Matt I owe him one to say the least," said Miletich in regards to the philanthropy of Lindland.
The Anacondas coach didn't seem to be phased by the changes in his line-up. To cover the loss of Horodecki and Hieron he's added standout collegiate wrestler Adam DiSabato at lightweight and a heavy handed Chris Clements (Pictures) to face Rory Markham (Pictures) in the welterweight bout.
"We've got Andrew DiSabato who is a fighter that has trained with me before off and on," said a confident Tompkins. "I know of him very well and I'm very comfortable with him taking Chris's [Horodecki] spot at this time."
Tompkins also kept things positive in discussing Clements IFL debut.
"He's 25-2 in professional Thai boxing, he's wrestled for about 16 years and he also holds the fastest knock out in MMA at 3 seconds," explained the Anaconda's coach. "He's a real tough kid and, you know, I think it's a nice time to introduce him into the IFL."
Pat Miletich (Pictures) also weighed in on the lineup changes. The coach of the defending IFL champs lamented the fact that his lightweight would not get a chance to avenge his controversial loss from February while acknowledging the threat the Anaconda's replacements could impose.
"Everyone would have loved to have seen Palaszewski and Horodecki in a rematch, I think the Hieron/Markham fight obviously was going to have incredible fireworks…but the kid [Chris Clements (Pictures)] stepping in for Hieron is very tough, very good stand up fighter and he knows Rory likes to bang so that fight's going to be exciting either way."
While the Anacondas have been cruising along, with all of these changes the wheels very well may fall off. While they may not say it, the Silverbacks have to like the timing of the Anaconda's injury woes. A move from a slight underdog to perhaps a heavy favorite could be in the cards for the two-time champs.
It will still come down to each fight and both coaches know that their future lies in their team's own hands.
"I've put together, once again, one of the best training camps," said Tompkins. "I brought in some really good training partners for them this time. You know I've made an investment in time and finance for this because I don't think anyone can question the Anacondas, we want those rings."
Next week we will look at the second semi-final match up between the Tokyo Sabres and the New York Pitbulls. We will also discuss the pending announcement the IFL's Grand Prix participants.