Moore wants more for Diesel

03/15/02 Kearney Cyberhub
KEARNEY — Jimmy Moore was one of the best cornerbacks in the National Indoor Football League last season.

This season he wants the Tri-City Diesel to be one of the best teams in the league.

"I want a championship this season," he said. "I want us to get into the playoffs and do something once we get there."

The Diesel finished with a 6-8 record last season and failed to make the playoffs, but Moore's efforts didn't go unnoticed around the NIFL.

The 190-pound Doane graduate was voted to the NIFL's first-team all-star team after grabbing 10 interceptions — four of which came in a 28-21 late-season win over Sioux City — and establishing himself as one of the league's most dangerous return men.

Moore averaged 21 yards per kick return and helped boost the Diesel's mediocre offense by returning three kickoffs for touchdowns. Two of Moore's three scoring returns were taken eight yards deep in the end zone.

His blend of speed and elusiveness made him a crowd favorite at the Tri-City Arena.

Moore said he's looking to supply more of the same this season.

"I have to come prepared to play every game like I did last year," he said. "But I think I can get that done. My goal is to be a second-year all-star."

Moore readily admits that he wants to move on to a higher level of competition, and pursuit of that goal starts Saturday when the Diesel play host to division rival La Crosse.

"I'm hoping to move up at the end of this season," he said. "But if I don't, I'll still be happy as long as we get a championship.

"We don't know a lot about this team, but we are confident. As long as we play like we are supposed to play it's a win."

The Diesel took four days off from practice last week, but Moore said things are starting fall into place on both sides of the ball.

Tri-City returns 13 players from last year's squad, but Moore said the influx of new talent would make the team much more effective than it was during its inaugural campaign.

"The offense looks a lot better than last year," Moore said. "Between the returning players we have and three new quarterbacks, we should be able to score on a consistent basis.

"We would be ready if the game was today. I think everybody is excited to get out there and show what they can do."