03/26/02 LaCrosse Tribune
The La Crosse Night Train are being careful not to overreact to their first setback. After all, the team only held three practices before a 49-18 loss to the Tri-City Diesel on March 16.

That being said, losses are losses. Don't expect some of the current players to be on the roster for the team's next game.

"There will definitely some changes," said Night Train coach John Schimon. "Some of the reserves on offense and defense will be replaced. We need to make room to strengthen up the defensive line."

Schimon will decide exactly who will go and who will stay by Wednesday's practice. For now, though, it looks like most of the starters are safe. Even quarterback Colby Vogt, who threw seven interceptions in the Night Train loss, will get another chance when La Crosse takes on the Lincoln Capitols at 7 p.m. Friday at the La Crosse Center.

"It wasn't all his fault," Schimon said. "It was a combination of things. But the quarterback usually takes most of the blame when things go wrong."

Schimon has been a strong supporter of Vogt, the former Winona State quarterback, from the beginning. But another bad performance from his starter won't go unnoticed - or unpunished.

"He knows he has something to prove," Schimon said. "Not just to me, but to the team. If he has another five-to-seven interception game, we'll be looking for another quarterback."

ODDS AND ENDS: The Night Train will have the services of projected starting running back Doby Howard, who joined the team last week after being on injured reserve for the opener. Schimon said he would not start, but would see playing time. ... Starting fullback Ryan Patin, who cracked his rib before the Tri-City game, will also play this Friday against Lincoln. ... Schimon said he hoped linebacker Darnell Minnieweather, who has been hampered by an "extremely painful" heel injury, will be able to play the entire game Friday. Minnieweather platooned against Tri-City. ...The Night Train will open its practice doors to the public at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. For more information, contact Michael Grego at (608) 782-1212.