North Texas Crunch

[MUDBUG1]

This should answer a few questions.
Crunch Headed to SIFL
The North Texas Crunch have been invited to participate in the remainder of the Southern Indoor Football Leagues 2009 season as a travel team. Head Coach Larry Hendrix Jr. and IIFA commissioner Juan G. Wesson accepted the invitation and will revise the Crunchs currently schedule to allow them to play four games beginning in June. ``Its an incredible opportunity, Hendrix said. ``Our players are going to go against a higher level of play and gain invaluable experience. You can't ask for anything more as a coach.

Several former IIFA players are now in the SIFL, which includes the Louisiana Swashbucklers, Austin Turfcats, Houma Conquerors, Texas Pirates and Acadiana Mudbugs. The SIFL is in its first year of play.

The opening became available when the SIFL expelled the Florida Kings over Memorial Day weekend. The Crunch won the IIFA championship last season and currently lead the league with a 4-0 record.


This is from the IIFA Crunch website http://www.crunchfootball.net/



6/06/09 Crunch @ Turfcats

6/13/09 Crunch @ Pirates

6/20/09 Crunch @ Mudbugs

6/27/09 Crunch @ Conquerors

[Caballo Diablo]

DAN, IS THAT YOU ??

You had better hope Mr PSAM Coleman doesn't see this leak of information before the official SIFL press release is put out tomorrow!

[MUDBUG1]

this is not dan. just a stat guy with the team. I wouldnt want the Spasm guy to get upset either. Didnt mean to steal the SIFL's thunder, just saw the brief on the crunch website. Sounds like it would be good for the league AND future expansion.

[kadamsbeat]

Dont be surprised if the Crunch don't knock off an SIFL team. Something the Kings were obviously not in danger of doing.

[Caballo Diablo]

I wouldnt want the Spasm guy to get upset
Ba-Dump-Tsss

haha, I like that one

[Caballo Diablo]

North Texas Crunch Replaces Kings on Turfcats Schedule

Austin, TX – The Turfcats’ next home game will not be against the PASM Florida Kings but will instead be against the North Texas Crunch. This comes after the announcement from the Southern Indoor Football League that the Kings have been expelled from the league and the Crunch will play the rest of the Kings’ SIFL games.

The Crunch is part of the Independent Indoor Football Alliance. They completed their first season in the IIFA in 2008 with a record of eight wins and three losses. This led to their participation in the IIFA championship game where they defeated the Galveston Thunderstorm 52-50 in Galveston.

“The Crunch have proven themselves as the top team in their league and we are happy to compete against them in ours, they will be a more formidable foe than the Kings” said Turfcats Vice President/General Manager Ronald Oswalt. “We’re ready to give them a Turfcats style welcome to the SIFL.”

The Crunch began their 2009 season on April 11 and has won all four of their games this season. They have won their games by as little as two points and as many as 55.

The Turfcats will host the Crunch first on April 6 at the Adfirmative.com field at the Travis County Expo Center. With the Crunch now participating in the SIFL, the Turfcats have two Texas teams to beat to be considered the best indoor football team in Texas.

[Caballo Diablo]

Props to the league for this.

It's been a difficult situation all around from day one. The original team postponed joining the league until next year due to a serious illness that couldn't be forseen and was not caused by the league or the team.

The SIFL replaced them at the last minute with a team scheduled to join the league next season (Kings) to fill out the season ticket packages already sold. This was a good effort by the league and the Kings management.

When this went awry after only playing one the league once again was quick to react and resolved the sched openings.

The SIFL hasn't hid from any of the problems, but instead has stayed focused on the longterm goals and well being of the League. Although the Crunch are from what most would call a lower level league than the SIFL, they are still a better opponent than the Kings. The Kings were thrown together quickly and had never played before. The Crunch are the defending Champs of their league and undefeated this season. Good thing Houma gets to see some tape on them before they have to play them - lol

[kadamsbeat]

I happen to love the logo too, its nice to see a team that has some background in actually running a team. I wouldn't mind seeing these guys next year on a permanent type of basis. They actually fit the "footprint" of the SIFL.

[Caballo Diablo]

I happen to love the logo too, its nice to see a team that has some background in actually running a team.
It looks the the Logo for the AFL's Grand Rapid Rampage, only there's is red.


I wouldn't mind seeing these guys next year on a permanent type of basis. They actually fit the "footprint" of the SIFL.
Discussions are underway;)

[Independent]

Hello everyone This Larry Hendrix Owner of the North Texas Crunch. First I would like to think the SIFL for the change to complete and show case our team. We will show professionalism and repersent the SIFL with the up most respect. We (the Crunch) have history with a number a people in the SIFL.

Mudbugs: Coach Fourcade when he was with the Wild last years putted up four of our players: Josh Sooter now with Austin, Chamon Clark now with the Battlewings AF2, Aaron Skogsberg not playing this year because of his job, hell he's making 160k a year and Donta Jones not playing this year

Texas Pirates: Coach Spree coached the Frisco Thunder last year which we scrimmage at the being of the 2008 season

Austin Turfcats; Have Met McHenry and Josh Sooter which played for last year.

Houma Conquarors; Long reach but myself and my OC (Rodric Boatman) played against them when they where the Bucks (we played for the Oklahoma Crude)

SIFL: Dan Ryan was with the Frisco Thunder also.

[Caballo Diablo]

Welcome aboard Mr Hendrix, I'm hoping this could turn into a longterm rivalry.

[kadamsbeat]

Well the SIFL fans thank you for jumping in an saving what could have been a devastating situation. Glad to get to see you, I am sorry I didnt get to see you play the Swashbucklers now.

[Caballo Diablo]

I am sorry I didnt get to see you play the Swashbucklers now.

Yeah, so are the fans of the other teams :mad:

I feel the Crunch would spank the Kings. The `Bucs were the only ones permitted to play the Florida Rec League female peewee division team.

What happens if at the end of the season it all comes down to a tie breaker and it's decided by the 81-0 game? If you think the POW poll is unfair it seems like you would also disagree with this happening.

[mwhite212]

I'm just curious...where is the Crunch's home venue right now. I live in Plano and it would be great to have an SIFL team nearby. That would be pretty cool to see an entire IIFA team "graduate" as it were to the SIFL.

[Indoorfootballguy]

If the Crunch are a full member of the SIFL next season I hope they find an Arena to play there home games in instead of a practice field. I hope the Pirates owners move the team to an Arena also, if they are back next season.

[mwhite212]

Oh, I forgot to say this. My compliments to the SIFL for dealing with the situation so swiftly. Of course, this sounds like you may have had doubts about the Kings in the first place and probably had a back-up plan. But kudos to you none-the-less.

[expressfb]

I'm just curious...where is the Crunch's home venue right now. I live in Plano and it would be great to have an SIFL team nearby. That would be pretty cool to see an entire IIFA team "graduate" as it were to the SIFL.



The Crunch's home venue is the Blue Sky Arena in the Colony, Tx. They play the Smash this Saturday at 10 am. There will be one other IIFA league game, also. Sorry guys, I know this is an SIFL forum.

[Caballo Diablo]

Sorry guys, I know this is an SIFL forum.
No problem, thanks for the info.
We need to do some some scouting. ;)

[expressfb]

No problem, thanks for the info.
We need to do some some scouting. ;)


You already have at least two of our original guys that we moved up and out earlier this year. I believe Clardy and McHenry are still there. good guys and players.

[mwhite212]

That's cool. It's probably less than 30 minutes from my house. So can you just show up and pay for a ticket? I might check them out tomorrow morning.

[phydeaux72]

The Crunch's home venue is the Blue Sky Arena in the Colony, Tx. They play the Smash this Saturday at 10 am. There will be one other IIFA league game, also. Sorry guys, I know this is an SIFL forum.

Blue Sky Sports Center; I wouldn't exactly call it an arena. It's a large rec center at best. From what I can tell from the photos, the sidewalls extend from wall-to-wall. And the only seating I've been able to see is one small set of bleachers by one of the endzone walls. If anything, I would compare it to the soccer facility that the Texas Pirates play at.

Check out their website: http://www.blueskysportscenter.com/colony/index.html

[expressfb]

Sorry guys, but I just ca't let this one go. Evertime someone gets on a board and starts talking IIFA, Phydeaux has to get on and be negative. For future reference and all to understand..... Phydeaux has been "attempted" to be contacted by Larry Hendrix (the owner of the Crunch) at least half a dozen times about playing a pre - post - or during season game or scrimmage against any one of his IFL teams. no return. no return.
lhendrix@crunchfootball.net
or you can PM him at IFF website under "drugbust" or our sports central at "independent". I would give you his cell # but we know you already have it. getcha sum.

[agqkindaguy]

:eek: WHat a JOKE this league!

[phydeaux72]

Sorry guys, but I just ca't let this one go. Evertime someone gets on a board and starts talking IIFA, Phydeaux has to get on and be negative. For future reference and all to understand..... Phydeaux has been "attempted" to be contacted by Larry Hendrix (the owner of the Crunch) at least half a dozen times about playing a pre - post - or during season game or scrimmage against any one of his IFL teams. no return. no return.
lhendrix@crunchfootball.net
or you can PM him at IFF website under "drugbust" or our sports central at "independent". I would give you his cell # but we know you already have it. getcha sum.

If sharing information about a venue is what you consider being negative, then you need to stop being so sensitive. Larry Hendrix (at least I think it was him) contacted me one time, I repeat ONE time, via private message over on the IFF message board about playing a scrimmage against Abilene and I responded telling him that he would have to contact either the head coach or GM about setting something like that up. Larry has NEVER personally contacted me by phone or email. And if Larry, or anyone else for that matter, ever wishes to contact me directly, or anyone else on my staff, our cell phone numbers and email addresses can be found on any of the websites listed below.

[Caballo Diablo]

:eek: WHat a JOKE this league!

Thank's for your input, we'll take it under advisement at the next Board of Directors meeting.

We can go through a list of items that could be considered a joke for whatever league you'd like to throw out. When you find the perfect one that has never experienced some problems let me know so I can watch them also.

[holyfire92]

I'm not so sure what it matters where the Crunch have their home venue since they are a travel team in the SIFL and will not play a game at their home venue, but let's look at the reality here. The IIFA is not attempting to compete with the SIFL, IFL or any bigger leagues, it's a developmental league that plays in small venues in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area. However, the level of play that the Crunch is coming out of is higher than outsiders know. As has been said, do not be surprised if the Crunch knock off a team or two in the SIFL. I also hope that some more attention is given to the IIFA from the Crunch playing in the SIFL, there are good players in the IIFA that could help teams in larger leagues.

[mwhite212]

I started the whole bit with the venue because I was curious to see them play .... they just played this past weekend. And the venue they were playing at is very close to my house. In Texas distances anyway....which is about 4 times longer than a "normal" state. :)

[expressfb]

I'm not so sure what it matters where the Crunch have their home venue since they are a travel team in the SIFL and will not play a game at their home venue, but let's look at the reality here. The IIFA is not attempting to compete with the SIFL, IFL or any bigger leagues, it's a developmental league that plays in small venues in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area. However, the level of play that the Crunch is coming out of is higher than outsiders know. As has been said, do not be surprised if the Crunch knock off a team or two in the SIFL. I also hope that some more attention is given to the IIFA from the Crunch playing in the SIFL, there are good players in the IIFA that could help teams in larger leagues.


Holyfire, you hit the nail on the head. that is what the IIFA has been trying to do and promote since last year. between this and last season, every player for the Crunch has at least been "offered" something in a higher paying league. Getting them this exposure is what its all about. This isn't the first time that someone has come on the board and tried to stir about venue size. last year it was galveston and the buccs. I think some owners or administrators of teams in other leagues can't understand the ability for a team to be competitive without a large venue to play in. the size suits its purpose.

[phydeaux72]

Holyfire, you hit the nail on the head. that is what the IIFA has been trying to do and promote since last year. between this and last season, every player for the Crunch has at least been "offered" something in a higher paying league. Getting them this exposure is what its all about. This isn't the first time that someone has come on the board and tried to stir about venue size. last year it was galveston and the buccs. I think some owners or administrators of teams in other leagues can't understand the ability for a team to be competitive without a large venue to play in. the size suits its purpose.

This was the point I was trying to make that you decided to bash me for. I wasn't slamming the IIFA, NT Crunch or their venue when I said what I did. I was only pointing out the simple fact that, if the rumors are true that the Crunch are considering joining the SIFL next season, they might want to look into finding a more suitable venue. Even with the low-cost SIFL business model, a small rec center type venue like the Blue Sky Sports Center just isn't going to cut it. We have all been witness to what the Texas Pirates have been experiencing this season in a similar type situation. Like CD pointed out, when you barely have enough room in the building for the team, coaching staff, game day staff, etc., it leaves very little, if any, room for spectators. If there are no spectators, there will be no sponsors. And when you have neither of those, a franchise like the Crunch will not be able to survive in a pro level league, even in the SIFL. That is all I was trying to say.

[mwhite212]

True. The SIFL is not trying to be a developmental league I would guess. The IIFA and the SIFL have two different missions. The IIFA of course giving guys an opportunity to get on the field and develop skills; the SIFL trying to become a legitimate entertainment outlet. Based on the videos I've seen, I don't even think you could get a full 50 yard field out of some of these places. Turf wasn't even marked. I could be wrong of course, so feel free to correct me. The SIFL requires a higher degree of polish.