Freedom Update
April 15, 2015 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Trenton Freedom News Release
TRENTON, NJ--What a Saturday it was for the Trenton Freedom getting that 75-23 victory against the Erie Explosion. Let's see if this victory can serve as a building block for the remainder of the season.
The Freedom will travel to Richmond to face the Raiders in the team's first away game. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. on Friday night. Before we start the bus and hit the road, we want you to take a look at this week's #FreedomNation Newsletter.
Watch Freedom vs. Raiders game live on UStream
There's a way you Freedom fans can watch Friday night's game live against the Raiders. Click the UStream link below and tune in to watch the game. Once again, kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Freedom begin road schedule with rematch against the Raiders
TRENTON, N.J.--Half of the home schedule is complete, and the Freedom can now get the bus ready for six of their next eight games on the road starting Friday.
That's when the Freedom head to the Richmond Coliseum to face the Raiders for the second time this season. Kickoff is at 7 p.m..
The Freedom went 2-1 in the three home games. They ended with one of the franchise's best games-a 75-23 win over the Erie Explosion. That came after one of the team's worst games of the season against Columbus a week prior.
"It's been kind of a weird season for us," said Head Coach Kevin O'Hanlon. "Every week, we had major opportunities, and this week, we're coming off a big victory. This is a shorter week, we're only having two practices, and anytime you travel in the PIFL, it's tough to win on the road."
They went 3-3 on the road in 2014, but are 7-2 in regular-season home games including this season.
Freedom players are leading the league in categories on both sides of the field this year. Fullback Melik Brown leads the PIFL with 90 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Defensive lineman Tevan Ferguson and linebacker Jerome Hayes tie for the PIFL lead with 5.0 sacks. Defensive lineman Morkeith Brown is right behind them with 3.5 sacks.
The team is also racking up the penalties, and opponents have gained unnecessary yards. Twenty-nine Freedom penalties ranks second in the league (behind Nashville with 30) and the 232 penalty yards stand above any other team.
"It's extremely frustrating," O'Hanlon said. "I want us to be a physical team, but I want us to be disciplined. I get celebrations, you're lost in the moment, but our leaving the bench [incidents], that's the semi-pro garbage we don't need to be. Be professional. You don't want to give penalties away, and you don't want to bring the refs into the game."
The players have had a chance to reflect on the results from the first three games. They've learned that they need to bottle the confidence and preparation from the win against the Explosion and carry it over for the rest of the season.
Players are already noticing a difference on the practice field and hope the work translates come Friday.
"[Tuesday night] was probably one of our best practices so far this year," said quarterback Steve Panasuk. "We understood that it was a short week, and we needed to get in as much work as we can [Tuesday] and [tonight]."
Ferguson earns Defensive Player of the Week Honors, AFL opportunity
TRENTON, N.J.--Trenton Freedom defensive lineman Tevan Ferguson has been named Defensive Player of the Week for Week 4 of the PIFL season.
Ferguson tallied 2.5 of the team's nine sacks on Saturday evening as the Freedom defense held the Explosion to 23 points and just 103 total yards. The Freedom defeated the Erie Explosion 75-23 on Saturday, April 11.
Ferguson found out about his award from a teammate.
"[Offensive lineman] Rufus Quinn hit me up and was like, 'You know you just won defensive player of the week, right?'" Ferguson said. "I was like (laughs), "No, I didn't get it.' So I looked around and saw that it was me, and I was excited, excited for sure."
Ferguson now has two things in common with teammate, and linebacker, Jerome Hayes. Both have earned a Defensive Player of the Week award this season. Both also lead the PIFL each with 5.0 sacks on the season.
Morkeith Brown also has 3.5 sacks on the year at the defensive line position ranking him just behind Ferguson and Hayes. The cohesiveness of the defense has made the Freedom's unit as formidable as any in the PIFL.
"We work well together," Ferguson said. "We understand our pressure lanes and contain lanes, we do a good job of pressing the pocket, and as you can see, that's the outcome of what working together well does."
Ferguson's hard work and early-season success has caught the eyes of the Arena Football League. He is now in Orlando on a two-day waiver with the Orlando Predators hoping to earn a roster spot.
Head Coach Kevin O'Hanlon's philosophy is that the Freedom and the PIFL are a stepping stone for players to advance their careers. He understands the business and embraces any players trying out for teams in the AFL.
"They see that he can play nose [tackle] and either [defensive] end position," said Head Coach Kevin O'Hanlon. "He called and actually asked did we mind that he go. Get out of town! We'll make sure you're squared away. How can we say you can't move up? If you don't make it, your Freedom family will be here waiting for you."
Ferguson is ready to get started. He'll have a chance join players who he sees on TV performing week in and week out.
"I can't be any more happy," Ferguson said. "Just to have the opportunity the Freedom gave me and now, to be able to display my talents against people who I see on ESPN3, who I played against in college, I'm excited to have this opportunity."
Patience pays off, Panasuk shines in 75-23 win over Explosion
TRENTON, N.J.--It was the break Steve Panasuk was waiting for at quarterback.
He backed up 2014 PIFL MVP Warren Smith for all 12 regular season games and the playoff loss last season. He would come in for the occasional clock-killing plays late in the game, but he never truly showed fans his abilities.
He signed this offseason with the Richmond Raiders hoping to earn their starting quarterback job, but things didn't quite work as expected.
"The situation was tough," Panasuk said. "We were told right before the [Week 1] game [in Trenton] who was playing, not playing. I thought I did well in camp and was ready to go. Both sides didn't agree on what happened. It definitely put a chip on my shoulder and I'm ready to prove myself in this league."
Panasuk made his first Freedom start Saturday, April 11 for the team's 75-23 win over the Erie Explosion. He commanded the offense to one of the best performances in team history.
He completed 13 of 14 passes for 193 yards and six touchdowns. He completed his first six and final seven passes in a row. He made his presence felt on the ground by rushing for a 13-yard touchdown as well.
"For my first start it was really special-especially to get a win," Panasuk said. "The performance wasn't just me, we did great across the board. It was a great feeling. I felt like I was in the zone. Most quarterbacks, the saying is to take what the defense gives you, but we took what we wanted. We just came hitting on all cylinders on offense."
Head Coach Kevin O'Hanlon had said the leash on Panasuk was short prior to the Erie game--as it was for Hunter Wanket versus Columbus the previous week.
O'Hanlon's quarterback situation going forward may not be as questionable as he once thought.
"Steve played phenomenal, and we all knew he had it in him," O'Hanlon said. "Did we think he had it in him like that? [Heck] no. You could see the ball get out a lot quicker. Steve is the quarterback, there's no doubt about it. So it was a great effort, but the best eight will play each week."
The Freedom face the Raiders on Friday night at 7 p.m., and Panasuk will do his homework like he normally does prior to any game whether he starts or backs up.
He does admit there's an extra sense of urgency to perform against Richmond because he didn't win the starting quarterback job there and decided it wasn't the right fit.
"The preparation and game planning is not going to change just because we're playing against Richmond," he said. "But it does stand out that it was a team that I played with for a couple weeks, so the chip on my shoulder is to beat them. Teams that you used to play for, the games are a little bit more special."
Freedom Four Web Series Continues Next Week
Freedom fans, due to the road trip to Richmond for Friday night's game, you'll catch another episode of the Freedom Four next week prior to the 4/25 game versus the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks.
Our radio broadcasters, Mike Samsel and Sean Lerman, will give you all you need to know leading up to that game.
We greatly appreciate all of the support and feedback we've gotten from you Freedom Fans.
Freedom Four Youth Dance Clinic
Does your kid enjoy dancing and want to learn more? The Trenton Freedom Xtreme dancers encourage kids ages 7-14 to sign up for their youth dance clinic on June 19 and 20. Learn a dance routine and perform it pregame on the Freedom's final game of the season on June 20.
For more information, see the flyer (pictured here), sign up here or contact Rachael Liberto by phone at 800-500-1776 or at rliberto@trentonfreedom.com
Play on the Red Turf
If you have a sports group that is interested in playing on the Freedom red turf before one of the home games, please contact General Manager Jeff Gonos at jgonos@trentonfreedom.com for more details.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from April 15, 2015
- PIFL Announces Schedule Adjustment - PIFL
- Steelhawks and Explosion Meet Again - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
- Alabama Hammers to Host First Responders Night - Alabama Hammers
- Freedom Update - Trenton Freedom
- Alabama Hammers Game 4 Preview - Alabama Hammers
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