Wild stumble in opener, regroup for Maryland
March 27, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Alaska Wild News Release
The 2009 IFL season opener didn't start as expected for new head coach Floyd Johnson's squad. With Mt. Redoubt erupting minutes after kickoff, the Wild saw the score erupt from the get-go. The Wild's first play from scrimmage resulted in a safety, as center Lokeni Lokeni, Jr. snapped the ball over quarterback Jamie Williamson's head over the boards out of the back of the end zone. Soon after, Fairbanks scored on a Denny Kimmel 2 yard run to make it 9-0. Kicker Jeff Tongate's 45 yard field goal, the longest of his indoor football career, put three points on the board for the Wild, and equaled the field goal totals for the Wild from 2008.
After Fairbanks answered with a Denny Kimmel 50 yard kickoff return for a touchdown, Wild running back Paul Mosley answered with his own 12 yard run to make it 16-10. Jamie Williamson hit wide receiver Solomon Jones on a 46-yard strike to even the score at 16-16, the closest the Wild would get the rest of the night.
After answering a Fairbanks touchdown with a Paul Mosley 3-yard run to make it 23-22, the Wild offense sputtered. A bright spot for the Wild in the loss was running back Paul Mosley, who finished with 70 yards on 12 carries and three touchdowns. Mosley was named the "Curzie Chiropractic Player of the Game."
Quarterback Jamie Williamson finished 6 of 14 for 83 yards and a touchdown. Backup Pierce Blewett came in and offered a spark, completing one of three passes on a 5-yard touchdown pass to Solomon Jones. Blewett also had 27 yards on two carries.
Said Coach Floyd Johnson, "I'm disappointed. I'll be honest, a few of these starters will not be here the next game. We need to step it up if we're going to win."
Peanut Farm to host post game after party and to provide free shuttle to all 2009 home games The "Official Post Game Headquarters" of the Alaska Wild, the Peanut Farm, will be providing a shuttle to and from the Sullivan Arena on Thursday, APril 9 as the Wild take on the Maryland Maniacs. Join the team after each home game for pictures, autographs and all the fun the Farm has to offer. The Peanut Farm will also be s and showing all Wild away games LIVE. We'll see you and the Alaska Wild at The Farm! Wild and GCI partner for "Meet the Wild" at the GCI Store in the BX/PX on EAFB Meet quarterbacks Jamie Williamson and Pierce Blewett as well as the Wild Fire Dance Team at the BX/PX on Elmendorf Air Force Base on Saturday, March 28 from 11AM-3PM. Sign up to win a free Blackberry Pearl from GCI as well as AK Wild tickets and merchandise. 3 game ticket flex package Can't make every game? The Alaskas Wild are proud to offer a 3 game spring flex package. The flex package is for April 9 vs. Maryland, April 26 vs. Colorado and May 4 vs. Bloomington. A portion of the proceeds benefit Standing Together Against Rape (STAR).
For more information CLICK HERE
The Eagle's Eye: 54-35 setback vs. Fairbanks Monday's game was a surprise. With Joe Small, Donny Delaney and Paul Mosley out in the exhibition game loss to the Grizzlies, the Wild had high hopes in the 2009 opener. The times got tough from the start, as the first play resulted in a safety for a 2-0 Grizzlies lead. Kicker Jeff Tongate kicked a indoor career best 45 yard field goal to cut the margin to 9-3 in the 1st quarter. Running back Paul Mosley, the "Curzie Chiropractic Player of the Game," highlighted the Wild offense by gaining 70 yards on 12 carries and three touchdowns. Quarterback Jamie Williamson hit wide wide receiver Solomon Jones on a 45 yard strike and quarterback Pierce Blewett also hit Jones on a 5 yard touchdown in the 4th quarter. Head coach Floyd Johnson said of the Monday's loss, "No one's position is safe. We're here to win. We were very disappointed with the performances of many players. People will see some new faces on April 9." Take away the pick six and the kickoff return for the score from Fairbanks, and its 41-35 and we're still in it. This isn't catastrophic in any way, it's one game, the first game, and we're going to get better.
Alaska Wild and Alaska HALO team up for a great cause The Alaska Wild and Alaska HALO have teamed up for a good cause. Ted Sadtler, owner of The Mattress Ranch and President of Alaska HALO, has created a limited edition Ted Sadtler Alaska Wild bobblehead doll. 100% of the proceeds from the bobblehead dolls will to Alaska HALO and will be available at all Wild games, The Mattress Ranch and the Alaska Wild office. GO WILD!
"Go Wild" at the pregame pep rally at the Blue Line Club The AK Wild pregame pep rally takes place on April 8 at 7PM at the Blue Line Club (located inside the Subway Sports Center off O'Malley Rd. and Old Seward Hwy.). Join your Alaska Wild, the Wild Fire Dance Team, and Wild coaches for food, games, prizes and fun as the Wild prepare for the Maryland Maniacs on Thursday, April 9.
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Indoor Football League Stories from March 27, 2009
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