Battle for supremacy in Alaska continues Thursday, April 10 at 7:30 PM
April 7, 2008 - Intense Football League (Intense)
Alaska Wild News Release
Anchorage, Alaska April 7, 2008
Coming off an impressive stand against the Odessa Roughnecks, the Wild face a Fairbanks Grizzlies team that has improved in all areas since the opening 88-12 loss to Alaska. The Grizzlies have since won their first game in franchise history, and new head coach John Fourcade has kept the Grizzlies close in their recent road losses. Grizzlies quarterback Bo Bartik is now second in the IFL with 869 yards passing and 18 touchdowns through four games. Bartik's favorite target, Solomon Jones comes into Thursday's game against Alaska with 449 yards receiving and 9 touchdowns and leads the league in yards receiving per game with 112. Wild coach Hans Deemer added, "Regardless of the score of the first game, Fairbanks has shown game after game that they can compete in this league. That said, our boys are going to feed off the energy of the home crowd, as they have at home so far."
Having already matched their win total from the entire 2007 season, the Wild defense looks to remain a brick wall as they lead the IFL in pass defense, interceptions and turnovers. The Alaska defense is giving up only 113.8 passing yards per game in a league where the passing attack is the primary offensive mechanism. #2 Demarcus James and #22 James Griffin will continue their All-Star caliber seasons and increase their combined interception total of 10. On the defensive line, sack master #55 George Noga and menace #99 Mao Tosi will pressure the Fairbanks offense that has only given up 6 sacks all season. Linebacker #5, Joe "The Predator" Small has been a dominating force all season. He leads the Wild with 14.5 tackles, has 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, forced 2 fumbles, recovered 2 fumbles and has one blocked field goal.
Offensively, the Wild hope to continue improving as the season progresses. Quarterback #9 Nick Mystrom has consistently improved, averaging 162.8 yards per game. Mystrom has been able to connect with receivers #14 Keith Smith (13 catches, 188 yards, 4 touchdowns), #7 Nian Taylor (16 catches, 160 yards, 6 touchdowns) and #12 Thomas Ford Jr. (11 catches, 80 yards, 2 touchdowns). Adding to the Wild offense has been the rushing combination of #34 Gary Harris, #51 Antonio Lolesio Jr, and #12 Thomas Ford Jr. The trio has catapulted the Wild rushing attack to number two in the IFL.
The Alaska Wild look to put the Fairbanks Grizzlies into hibernation on Thursday, April 10 at 7:30PM at the Sullivan Arena. This is the final home game vs. Fairbanks for the Wild this season. "Red and Black Night" sponsored by 96.3 The Wolf. Wear your Wild Gear and cheer the AK Wild to their 5th straight home win!
For more AK Wild season or game statistics visit www.goakwild.com and for more Intense Football League Information (News, Standings, Stats and More.) go to www.intensefootballleague.net
The Alaska Wild is part of the Intense Football League (IFL). Founded in 2003, the IFL consists of a record nine professional indoor football teams, three of which are located outside of Texas, the Louisiana Swashbucklers of Lake Charles, the Alaska Wild of Anchorage, Alaska and the Fairbanks Grizzlies of Fairbanks, Alaska. Texas teams include the CenTex Barracudas of Belton, Corpus Christi Hammerheads, Odessa Roughnecks, San Angelo Stampede Express, Katy Ruff Riders, and Frisco Thunder.
Alaska Wild is owned by Alaska Professional Sports, Inc. For more information on Alaska Wild and Alaska Professional Sports, Inc., please visit www.goakwild.com or www.akprosports.com.
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Intense Football League Stories from April 7, 2008
- Battle for supremacy in Alaska continues Thursday, April 10 at 7:30 PM - Alaska Wild
- Thunder Lose 47-46 On Final Play - Frisco Thunder
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