Believers "Gone Fishing"
Published on April 16, 2004 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
RiverCity Rage News Release
No, they didn't hang the "Gone Fishing" sign on the office doors of the Show Me Believers Professional Indoor Football Team. But, the squad from St. Charles is sure hopeful of catching their limit this weekend as they take to the road on Saturday to face an improving Evansville Blue Cats in an Atlantic Conference North tilt. Both teams are coming off big wins in their last outings, but both the Believers and Bluecats have not played since March 27, when the Believers trounced Atlantic City 71-29 while the Bluecats were slaughtering the Waco Marshals 59-7. Both teams also lost in their opening games to Fort Wayne.
"We have a lot of similarities. We both have new coaches and both lost our opening games to Ft. Wayne. We both had big wins in our second games and both have not played since." Stated Mike Wyatt, Believers Head Football Coach.
The Believers were to have played in Myrtle Beach on April 6 but the NIFL pulled the franchise from the Stingrays and the game was officially postponed until further notice. "We were at the airport ready to board our flight when my cellular phone rang and told we were told the game would not be played. Our players were disappointed, but it was a situation that was beyond of our control." Stated Wyatt in regard to the Myrtle Beach trip.
The Bluecats, under first-year coach Ollie Guidry, have matched their wins for all of 2003 in only two games. Last season the Bluecats were a dismal 1-13. Much of the credit for the turn around in fortunes must go to Guidry, who had been a veteran mentor indoor football, winning an indoor championship as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Thundercats. Five of the current Bluecats players were also members of that championship team.
"Coach Guidry has blended his team with some experienced veterans and a group of talented rookies and has them performing well as a group. They will be a formidable foe" Wyatt noted.
In the Believers last outing, they destroyed the Atlantic City Card Sharks 71-29 behind the rushing performance of Ricky Brown, the rookie from the University of Texas, who has a professional season under his belt with the NFL-Europe's Berlin Thunder. Brown accounted for 206 all purpose yards, with 141 of those coming on the ground. He also found the end zone five times in the Believers blow-out win.
"Ricky is an exceptional talent. We were successful in getting him the football, but much of the credit has to go to Ricky. He raises everyone's level of play." Stated Wyatt.
Look for the Believers to give Brown the chance to display his talents in Evansville.
"We feel we have the capability to run or pass and are certainly not a one-dimensional football team. With Justin Peery at the controls and receivers like Scott Pingel, Moses Regular and Darryl DeShields we can also move the ball in the air, if need be." Wyatt noted.
Peery, the former Westminster College star currently ranks second in the NIFL in total offense, averaging 218.7 yards per game.
Evansville will counter with Joe Davis at quarterback, currently the 4th rated passer in the NIFL in passing efficiency. Davis from Adrian College, made his professional debut against the Waco Marshals and went 12 of 21 with no interceptions for 160 yards.
"Davis did a good job of sharing the wealth during his last performance. He has some fine receivers to throw to in John Gordon from the University of Kansas, Demetrius Doss from Marshall University and Byron Curtis from the University of North Texas. Gordon and Curtis average more than 12 yards a catch, as well. " noted Wyatt.
The kickoff is set for 7:05 PM on Saturday, April 17 at Roberts Stadium in Evansville.
The Believers will return home next week on Saturday, April 24 to face the Oklahoma Crude in a 7:30 PM contest in the Family Arena. The event will pay tribute to the families of St. Louis Police Officer Nick Sloan who was killed in the line of duty, as well as his partner, Officer Gabriel Keithley who was also injured in the line of duty. The game will also pay tribute to the Lewis & Clark Expedition Commemoration, with the Fife and Drum Corps performing, and a number of civic leaders on hand at the game.
National Indoor Football League Stories from April 16, 2004
- NIFL Announces Schedule Changes - NIFL
- Believers "Gone Fishing" - RiverCity Rage
- Impromptu Match-up Features Battle of the Undefeated - Ohio Valley Greyhounds
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