Between the Walls

by Josh Stein
March 16, 2004 - Eastern Basketball Development League ()

And the ice has been broken. We’re through a week of the NIFL season already, and now we can move closer to the real meat of the schedule. Six games were played last week, and if you take my word for gospel (which you probably shouldn’t), there were no surprises, except in a couple of the game’s margins. Richard Fuentes doesn’t appear to be the quarterback extraordinaire that took the Wyoming Cavalry to Indoor Bowl I. He may be just a bit rusty, but a 41-14 loss in Omaha has the Sioux Falls Storm reeling.

So, what do we have to look forward to this week? No rankings or TD watches quite yet, as I want to wait until everyone has played. That also gives teams an opportunity to get their stats in, so we can see a full complement of what we have to work with. So, let’s look at the games already!

***** Very important game, especially this early

Lake Charles Landsharks @ Houma Bayou Bucks

Houma is somewhat reeling, coming off a loss in Tupelo in a game they should have had. A 25-6 fourth-quarter run by the Fireants puts Houma in a must-win situation almost right out of the gate. Lake Charles would have played a game, but a scheduling issue caused their game at Waco to be moved. So, they don’t have anything under their belts yet. Of course, this is basically the same squad that is 37-9 in their three year history…and although the division has improved, Lake Charles does know what it takes to win in this league. This one is a hard one to pick, because the teams appear to be pretty evenly matched. So, I gotta go with the home team. Houma 45-41.

**** Playoff rematches and other intriguing contests

Sioux Falls Storm @ Utah Warriors

These teams are coming off of slightly different results. Utah didn’t really play a game in pasting Colorado 63-16, and Sioux Falls didn’t really play one, either, getting pasted 41-14. With that said, which one was the fluke? Or was neither a fluke? Sioux Falls played like Utah did in their preseason game with a new quarterback that wasn’t quite ready yet. However, the Storm’s game counted. Here’s looking for Fuentes to come back fairly strong. However, Utah’s defense is pretty good, and it appears their run game isn’t too bad, either (although Colorado may not be a good barometer here). Utah 41-29.

Black Hills Red Dogs @ Billings Outlaws

The Outlaws have built up quite the impressive cast of NIFL stars, with names like Grow, Quinn, Ragsdale and maybe even Verna Owens. Rapid City and their depleted offensive line kept Lincoln at bay for most of their game, even though it was a 33-26 loss. This game has much of the makings of strength vs. strength, with Billings’ offense squaring off against the Black Hills defense. However, that’s not the matchup that wins this game. Can the Red Dog offense do anything against the improved Billings defense? No. Billings 57-24.

*** Divisions and pride, but is there much interest?

Beaumont Drillers @ Tupelo Fireants

Both teams come into this game 1-0, and both come in with performances unbecoming of a South division team…all offense? How’s that work? Tupelo used a furious fourth quarter rally to get a 58-50 win, and Beaumont outscored Oklahoma 72-52. Who has the edge here? Tupelo made more stops on a good Houma run game, and they nearly scored at will on a Houma defense that is fairly proven. Oklahoma scored 52 in Beaumont? Tupelo 64-42.

Wichita Falls Thunder @ Waco Marshals

The known: Waco has a coach with NIFL experience, and a few NIFL veterans to go along with some strong local talent (ex: Odell James). Wichita Falls has a newspaper that thinks this is Arena Football, or at least the AF2. What I’ve been hearing also notes that Wichita Falls has a team that thinks the NIFL uses arena rules. John Bronkhorst (Waco head coach/GM) can exploit a good NIFL defense. Someone using arenaball rules is not a good NIFL defense. Waco 56-27.

**Division rivalries, but really aren’t all that great-looking.

Evansville Bluecats @ Fort Wayne Freedom

Evansville is improved, supposedly. They bring in a coach that had a decent run in the APFL, and has had some other experience, and they bring in some better talent. Of course in doing this, they got rid of the only good player they had for the whole season last year in Akili Roberson, and also don’t seem to have shored up too many other weaknesses. Fort Wayne has come in as an Indoor Bowl IV contender. Oh yeah, and they’ve played a game. Fort Wayne 56-19.

Tri-City Diesel @ Oklahoma Crude

I don’t know what to think here. Oklahoma showed some offensive prowess in scoring 52 at Beaumont, but they also gave up 72. Tri-City plays everyone tough, and may actually have a really good team this year. Better yet, the winner gets the upper hand in the Pacific-South. Tri-City may end up being the only competitive team in the division. Tri-City 54-34.

* Just like last week, no.

Lexington Horsemen @ Show Me Believers

They led me to believe nothing last week when they got pasted in Fort Wayne. Sure, they’re tougher at home, but I think Lexington’s a better team than Fort Wayne. This leads me to believe that the Horsies will have their way here, too. Show Me should stay in it for awhile, but…Lexington 51-24, unless the Believers drastically changed something this week.

It’s time for something a bit new to TWBTW. My thoughts on the opening weekend of action in the NIFL. I will try to not be offensive towards anyone, although it appears that the offensive comments are what get published. And with that said, don’t expect coherently flowing thoughts, because they’re really not all that inter-related. Without further rambling:

Scores weren’t updated very well on the NIFL site. This is nothing new, and I understand that steps have been taken to ensure that never happens again. Kudos to the NIFL and the NIFL Webmaster for taking these steps. And to the teams…that is unacceptable…it’s not that hard to call someone up, especially with the cell phone I’m sure everyone has. If you don’t have free nights and weekends, then you better get a better cell phone plan.
• Everyone’s been saying the situation in Colorado wasn’t very good, and at least on the field, they appear to be right. I’ve heard it’s no better off the field, as TIPS may be up to what people would call “their old antics.” If it’s true, Carolyn Shiver may simply need to revoke TIPS’ ownership of their teams and take them under her wing until a viable buyer can be found. There’s too many good fans, good coaches, and good players that could get screwed over in this situation.
• On the Shiver topic, it’s nice to see that she has been helping out quite a bit to make Lincoln a viable franchise in the NIFL. There’s too many good fans in Lincoln to get screwed over like the AF2 did. Hopefully other teams will take notice and do what it takes so they can keep their teams.
• Over 3000 fans in Tupelo…that’s very nice to see.
• I thought Sioux Falls slid during the middle part of the season.
• Cory Grow and Jason Quinn, why did you leave Myrtle Beach? Was it money, or was it the fact that Myrtle Beach plans to run the ball with their above average running backs, taking receiving opportunities away from you guys? Is Albert Higgs next?
• Why doesn’t everyone have a quality-run website (or a website for that matter)? It is relatively inexpensive to get a good website made, especially if you can get in with the local college’s computer department.
• At least the NIFL website appears to get updated…but it is certainly a step back from 2003’s version.
• Why don’t I look at the rosters?
• Thanks to the Houma Courier for their publication of a small excerpt from TWBTW’s preseason article (or well, making me look like a fool, which I am perfectly fine with), and thanks to them and all of the other newspapers that cover their local teams for their support. I know the teams and their fans appreciate it.

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Eastern Basketball Development League Stories from March 16, 2004

• Between the Walls - OSC Original by Josh Stein

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