Conference Finals Take Center Stage This Weekend
Published on July 20, 2004 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL) News Release
Lafayette, LA--National Indoor Football League playoff action continues this weekend as the final four teams head into the conference finals.
In the Atlantic, the Lexington Horsemen (10-4) travel to take on the Ohio Valley Greyhounds (11-3).
The Horsemen are 2-0 in post-season play after defeating the Atlantic City CardSharks and Houma Bayou Bucks in 2004 playoff action to date. Looking towards this weekend, Lexington has battled the Greyhounds a combined five times in two years, losing every meeting, including a loss in the 2003 conference semi-finals.
Ohio Valley is 1-0 in post-season play after knocking off the Fort Wayne Freedom at WesBanco Arena on Saturday. The Greyhounds are vying for their third consecutive Atlantic Conference Championship as well as the chance to advance into their third consecutive Indoor Bowl.
The reigning two-time NIFL Champion Ohio Valley Greyhounds will take on the Lexington Horsemen this Saturday at 7:30pm at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, WV. Tickets are on sale now through the WesBanco Arena Box Office by calling 304-233-4470 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. If you cannot make it to the game, you can listen online via Ohio Valley's internet broadcast at www.ohiovalleygreyhounds.com.
In the Pacific Conference, the action is heating up as the Sioux Falls Storm (11-3) host the Billings Outlaws (11-3) at Sioux Falls Arena on Sunday afternoon. Both teams are 1-0 in the 2004 playoffs to date.
Billings advances into the Pacific Conference Finals after defeating Omaha Beef, 68-59. With the return of quarterback Danny Ragsdale to the lineup, the Outlaws are looking to notch a win over a strong Sioux Falls team. Billings and Sioux Falls have met twice this season, sharing one win and one loss against each other.
The Sioux Falls Storm knocked off the Utah Warriors over the weekend, 65-41. The Storm is the team to beat, ranked as the top team overall in the Pacific and the boast the strongest defense in the conference.
The Storm will take on the Billings Outlaws this Sunday at Sioux Falls Arena in South Dakota starting at 3:05pm. Individual tickets are on sale now through the Arena box office or online at www.ticketmaster.com. If you cannot make it to the game, you can listen online via Sioux Falls' internet broadcast at www.siouxfallsstorm.com.
The winners of the Lexington / Ohio Valley and Billings / Sioux Falls games will advance into Indoor Bowl 4 as they play for the Johnson Memorial Trophy, named after former NIFL Operations Director Tina Johnson. The following scenarios will determine the host of Indoor Bowl 4, depending on the outcome of the game winners:
If Ohio Valley wins and Sioux Falls wins...the game will take place in Sioux Falls on August 7. This is due to the fourth tiebreaker based on best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed. Sioux Falls ranks 3 on offense and 1 on defense for a combined 4. Ohio Valley ranks 6 in offense and 1 on defense for a combined 7.
If Ohio Valley wins and Billings wins...the game will take place in Billings on August 7. This is due to the fourth tiebreaker based on best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed. Billings ranks 4 on offense and 2 on defense for a combined 6. Ohio Valley ranks 6 in offense and 1 on defense for a combined 7.
If Lexington wins and Sioux Falls wins...the game will take place in Sioux Falls on August 7. Sioux Falls has a better overall record than Lexington, with the Storm 11-3 in the regular season, and Lexington going 10-4.
If Lexington wins and Billings wins... the game will take place in Billings on August 7. Billings has a better overall record than Lexington, with the Outlaws 11-3 in the regular season, and Lexington going 10-4.
National Indoor Football League Stories from July 20, 2004
- Conference Finals Take Center Stage This Weekend - NIFL
- West to Host IB4 - Ohio Valley Greyhounds
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