Daytona Beach Hawgs game notes

April 29, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Daytona Beach Hawgs News Release


HAWGS (5-1) VS. MORAYS (4-2) Where: Ford Allen Field at the Miami Arena (6,586) Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. EST Radio: WSBB (1230 AM New Smyrna Beach) Online: http://www.daytonabeachhawgs.com (live scoring updates) Series: First Meeting Streaks: Daytona Beach has won five straight, Miami has lost one. COACHES Daytona Beach: Ervin Bryson (3rd year in NIFL, 15-12, 15-12 overall) Miami: Larry Little (1st year in NIFL, 4-1; 81-84-1 overall

DOES IT GET ANY BIGGER? The battle for the NIFL's Atlantic South Division is in full force the next two weekends when the Daytona Beach and the Miami Morays begin a home-and-home series Sunday in Miami. The teams conclude the series May 7 in Daytona Beach at TUI Business Machines Field in the Ocean Center.

The Hawgs (5-1) have a half-game lead over the Morays (4-1) after last week's 22-17 nailbiter against the Rome Renegades. Miami had an off week after suffering a 51-48 loss to the Kissimmee Kreatures two weeks ago on a field goal by a running back turned kicker on the final play.

THE BRYSON SOUND BITES

"My first coaching experience was against Brett Favre's dad, but this will be an incredible experience to match wits with one of the greatest offensive lineman ever to play to the game,''

"Everything is starting to come together. It's been a pleasure watching this team develop into a championship caliber squad."

THE HEAD COACHES

ERVIN BRYSON

A three-year National Indoor Football League veteran, Ervin Bryson begins the task of building a successful franchise in Daytona Beach.

The 35-year old Bryson comes to Florida after a year with the Sioux City Bandits, where he served the final six games of the 2004 regular season as interim coach with a 4-2 record. The Bandits lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Omaha Beef on a last-minute play where a fan deflected what would have been a game-winning catch.

A native of Abbeville, South Carolina, Bryson coached the Winston-Salem Energy in its inaugural year in 2002, guiding the team to a 6-8 record and garnering the league's coach of the year.

At Abbeville High School, Bryson was a four-year starter in football and earned All-State honors as a running back and defensive back. He was named the Class AA Player of the Year in football and track and also garnered all-conference baseball honors.

He had tryouts with Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and Seattle in the NFL, and was on the preseason roster of the NFL-Europe's Frankfurt Galaxy before being released.

Playing semi-pro football in Concord, North Carolina, Bryson rushed for over 2,000 yards in a season.

He became the coach for the American Football Association's Greenwood Raiders from 1997-99, leading the team to a national championship and earning the league's 1997 general manager of the year award.

LARRY LITTLE

Larry Little comes to the Morays with a total of 16 years of head coaching experience and 14 years of NFL playing experience with the San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins.

Little is best known to Miami fans as a 12-year member of the Miami Dolphins. Little was a member of the Super Bowl Champion 1972 squad, which to this day remains the only team in NFL history to have a perfect undefeated season. The Dolphins also repeated as Super Bowl champions in 1973, establishing themselves as one of the early NFL dynasties.

Little led the awesome Dolphins running machine, and his efforts got him selected to the All-Pro Teams for five years straight from 1971 to 1975, and again in 1977. He also was selected to play in the Pro Bowl in 1970 and from 1972 to 1975. Little also was the first player in league history to be named as AFC Offensive Lineman of the Year for three straight seasons (70-72) .

WE DO KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO GET: Bubba Gump's will host the Hawgs' pre-game meal before every game. "Bubba Gump has gone out of their way to accommodate and make us feel part of the community,'' Bryson said.

HAWGS TO GIVE AWAY FREE FUNERAL AT MAY 23

GAME: The Daytona Beach Hawgs have a promotion that's to die for.

The National Indoor Football League team will offer fans a chance to win a free funeral -- including a burial plot - when they bury the Kissimmee Kreatures on Monday, May 23 at the Ocean Center. HOME ON THE RADIO: The Daytona Beach Hawgs have found a place on the radio dial for their inaugural National Indoor Football League season.

WSBB (1230 AM) will serve as home of the Hawgs' gameday broadcasts and weekly coaches show beginning in March, hosting the TUI Business Machines Presents the Ervin Bryson Show at Daytona Lagoon Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Daytona Beach Hawgs Game Day Presented By TUI Business Machines.

Dr. Pete Wakeman and Kerry Kramer will handle play-by-play and color, respectively.

On Thursdays, listen in to the TUI Business Machines at Daytona Lagoon Coaches Show with Ervin Bryson hosted by Director of Communications Dan Ryan.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Daytona Beach Hawgs are proud to announce that TUI Business Machines has secured the naming rights to their home field at the Ocean Center.

TUI Business Machines Field at the Ocean Center was dedicated at a halftime ceremony on Monday, April 18.

Zack McDonald, President and CEO of TUI Business Machines, has become one of the Hawgs' most ardent supporters, from hosting the team at a Super Bowl party at his house, riding his Harley during pre-game ceremonies, and even serving as a color commentary for a recent Hawgs road game broadcast.

"Zack has gone above and beyond the call of duty, which is fitting because he's a former marine,'' said Hawgs Head Coach/Manager Ervin Bryson. "He has been become a trusted friend and key ingredient to our efforts in building a successful football team in Daytona Beach. We are honored to be playing on TUI Business Machines Field at the Ocean Center."

TUI Business Machines is already the primary sponsor for the weekly coach's show aired by WSBB (1230 AM) on Thursday nights at Daytona Lagoon as well as the gameday broadcasts.

"I want to see football succeed in Daytona Beach,'' McDonald said. "The Hawgs are our team and I'm going to do as much as I can to show support for a great bunch of guys and girls on the dance team."

REVIEWING LAST WEEK

HAWGS 22, RENEGADES 17

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Nick Allison had four interceptions, including one with a minute remaining that preserved the Daytona Beach Hawgs' 22- 17 National Indoor Football League victory over the Rome Renegades Sunday evening before 1,752 at TUI Business Machines Field at the Ocean Center.

Both Allison's four picks and the six by the Hawg defense were league best totals so far this season.

Daytona Beach gave up just 68 total yards. The Hawg defenders caught more passes from the Rome quarterbacks than did the Renegades receivers (five).

Despite going scoreless in the second half, the Hawgs (5-1) won their fifth consecutive game and moved a half-game ahead of the Miami Morays for first place in the Atlantic South Division. Daytona Beach and Miami begin a head-to-head series next Sunday in Miami and here on May 7.

Oscar Davenport threw for 171 yards and two touchdowns, one to Erie Williams (seven catches for 61 yards) and another to Lucas Greene. Robert Bailey had eight catches for 71 yards.

Brad Lee added 50 yards and a score for Daytona Beach, who led 22-9 at haltime.

Gerald Gales brought the Renegades (2-3) to 22- 15 on a 17-yard third quarter run, and then Rome's defense registered a safety to close to five points. THE VICTORY: The Hawgs have now won five straight and are undefeated (4-0) at home.

THE 22 POINTS: Were the fewest the Hawgs have scored since opening nights, were the fewest by a winning team in the NIFL this season and the fewest ever registered by an victorious Ervin Bryson team.

WELL, LET'S HOPE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN: This is the second time this season the Hawgs have been held scoreless in the second half.

A FEW OFFENSIVE POSITIVES: Robert Bailey had a season-high eight catches and Erie Williams scored his first touchdown of the season. And kicker Tim Viens was 2-2 on PATs...Oscar Davenport's 17 completions were a season-high but he completed under 50 percent of his passes for the first time this season.

SPEAKING OF LEAGUE STATS: Here's how the Hawgs are doing in the league, leading in the following categories: scoring defense (22.5), total defense (148.8), pass defense (108.3), interceptions (21), first downs (111) red zone defense (50.0); Individual leaders include Brad Lee (rushing, 478 yards), Nick Allison (interceptions, 8), John Bowman (forced fumbles with 3, tackles for loss with 11 and tied for sacks with 7), and Micah Simmons (passes defended, 11).

TIGHT IN THE THIRD: Rome's touchdown was only the second score the Hawgs have given up in the third quarter this year. Daytona Beach has outscored opponents 46-12 in that stanza.

COOKMAN CONNECTION: Morays coach Larry Little played for and coached at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach. Morays defensive star Antwon Robinson played for B-CC. Over a third of the Hawgs roster has a B-CC connection — Micah Simmons, Joe Giddens, Robbie Reese, Levar Simms, Terrance Butler and Brad Lee all wore the Maroon and Gold. We'll inform the B-CC alumni office so they can schedule a meeting during the game.

OFF TO THE DOGS: Beginning next week, the Daytona Beach Kennel Club will name the 8th race on Wednesday evening's program after a Hawg player. John Bowman will have the honor this week. Head Coach Ervin Bryson and Robert Bailey have had the distinction in previous promotions. NEXT WEEK: Same team, our place.



National Indoor Football League Stories from April 29, 2005


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