Everett Raptors Ready to Return to Action
May 4, 2012 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Everett Raptors News Release
With the first half of the 2012 season behind them the Everett Raptors of the IFL are still working hard to secure a position in the playoffs. There are 6 games left to play, 4 of them at home, and everyone knows it's far from over. Tonight is one of the most important games of the season so far. The Raptors play host to their fiercest opponent and bitter in-state rival, the undefeated Tri-Cities Fever. "They're a tough team but not unbeatable" says Head Coach Sean Ponder, "We've closed the gap and gotten closer and closer to them each time we've played them so we're determined to pull off a W tonight."
The Raptors have not been without their struggles since the beginning of the season, which started in late February. Losing key players to injury as well as to higher leagues, there have been an unusual number of changes to the roster. In game one, against Tri-Cities, they lost their starting QB and arguably one of the best and most athletic players in the league, Charles McCullum, to torn ligaments in his ankle. He's had surgery to repair the damage but is still in rehab with little possibility of coming back. He was replaced by QB Blake Bolles, who came in and did a great job, so great in fact that he was noticed by the NFL's Minnesota Vikings who brought him in to mini-camp with them this week. Bolles has been replaced by QB Shane, Austin, 6'0" 200 lbs. from the University of Hawaii. In his Raptors debut last week, he threw for 231 yards and seven TDs in a 68-59 loss at Nebraska. Reggie Sullivan, a stand-out DB, signed with the Carolina Panthers before the season even started, Jordan Taormino signed with the Winnepeg Blue Bombers of the CFL and a couple of guys have signed with teams in the AFL. The Raptors have also been plagued with injuries, mostly to their big guys on the offensive and defensive lines. John Mobley, a 2010 1st team all IFL defensive lineman, Moamoa Palepale-DB, Joe Maaseia-DL and Mike Graise-DL have all been out for most of the season, making the coaches' jobs that much more difficult since recruiting hasn't stopped. It's a tall order but they are working hard to overcome the adversity, to stick together and remain positive and focused. Don't underestimate the Everett Raptors. Sheer determination and fan support could take them all the way into the playoffs.
They're putting a great product on the field, giving the fans an exciting and entertaining brand of football. If you've never experienced the hard-hitting, fast-paced action that is Professional Indoor Football, you need to! Fans get to be a part of the action all throughout the game, players being knocked out of bounds and over the walls into your lap, balls being kicked and thrown into the crowd so if you a ball it's yours to keep, but if you catch a player you've got to throw him back! The Everett Raptors invite their fans to join them on the concourse for a meet and greet autograph and photo session after every game. It's a family friendly form of entertainment and kids of all ages love it! Tonight's game is dedicated to cancer awareness and the team will donate a portion of all ticket sales to the American Anti-Cancer Institute.
2012 is the Everett Raptors' inaugural year in the Indoor Football League (IFL). They play their home games at Comcast Arena in Everett, WA. Tickets start at just $12 and are available by calling the Raptors office at 425-512-0158 or through the Comcast Arena Box Office. You can get updated news and information about the team on their website, www.EverettRaptors.com. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
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