Game Preview: Tulsa Oilers at Frisco Fighters
March 23, 2023 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release
Tulsa, Okla. - Tulsa Oilers Football, proud member of the IFL, heads to Frisco, Texas, to take on the Fighters for their first game in franchise history on March 24 at 7:05 p.m. C.T., at Comerica Center.
WHO WE ARE: At a press conference held with Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum, Oilers owner Andy Scurto, and IFL commissioner Todd Tryon, the IFL's newest franchise was awarded to Tulsa. With the vision of growing the legacy of the brand, the franchise was granted its name, "Oilers," in conjunction with the correlation of being under the same ownership as the ECHL franchise, Tulsa Oilers. The IFL was formed by the merging of the United Football League and the Intense Football League in 2008, and the league is the highest level of professional indoor football in the United States. In 2009, the IFL's inaugural season, 19 separate teams competed in the league. More than a decade later, the IFL trails only the NFL in consecutive seasons played at any level of professional football in the United States. Tulsa becomes the 16th current franchise to join the league, which operates coast-to-coast in 13 different states. Fourteen teams will compete in the 2023 season, with the Bismarck Bucks being dormant for the current season and Columbus joining in the 2024 season.
EYES OUT OF CAMP: The Oilers look to set the standard for excellence, not just in game one on March 24, but from the start and finish of training camp. With a veteran head coach with a history of high-performing defense and offense, the Oilers look to rally behind Marvin Jones. The QB position is always one of if not the largest difference-makers on a roster. The Oilers will see a combo of Bobby Froehlich and Giovanni Sanders. Froehlich steps into his role in Tulsa with prior experience in the CIF with the Rapid City Marshals. Sanders brings experience from the IFL and CIF, playing most recently with the Bismarck Bucks. With the proven track record of success in the IFL from Sanders and the size and strength of Froehlich, the Oilers will have quality options to choose from come game one. The defensive side of the ball sees former Omaha Beef player and CIF Defensive Rookie of the Year, Jordan Jones. Jones will be leaned upon heavily to be the top-performing LB and has been an eye-opening presence at camp. The Oilers have some added motivation with the local presence on the roster. The University of Tulsa Golden Hurricanes make their presence known through players like OL Chris Ivy and WR Justin Hobbs. The Oilers see four "Veterans" on the Opening Night roster. Tulsa will lean on former CIF standout DB Taylor "Hawk" Hawkins, former NFL RB Joshua Robinson, CIF Championship Game MVP from 2021, WR Tyler Jones, and IFL-experienced DL Keontae Chavies as the calming and experienced forefront of this new franchise.
HOW TO "FIGHT" FRISCO: The Frisco Fighters enter week two of the IFL season with an abundance of confidence, draped in the royal fabric of a 76-30 victory on the road against the Green Bay Blizzard, setting a franchise record for points scored in a single game. The prolific Frisco performance, no doubt, was led by QB, T.J. Edwards, who put up 138 passing yards, and one touchdown through the air, all while gaining 79 yards on the ground with six rushing scores. The Fighters' defense made huge strides in week one as well, holding Green Bay to just 30 points and recording four interceptions, two of which were by DB Michael Lovett. Controlling T.J. Edwards' impact as a runner, along with limiting turnover mistakes, will be key in facing Frisco in game one.
The Oilers will begin their inaugural season on the road, on March 24, against the Frisco Fighters at Comerica Center.
Tulsa Oilers Football Season and Group Tickets are on sale now! Call the front office at 918-632-7825 or visit www.tulsaoilersfootball.com for more information.
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