Greyhounds Eye Third NIFL Championship
Published on July 15, 2004 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL) News Release
Lafayette, LA--For the last four years, the Ohio Valley Greyhounds have laid a strong foundation in and around the Wheeling, West Virginia community. The Hounds are continuously one of the top franchises in the National Indoor Football League, from top to bottom. And, let's not forget that these two-time defending NIFL Champions are not done just yet.
After enjoying a bye in the first round of the NIFL playoffs as the top team in the Atlantic Conference with a record of 11-3, the Greyhounds will face their first foe of the 2004 post season as the Fort Wayne Freedom visit WesBanco Arena in Wheeling tomorrow night.
Despite the Greyhounds winning two back-to-back league championships, Fort Wayne will have to contend with another daunting fact. The Greyhounds have won 34 consecutive home games at the WesBanco Arena, with their last home loss coming at the hands of Lake Charles in 2001.
"To have a run of 34 consecutive home wins is an amazing statistic," Greyhounds General Manager John Blackmore said. "When it comes to home field advantage, this is when it matters the most. Combine that with our spirited fan base and you have one of the toughest buildings to play in around the NIFL."
On the field, the Greyhounds boast one of the top teams in the NIFL under the direction of Head Coach Mark Bonar. In three years on the sidelines for the Hounds, Bonar has amassed a record of 43-4, and a 6-0 mark in the playoffs. With key players on the 2004 Greyhounds roster, like running back Rayshawn Askew, wide receiver Willie Austin, strong safety Shawn Hackett, defensive lineman Curtese Poole, and the two-way play of Hounds WR/DB Angel Estrada, Wheeling comes into tomorrow night's contest with a strong mix of All-NIFL players on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
"We played Fort Wayne twice this season, and know what to expect," Greyhounds Head Coach Mark Bonar said. "While the Freedom is a solid team, we know what we need to do to defeat them in front of our home fans and continue our goal of winning another championship."
Don't miss the Ohio Valley Greyhounds in action tomorrow night as they take on the Fort Wayne Freedom in NIFL Conference Semi-Final action. Friday's game kicks of at 7:30pm at the WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, WV. Tickets are on sale now by calling the WesBanco Arena ticket office at 304-233-4470. If you cannot make it to the game, you can listen online via Ohio Valley's internet broadcast at www.ohiovalleygreyhounds.com.
National Indoor Football League Stories from July 15, 2004
- Beef take on Billings in playoff game two - Omaha Beef
- Greyhounds Eye Third NIFL Championship - NIFL
- 2004 MVP to be Named Friday Night - Ohio Valley Greyhounds
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