Hawgs top NIFL in defensive stats
May 4, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Daytona Beach Hawgs News Release
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- At the midway point of the season, let the National Indoor Football League statistics reflect that the Daytona Beach Hawgs are the top-rated defensive team in the league.
However, Head coach Ervin Bryson knows that the Hawgs (5-2) must not allow the number of points (58) they allowed against Miami (6-1) when Daytona Beach plays host to the Morays Saturday night in the Ocean Center. Game time is 7:05 p.m.
"Defense is about schemes and being disciplined," Bryson said. "When we get the pressure up front, we get the coverage in the back (secondary). That is what makes us so good."
"I have to give all the credit to Monteray Evans," Bryson said of his brother, who is the team's defensive coordinator. "His game plans find out the weaknesses and strengths of the opponent has the right people in the right position."
The Hawgs lead the NIFL in scoring defense, giving up only 27.6 points a game and total defense (165.4 yards a game). The team had only the fifth shutout ever in the league earlier in the season when it defeated New Jersey, 54-0, in its home opener.
Daytona Beach is first in team sacks (14 for 105 yards in losses), first in pass defense, allowing 112.6 yards a game through the air, and is seventh in pass defense rating (97.3).
The team is sixth in rushing defense (42.9 yards a game).
Individually, defensive lineman John Bowman leads a rookie contingent up front. He leads the league in sacks with a total of nine, eight of which are unassisted, first in tackles for loss (12.5), forced fumbles (four) and is tied for second in fumble recoveries (two) with five others.
Nick Allison and Micah Simmons rank first and third respectively, in interceptions in the NIFL with nine and six. They total 122 in return yards with Allison galloping for 82. Allison had the league's best single-day total of four picks in the Hawgs' 22-17 victory over Rome.
On offense, the Hawgs combine a balance of passing and rushing, although coach Bryson likes the run first since he has the power of Brad Lee.
The 6-foot-1, 246-pound Lee, out of local Bethune-Cookman College, is second in rushing with 486 yards on 143 carries this season. He averages 69.4 yards a game and has 14 touchdowns. Lee is also sixth in the league in scoring with 90 points.
Robert Bailey continues to be one of the league's top receivers, ranking second with 37 catches for 434 yards and 10 touchdowns. Bailey also is third in yards receiving a game with 62.
Bailey's all-purpose tally tops the list of NIFL players with 152.6 yards a game. Quarterback Oscar Davenport is tenth in total offense with 916 yards.
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