IFL Coaches Poll: Week 18
Published on June 12, 2013 under Indoor Football League (IFL) News Release
Richmond, VA - The Nebraska Danger have overtaken the Sioux Falls Storm for the top spot in the final IFL Coaches Poll of the 2013 season.
The Danger (9-4) finish the season with the most week's spent at the #1 spot with 4 (Cedar Rapids, Colorado, Sioux Falls had 3 each). In the most highly anticipated game of Week 17, the Danger earned a key road victory over the Colorado Ice, 67-55. The win not only clinched the #1 seed for the Danger in the Intense Conference, it also gives Nebraska home field advantage in the Conference Championship game against the Ice on June 22nd. QB Jameel Sewell continued his impressive season for the Danger, completing 18 of 28 passes for 235 yards and 5 touchdowns adding 32 yards on 8 rushes for 2 rushing scores. For his performance, Sewell was named Offensive Player of the Week, his 3rd such award this season. The Danger finish the regular season at home against the Tri-Cities Fever this weekend.
Despite a dominating 59-16 victory over the Texas Revolution, the Sioux Falls Storm (9-4) fall one spot to #2 in this week's poll. The Storm's top ranked defense, allowing only 35.5 points per game, controlled the game from the onset, limiting the Revs to only 60 yards of offense in the first half. Veteran defensive lineman Rachman Crable was a standout, registering 3 sacks. Crable currently ranks 3rd in the league with 8.5 on the season. With the win, the Storm have clinched the #1 seed in the United Conference playoffs and will host the Cedar Rapids Titans in the Conference Championship game on June 22nd. Prior to starting their quest for a 3rd straight United Bowl Championship, the Storm will travel to Texas to take on the Revolution in the final week of the regular season.
The Colorado Ice (8-5) and the Cedar Rapids Titans (9-5) were deadlocked in the voting this week at #3. After the loss to Nebraska, Colorado drops one spot from a week ago. Trailing 41-19 at the half, the Ice battled back in the 2nd half, narrowing the Danger lead to 44-39 after a Willie Copeland touchdown run early in the 4th quarter. However, that was the closest the team would get as Sewell connected with WR Maurice Avery for 3 touchdowns down the stretch. The Ice hosts the Wyoming Cavalry in the final regular season game this weekend.
The Titans earned the first playoff berth in team history with a 49-42 victory over the Green Bay Blizzard. It was a physical, back and forth battle between these rivals that came down to the wire. Kick returner T.J. Simmons was named Special Teams Player of the Week after covering 118 yards on 5 returns and returning a missed field goal 46 yards for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter of the game. The Titans will enjoy a bye week before traveling to Sioux Falls for the United Conference Championship game on June 22nd.
For the fourth consecutive week, the Chicago Slaughter (8-5) round out the Top 5. Idle in Week 17, the Slaughter saw their playoff hopes crushed with wins by Sioux Falls and Cedar Rapids. Still, this team has nothing to hang their head about. The Slaughter were amongst the most talented and physical teams in the IFL and have a bright future with emerging star Cody Kirby leading the way at Quarterback. The Slaughter finish the 2013 season with a road game against bitter rivals the Green Bay Blizzard.
Spots 6-9 belong to the Tri-Cities Fever, Texas Revolution, Green Bay Blizzard, and Wyoming Cavalry. The Fever (6-7) defeated the Cavalry 33-6 in Week 17. Since beginning the season 1-6, Tri-Cities is by far the hottest team in the IFL, winning 5 of their last 6 games. They finish the season on the road against the Danger this weekend. After the embarrassing loss to the Storm, the Revs (5-8) get a shot at revenge against Sioux Falls this weekend at home. The Blizzard (4-9) were unable to play spoiler against the Titans last week. They host rival Chicago this weekend. The Cavalry (1-12) look to end the season on a high note when they travel to their I-25 rivals, the Colorado Ice this weekend.
Indoor Football League Stories from June 12, 2013
- IFL Coaches Poll: Week 18 - IFL
- Blizzard vs. Slaughter - Game Preview - Green Bay Blizzard
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