IFL Interleague Championship Intriguing
Published on May 22, 2008 under Intense Football League (Intense) News Release
Making the playoffs is the primary concern for most of the Intense Football League these days. Okay, the Louisiana Swashbucklers and Corpus Christi Hammerheads are all but locks and the next five teams are juxtapositioned for the final four spots. Once that situation is resolved, teams also have another prize on the horizon: representing the IFL in the inaugural National Indoor Bowl on Saturday, July 26 against the United Indoor Football champion.
Though his focus is getting ready for Saturday's game at Katy, Frisco Thunder head coach Troy Esprit is intrigued with the opportunity of the interleague championship.
"It's a great step for the entire sport of indoor football,'' Esprit said. "As a player and coach, I'd look forward to the opportunity of seeing different players and different styles of play from another part of the country. It'll be like a college bowl game because not only are you representing your team, but your entire conference as well."
The game will be one week after each team's conference championship, but Esprit says that shouldn't be a problem.
"Players are going to have a chance to be a part of history and win a championship ... if they can't get up for that, they have no business being on the field that day," Esprit said.
The IFL champion will host the 2009 game.
RUNNING MEN: In the pass-happy world of indoor football , the running game gets overlooked except for short-yardage situations. In the IFL, things are little more balanced. In four games last week, six of the eight teams ran the ball at least ten times. Corpus Christi has given its running backs over TWENTY touches twice in its last four games. CenTex and Katy also have had games with 20 or more rushes.
It's no surprise to Esprit. His running back, Ricky Madison, has ran the ball ten or more times in seven games this season. Madison had a season-high 13 carries in last week's 28-16 victory at San Angelo.
"You need a strong running game to complement the passing," Esprit said. "It also helps you control the clock and manage the game more efficiently. "
Madison gained 34 yards last week to maintain his IFL lead. He has 264 yards, followed by Katy's Carlos Alsup (214) and Corpus Christi's Justin Hardemann (159)
FOR KICKS: Thunder K Dennis Hopovac has made two field goals in each of the last three games to bring his season total to a league-best 14. At this pace, he'll break the current league single-season record of 20 set last year by Katy's Darren Brown.
AROUND THE LEAGUE: The most unique note from last week came when Louisiana coach Darnell Lee temporarily stepped down to become a back-up quarterback for the Swashbucklers' game against the Fairbanks Grizzlies.Lee's stat line: 7 of 9 for 86 yards and 4 touchdowns (no interceptions) in a 94-27 victory.
Hmm. Former star players who become head coaches only to return to the field for a game or two... "Don't even go there," Esprit said.
Hmm. What about former NFL wide receivers who become owners only to return to the field for a game or two... "Don't even go there,'' said Thunder owner Jake Reed.
THIS WEEK: Frisco (6-4) at Katy (3-5), Alaska (4-4) at CenTex (5-4), Corpus Christi (7-1) at Fairbanks (1-8) and Odessa (4-5) at Louisiana (8-0). The Swashbucklers can officially clinch a playoff berth with the victory. Here's the playoff situation with the teams currently in third through seventh place Games Left Home Away Tiebreaker Advantage Frisco (3rd, 6-4) 0H 4A Katy, Louisiana, Alaska, San Angelo Alaska, Katy CenTex (4th, 5-4) 3H 2A Alaska, Katy, Corpus Christi Louisiana, Corpus Christi Frisco, Odessa, Katy Alaska (5th, 4-4) 2H 4A Corpus Christi, Frisco Fairbanks (2), CenTex, Louisiana Odessa Odessa (6th, 4-5) 3H 2A San Angelo, Fairbanks, Katy Louisiana, San Angelo Frisco Katy (7th, 3-5) 3H 3A Louisiana, Corpus Christi CenTex, San Angelo, Odessa
BOLD tiebreaker advantage indicates season series sweep Italics indicates current lead of season series Underline indicates split of season series but point differential advantage
Intense Football League Stories from May 22, 2008
- Earls and Havens earn PTW honors - West Texas Roughnecks
- Frisco Thunder vs. Katy Ruffriders Game Notes - Frisco Thunder
- IFL Interleague Championship Intriguing - Intense
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