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Indoor Football League Week 8 Preview

April 30, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL) News Release


FRIDAY, MAY 1 - SAGINAW STING (3-4) @ MUSKEGON THUNDER (0-6), 7:00 PM

The first IFL game this week pits two Atlantic Division foes who haven't gotten off to the starts they both had hoped. The Sting have lost their last two games after a solid start, but could even their record with a win on the road this week. Opposing QB's must be wary of DB Earnest Smith is at all times as the ball hawk has blanketed receivers and intercepted 3 passes this season.

The Thunder are still waiting for all three of their units to click together and get them their first win of the season. The defense has steadily improved since the start of the year, with LB Tersee Nande leading the way. The Muskegon backer is averaging 6 tackles per contest.

SATURDAY, MAY 2 - OMAHA BEEF (4-2) @ COLORADO ICE (3-2), 7:00 PM

The Beef and Ice, two offensive juggernauts, square off in the IFL Game of the Week. Omaha is coming off an impressive 70 point performance against Odessa last week, vaulting them into the top position in the Central Division. QB James McNear has been giving opposing defenses nightmares as a dual running and passing threat, and is averaging over 200 yards of total offense per game.

Colorado is riding a three game winning streak heading into this weekends match-up. In last weekends 19 point victory over Alaska, four different players found the endzone including two long TD receptions by WR Justin Gallas. The talented receiver has caught a total of six TD passes this season and is averaging ten yards per catch.

SATURDAY, MAY 2 - BILLINGS OUTLAWS (5-1) @ FAIRBANKS GRIZZLIES (3-2), 7:00 PM

The Outlaws have been the talk of the Pacific Division, but they have the Grizzlies nipping at their heels. Billings is coming off a hard-fought 42-41 win over the always tough Sioux Falls Storm. In that game, they went for a 2 point conversion with under one minute left to seal the one point victory. QB Chris Dixon is averaging 200 yards of total offense per contest.

Fairbanks got back to their winning ways last week, after suffering two losses in row prior. Offensive POW Justin Rummell became the first QB in IFL history to throw for over 300 yards in one game. He has been the catalyst for an offense that is scoring over 40 points per game.

SATURDAY, MAY 2 - ODESSA ROUGHNECKS (0-4) @ CORPUS CHRISTI HAMMERHEADS (1-3), 7:05 PM

Yet another Inter-Texas battle is a show down between two teams not used to looking up at the division leaders. Last week, the Roughnecks scored at will, but a few Special Teams mishaps gave them the 58-70 loss. In that game, WR Eric Taylor caught 8 passes for 141 yards and 4 TD's and also ran for another 38 yards score. In total, Taylor accumulated 197 All-Purpose yards.

The Hammerheads enter this game in hopes of starting their climb back up the Lonestar Division standings. DB Wali Munin has been a bright spot so far for their defense. The shutdown Corner has intercepted two passes and has been a force in the run game, by averaging over 4 tackles per contest.

SATURDAY, MAY 2 - RIVERCITY RAGE (5-1) @ SIOUX CITY BANDITS (1-5), 7:05 PM

Rivercity looks for their third win in a row against a Bandits team booming with confidence after their first win of the year. The Rage offense has been picking apart its opponents defenses with ease of late. In last weeks win against Saginaw, Quarterback Dixie Wooten completed 15 of 20 passes for 209 yards and 5 touchdowns

The Bandits fought to the wire in their 30-28 victory over Wichita last weekend. The difference in that game was the sure leg of Andrew Kroell. The kicker booted three field goals of 48, 29, and 25 yards and connected on all three of his extra points attempts for a total of 12 points.

SATURDAY, MAY 2 - EL PASO GENERALS (3-1) @ SAN ANGELO STAMPEDE EXPRESS (2-1), 7:05 PM

The tight race in the Lonestar Division could separate or get a lot closer as the Generals head to San Angelo. El Paso is in search of their first three game winning streak in franchise history. In there last two wins they have scored a combined 145 points, and are led by star Quarterback Tommy Jones who leads the IFL by throwing for over 220 yards per game.

The Stampede Express suffered their first set back of the season last week at the hands of Abilene, but a win this weekend could vault them higher in the division. WR Tarvar Williams is averaging over five receptions per game and has already caught five TD passes through their first three games.

SATURDAY, MAY 2 - ABILENE RUFF RIDERS (3-1) @ WICHITA WILD (1-4), 7:05 PM

The Ruff Riders travel to their first game outside of Texas to face an eager Wild team looking to bounce back. Abilene's defense has held opponents to 27 points or less in three of their four games. They are led by Week 7 Defensive Player of the Week Rico Brooks, who is averaging over 8 tackles per contest and is showcasing himself as a bona fide playmaker.

Wichita is fresh off a hard fought, two point loss at the hands of Sioux City last week. After two weeks on the road, the Wild welcome the chance to play at home where they got their lone win of the season. The defense, led by LB Lamont Reid is 3rd in the IFL allowing less then 170 total yards per game.

SATURDAY, MAY 2 -ROCHESTER RAIDERS (3-2) @ MARYLAND MANIACS (3-2), 7:30 PM

This match-up has all the makings of an instant classic. The two Atlantic Division foes will battle it out for second place within the division. The Raiders, coming off their bye, look to make it three in a row after starting off the season with two losses. The defense has been stout, allowing a league best 25 points per contest and only 11 touchdowns thru their first four games.

After losing their first two games, the resurgent Maniacs have rattled off three straight victories. Coach Steeple has relied on a run and pass balance during the streak. RB Darryl Overton has truly bought into this philosophy as he has recorded five touchdowns on the ground and caught three through the air.

MONDAY, MAY 4 - BLOOMINGTON EXTREME (4-3) @ ALASKA WILD (0-4), 7:05 PM

Bloomington heads to Alaska for Monday Night Football, IFL style. The Extreme hope their luck in Alaska changes, after losing to Fairbanks last weekend in close battle. Mitch Tanney's arm has teams on notice, as the Quarterback has thrown for over 1,000 yards and 25 touchdowns this season.

Alaska has seemed to play far better at home this season then on the road, and hopes that home field advantage will get them their first win this weekend. Demarcus James continues to shine in the return game, which is evidenced by his three KO returns for touchdowns so far this season. He is among the league leaders, averaging 21 yards per kick return.

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Indoor Football League Stories from April 30, 2009


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