League Champion Florence Hosts Carolina in Kickoff of AIFA's Third Season

March 6, 2009 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) News Release


BALTIMORE, Maryland (March 6th, 2009) - The defending champion Florence Phantoms will host the Carolina Speed Saturday night in the opening game of the 2009 AIFA season. The game will be played at the Florence Civic Center in Florence, South Carolina, beginning at 7:30PM EST. Ticket sales are reported brisk, in anticipation of the league kickoff.

The Phantoms will feature a number of players from last year's championship team. However, AIFA Bowl II MVP Omar Jacobs will be missed. He is trying to make an NFL roster.

"When you have a guy of Omar Jacobs' physical abilities and stature, it's hard to replace that," Phantom's President of Football Operations Bennie King told This Week in the AIFA. "Obviously we'll try to limit our turnovers and take advantage of the great wide receivers and offensive line that we have."

The Speed, having moved to Charlotte during the off season, will have a re-tooled team under the direction of AIFA veteran coach Ramon Robinson. The Speed will look to South Florida quarterback Ronnie Banks to direct the attack. Carolina recently signed a trio of wide receivers to bolster the team's passing game.

"Carolina has a great football team, and Florence is the defending champion," said AIFA co-founder John Morris. "Obviously, this is going to be an exciting way to kick off the 2009 season."

The Carolina-Florence game is the only league contest for the opening week. Five league games are scheduled for the following weekend, including debut contests for the D.C. Armor and the Utah Valley Thunder.



American Indoor Football Association Stories from March 6, 2009


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