Lehigh Valley Outlawz Season Preview

Published on March 29, 2006 under Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)
Lehigh Valley Outlawz News Release


Lehigh Valley, the GLIFL's first franchise, entered the league on June 28, 2005. Since then, the team has worked on generating local support for a game that has never been played in the Valley. The groundwork for the Outlawz started even before that June 28 date. "We have been working on this for over a year now," said DePaul. "One day, I got a call from Jeff (GLIFL co-founder Jeff Spitaleri), and we hit it off. We liked what this league had to offer, and that's why we're here." This is the second in a series of six team previews; one for each team in the new Great Lakes Indoor Football League.

Beyond the goal of providing a quality professional football team to Bethlehem's Stabler Arena, DePaul is trying to make the Outlawz' six home games first-class events. "We are working on putting together community events before all our home games," said DePaul. Events will range from bringing in local bands to even the possibility of youth flag football games. The team adds to this the presence of a clown for children's entertainment, and an Outlawz mascot. GLIFL football is supposed to be a family-friendly event, and the Outlawz are certainly doing their part to make that a reality.

The on-field product looks to build on this event atmosphere. Lehigh Valley may come into the GLIFL with less experience than any other roster, but the players have passion for the game. "We are proud of the work ethic our kids are displaying," said Outlawz head coach Bob Kohler. "We're a group of blue collar workers striving to be the best we can be." So far, that attitude is permeating throughout the organization. "Everyone in the organization is working hard to bring a quality program to the Lehigh Valley, one which all community members can embrace and call their team."

This "best we can be" will make some noise on the 50-yard, 7-on-7 field. The Outlawz should be strong on both lines with big linemen Corey Adler and Sean Williams. Penn State grad Drew DeRogatis will add some big-game experience to the group. The line was originally considered a major weakness on the Outlawz roster, the players are quickly coming together as a group. "We will only be as successful on offense as our offensive line is up front," said Kohler. On defense, this group should be fine.

Chad Schwenk leads the Outlawz from the quarterback position, and he will have plenty of weapons to work with. RBs Steve Cook and Matt Marcks will carry the ball some, while WRs Billy Parker and Merrill Chappell will be the primary receivers. "Maybe we don't have blazing speed," said Kohler, "but we will outwork anyone in this league."

The defense is a question mark. Not because of any specific problems with players, but due to the complete lack of experience they have with the indoor game. "7-on-7 will require almost all man coverage," noted Kohler. "Our DBs better have their ‘guns loaded,' in Outlawz terms." Sean McGinley and Doug Folger look to be the blitzing linebackers, with Andrew Nelson playing LB/S. Joe Wooten, James Spence, and Karrie Ford create a perhaps undersized, but quick defensive backfield. The talent is there. The experience will come. Perhaps it is good karma that the first Outlawz game is at equally inexperienced Marion.

Chris Reed is the placekicker. Reed, from Muhlenberg College, has never played indoors, but is reportedly adjusting well to the indoor game of low ceilings and hanging scoreboards. How quickly he adjusts to this style with players coming after him for the football will quickly determine how many extra scoring drives he can piece together for the Outlawz.

Even with the differences in the indoor game over 11-on-11 college football (something Kohler has 33 years of experience coaching), the coach's toughest task has been the roster size rules. "In my 33 years of college coaching I have never had to cut a player, and that is not easy for me to do at this juncture." That's not to say an adjustment to the 7-on-7 game was easy. "It's been tough to condense good solid football to ‘playing on a postage stamp without the glue. Spacing and adjustments will take us some time getting used to. Even so, the game still comes down to the basics: throwing, catching, running, blocking, tackling. Football only becomes complicated when we as coaches make it that way. Let the kids play."

The final verdict? To be determined. Lehigh Valley has question marks, but they all stem from inexperience in the indoor game. Effort will not be an issue, and it may pull the Outlawz to wins over more experienced teams. Regardless, this team will not be a disappointment to the league, the other five franchises, or the fans in the Lehigh Valley.

The Great Lakes Indoor Football League kicks off its inaugural season on Friday, April 7, with two games. The Battle Creek Crunch host the Port Huron Pirates, while the NY/NJ Revolution travel to Rochester to face the Raiders. Lehigh Valley closes the league's opening weekend with a trip to Marion to face the Mayhem on Saturday, April 8. For more information about the league, please visit the GLIFL website at www.glifl.com, or contact GLIFL Director of Media Relations Josh Stein at jstein@glifl.com.

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Continental Indoor Football League Stories from March 29, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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