Nebraska Danger Set for 2014 Home Opener against Lincoln Haymakers
February 6, 2014 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Nebraska Danger News Release
GRAND ISLAND, NE - The 2014 Nebraska Danger football season begins this Monday, February 10th at the Heartland Events Center as the Danger host the Lincoln Haymakers of the Champions Professional Indoor Football League. Monday's game will mark the second consecutive season that the two teams have met to open the season. The game is presented by Sam's Club.
Coming off a record breaking 2013 season where they finished 11-5, won the Intense Conference, and advanced to the United Bowl, the Danger will open league play on February 21st in Sioux Falls in a championship game rematch with the Storm. Head coach Mike Davis has 36 players in preseason camp, and will pare the roster down to 25 players for the IFL season.
"We are excited about the upcoming season and ready to build off what we did a season ago," Davis said. "We have a nice mix of returning players and some really talented new guys that we have signed in the off-season. We had a pretty good first week of practice. We are ready to get going and hope to have a successful 2014 season."
The Danger led the league in offense a season ago behind talented first-team offensive players Jameel Sewell and Kayne Farquharson. Sewell, the quarterback and league MVP, led the league in both rushing and passing in 2013, while Farquharson was named an all-league wide receiver after finishing with 1,081 yards (first in league), second in touchdowns (21) and third in receptions (73). Both players were named to the IFL's "Top 10 Players of 2013" List.
The Danger set club records for points in a season last year as they led the league in total offense and points per game as well. In addition, first-team offensive lineman Darius Savage will return to the Nebraska lineup for 2014.
Four defensive players return for 2014, spearheaded by third-year player Pig Brown. The defensive back from Missouri led the Danger with 67 tackles in 2013 including 37 solo stops. He also had three sacks and two interceptions for the Nebraska defense.
Brown is joined by defensive lineman Adrian Davis (Arkansas), and defensive backs Darnell Terrell (Missouri) and Jamar Love (Arkansas). Davis had 59 tackles in 2013 for the Danger with 2.5 sacks and Terrell recorded 43 tackles while playing in 11 games. Love, who joined the team late last season, had 21 tackles and an interception in four games. In addition, the Danger has recently signed former Kearney High and Ohio University standout Noah Keller to the team as he will battle for a spot in the defensive backfield.
"We have some spots to fill on our defense," Davis said, "but I like what these four returning guys bring to the table. They understand what we are trying to do defensively and will be able to bring along the new players we bring on the team with us this season."
The Danger won last season's game 56-21 over the Haymakers who finished 4-8 in the CPIFL; a league that includes former IFL members Wichita, Omaha and Bloomington. They are coached by former Husker running back Cory Ross and their roster includes former University of Nebraska players Cortney Grixby, Andre Jones, Ricky Thenarse and PJ Smith. Kickoff is set for 7 pm on Monday night at the Heartland Events Center, where the Danger posted an 8-0 record a season ago. Doors open at 6 pm with pre-game activities beginning at 6:30. Danger General Manager Mike McCoy said the fan experience is a key element to the Danger's success.
"We have built this team for the community of Grand Island and all of central Nebraska," McCoy said. "Our fans have been great since the beginning and we expect the same this year. We are very excited to get this season going and to give our fans another great season of exciting indoor football."
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Indoor Football League Stories from February 6, 2014
- Storm vs. Bandits Tomorrow Night - Sioux Falls Storm
- Nebraska Danger Set for 2014 Home Opener against Lincoln Haymakers - Nebraska Danger
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