NIFL Atlantic North Preview

Published on March 6, 2006 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL) News Release


It's a division of rivalries, of two revamped teams, and one of expansion. Here's how it'll break down in 2006.....

The RiverCity Rage had one of the best regular season records in the National Indoor Football League in 2005, boasted the second highest points per game scoring, and was the favoured team to reach the NIFL title game in the Atlantic Division. But the door to that title run was slammed shut by the Cincinnati Marshals in the opening round of the playoffs. Rage Head Football Coach Mike Wyatt says he hasn't forgotten that feeling. "It was one of the hardest losses I've ever experienced as a coach. I really felt like we would be the team to hold that trophy at the end of July, and we let our guard down, lost focus and ended up watching the rest of the league go by. My job, our job, is to make sure that doesn't happen again."

On the surface, the Rage offense would seem to have taken a blow with the unexpected retirement of All-Star wide receiver Scott Pingel. The NIFL's leading reception leader in 2005, Pingel will be missed, but Wyatt says support is in the wings. "We've got Mike Lawrence, Corey Bethany, Moses Regular, and last years NIFL runner-up to Scott in receptions, Mario Patton, all ready to step in and keep this offense on the move. Scott will be missed, no doubt, but with returning quarterback Clay Groefsema, running back Sha-Ron Edwards and a balanced offensive line up front, I'm confident we'll be at or near the top in offensive firepower in 2006."

The Rage were a perfect 8-0 at home, a disappointing 2-4 on the road and a near perfect 5-1 in the division. The team will open the 2006 campaign at Katy, Texas on Saturday March 18 th and return home for the debut game and home opener at the team's new venue, the Savvis Center, on Sunday March 26 th.

Finishing with a record of 8-6 in 2005, the Dayton Bulldogs have new management, a new logo, new team chemistry and a new Head Coach in Derrick Davidson. Former Ohio State standout Steve Bellisari has left for the AFL2, leaving Davidson to hang his hopes on Antonio Davis, a 6'4" athlete, who Davidson says "is an outstanding quarterback and has a cannon for an arm. We'll do well with Antonio as our signal caller and leader on the field, and he's got an excellent corps of receivers to throw to." Two in particular are David Blount, a 6'4" 220lb target and Anthony Tyus, a wide out super threat back for his second season in the NIFL. Davidson also is confident running back Keith Brooks will be ready to answer the bell. "Keith played some great football for this team last season and he's a bull of a runner who can hit the line and keep going and going. We've got some firepower on offense this year."

The Bulldogs lost in the opening round of the 2005 playoffs, falling to the Fayetteville Guard by the score of 78-63. The Bulldogs spent the off-season restructuring the front office and management side of the franchise. With new, solid backing for the team in 2006, Head Coach Derrick Davidson and the Dayton team are set to improve on an already solid team base this season, ready to make last year's good record...great!

The Bulldogs open the new season on the road with an April 1 st date against the Cincinnati Marshals. Dayton will return home against the Cincinnati team on Sunday, April 9 th. That Sunday game will be at the Nutter Center on the campus of Wright State University.

Loss in top notch personnel will not translate into the same on the field. That's according to new Cincinnati Marshals Head Football Coach Steve Carpenter, who says "losing players the calibre of Rayshawn Askew and Brett Dietz hurts any team, especially when you consider the fact that Rayshawn led the league in scoring (46 TD's) and was the league leader in rushing (719) yards. Brett Dietz (headed to the Arena League) was a field general and was a steady force in guiding the team, especially in the red zone. But I've been around this game a long time and I know that you have to adapt to change because injuries, trades, and retirements, all these things make teams better or worse, depending on how you're prepared to react. I personally think we'll be a strong, balanced football team."

Only seven players return from the Cincinnati Marshals team that went to the Atlantic Conference Championship game, but the entire offensive line will be back to see action in 2006 and Carpenter is excited about two players with NFL experience on their resume. "Both Ray Jackson and Troy Albea will make an impact in this league and certainly have the background to jump right in and take over for Rayshawn and the absence he created."

Jackson spent time with the Tennessee Titans and Albea wore the colors of the Indianapolis Colts. Also returning are fullback Nick Awers (on the roster but injured in 2005) linebacker Derrick Robinson and defensive back Johnell Wyatt, and wide receiver Michael Larkin will be a factor as well. Larkin is the all time leading receiver for the University of Miami-Ohio and is used to big time play.

Cincinnati finished 8-6 on the year, going 4-2 at home, 4-4 on the road and 4-4 in the division. The Marshals were a surprise in the 2005 NIFL playoffs, winning the conference quarter-final and semi-final rounds before falling short in the Conference Championship Game, losing to Rome by the score of 51-41.

The Marshals open the new season Sunday, March 26 th on the road against the RiverCity Rage, before returning to the U.S. Bank Arena to face the Dayton Bulldogs on Saturday, April 1 st.

Starting from the get-go, but ready to go will be the newly expanded Tennessee River Sharks, ready to swim with the best of the NIFL in 2006. New Coach Chris Carter will be evaluating talent right up to the final week of pre-season, looking for players ready to step up and make an immediate mark on the indoor game. So far, he likes what he's seen. "It's tough being the new guys on the block, you have to roll the dice and anticipate things quite a bit when you've not played before. You can only see game film if it's available, and you never know about the teams you face. But hey, then again, they don't know about you ei ther." That aside, Carter is excited about bringing the fast-paced indoor game to the Chattanooga area and promises River Sharks fans a competitive, determined team that won't quit. "We've gotten most of our roster from tryouts, but all these athletes are top notch football players who have the skill and desire to compete for a title."

Carter sites running back Lonnie White from Be thel Bible College as one of the offensive players ready to get down. "Lonnie is the type of back who can get us 2 yards or 10, can catch passes out of the backfield and will be a threat to score from anywhere on the field. We'll build an offensive around him.'

Defensively the "jury is still out," according to Coach Carter, who says he is "still looking for that one special player who can step up and be a leader, take control of this team on the field. I'm sure that player will emerge before the first game begins." Carter did say he was impressed with Raheem Shabazz, a rookie linebacker from Ohio State, who has been impressive in camp. All in all, Carter knows his work is cut out for him this year, but says "two expansion teams played for the NIFL title last year, so it's not a lock on any one team for success or failure. It's all in how you hit the field, ready to play. That's what will make the difference for any team at the end of the road."

The Tennessee River Sharks open the inaugural season of NIFL play on Saturday, March 11 th, taking on the Twin City Gators at Camp Jordan Arena, the team's home venue for 2006.

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National Indoor Football League Stories from March 6, 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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