NIFL weekly report

by Rocky Larson
March 28, 2002 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)

Considering the high-flying, fast-paced, scoring-intensive world of NIFL football, it is a rare thing to see even close games decided by less than a touchdown. Last week three games were decided by under a field goal, with two of those coming down to one-point victories. It doesn't get much better than that.

In four of the six games played last week the home teams managed to earn the W. Even with three games decided by under three points, home squads averaged a score of 45 points compared to the 30-point average of the visitors.

My crystal ball seems to be foggier than I remember it being last year. Even then, I managed to predict four of the six games played, bringing my year-to-date accuracy to 7-3. A full card of action awaits NIFL fans this week as 16 teams take the field.

Friday, March 29

• Lincoln Capitols (0-0) @ La Crosse Night Train (0-1)
  

  Lincoln fans have had it rough. Two years ago they had a team in the IFL. Last year they were in af2. This year they are in the NIFL. Through that turmoil Lincoln has always been able to bring back a good core of players and coaches. La Crosse is still trying to figure out their QB situation but should be an improved squad after a bye last week. This could be a close game, but give it to the Road Warriors. Caps start their season with a win.

• Tri City Diesel (1-0) @ Omaha Beef (0-0)
  

  This is the second year for the Diesel and they seem to be a better team all-around. Too bad they have to run into the Beef. The Omaha Beef, besides having one of the most unique names in the league, is a power-house squad that is brimming with corn-fed Nebraskan football players. After this week Tri City will already be looking back at the good ol days. Beef trample the Diesel.

Saturday, March 30

• Sioux Falls Storm (2-0) @ Rapid City Red Dogs (1-1)
  

  This is the game of the week in the NIFL. The Storm have litereally blown away their competition, averaging close to fifty points per game and they are +10 on turnovers. The Red Dogs possess the most potent passing attack in the league and can control the clock with the best of teams. Expect a war, and an upset. Red Dogs cancel the Storm warning.

• River City Renegades (0-0) @ Bismarck Roughriders (0-1)
  

  Can an organization win out of the starting blocks when, in just the past few weeks, such necessities as a head coach and player depth remained to be answered? That is what the Renegades are facing. Granted, they look good on paper with 16+ returning players, but have they practiced enough? Bismarck is not a town that takes losing lightly and a week one pasting by the Sioux Falls Storm is still fresh on their minds. Well, it's a bye week later and the Roughriders are ready to roll. Don't expect a pretty game, but do expect Bismarck to pull even at 1-1.

• Houma Bayou Bucks (0-1) @ Oklahoma Crude (0-1)
  

  Last week the Bayou Bucks grasped defeat from the jaws of victory as the Austin Knights came back to steal a road win. The Crude were given a less than pleasant welcome to the world of indoor football by the bad boys of the NIFL, the Sioux City Bandits. Fans can expect the Bayou Bucks to avenge their loss last week while the Crude attempt to stop the bleeding. Bucks win.

• OV Greyhounds (0-0) @ Winston/Salem Energy (0-0)
  

  This should have been the second meeting between these two squads, but a van roll-over during week one kept these teams from meeting. The Greyhounds are a tough, experienced squad that have the ability to win. The Energy are looking good for an expansion team and should make this a great game. It could be a toss-up, but experience tells me that old age and treachery usually overcomes youth and skill. Greyhounds win.

• Tupelo Fireants (0-0) @ Mississippi Firedogs (0-1)
  

  Last year this was one of the most interesting rivalries of the league. The Fireants now has a year of experience under their belts and are ready to go. The Firedogs, on the other hand, have gone from the dominate team in the NIFL to an experienced squad still trying to gel. Things won't get easier this week for the defending NIFL Champion Firedogs. Tupelo grinds out a road win.

Sunday, March 31

• Wyoming Cavalry (0-1) @ Billings Outlaws (1-1)
  

  In what could be the most heated rivalry in the NIFL, these old enemies face off for an Easter Special of their own. Both teams seem to be suffering from a lack of cohesion and team-play on the field. This game will come down to which team can move the ball through the air better. That team is the Outlaws. Billings wins a close one.

NIFL Power Poll

The power poll is taking on a slightly different look than what you might be used to. In order to simplify the polling process, each of the "armchair qb's" who are the experts in the poll rank each team from best to worst, 1st to 21st. A first-place vote is worth 21 points while a last-place vote is worth 1 point. The points are then averaged and each team is ranked according to power.

• 1. Sioux Falls Storm 20 They are the only team sporting a 2-0 record. Polished.
• 2. Lake Charles LandSharks 19 They're moving up the chart, just as I predicted. Watch out!
• 3. Omaha Beef 18 They're the best team in Nebraska, their division and possibly the league.
• 4. Ohio Valley Greyhounds 16 The Greyhounds are the team to beat in the East.
• 5. Rapid City Red Dogs 16 The pieces are starting to come together. A win this week would be huge.
• 6. Mississippi Firedogs 13 Can they gel before they tumble out of the top ten?
• 7. Tupelo Fire Ants 13 Nothing would make them happier than beating the Firedogs.
• 8. Louisiana Rangers 13 Hey, I had this team pegged wrong. They can play in the tough South.
• 9. Tennessee Thundercats 13 They may have been the top team in the IPFL, but that was last year.
• 10. Billings Outlaws 13 Interception-prone. 3 words: Take The Sack.
• 11. Tri City Diesel 12 Can Kearney play with the likes of Omaha?
• 12. Sioux City Bandits 12 Kicking the crap out of Enid felt gooooooooood.
• 13. Austin Knights 10 Texas football. Win a game, get a bye.
• 14. Bayou Bucks 9 A win this week will make it all better.
• 15. Wyoming Cavalry 8 The Cav's take a tumble in the ratings. Ouch.
• 16. Lincoln Capitols 8 What league are we in again?
• 17. Winston Salem Energy 6 The Energy are full of talent on paper, but that isn't where the games are played.
• 18. Bismarck Roughriders 5 How many mediocre quarterbacks does Bismarck have? One. The other one quit.
• 19. La Crosse Night Train 4 They're not a bad team, but they aren't ready to take that next step just yet.
• 20. RiverCity Renegades 4 It could take a few weeks for this team to come together.
• 21. Oklahoma Crude 1 It was unanimous amongst the pollsters. The Crude are, ahem, unrefined.

National Indoor Football League Stories from March 28, 2002

• NIFL weekly report - OSC Original by Rocky Larson
• Diesel Front Office Announces Discounted Ticket - Tri-City Diesel

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.