Osceola Hosts Charleston in a Battle of NIFL Powers
April 12, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Osceola Ghostriders News Release
If there's one thing that Osceola Football can guarantee you fans this week, it's this: there will be football on Saturday. Coach Marquette Smith's team got an impromptu off week last weekend when the West Palm Beach Phantoms' playing surface at the Delray Beach Tennis Center was not adequately prepared for a football game. The match up, originally scheduled for Saturday was moved to Sunday and then ultimately cancelled. Luckily, Osceola never boarded the bus, and they saved the trip.
The team is working to make the result a forfeit, resulting in the team not having to alter their schedule or play in the middle of a week. "Last year we had a situation where we played on a Saturday, then a Monday, then a Friday because of that," Coach Smith said. "But this year our ownership is player-oriented and they wouldn't let that happen."
The team has to put that situation behind them and focus on Saturday's match up with the Charleston (S.C.) Sandsharks at the Silver Spurs Arena. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Charleston moved to 2-0 on Saturday with a 45-28 win over the Greensboro Revolution. The Sandsharks look to be a mirror image of the Fayetteville Guard, who come into the Silver Spurs Arena three weeks ago and left with a 58-55 win.
Fred Wallace, a 290-pound running back who played for Corpus Christi of the NIFL last year, gained 75 yards on 15 carries and had 2 touchdowns. Quarterback Terrence Bennett proved to be a dual threat, rushing for 36 yards and two TDs and throwing for 161 yards and 3 touchdowns. His favorite target has been receiver Eddie Miller, who hauled in four passes for 99 yards and caught two touchdown passes, including a 25-yarder on the first play from scrimmage against Greensboro last week.
Osceola Players On The Hot Seat remain the defensive line of Terrell Showers, Harvey Joiner and Chad Mascoe to get in the face of Bennett and disrupt the offense.
Another exciting Saturday of Osceola Football is coming up. Fans will again have the chance to win a car from Holiday Chevrolet and a spa from Leisure Bay. So join us for some football on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Silver Spurs Arena.
AROUND THE NIFL: The Massey Ratings for the league have Osceola Football ranked No. 2 among the league's 22 teams based on offense, defense and strength of schedule. The Fayetteville Guard, the only team to beat Osceola on the field in three attempts, is ranked No. 1 ... Fayetteville beat the Florida Frenzy, 44-41, while the Lakeland Thunderbolts shocked the Montgomery Maulers, 34-21.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from April 12, 2006
- Copperheads hit long road ahead - Texas Copperheads
- Two new stars to shine with Arkansas Stars - Arkansas Stars
- Maulers to face Frenzy - Montgomery Bears
- Osceola Hosts Charleston in a Battle of NIFL Powers - Osceola Ghostriders
- Revolution Set to Battle the Guard - Greensboro Revolution
- Bulldogs Win in First Home Game - Dayton Bulldogs
- Drillers Winchester named NIFL Defensive Player of the Week - Beaumont Drillers
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