Playoff Round One Preview

Published on July 20, 2007 under United Indoor Football Association (UIF) News Release


Omaha, NE - The playoffs are here. The first round action starts Saturday in Rockford, IL, Sioux Falls, SD, and Billings, MT. The other first round match-up is Sunday in St. Charles, MO. All of the match-ups between the two teams will either be the third or fourth meeting this season.

BLOOMINGTON (8-7) vs. ROCK RIVER (10-5)

At Rockford, IL

Saturday, 7:05 p.m. Central

For the fourth time this season, the Rock River Raptors and the Bloomington Extreme will meet. The Raptors have won two of the three previous meetings; an interesting side note, the road team has won every time. Rock River is coming off a bye week. In their last action, the Raptors fell to the Sioux Falls Storm 34-30 on July 7 at the Sioux Falls Arena. Leading the way for Rock River were QB Jason Murrietta and DB Chris Smith. Murrietta had 225 yards of total offense (28 rush and 197 passing). Smith made five total tackles, recovered a fumble, intercepted a pass and also broke up a pass. The Extreme defeated the Evansville BlueCats 48-31 last Saturday at Roberts Stadium. QB Steve LaFalce and DB Terrill Mayberry led the way for Bloomington in the victory. LaFalce had 133 yards of total offense (33 rushing and 100 passing) and four total touchdowns (one rushing and three passing). Mayberry made 6.5 tackles (one TFL) and a sack, intercepted a pass, broke up two more and recorded a safety.

COLORADO (6-9) vs. SIOUX FALLS (15-0)

At Sioux Falls, SD

Saturday, 7:05 p.m. Central

Also meeting for the fourth time will be the Sioux Falls Storm and the Colorado Ice. Sioux Falls has won the first three meetings between the teams. The match-up will be the second at the Sioux Falls Arena. Last Saturday, the Storm defeated the Billings Outlaws 34-9 at home. Leading the way for Sioux Falls were DB Justin Landis and RB Sean Treasure. Landis made 6.5 tackles (two TFL) and intercepted a pass. Treasure, who played in place of regular starter Marques Smith, rushed for 51 yards and two touchdowns; he also caught two passes for 15 yards and a touchdown. Colorado fell 43-40 to the Omaha Beef at the Budweiser Events Center. Leading the way for the Ice were QB Matt Gutierrez, LB Ryan Palmer and K Deric Yaussi. Gutierrez threw for 85 yards and three touchdowns (all to Tim Pope); he also rushed for 15 yards and another touchdown. Palmer made a team-high 7.5 tackles to lead the defense. Yaussi contributed 16 points on four-of-four extra points and four-of-six field goals, including one from 60 yards to set a new UIF record. As a result, he was rewarded with his second Special Teams Player of the Week honor; he also received the award for his play in week one.

OMAHA (8-7) vs. BILLINGS (8-6)

At Billings, MT

Saturday, 7:05 p.m. Mountain

The Billings Outlaws and the Omaha Beef will be meeting for the fourth time this season as well. Billings currently leads the season series 2-1. Last weekend, the Outlaws fell to the Sioux Falls Storm 34-9 at the Sioux Falls Arena. Leading the way for Billings were RB Anthony Simmons and LB Zach Tune. Simmons had 102 all-purpose yards (nine rushing and 93 on kickoff returns). Tune made eight solo stops and assisted on two more for a total of nine for the game. Last Saturday, Omaha went out west and defeated the Colorado Ice 43-40 thanks to kicker Ted Retzlaff's 47-yard field goal as time expired. Leading the way for the Beef were LB Digger Anderson and QB James McNear. Defensively, Anderson made a team-high seven tackles (.5 TFL). McNear had 228 yards of total offense (79 rushing and 149 passing) and all six of the Beef's touchdowns (four rushing and two passing). He garnered Offensive Player of the Week honors for his play against the Ice.

LEXINGTON (8-7) vs. RIVERCITY (9-6)

At St. Charles, MO

Sunday, 3:10 p.m. Central

For the third time this season, the RiverCity Rage and the Lexington Horsemen will meet. The prior two match-ups have both been won by RiverCity each by a single touchdown - will the third time be the charm for Lexington? We'll find out after Sunday's game at The Family Arena. The Rage defeated the Sioux City Bandits 45-38 last Saturday at the Tyson Events Center. RiverCity was led by LB Joe Bevis and QB Aso Pogi. Bevis made seven solo tackles (three TFL) and two sacks; he also forced a fumble and broke up a pass. For his efforts, he received Defensive Player of the Week honors. Pogi, who was playing in place of regular starter Anthony Fisher, completed 16 of 29 passes for 169 yards and three touchdowns (two to Travis Williams and one to Moses Regular); he also rushed in from a yard out to start the scoring. The Horsemen edged the Ohio Valley Greyhounds 47-40 last Saturday at Rupp Arena. Lexington was led by RB Rayshawn Askew and DB William Mulder. Askew rushed for 62 yards, caught two passes for seven yards and had a hand in four total touchdowns (three rushing and one passing) to lead the offense. Defensively, Mulder made four tackles, returned an interception 48 yards to set up a touchdown and also broke up a pass.

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