Preview: Cedar Rapids at Billings
Published on April 29, 2016 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Cedar Rapids River Kings News Release
Billings, MT - With a last-minute loss at the hands of the Wichita Falls Nighthawks last weekend, the Cedar Rapids Titans (5-4) will look to get back in the win column as they travel to Billings to take on the second-year Wolves (4-4) in Week 11 Indoor Football League action tomorrow night. The Titans lead the all-time series between these two teams, having won the sole contest last season, a 45-38 overtime game in front of 3,793 fans at Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings.
The Titans have been led this season by rookie quarterback Dylan Favre. Though suffering a slow start that saw eight interceptions thrown in the first four games, Favre has since proven to be quite accurate, completing 119 of 188 passes for a 63.3 percent completion percentage. Favre's completion percentage is second-highest in the IFL and he's thrown just three interceptions in the past five contests.
A new face will greet the Titans defense tomorrow as a newcomer to the IFL takes the reigns of the Wolves' offense. Quarterback Mason Espinosa joined the team three weeks ago and has shown he's one of the better performing quarterbacks of the second half of the season. Through three games with Billings, Espinosa (6'4", 225 lbs.) has completed 60 of 102 passes (58.8%) for 633 yards and 13 touchdowns. With 12 of his 13 touchdowns coming in back-to-back games, Espinosa was awarded Week 10 Offensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts.
On the ground, running back Waymon James paces the Cedar Rapids' ground attack with 111 carries for 360 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns through nine games. James, the winner of the IFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award last season, is second in the league in all-purpose yardage, having recorded 1,053 all-purpose yards with his added duties as kick returner.
Also a newcomer to the Titans, wide receiver Jared Elmore leads the Cedar Rapids' receiving corps and is near the top of the standings in many league receiving categories. Despite being sidelined late in last weekend's game against Wichita Falls, Elmore has 596 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns on 42 receptions this season. He is tied with the Colorado Crush's Demarius Washington for the lead in receiving touchdowns, second in the league in receptions and yards per catch (14.2yds/catch), and third in the league in receiving yards.
Wilie Downs is at the top of the Billings' receiving charts, having recorded 369 yards on 33 receptions. Fellow receiver Marcus Barnett is the only other receiver on the Wolves' roster with over two-hundred yards (25 receptions, 289 yards). Downs and Barnett each have eight touchdowns on the season.
The young offensive line of Billings will have their hands full against one of the best defensive lines in the game when they line up against indoor football veteran defensive linemen Xzavie Jackson and Jermiah Price. Jackson and Price are tied with a league-leading six sacks. Price is second in the leagues in tackles for loss with 13.5 while Jackson is third with 11.5. Defensive back Fred Griggs leads the team with 56 tackles on the season while linebacker Niko Sierra has added 55.5 stops.
Defensive back Michael Green continues to anchor the Billings' defense for the second season in a row. Green has 36.5 tackles, six pass breakups, and three interceptions on the season. Linebacker Mikell Mair leads the team with 40 tackles while defensive back Chris Freirson leads the team, and league, with eight pass breakups.
Kickoff for tomorrow night's game is slated for 8:05 p.m. Central time from EFX Field at Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings, Montana. A live online stream of the game is available through the IFL's online streaming platform located at IFLLive.tv.
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