Preview: Cedar Rapids at Wichita Falls
Published on April 22, 2016 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Cedar Rapids River Kings News Release
Wichita Falls, TX - The Cedar Rapids Titans (5-3) and Wichita Falls Nighthawks (4-2) face off for the third time in league history tonight in a game that holds high playoff implications with the winner of tonight's contest holding sole possession of second place in the United Conference standings. With the new playoff structure of the Indoor Football League, the top three teams from each conference make the playoffs with the first seed on each side receiving a first round bye, allowing the second seeded team to host the first round playoff game.
After a sluggish start to his rookie season, Titans quarterback Dylan Favre has been firing on all cylinders the past month. Through the past four games, Favre has completed 55 of 82 passes (67 percent) for 668 yards and 17 touchdowns. Favre has thrown just one interception in the past four games. At the halfway point of the season, Favre leads the league in passing touchdowns (28) and yards-per-attempt (7.3) while he is second in the league in total passing yards (1,186) and completion percentage (66 percent).
A familiar name to Titans' fans has led Wichita Falls through most of the season. Charles McCullum, former member of the Titans, has completed 98 of 138 passing attempts (71 percent) for 999 yards and 20 touchdowns. It is believed that McCullum will be sidelined for tonight's game due to injury.
Running back and kick returner Waymon James, reigning IFL Rookie of the Year, continues to lead the Titans on the ground, notching 316 yards and 12 touchdowns on 94 carries. As the primary kick returning for Cedar Rapids, James has added 545 kick return yards and a pair of kick return touchdowns. James' 964 all-purpose yards is second-highest in the Indoor Football League.
Former TCU running back Ed Wesley is the leader rusher for the Nighthawks with 127 yards and five touchdowns on 44 carries.
Jared Elmore leads the Titans' receiving corps, hauling in 40 passes for 566 yards and 15 touchdowns. Elmore is tied for the league-lead in receiving touchdowns and ranks third in receiving yards behind Colorado's Demarius Washington and Iowa's Lemans Casimier.
Ole Miss alum Ja-Mes Logan leads the Wichita Falls receivers with 333 receiving yards and seven touchdowns while Jordan Jolly leads the team in receptions with 32.
Linebacker Niko Sierra anchors the Titans' defense, having made 55.5 stops through eight games. Sierra trails only Tyler Knight, the IFL's career tackles leader, in total tackles made this season. Defensive linemen Xzavie Jackson and Jermiah Price are tied for the league-lead in sacks, each having record five-and-half on the season. Price also leads the league in tackles for loss with 133.
Defensively, defensive back Deante Purvis leads the Nighthawks' defense with 25 tackles while fellow defensive back Elisha Olabode leads the team with five pass breakups.
Tonight's game is slated for a 7:05 p.m. kickoff from the Kay Yeager Coliseum in Wichita Falls, TX. Those interested in watching tonight's game can see the broadcast in its entirety online at IFLLive.tv.
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