Rage Head Into Bye Week Atop Atlantic North Division of the NIFL
March 29, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
RiverCity Rage News Release
"This team has a winning attitude, a good concept of what it means to play together as a unit. I'm pleased with what we've done so far on both sides of the ball. Granted, there's a lot of football to be played out and we've got plenty to work on, but I'd have to say right now we've established ourselves as one of the favorites to take it all the way."
Sound good? RiverCity Rage Head Football Coach Mike Wyatt had that and more to say on Monday after his team's impressive 76-34 victory over the Cincinnati Marshals Sunday at Savvis Center. "The true test, off the field, usually comes the day after a game like we had yesterday," said Wyatt, as he reviewed film from victory number two on the new season, "that's when the phone is ringing off the hook with requests for ticket information, or with fans calling who had single game tickets yesterday and now want to see about securing those same seats for the remainder of the season. It's been happening. We've opened some eyes, and certainly our move to Savvis has had some play in that, but this team has been able, at least so far, to rise to the challenge presented by our new venue and our fans. Sure, it's early, but it feels good to have this to build on."
Who could argue? Certainly not the Katy Copperheads or the Cincinnati Marshals, as the Rage opened fire on both teams with strong second halves offensively and used a stone wall defense to completely shut down it's first two opponents in 2006. An early season 2-0 on the year, the Rage sit atop the Atlantic North division in the NIFL and have a week to revamp and gear up before heading back into action against the Tennessee River Sharks in Chattanooga on Saturday, April 8th. According to Wyatt, "several teams like ours have taken a jump start ahead, but there are some sleepers in this league that time will bring forward. Right now, it's too early to tell who the really good teams are around the league, but I have to feel we've stepped up to become one of them."
Rage wide receiver Hurtis Chinn has been tagged as the NIFL Offensive Player of the Week for his outstanding performance on Sunday against Cincinnati. With 9 catches, 129 yards and 6 touchdown receptions, Chinn turned Marshal defensive backs into mere spectators on at least two occasions, streaking down the field to haul in passes of 19 and 42 yards. Chinn also heads up the NIFL receiving corps with an average of 134.5 yards per game.
Quarterback Clay Groefsema is the second leading passer in the NIFL, averaging 197.5 yards per game.
Rage running back Sha-Ron Edwards is the third leading rusher in the league with an average of 74 yards per game.
And the Rage is tough when it counts most, converting 13 of 16 Red-zone chances in the first two games for an average of 81.2%.
And while the team is currently number two in scoring offense (21 TD's, 19 extra points, 145 total points and an average of 72.5ppg) Wyatt is equally pleased with what the defense has shown in the first two games of the year. "The defense has really stepped up this year. I like the aggressive attitude we've displayed and we've worked to hit the big boys hard, fast and head-on. When we played Katy, Bam Morris wasn't that much a factor throughout most of the game as we were willing to put the bam on Morris, so to speak. We aren't intimidated and we hit hard and often and don't let up. That's the word we're looking to spread around the rest of the league."
The Rage defense has given up only 9 TD's, 7 extra points, and 67 points in two games for an opponent average of 33.5ppg.
Rage defensive back Brandon âBG' Gregory and linebacker Joe Bevis both have two interceptions on the young season. The Rage secondary has been tough on opposing quarterbacks so far as newcomer Jabari Smith and defensive captain Clarence âCJ' Jones have one interception apiece.
Linebacker Terrell Washington is the NIFL leader in tackles, averaging 12 per game for the first two starts in 2006.
And the new Rage defensive linemen have made their presence known right from the start. Marquis Hayes leads the way with three sacks thus far, while newcomer Jerry Brooks, an East St. Louis High product who made the team from the Rage open tryouts, has registered two. Gary Ellis and Terrell Washington have one sack each.
Finally, the Rage so far, have not hurt themselves, according to Wyatt. "We haven't had many turnovers or mental errors and that's a huge plus because it's usually in the beginning of the season that you have those sort of problems. That's the kind of focus we need to continue to work on, to make sure we don't walk away from a game thinking things would have been different if we hadn't turned the ball over or given it away."
With six interceptions and only one fumble and one interception thrown, the team is an impressive plus four in turnover margin.
The River City Rage is part of the 24 team National Indoor Football League, beginning the sixth season of play in 2006. Tickets for all remaining Rage home games at Savvis Center can be purchased on-line at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Savvis Center box office. For all information on the RiverCity Rage, visit the team web site at www.ragefootball.com.
The Rage has a bye week the weekend of April first. The team will play the Tennessee Sand Sharks in Chattanooga on Saturday April 8th and return home to Savvis Center for a Friday, April 14th date with Billings.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from March 29, 2006
- NIFL week four preview - NIFL
- Fever Ready for Second Game of 2006 - Tri-Cities Fever
- Rage Head Into Bye Week Atop Atlantic North Division of the NIFL - RiverCity Rage
- NIFL Phantoms Owner May Hit the Gridiron - Palm Beach Phantoms
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