Rage looking for redemption Friday against top-rated defense
Published on April 20, 2005 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
RiverCity Rage News Release
The River City Rage of the NIFL will look to redeem themselves after last Saturday night's loss to Tri- Cities when they hit the turf at Family Arena Friday night to face one of the top defensive teams in the league. The Lakeland Thunderbolts and their Head Coach Garret Hagin will have much the same thought in mind when both teams clash at 7pm, St. Louis time. The game can be heard on 1380 ESPN Radio and audio-streamed on the 1380 and Rage websites.
The Rage, according to Head Football Coach Mike Wyatt "let one get away on Saturday. Anytime you have the lead and the ball with under two minutes to play, any team, especially our team, should find a way to get it in the win column. Turnovers and mistakes cost us that game, but good teams learn from those errors and take measures to prevent them from happening again. That was the focus of our practices this week."
Two errant center snaps, both recovered by Tri- Cities, and a muffed Kick-Off return resulting in a Fever touchdown, accounted for 22 unanswered points late in the fourth quarter as the Rage lost the first game of the 2005 season by the score of 67-52.
Likewise, The Lakeland team is coming off a similar road defeat as a result of penalties and turnovers. The Thunderbolts fell to the Daytona Beach Hawgs 38-26, the "win"dow of opportunity closing up late in the third quarter when Daytona ran back a Lakeland fumble 26 yards for a score and slamming shut late in the fourth with another turnover and various penalties that stalled drives, taking time off the clock.
Thunderbolt Coach Garrett Hagin had this to say "You can't let penalties and turnovers take you out of your game, and you won't win in this league if you do."
So, two teams that learned it the hard way last week now get together this week and what a match- up it'll be! The Rage lead the NIFL in points per game, averaging 60.8 over the first 4 games. On the other side of the line, the Thunderbolts come in fourth overall on defense, giving up only 32.2 points per game over 5 games.
'It'll be a classic match-up for the fans" said Mike Wyatt, "Lakeland's 'D' is tough and hard hitting and our offense has been on fire. It stacks up to be the football version of the moveable object against the irresistible force."
That 'moveable object' Rage offense also is currently second overall in total offense with 1200 overall yards (365 rushing, 835 passing) scoring 34 touchdowns in four games. Only the Beaumont Drillers and Kissammee Kreatures have scored more TD's and the team is third in rushing offense, averaging 91.2 yards per game.
Individual leaders for the Rage include Scott Pingel who is seventh overall in scoring, with 10 touchdowns and 5 two-point conversions, good for 70 points. Quarterback Clay Groefsema has completed 82 of 127 pass attempts, good for 781 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Finally, Running Back Sha-Ron Edwards has 187 yards in 42 rushing attempts, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. Edwards has scored three touchdowns.
The Rage currently lead the Atlantic East Division with a record of 3-1. Dayton stands at 2-1, Cincinnati is 2-2 and New Jersey is winless at 0-5.
In the Atlantic South, the Lakeland Thunderbolts are in third place in a four team division with a record of 2-3 on the year.
2 MINUTE DRILL Quotes from Rage Head Football Coach Mike Wyatt
(On the "on paper" matchups between the Rage and Thunderbolts)
"The problem with statistics only 4 or 5 games into the year is that they are relative only to the teams you've played. As an example, if you've only played teams that run the ball the majority of the time, you'll naturally have the number one pass defense. You can't apologize for stats, but the better sign would be to make comparisons against common opponents"
(On his team's attitude after the loss last week)
"It's hard to describe, strange actually. They're not really angry, but they are very focused. Last week at practice there was a bit of kidding and laughter and a sense of ease, if you would. These last two practices this week, none of that at all. The players have the game face on early this time"
(On the miscues that cost his team the game jlast week)
'All I can say is that it's something we've gone over in practice again and again this week, working to correct the mistake. I really can't say where the fault lies, and of course, now it doesn't matter, so the focus is to work to make sure we're not talking about it this week, or ever."
ANDY "PICK 'EM OFF" PETERSON
Rage defensive back Andy Peterson stole two passes from the Tri Cities Fever during last Saturday's game. Those two interceptions add to his previous one from the Cincinnati game and fumble recovery from the Fayetteville game make him the Rage's top thief in the secondary.
National Indoor Football League Stories from April 20, 2005
- State Rivals to Face-Off for First Time Ever - Everett Hawks
- Rage looking for redemption Friday against top-rated defense - RiverCity Rage
- Home Game this Saturday - Montgomery Bears
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
