Rage looks to get upper hand in division
March 30, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
RiverCity Rage News Release
The River City Rage of the NIFL will be looking to get the edge in the Atlantic East Division standings this Saturday Night when they travel to Cincinnati to take on the Cincinnati Marshals at the U.S. Bank Arena. Kick-off is slated for 6:30pm St.Louis time and can be heard on 1380 ESPN Radio.
The Rage won their Home Opener last Saturday night at Family Arena, defeating the Fayetteville Guard by the score of 46-43. Down by 5 with just under three and one half minutes to play, Rage quarterback Clay Groefsema fired a 12 yard touchdown strike to Scott Pingel, then employed the same pass combination for a 2 point conversion and 3 point lead, that was iced- up when Guard QB Shawn Withy-Allen was hit by Rage defensive end Bruce Blue, who stripped the ball away. It was recovered by Rage Defensive back Andy Peterson, and the Rage had victory number one of 2005, and number 198 career-wise for Head Football Coach Mike Wyatt.
The Marshals lost a close game in their Home Opener last weekend, falling to the Beaumont Drillers by the score of 36-24 in front of over 6 thousand fans at U.S. Bank Arena. Head Coach Ed Biles team was led by running back Rayshawn Askew, who rushed for 73 yards on 21 carries and scored 2 touchdowns. Marshal's QB Brett Dietz was 12 for 23 for 128 yards with one TD and one interception.
With the Rage 1-0, Cincinnati 0-1, and the third team in the Atlantic East Division, the New Jersey Extreme currently at 0-3, the Rage can take the upper hand in their division with a win on Saturday. 2 MINUTE DRILL
MARSHALS' COACHING STAFF HAS NFL TIES
Two coaches for the Cincinnati Marshals have been on the sidelines in the National Football League. Head Coach Ed Biles led the Houston Oilers from 1981 to 1983. The Missouri City, Texas native was the defensive co-ordinator for the Oilers from 1975 until taking over the reins as Head Coach in '81-'83.
Marshals Assistant Coach Hubbard Alexander was on the staff of the Dallas Cowboys form 1989 to 1997. He also was the Wide Receivers Coach of the New Orleans Saints from 1997 to 2003, before joining the Marshals.
ROSTER ADDS: ONE RUNNER, ONE STOPPER!
The Rage on Tuesday added former Illinois State running back Sha-Ron Edwards to the roster. Edwards is a 6ft., 215 lb 2003 All-Gateway Conference First-Team selection, leading the league that year in both all purpose yards and rushing with 1,605 yards and 1,409 yards respectively. Also added was Linebacker Derrell Daniels, a 6ft., 220 lb former All PAC 10 2nd team selection from the University of Washington. Daniels played for the Rage in 2004. The returning starter missed the Home Opener due to the untimely death of his father.
QUOTES FROM RAGE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH MIKE WYATT
(On the acquisition of Edwards) "We need to improve in the backfield. We obviously are hindered by the loss of Ricky Brown not returning this year, and we need a player to step into the role of take-charge guy in the backfield. We'll see if Sha- Ron can fill that role"
(On the team's defense last weekend) "It was good, but not great and there is room for improvement. The plus side is the fact we were able to take advantage of Fayetteville's offensive mistakes, and really stepped-up as a unit to force two interceptions and the game saving fumble by their Quarterback with under 30 seconds to play"
(On Saturday's game against Cincinnati) "It's our first test on the road and a win would put us in the driver's seat as far as the division is concerned. The defense will be tested by their running back Rashawn Askew.He was the leading rusher in the NIFL last year and had a solid game last week for them . Our defense will have to meet the challenge of trying to shut him down."
National Indoor Football League Stories from March 30, 2005
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- Rage looks to get upper hand in division - RiverCity Rage
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