Rage "pinball wizards" light up the scoreboard in record-setting rout
April 11, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
RiverCity Rage News Release
If you're a football fan in the Gateway City and you've seen the Rage play, it's hard not to make the comparison; a quarterback who comes out of nowhere to turn an offense into a high-powered, explosive scoring machine; a wide receiver who runs back kickoffs and is a threat to find the end zone everytime he touches the ball; a running back who explodes out of the backfield and is sure handed when a pass is thrown his way; two other receivers who are certain long ball threats; and a scoreboard lighting up like a pinball machine!!
Only three games into the 2005 NIFL season, the River City Rage are fast becoming the 'Pinball Wizards' of the indoor game, and after Saturday night's 90-39 record setting victory over the visiting Montgomery Maulers, lead the 22 team NIFL in scoring offense with an average of 63.7 PPG and are second in total offense, scoring 26 touchdowns with an average of 296 yards per game on a 50 yard field!
The Rage is 5th overall in total pass offense, and scoring in the red zone a staggering 82% of the time. Quarterback Clay Groefsema on Saturday completed 18 of 28 attempts for 7 touchdowns and 176 yards. He also ran for 2 more , accounting for 9 total scores. Wide Receiver Hurtis Chinn leads the league in receptions and yards and Saturday against Montgomery caught 7 passes for 75 yards and 3 touchdowns. Scott Pingel, Corey Bethany, and Moses Regular all caught TD passes as the Rage scored on all 12 of their possessions in the game. Backup Quarterback Anthony Fisher also threw for 62 yards and two touchdowns, completing 4 of 6 passes. Running back Sha-Ron Edwards rushed for 90 yards on 16 carries and scored a touchdown. The 90 points represent the highest number of points ever scored in one game by any St. Louis franchise in the NIFL. The win is the third in a row for River City, currently first place in the Atlantic East Conference.
The Rage play Saturday Night at the Tri-Cities Fever in Kennewick, Washington. Kick-Off is slated for 9:05PM, St. Louis time and can be heard on 1380 ESPN Radio.
RAGE COACH REACHES MILESTONE WITH CAREER WIN NUMBER 200!
It was a long time in coming, but with the victory Saturday night against Montgomery at Family Arena, Rage Head Football Coach Mike Wyatt realized the culmination of a dream both personally and professionally. In what he called a 'theme of love" regarding his players and the sport to which he has devoted the greater part of his working life, Coach Wyatt embraced his 200th career victory. It's been a road that has seen him travel to and coach in Europe, win championships, work in the NFL, inspire his players in Italy to produce an undefeated Championship season, coach teams that have set amazing offensive records, and along the way, have an impact and influence on the lives of young men who even today, regardless of time or distance, still refer to him as a mentor and friend. The emotion of the 200th win on Saturday is best conveyed by the man who was there for the other one hundred and ninety-nine , Rage Head Football Coach Mike Wyatt, As humans, we all need a sort of validation for our success. We have the need to be cared about and care for otheore about a teammate than himself. I could see the emotion as I told them they could play for themselves, play on this new turf at the Family Arena, play with pride and play under the rules to show respect for their sport and the city they represent. I urged them to get victory number 3 for themselves, and when that happened, the career milestone for me would be remembered as one given by a team that never let up, never backed down , with each man on the field making a contribution to a night that I'll forever remember."
The Rage players, assistant coaches and owners made sure Coach Wyatt had a least one tangible reminder. After Saturday's win, Coach Wyatt was presented with a gold colored football signed by every member of the 2005 Rage team. It rests proudly in the office of Mike Wyatt, serving now as a daily reminder of how skill and preparation and patience and yes, even love, can make success a reality.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from April 11, 2005
- Rage "pinball wizards" light up the scoreboard in record-setting rout - RiverCity Rage
- Renegades' first road trip comes up short of a win - Rome Renegades
- Maulers hold contest to name dance team - Montgomery Bears
- Recek to loan voice to Roughnecks - West Texas Roughnecks
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