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Raptors getting ready for rematch with the Freedom

June 15, 2006 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Rock River Raptors News Release


Rock River returns to the MetroCentre on Saturday night for the first time since a 62-43 win over the Lexington Horsemen to face the Fort Wayne Freedom. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.

It will be Raptor Trading Card Night with the first 1,500 kids ages 14 and under receiving a free set of Raptor trading cards. The promotion is sponsored by WTVO Channel 17 and by Ink Enterprises.

Happy Joe's Pizza will also be on hand at the Raptors game to hand out certificates for a free breakfast pizza to the first 1,000 fathers.

The Raptors head into Saturday's game with a 7-4 record and will try to start a new winning streak after seeing their four-game win string snapped by Omaha by a score of 70-54 at the Civic Auditorium. The Beef were able to take advantage of two early Raptor turnovers to jump out to a 13-0 lead.

Despite the loss, the Raptors still lead the Bloomington Extreme by two games with four left to play in the race for the United Indoor Football Association's Central Division title.

It's been a struggle for Fort Wayne this season. After winning their first three games including a 37-32 win over Ohio Valley on April 8th, the Freedom have dropped their last eight games.

Saturday's game marks the second time that the Raptors and the Freedom have played each other.

On May 12th, Rock River traveled to Allen County Memorial Stadium in Fort Wayne and came away with a 49-36 win.

In that game, the Freedom jumped out to a 22-13 lead only too see the Raptors out-score them 36-14 in the second half.

Raptors back-up quarterback Ryan Aulenbacher made his first start for the Raptors against the Freedom and completed 21 of 36 passes for 217 yards and five touchdown passes. That effort earned Aulenbacher UIF Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Rock River brings the UIF's number one rated passing offense to face the league's fourth-rated passing defense.

The Raptors trail only Lexington and Sioux Falls in scoring offense. Rock River has scored 510 points with Sioux Falls registering 511 points and Lexington leading the league with 542 points.

Raptors starting quarterback Ben Sankey leads the UIF in passing efficiency with a rating of 108.1 and is third in the league in passing average per game and second in total offense.

Running back Randy Bell is second in the UIF in rushing and still tied with RJ Rollins of the Omaha Beef for first in touchdowns scored with 20 each.

Raptors Notes

- Don't forget that RAPTOR PARK will open at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and will remain open until game time. Great food such as Burgers, Brats, Hot Dogs and Chips will be available for purchase along with beer, soda and water. Music for Raptor Park will be provided by the group Morning After, a rock band that plays a mix of original and cover songs. For more information on the band, visit www.morningaftermusic.com

- Fans can listen to Saturday's Freedom-Raptors game on the Rock River Raptors Radio Network. Coverage begins with Andy Gannon's pre-game at 7:05 p.m. on ESPN 1380-The Jock and on 93.7 FM the "Big Easy". The game is also available on the internet. Log on to www.espn1380.com, www.wekz.com, and on www.raptorsuif.com.

- When the Bloomington Extreme come to the "Rock Pile" on June 24th for there third meeting with the Raptors, it will be "Free Hot Dog Night" as the Raptors will be giving away 10,000 free hot dogs while they last. The event is sponsored by Insight.

- The Raptors wrap up the regular season on July 8th with a date against the Ohio Valley Greyhounds. That game will feature Youth Hat Night where the first 1,500 youths ages 17 and under with receive a free Raptors hat courtesy of Pepsi and Fox 39 TV. Half-time of all three games will feature exhibition games from the Rockford NFL Flag Football program.

- Individual tickets are on sale now by calling the MetroCentre box office at (815)968-5222 or by logging on to www.centreevents.com. Group tickets are also on sale by contacting Director of Ticket Sales Laura Houston in the Raptors office at (815)965-7000.

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United Indoor Football Association Stories from June 15, 2006


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.

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