Richmond Raiders Opening Night Is Saturday
March 13, 2013 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Richmond Raiders News Release
The Richmond Raiders will start their fourth season of professional indoor football this Saturday, March 16, when they host the Alabama Hammers. Fans will get their first look at the Raiders since the 2012 PIFL Championship Game, and the team taking the field Saturday will feature several returning veterans from 2012's 11-3 team, along with some heralded indoor rookies. The Raiders will need to get up to game speed quickly against an Alabama team that already has a game under its belt.
One of the most important factors in the Raiders' success last year was the play of league MVP, quarterback Antwon Young. Young was invited to Iowa Barnstormers' training camp in the Arena Football League, and with the departure of last year's backup QB James Steadman, who signed with the rival Albany Panthers over the offseason, the QB position was wide open during training camp. After a heated competition, head coach James Fuller named Warren Smith his opening night starter. Smith will take his first official snap in indoor football Saturday, but is no stranger to the 50-yard game. Smith caught the eye of Raider head coach James Fuller after working out for the Utah Blaze of the AFL. "We are very pleased to have Warren," Fuller said.
"He has played a number of snaps on a high level overseas and in college, and has a high football IQ which should help him pick up the game quickly." Smith led the Maine Black Bears to the NCAA national quarterfinals in 2011 while setting a single-season school record with 3,122 passing yards. He spent a season in the German football league, where he threw for 28 touchdowns and only eight interceptions in 14 games. He also rushed for 11 touchdowns and led his team to the league semifinals. Malik White will back up Smith.
Smith will be surrounded by veterans who will need no introduction to Raider fans. Antwun Williams, Herb Jones, Hakeem Moore, and Jason Lovett all return from a 2012 receiving corps that featured a blend of size and speed and combined for over 2300 receiving yards and 49 touchdowns. Additionally, the 2012 offensive line of Kynneth Moses, Derek Stoudt, and Brandon Grier returns intact. Fullback Anthony Silvers also moved on to participate in Iowa training camp, but indoor veteran Rodney Sledge figures to step in without missing a beat.
Defensively, the Raiders experienced some turnover on the line with second-team All PIFL end Lawrence Lewis announcing his retirement. Brandon Sutton and James Carter return to the rotation, and newcomer Chris Peoples will be in the mix as well. Preston Hines will provide versatility as he can line up at linebacker or on the line, as can newcomer (and college teammate of Warren Smith) Raibonne Charles. The defensive backfield returns largely intact, with Maurice Thorne, Ke'mon Bailey, and RoShawn Marshall bringing a combined 10 interceptions from 2012. They will be joined by Davon Morgan, a four year starter at Virginia Tech. He was named second team All-ACC as a senior after notching five interceptions and finishing second on the team in tackles and was signed by the New York Jets. Kevin Allen and Calvin Brown will provide depth at cornerback.
The Hammers come in at 1-0 after a last-second win over the Lehigh Valley SteelHawks last week. Quarterback Kevin Eakin and receivers Jeremy Grier and Charles McClain combined to execute a 25-yard hook and lateral on the game's final play to give Alabama a 29-28 win. The Raiders, however, are a perfect 4-0 against the Hammers including a sweep of the teams' three meetings in 2012. In two games in Richmond, the Raiders have outscored the Hammers 116- 73.
Saturday's matchup will be on Community Heroes Night, when the Raiders will honor the military, police, fire, and first responders. The game is sponsored by Genworth and Hunton & Williams, and the Air Force will provide giveaways to the first 1,000 fans through the doors. Tickets start as low as $7, and are available on the Raiders' website, www.RichmondRaidersProFootball.com, or by calling 1-855-GO-RAIDERS or 804-780-0430. Additionally, fans can contact the Richmond Coliseum box office or visit ticketmaster.com.
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