Road to Intense Bowl 3
Published on July 30, 2007 under Intense Football League (Intense) News Release
Frisco Thunder (8-6) @ Corpus Christi Hammerheads (12-2)
This is a matchup of 2 teams that are very familiar with one another. The Frisco Thunder are coached by Jon Loudermilk who was the Hammerheads Defensive Coordinator last season. Loudermilk settled in with Frisco and had the team flying high at 8-3 before a 3 game losing streak to end the season. The Thunder are led on offense by Quarterback Dustin Almond and Wide Receivers Jon Makonnen and Antwuan Courington.
Key Players for the Thunder on Offense:
Dustin Almond-63 Td's and over 2800 yards passing this season
Jon Makonnen-1086 yards receiving and 25 TD's
Antwuan Courington-993 yards receiving and 26 TD's
Key Players for the Thunder on Defense:
Blake Farris-9 Interceptions and 28 Pass Breakups and 38 Tackles
Nathan Jackson-9.5 Sacks (Ranks #2 in Sacks in the IFL) and 45.5 Tackles
Lamont Findlay-8.5 Sacks (Ranks #3 in Sacks in the IFL) and 29 Tackles
The Thunder and Hammerheads played 2 games this season against one another with the Hammerheads winning both. On May 5th the two teams squared off in Robstown and the Hammerheads won 67-38. On July 21st they met in Frisco with the Hammerheads winning 54-36.
The Corpus Christi Hammerheads are led by Quarterback Wesley Cooper and Wide Receivers Schuyler Anderson and Nathaniel Dunn. The Hammerheads are a balanced attack with Rushing and Passing. They are #1 in the League in Scoring (61.1 Points Per game) and in Total Offense (268.3 yards per game). They also lead the IFL in Rushing at 96.7 yards per game.
Key Players for the Hammerheads on Offense:
Wesley Cooper- 57 TD's and 2451 yards passing and completed IFL high 59.2 percent of passes. Threw only 12 interceptions all season.
Schuyler Anderson-Caught 77 passes for 770 yards and had 348 yards rushing and 19 TD's on the season.
Nathaniel Dunn-Caught 65 passes for 521 yards and had 16 TD's.
Justin Hardman-Rushed for 387 yards and 24 TD's.
Key Players for the Hammerheads on Defense:
Deandrae Fillmore-Blocked 13 Kicks, Had 6.0 sacks, forced 3 fumbles, and has 45.5 Tackles
Roy Salas-Led the IFL in Tackles with 82 and also had 4 interceptions
Ben Tokunboh-Had 17 Quarterback Hurries, 6.5 sacks, and 28 Tackles
Jason Lee-Had 63 Tackles and 5 Interceptions
Who gets the Edge in Each Category:
Quarterback: Dustin Almond (Frisco) vs. Wesley Cooper (C.C.) Both Quarterbacks are pretty evenly matched stats wise. The Thunder like to throw the deep ball more than the Hammerheads.
Edge: Even
Running Back: Terrance Smith vs. Redford Borel and Fred Wallace
The Hammerheads run the ball almost half the time and are very effective. The Thunder almost never run the ball.
Edge: Hammerheads
Wide Receivers: Makonnen, Courington, Duron, & Harris vs. Anderson, Dunn, Pearson, Goins, & Hardman
The Thunder have an electric core of receivers and their stats are gaudy in relation to that of the Hammerheads receivers.
Edge: Thunder
Offensive Line: Johnson, Randle, & Pope vs. Ross, Schall, & Byrnes
The Hammerheads O-Line gave up only 11 sacks all year long and the Thunder O-Line gave up only 17 sacks all year long.
Edge: Hammerheads
Kicker: Dustin Bell vs. Rene Vasquez Jr.
Rene Vasquez has been solid all year for the Hammerheads as has Dustin Bell for the Thunder.
Edge: Even
Defensive Line: Jackson, Findley, & Johnson vs. Tokunboh, Marshall, Wallace, & R. Chambers
The Defensive Line of the Thunder has dominated this season with 41 sacks. The Hammerheads D-Line has been solid with 22 sacks.
Edge: Thunder
Linebackers: Brooks & Jackson vs. Fillmore & C. Chambers
Brooks and Jackson have had solid seasons for Frisco and Fillmore has been a standout for the Hammerheads.
Edge: Even
Defensive Backs: Waddell, Farris, and Carter vs. Salas, Lee, & Bingham
The Thunder DB's have intercepted 13 passes while the Hammerheads have picked off 24 passes.
Edge: Hammerheads
Coaching: Jon Loudermilk vs. Jason McKinley
There is no doubt Jon Loudermilk is going to be a great coach for a long time and has a great defensive mind. Jason McKinley has a career record of 29-13 as a Head Coach in the regular season and 2-2 in the playoffs and understands the indoor game as well as any coach out there.
Edge: Hammerheads
The game is set for this Saturday Night at 6:05 at the Central Pavilion Arena in Robstown, TX.
Playoff Matchup #2
Odessa Roughnecks (8-6) @ Louisiana Swashbucklers (13-1)
This is a matchup of 2 teams that have each blown the other one out on their home turf. The Odessa Roughnecks won Intense Bowl 2 last season. Their 1st game of the year was in Lake Charles, La and they were blown out 59-10. In the rematch of the 2 teams in Odessa, TX the Roughnecks prevailed 44-18 against a sluggish Swashbucklers team who was plagued by injuries.
Key Players for the Roughnecks on Offense:
Tommy Jones (QB)-Jones threw for 100 TD's last season and has throw for 12 since being back with the team.
Torrey Day (WR)-95 catches (Ranks #1 in IFL) for 1213 yards (#1) and 21 TD's
Maurice Avery (WR)-55 catches for 785 yards and 6 TD's on Special Teams
Key Players for the Roughnecks on Defense:
Ronnie Braxton (LB)-54 Tackles and 3.5 sacks
Kaloma Cardwell (DB)-52 Tackles and 8 Interceptions
Earl Stephens (DL)-5.0 Sacks on the D-Line leads the team
The Louisiana Swashbucklers coasted through the regular season with a franchise best 13-1 record. Their defense leads almost every category in the IFL including Rushing (10.9 yards per game), Points Allowed (34.2 per game), Total Defense (203.9 yards per game), and an incredible turnover margin of +38 on the season.
The Bucs have home field advantage throughout the Playoffs.
Key Players for the Swashbucklers on Offense:
Freddie Harrison (QB)-Has Thrown 2215 yards and 60 TD's while only throwing 8 interceptions.
Kirt Duhon (RB)-Rushed for 314 yards and 9 TD's.
Marcus Wilridge (WR)-48 Catches for 734 yards and 18 TD's
Shaun Piper (WR)-37 Catches for 491 yards and 20 TD's
Keith Smith (WR)-52 Catches for 653 yards and 17 TD's
Key Players for the Swashbucklers on Defense:
Kendall Shello (DE)-12.5 Sacks (Leads IFL) and 27.5 Tackles
Damien Huren (DB)-12 Interceptions (Leads IFL) and 68.5 Tackles
Mike English (DB)-5 Interceptions and 67.5 Tackles
Shaun Piper (DB)-8 Interceptions and 24.5 Tackles
John Paul Jones (NT)-7.5 Sacks and 33 Tackles
Who gets the edge in Each Category:
Quarterback: Tommy Jones vs. Freddie Harrison
Two veteran signal callers who do a great job of leading their respective teams. Both have very strong arms and great Football IQ.
Edge: Even
Running Back: DeWayne Hogan & Robert Richards vs. Rudy Johnson & Kirt Duhon
Louisiana runs the ball relatively effective and the Roughnecks are more pass happy.
Edge: Swashbuckers
Wide Receivers: Day, Griffin, & Avery vs. Piper, Wilridge, O'Neal & Smith
Day & Avery are an amazing 1-2 combination. The Bucs receiving corp is more balanced.
Edge: Roughnecks
Offensive Line: Golightly, Abbott, & Primus vs. Hudler, Griffin, & Hendricks
The Bucs O-Line has given up an IFL low 9 sacks all year while the Roughnecks have given up 20.
Edge: Swashbucklers
Kicker: Sharif Zahir vs. Whitney Hillin
Hillin leads the IFL in extra point percentage (90.7) and has made crucial kicks throughout his 9 year career. Zahir is still trying to find a groove.
Edge: Swashbucklers
Defensive Line: Thrweatt, Childress, & Blakely vs. Shello, Camp, Jones, & Anderson
The Bucs D-Line has accumulated 34 sacks while the Roughnecks have 19.
Edge: Swashbucklers
Linebackers: Braxton & Hogan vs. McAfee & Garrison
Both Linebacking corps are very smart and know the game well.
Edge: Swashbucklers
Defensive Backs: Grove, Cardwell, & Ferguson vs. English, Moses, & Huren
The Bucs DB's have 34 Int's and the Roughnecks corps has 19 Int's.
Edge: Swashbucklers
Coaching: Chris Williams vs. Darnell Lee
Two very good coaches will match wits in this sure to be classic. Coach Williams has one championship and a career regular season record of 36-15. Coach Lee has a regular season record of 22-6.
Edge: Even
Intense Football League Stories from July 30, 2007
- Road to Intense Bowl 3 - Intense
- Thunder Prepare For Playoffs - Frisco Thunder
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.
