Romans do at home what Hawgs want to do
June 24, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Daytona Beach Hawgs News Release
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Don't do in Rome as the Romans do! Actually, Daytona Beach should DO what the Romans DO in Rome!
If all this doesn't make sense, then just go to Rome. The Hawgs, of the National Indoor Football League, won't be playing in the coliseum of Rome either. It will be the "bandbox" of The Forum - pillars excluded.
What this all means is running, running, rush, rush and more rush on a field that curls your toes in the 4-yard end zones. So forget the passing.
HAWGS HAVE PLAYOFF SPOT
Simply. Daytona Beach meets Rome Saturday night. The Hawgs (8-5) have sealed up a playoff spot in the Atlantic Conference South, but the Romans (6-7) are battling Fayetteville and Montgomery from the Atlantic Central for post-season positioning.
Daytona Beach (4-2 on the road) defeated Rome, 22-17, in the ugliest of NIFL games to date back on April 24 in the beautiful beach resort's Ocean Center facility. Rome is only 2-5 on the road but sport a 4-2 record at home.
That means the Romans are pretty good in their 2,500-seat facility, but give them credit they are one of the more successful franchises in the NIFL.
PAST GAME WAS UGLY!
When Rome visited Daytona for that April showdown, Dixie Wooten was at quarterback and he threw five interceptions, four of those to perennial all-star defensive back Nick Allison. He also was only 5 of 17 for 57 yards and no touchdowns. Since then Mr. Wooten was demoted and eventually entrusted to calling all the teams in the league for another job.
Bo Bartik took over at quarterback for Rome and since has a 2-2 record. He's won two at home and lost the two on the road.
For the Hawgs against Rome, quarterback Oscar Davenport was 17 of 37 for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Defense was the order of the day and lineman John Bowman had two sacks and Bobby Bass and Micah Simmons each had an interception.
DB'S CHARACTER CAST SAME
That was in the past. This is now for those of you who can ride a horse with a brush top helmet and carry a lance or a sword.
Daytona has done the same splitting the last four games. The big win was the 39-31 victory at Miami.
The Hawgs will have their usual cast of outstanding characters, but with a couple new twists. They rank second in the league in scoring defense (34.8 points given up) and are 1st in pass defense, allowing only 132.9 yards a game.
Individually, the Hawgs have Brad Lee, the second-leading rusher in the league, gaining 55.1 yards a game. He has scored 25 touchdowns. Davenport is 6th in the NIFL in total offense, but he's thrown for 38 touchdowns and rushed for another two.
DEFENSE STINGING INDICTMENT
Defensively, Allison's 14 interceptions leads the league and Simmons is 3rd with nine. Simmons is 2nd in passes defended with 21 total, which includes 12 pass breakups. And Allison is 4th with 18 total passes defended.
So, if you are looking for what the Romans can do for you, then look no further than Saturday's game. Strap up those Roman sandals - always wondered how they kept dirt out of them.
On the other hand, watch the Boars' charge. Those horns are mighty dangerous, especially when they come with a full arsenal of weapons.
National Indoor Football League Stories from June 24, 2005
- Defense Rises to Ocassion - Dayton Bulldogs
- Romans do at home what Hawgs want to do - Daytona Beach Hawgs
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