UIF Sioux Falls Storm

Storm has five players on All-Star squad

Published on August 5, 2005 under United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Sioux Falls Storm News Release


The Sioux Falls Storm of United Indoor Football (UIF) is pleased to announce that five players from the 2005 Sioux Falls Storm roster have been named to the All-UIF squad. Defensively, Mark Blackburn has been named the 1st Team All-UIF starting linebacker. Blackburn finished the season with 71 solo tackles, 53 assisted tackles, 6 sacks, 1 interception and 2 blocked kicks. Blackburn finished third in the league for total tackles this season with 124. Shannon Poppinga was named the 1st Team All-UIF starting free-safety after a tremendous season. "Poppy" ended with 44 solo tackles, 19 assisted, 13 break-ups, and led the league with 10 interceptions that were returned for a total of 180 yards and 3 touchdowns. Also receiving 1st Team All-UIF starting cornerback was Andre Fields, who finished with 58 solo tackles, 15 assisted, three interceptions, and 19 break-ups. "Mr. Utility," James Jones was named as the 1st Team All-UIF team's kick returner. JJ had 62 kick returns for a total of 1,438 yards, which led the league, and also had 4 returned for TD's. Making the Second-Team All-UIF special teams goes to veteran kicker, Adam Hicks. Hicks finished first in the league with scoring by a kick and fourth in total scoring. Adam finished with 25 fields goals on the year, along with 80 PAT kicks.

The UIF also announced the Players of the Year awards around the league. Running back Fred Jackson with the Sioux City Bandits was named the Most Valuable Player and he also shared Offensive Player of the Year award with quarterback Dusty Bonner from the Lexington Horsemen. Evansville's, Connie Brown, was named the UIF's Defensive Player of the Year, while Omaha's kicker, Ted Retzlaff was named Special Teams Player of the Year. Offensive Rookie of the Year honors went to Tennessee Valley's wide receiver/kick returner, Luke McArdle and Connie Brown of Evansville taking another award as the Defensive Rookie of the Year. The top ranked Fort Wayne Freedom came away with two big awards, seeing Head Coach Matt Land named as Coach of the Year and quarterback, Bryan White earning the Most Improved Award by the UIF.

Sioux Falls is set to take on the Lexington Horsemen this Saturday, August 6, 2005 in Lexington, KY, with a 7:30 PM ET kickoff (6:30 PM Central). The game can be heard live on KELO AM 1320 with the voice of the Storm, Rich Roste. Pre-game will begin at 6:15 PM Central time. The other semi-final game will take place in Sioux City, IA this weekend as the Sioux City Bandits host the Tennessee Valley Raptors in the Tyson's Event Center.

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