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UIF Sioux Falls Storm

Storm Kickoff 2007 Season on Saturday

March 23, 2007 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Sioux Falls Storm News Release


The Sioux Falls Storm of United Indoor Football (UIF) kickoff their quest for a Three-Peat on Saturday in Rockford, IL. The Storm will battle 2006 Central Division Champion Rock River Raptors at 7:05 PM. The Raptors finished 2006 with a 12-5 record and a loss in the semifinal round of the playoffs. This is the second season in a row that Sioux Falls has played in the Raptor's home-opener. Sioux Falls won the game last year by a score of 46-20 on April 1. Sioux Falls also defeated Rock River two weeks later 48-34 on April 15 at the Sioux Falls Arena. The game can be heard LIVE on AM 1230 KWSN or by logging on to www.siouxfallsstorm.com and clicking on "Listen LIVE.

The Storm offense will again be in the hands of 2006 UIF MVP Terrance Bryant. Bryant will be entering his third season with the Storm after leading the team to Back-to-Back United Bowl Championships. Bryant was also named MVP of United Bowl II as he threw for 258 yards and a career high of eight touchdown passes. Also returning to the Storm offense is wide receiver James Terry. Terry spent the off-season training with the Nashville Kats of the Arena Football League. Terry finished 2006 with 47 receptions and 20 touchdowns. Other returning starters include offensive lineman Osaro Kyles, running back Marques Smith, and kicker Adam Hicks. The Storm offense scored 788 points last season, which was second best in the UIF.

The Storm added numerous players that will impact the offense including offensive linemen Paul Keizer (South Dakota State, Buffalo Bills, LA Avengers) and Yatarrie Brown (Concordia-St. Paul, Peoria Rough Riders), running back Sean Treasure (Minnesota State-Mankato), and wide receiver Allen Burrell (North Dakota State, Omaha Beef).

Defensively, the Storm set a UIF record for least amount of points allowed in a season in 2006. The Storm only allowed 384 points in the regular season. Sioux Falls is returning seven starters from last year's squad including the team's all-time leading tackler, Mark Blackburn. Blackburn is returning for his fifth season in a Storm uniform. Blackburn was involved in 120 tackles during the 2006 regular season to bring his career total to 423. Also returning for 2007 is UIF Defensive Player of the Year, Nate Fluit. Fluit set a UIF record by recording 15.5 sacks in the 2006 regular season.

Rock River is returning five starters from their stout 2006 offense. The Raptors offense scored the third most points in the league last year as they put up 740. The offense is led by quarterback Ben Sankey, who passed for 2,146 yards and 46 touchdowns in just 12 games last season. Running back Randy Bell is back as well. Bell rushed for 557 yards in 2006 and scored 26 touchdowns, which tied for second most in the UIF.

The Raptors defense will have four returning starters from the 2006 squad. Rock River hopes to vastly improve from last year after finishing in the bottom half of the league in points allowed, passing yards allowed, rushing yards allowed, and total yards allowed. Linebackers Gene Janke and former Peoria Rough Riders Blue Aldridge have solidified roster spots. Another notable signing includes defensive lineman Floyd Wright. Wright played the final two years of his collegiate career at Marshall University.

The Storm is on the road again next week as they travel to Billings to take on the Outlaws. Billings will make a return trip to Sioux Falls for the Storm's home opener on April 21. Get your seats now. Season tickets are on sale and can be obtained by calling the Storm office at 332-4225. Join "The Biggest Show in Town" as the Storm look for three championships in a row in 2007.



United Indoor Football Association Stories from March 23, 2007


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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