Time for Wild Road Trip after First Win
March 12, 2008 - Intense Football League (Intense)
Alaska Wild News Release
After the first win of the season (Alaska Wild 88 defeated Fairbanks Grizzlies 12), the Wild will hit the road to Texas for two games (March 16 at Frisco Thunder and March 22 at Corpus Christi Hammerheads).
Game highlights versus the Fairbanks Grizzlies at the Sullivan Arena, were heavily provided by the defense with the Intense Football Defensive Player of the Week, defensive back #2 Demarcus James leading the way with 5 interceptions and 3 of the 5 interceptions returned for touchdowns. Defensive back #22 James Griffin also chipped in with 2 interceptions and 1 interception returned for a touchdown. The defensive line and linebacker core caused enough havoc by applying massive pressure on the Grizzlies' quarterbacks. At games end, the Wild D had 2 sacks, 2 safeties and 4 fumble recoveries. Linebacker #5 Joe Small led the Wild in tackles with 5.
On offense, the Wild started off sluggish at first and it took about two quarters to get the entire offense on the same page. "We still have a couple of kinks offensively to workout," said AK Wild Head Coach Hans Deemer. After the 1st half, quarterback #9 Nick Mystrom started to get in the flow of things and ended the game with 3 touchdown passes and 2 rushes for touchdowns. New Wild receiver #14 Keith Smith led the receiving core with 7 catches and 2 touchdown receptions. On special teams, wide receiver #8 Andre Velazquez returned a 40 yard kickoff for a touchdown.
The opening game for the Wild was not only a historic day in Alaskan sports, but a historic day for the Intense Football League. The Alaska Wild tied or broke 4 IFL records on their first win of the 2008 season. The Wild tied for most total touchdowns in a game (12) and the Wild set three records with the most points in a game (88) most interceptions by one player in a game (#2 Demarcus James with 5 interceptions) and most interceptions in a game (7).
The Wild (1-0) faces the Frisco Thunder (2-0) on Sunday, March 16, 2:00pm AST/5:00pm CST. The Thunder features QB Wes Cooper (Lead's IFL in TD passes with 15) and an undefeated record. "Frisco has a offense that knows how to put up a lot of points and this match-up will give our defensive unit a test early in the season," AK Wild Assistant Coach/Defensive Coordinator Abe Hernandez. All AK Wild away games can be heard on XROCK 96.3FM and to watch a AK Wild away game go to the B2 Networks website at b2tv.com/? v=IndoorFootball
The Alaska Wild is part of the Intense Football League (IFL). Founded in 2003, the IFL consists of a record nine professional indoor football teams, three of which are located outside of Texas, the Louisiana Swashbucklers of Lake Charles, the Alaska Wild of Anchorage, Alaska and the Fairbanks Grizzlies of Fairbanks, Alaska. Texas teams include the CenTex Barracudas of Belton, Corpus Christi Hammerheads, Odessa Roughnecks, San Angelo Stampede Express, Katy Ruff Riders, and Frisco Thunder.
For more information on the IFL, visit www.intensefootballleague.net.
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Intense Football League Stories from March 12, 2008
- Roughnecks Training Camp Update - West Texas Roughnecks
- Time for Wild Road Trip after First Win - Alaska Wild
- Barracudas working into shape for season - CenTex Barracudas
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