Titans Host Nighthawks in United Conference Wild Card Game
July 8, 2016 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Cedar Rapids River Kings News Release
Cedar Rapids, IA - The Cedar Rapids Titans (12-4) will look the move on to the United Conference Championship for the fourth season in the row as they host the (11-5) in the United Conference first round game on Saturday night. The winner of Saturday's game will take on the reigning Indoor Football League champion Sioux Falls Storm (15-1) on Saturday, July 13.
Wichita Falls features the league's top scoring offense as the Nighthawks have scored an average of 62.6 points per game throughout the regular season. Charles McCullum, First Team All-IFL quarterback and former Titan, leads the Nighthawk's scoring attack; the 6'2", 205lbs quarterback from Stillman College has thrown for a team-high 2,638 passing yards and 45 passing touchdowns, including 11 touchdown throws in the Nighthawks' last regular season game against Green Bay, a league single game record.
The high-flying Wichita Falls offense will be met by the staunch Titans defense, the league's top unit allowing just 39.3 points per game. Anchored by defensive linemen Jermiah Price (49.5 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 14 sacks) and Xzavie Jackson (37.5 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks), the Titans' defense ranks first league-wide in passing defense (142 yds/gm) and second in rushing defense (58 yds/gm). Both Price and Jackson were earned First Team All-IFL for their efforts.
Second Team All-IFL running back Tyler Williams paces the Wichita Falls rushing attack with 339 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on 112 carries. Williams proved his versatility over the course of his rookie campaign, as he recorded 1,168 kick return yards on 58 attempts, with four of those attempts being returned for touchdowns.
The biggest storyline for the Titans' offense throughout the season has been the performance of rookie quarterback Dylan Favre. Favre (5'11", 200lbs) completed 218 of 360 passes (60.6 percent) for 2,483 yards and 50 passing touchdowns, both team records. Favre also led the team on the ground, rushing for 447 yards and 18 touchdowns on 144 carries.
Suiting up for the first time in five games, wide receiver Jared Elmore will take the field after leading the Titans in receiving during the regular season. Elmore (6'3", 215lbs) led the team with 55 receptions for 783 yards and 29 touchdowns.
McCullum's top receiving target is Jordan Jolly (6'2", 205). Jolly hauled in 85 passes for 916 yards and 15 touchdowns throughout 16 regular season games. Jolly's regular season efforts earned him a spot as a First Team All-IFL wide out.
Defensively, the Nighthawks are held down by defensive back Neiko Conway. The Midwestern State University alum leads all Wichita Falls players with 63 tackles and four interceptions. Defensive lineman Terrance Lloyd leads Wichita Falls with six sacks. Second Team All-IFL linebacker Niko Sierra led the Titans with 126 tackles, second highest total in the IFL.
Tomorrow night's game is slated for a 7:05 p.m. kickoff from Mediacom Field at the U.S. Cellular Center. $2 hot dogs, $2 sodas, and $2 popcorns will be available for the whole game. Doors open for the Titans' Ultimate Tailgate Party on the arena concourse at 5:00 p.m.
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Indoor Football League Stories from July 8, 2016
- Titans Host Nighthawks in United Conference Wild Card Game - Cedar Rapids River Kings
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