Top Teams Collide in NIFL Showdown
May 10, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Everett Hawks News Release
The Everett Hawks face their toughest challenge yet, traveling to the other side of the country to face the Daytona Beach Hawgs. The game will take place on May 14, 2005 at 4:05pm Pacific Standard Time at the Ocean Center Arena in Daytona Beach, FL. Both Everett and Daytona Beach are considered to be top teams in their respected conferences. The Hawks (7-0) continued their winning ways and preserved their undefeated mark last week with a 66-26 victory at home over the Lincoln Capitols. Daytona Beach (6-2) also won last week, defeating the Miami Morays to take the lead in the Atlantic South standings.
The game should be exciting. You have the Everett Hawks with the number one offense against the Daytona Beach Hawgs with the number one defense. Fans can watch the game live on their computers by visiting the Everett Hawks web site at www.everetthawks.com. A link from the front page of the web site will direct viewers to the web cast for a fee of $10 per game.
Hawks web casting began as a way for fans to keep in touch with the Hawks while they're on the road. With players coming to Everett from all over the country, web casting makes it possible for friends, fans, and families to watch the games and experience the competition and excitement together.
Info About Everett Hawks Upcoming Opponent:The Daytona Beach Hawgs
Head Coach Ervin BrysonThe 35-year old Bryson comes to Daytona Beach Hawgs after a year with the Sioux City Bandits. Bryson served as offensive coordinator for the Bandits until Head Coach Art Haege was fired mid-way through the season. Bryson was then named interim head coach for the final six games of the 2004 regular season. He produced a 4-2 record and guided Sioux City to their first ever playoff appearance.
Bryson's last head coaching job was with the, now defunct, Winston-Salem Energy in its inaugural year in 2002. Fighting through the financial woes of his players and himself not being paid the second half of the season, Bryson still managed to guide the team to a 6-8 record and earned the league's coach of the year award. Bryson also was an assistant coach during the 2002 season for the Carolina Rhinos in AF2.
After a successful playing career at running back for North Carolina A&T, Bryson had tryouts with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Bucs. He also played for Frankfurt Galaxy in NFL Europe before being released.
Key Players for the Daytona Beach Hawgs
QB - Oscar Davenport
6'4 199
University of North Carolina
Oscar Davenport is one of most highly regarded QB's in the NIFL. In college, Davenport guided North Carolina to a Top 10 finish with a big win over West Virginia in the 1997 Gator Bowl, a game where he was named MVP. He was highly regarded by NFL scouts as a high draft choice until he suffered a knee injury his senior season, but still managed to run 4.68 â 40 time at the NFL combine.
Davenport is big time playmaker. He's a tall pocket passer who is very athletic, throws well on the move. Has good height & arm strength, as well as excellent field vision, but needs work on his decision making and overall poise in the pocket. His size alone makes him a solid prospect. He is a special player, but because of nagging injuries his entire career, there are questions about his durability.
"An experienced quarterback is essential for success in the indoor game,'' Head Coach Ervin Bryson said. Davenport is the indoor veteran Bryson is referring to, spending time with the Greensboro Prowlers (AF2), Carolina Rhinos (AF2), Winston-Salem Energy (NIFL), Myrtle Beach Sting Rays (NIFL), and last season with the Sioux City Bandits (NIFL). Davenport has played most of his professional career for Bryson. Davenport completed 53.8 percent of his passes for 2,222 yards and 41 touchdowns in 2004.
RB - Brad Lee
6'1 229
Bethune-Cookman College
Brad Lee is making his presence felt in his first season in the NIFL. Brad Lee is currently ranked second in the league in rushing yards, compiling 486 yards mid-way through the season. Lee is a high-stepping, aggressive runner who's best between the tackles. He's powerful when carrying the ball, and gets a good head of steam going allowing him to break the first tackle. Lee's patience help him find the running lanes and immediately get through the hole. He also helps the quarterback sell play-action passes.
Lee rushed for 1,043 yards and 7 TDs in his three-year career at Bethune-Cookman College. He was a two-year starter that split time as a senior, finishing with 59 carries, 371 yards , and 4 TDs on the ground. He was the team's top running back the prior season after posting 106 rushes for 574 yards and 2 touchdowns with a remarkable 5.4 yds/att. He was listed as a fullback in college, but also carried the ball in the team's single-back formation. Lee offers the size, speed (4.64 â 40 time), and athleticism to be a feature back at a higher level and is out to prove to NFL scouts wrong about not selecting him in the 2004 NFL Draft.
DB - Marcus Washington
6'2 219
University of Colorado
Washington's veteran leadership is one the reasons why the Hawgs' defense is ranked first in the NIFL. Washington was a sixth-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 1999 NFL Draft. He ran a 4.50 40-time in the NFL draft combine. After spending a couple of seasons with the Patriots, he moved on to play for the Cleveland Browns in 2001. Washington was released by the Browns following the 2001 season and then spent time on the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad. He then moved his services to the CFL, where he played for three seasons, two with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and one with the Ottawa Renegades.
Last year was the first time Washington played indoors. He played under Head Coach Ervin Bryson for the Sioux City Bandits. Washington joined the team mid-season and still managed to be the team's second-leading tackler last season with 51.5 tackles and two interceptions. In the Bandits' playoff loss to Omaha last season, Washington registered 11 tackles and a safety.
Washington is an outstanding athlete with great size and speed. He is considered a pure athlete and has a great track background as a sprinter. He played cornerback in college, but because of his size, he has the ability the play either safety position as well. Look for the Hawgs to use his physical size and strength to their advantage. They may run a bump and run type defense, with him jamming the stand still receiver at the line of scrimmage.
Washington played his college ball at the University of Colorado, where he was an All Big 12 Defensive Back. He also was named the 1995 Cotton Bowl MVP after he recorded a 95-yard interception return for a touchdown in Colorado's 38-6 rout over Oregon.
National Indoor Football League Stories from May 10, 2005
- Top Teams Collide in NIFL Showdown - Everett Hawks
- NIFL game in Daytona Beach to be played as scheduled - Daytona Beach Hawgs
- Thor sustains concussion, resting comfortably after halftime promotional collision - Lakeland ThunderBolts
- Hammerheads put some Fite in the bite - Corpus Christi Hammerheads
- Warbirds' second-half burst buries Cincinnati, 63-30 - Dayton Bulldogs
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