Warriors Host Tri-City Diesel in Playoff Opener
July 7, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Utah Warriors News Release
WEST VALLEY CITY, UT – The 2004 NIFL Playoffs will begin at the E-Center on Friday night when the Utah Warriors and Tri-City Diesel meet for the first time. Tri-City is the third seed in the Pacific Conference, but had to defer the home field for this game due to a scheduling conflict. That conflict gives the sixth seeded Warriors the home field for this game. Utah knocked off second seed Billings two weeks ago to clinch a second straight trip to the playoffs.
Tri-City enters this game with an 11-3 record and on a 6-game winning streak. They are the champions of the Pacific South and are making a first ever trip to the NIFL playoffs. This is the second straight year the Warriors have made the playoffs, and they enter this seasons playoffs with a 6-8 record, however they are the defending Pacific Conference champions. The Warriors are 1-0 all-time at the E-Center during the playoffs, a 68-55 defeat of the Sioux Falls Storm in last seasonÂ’s conference semi-finals.
These two teams have a different offensive strategy as Utah like to throw the ball with Doug Smith anchoring the quarterback position. SmithÂ’s favorite target is Emmett White. White finished the year with 67 catches for 847 yards and 21 touchdowns. Tri-City likes to have a more balanced attack, but its rushing attack is the key to the Diesel success. Wesley Cates leads that attack, and finished the year second in the NIFL in rushing with 1,014 yards and added 31 touchdowns. Quarterback Alex Niest threw for 1,800 yards and had 43 touchdowns and only four interceptions.
The strength of the Diesel is its defense. They finished the year ranked fourth in rushing defense and ninth in total defense. Leif Murphy led the NIFL with 15 sacks and 28 tackles-for-loss, and was second on the team with 57 total tackles. Utah was led by linebacker Bart Amundson and his 82 total tackles. Amundson also had 8.5 tackles-for-loss and four fumble recoveries. Jeff Main led the team with a team record four sacks. Utah ranked 22nd in the NIFL in total defense including 17th against the run.
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