Week eight IPFL Preview

by IPFL Press Release
May 26, 2000 - Indoor Professional Football League (IPFL)

IPFL Press Release

May 25, 2000 - Four teams in the Indoor Professional Football League (IPFL) will not be vacationing this holiday weekend.

Week eight in the IPFL begins Friday as Shreveport-Bossier (1-5) travels to Omaha (3-3) for a 7:30 p.m. (Central Time) game at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. On Saturday, league-leading Louisiana (5-1) journeys to Mobile (2-3) for a 7:30 p.m. (CT) game at the Mobile Civic Center.

Omaha will be trying to secure sole possession of third place in the IPFL standings when the Beef host the visiting Bombers. Although Omaha is ranked last in total offense, averaging a league-low 160.8 yards per game, the Beef features a formidable ground attack. Quarterback Travis Troy (6-3, 240) and former Nebraska running backs Clinton Childs (6-1, 230) and Calvin Jones (5-11, 210) lead the way on offense. When the Beef isn't on the offensive, defensive backs Lamar O'Neal (6-2, 195) and Steve Lovell (5-9, 155) have teamed up for a total of 84 tackles on defense.

Shreveport-Bossier, ranked last in scoring offense and scoring defense, has lost five straight since it opened the season with a 44-39 win over Omaha. Offensively, the Bombers' attack is paced by wide receivers Tacoma Fontaine (6-0, 190) and Terry Savannah (6-2, 200). Together the duo has combined for a total of 50 receptions for 548 yards and six touchdowns. On defense, Shreveport-Bossier is led by its defensive backfield tandem of Chris Samson (6-0, 210) and Larry Holloway (6-1, 230). Through six games the duo has combined for a total of 84 tackles.

Saturday's game pits Louisiana, which leads the league in scoring offense (averaging a league-high 41.3 points per game), against Mobile, the league leader in total defense (surrendering a league-low 141.6 yards per game).

Louisiana owns a five-game winning streak and is coming off an impressive 40-33 road win over Omaha last week. Incidentally, the Rangers began their current run of victories with a 43-29 win over Mobile back in week two. This time around, however, Louisiana will likely be without two key injured starters, quarterback Kevin Nawracaj (elbow) and defensive back Anthony Porter (knee).

The absence of Nawracaj, the league's highest-rated passer, leaves the quarterbacking duties in the hands of Brian Sparacino (6-2, 200). Through six games Sparacino is 27-60-5 passing for 364 yards and six touchdowns. On defense, the injury to Porter, the team's third-leading tackler, places of bigger burden on linebacker Darnell Lee (6-1, 235) and defensive back Tremayne Evans (5-8, 175). The duo leads Louisiana with a combined total of 63 tackles.

Mobile's defensive effort is led by the secondary. Defensive backs Ralph Staten (6-4, 210), Juan Draine (5-11, 175), Gabe Davis, III (5-10, 183) and Herbert James (5-9, 172) have combined for a total of seven interceptions. Offensive turnovers, however, have the Seagulls ranked last in turnover margin (minus seven). Mobile suffered through a five-turnover performance in its previous meeting with Louisiana, as well as in its last game, a 39-36 setback to Omaha two weeks ago.

Minus the turnover miscues, Mobile's offense is productive. Standout running back Antoine Flowers (5-9, 175) leads the league in both scoring and rushing. Through five games he has scored a total of 60 points and averaged 4.0 yards per carry while rushing for a league-high 234 yards and eight touchdowns.

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Indoor Professional Football League Stories from May 26, 2000

• Week eight IPFL Preview - OSC Original by IPFL Press Release

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