Wild Open Season At Home On Friday
Published on February 25, 2010 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Wichita Wild News Release
The Wichita Wild of the Indoor Football League (IFL) will open the 2010 season on Friday at Hartman Arena in a game vs. the La Crosse Spartans. The game kicks off at 7:05 PM with doors opening to the Arena at 6:00 PM. The contest will be the first game in the history of the Spartans franchise.
The Wild enter the season with high expectations after reaching the United Conference Championship game last season. The Wild won the Central Division title with a 10-7 overall record. The Wild will return 17 players from the 2009 squad with all eyes on returning offensive play makers Dixie Wooten at quarterback, Clinton Solomon at wide receiver, and running back Darius Fudge.
Offensive line will be strength of the Wild again. Center Fred Hicks is returning from a great 2009 season, Jamaal Young is back from an injury and newcomer Richard Burch should be a force paving the way for Fudge.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Wild made major upgrades on the line. Collin Bryant joined the Wild in the off-season after spending the last six seasons in the Arena Football League. All-IFL linebacker Lamont Reid returns to lead the defense. Reid recorded 68.5 tackles in 2009.
To purchase tickets to the game, call the Hartman Arena Box Office at 316-927-3999, visit www.stage1tickets.com or stop by the Hartman Arena Box Office in Park City. The game can also be heard on KFH (1240 AM & 98.7 FM) with the broadcast being tape delayed and aired following their high school basketball coverage on Friday night.
This is the second time the Wild have hosted a season opening game. Wichita fell to Sioux City 31-23 on March 8, 2008 to open that season.
This is the first game in the history of the Spartans franchise. La Crosse Head Coach Gilbert Brown will also be coaching his first professional game. Brown starred for the University of Kansas before making a name for himself with the Green Bay Packers.
In 2009, the Wild had a record of 6-1 in games played outside the division. This game will be one of only two games that the Wild play outside of the Central Division in 2010.
Of the 30 players on the Wild roster, 17 are returning from the 2009 Wild squad.
Wild running back Darius Fudge has scored a TD in nine consecutive games. In 2009, he scored at least one TD in 15 out of 17 contests.
Indoor Football League Stories from February 25, 2010
- Roughnecks Reacquire Quarterback Tommy Jones For 2010 Season - West Texas Roughnecks
- Chicago Slaughter Has Momentum Heading Into Saturday Season Opener - Chicago Slaughter
- Wild Open Season At Home On Friday - Wichita Wild
- Battle for Starting Roles begins at Extreme Training Camp - Bloomington Extreme
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