Wild Sign WR Mark Lewis, OL Alex Hawkins and LB Sepa Nicholas-Silvera
Published on December 9, 2008 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Alaska Wild News Release
The November 22 open tryout was a success for the Alaska Wild. With 35 players attending the morning and afternoon workout, the Wild signed three players to the team and another 15 registered for the Alaska Indoor Flag Football League. The AIFFL gives players an opportunity to receive a second look from Wild coaches.
Signed from the tryouts were WR Mark Lewis (5'9", 185), OL Alex Hawkins (6'1", 320) and LB Iosepa Nicholas-Silvera (6'2", 230).
Alex Hawkins played high school football at Anchorage Christian Schools, moved on to Minnesota Community College and then redshirted at the University of Minnesota.
Mark Lewis attend Shaw High School in Columbus, GA where he won a state chamionship in 2000. Lewis had 1100 rushing yards and 800 recieving yards his senior year while being named to the All-Bi-City 1st Team three years in a row. Out of high school Lewis signed with the University of Auburn, then transferred to Marion Military Academy. Lewis then finished his college career at Tennesee State University. After college Lewis spent time with the Columbus Lions of the AIFA and also was on the Orlando Predators practice squad.
Wild fans will recognize Iosepa Nicholas-Silvera, who was the starting linebacker for the Alaska Wild during the 2007 season. Prior to the Alaska Wild, Nicholas-Silvera won 2 Flag Football City Championships with the Anchorage Cowboys, played at Eastern Arizona University, and also played in 2008 for the South Central Cowboys of the Alaska Amateur Football League.
Wild Sign Three From Alaska Amateur Football League
Former Anchorage Christian Schools and Bartlett High School standout athlete Bobby Dunbar (6'2", 230) signed with the Wild on Tuesday, December 2. Dunbar played fullback for the Anchorage Raiders of the Alaska Amateur Football League and impressed Wild coaches enough to earn a spot in training camp. In high school Dunbar was All-Cook Inlet Conference First Team Linebacker at Bartlett and a 3-time state wrestling champion and 2-time shot put champion.
The Wild have also signed brothers Cody Dwyer (6'8", 330) and Dylan Dwyer (6'8", 335) of the Anchorage Raiders from the Alaska Amateur Football League. Cody Dwyer played for two years at Eastern Arizona University and one year at McPherson College in Kansas. In high school Cody was an All-State and All-Conference Offensive and Defensive Lineman at Anchorage Christian Schools.
Dylan Dwyer was an offensive tackle and center at Anchorage Christian Schools and Chugiak High School and played one year at Montana State Northern.
The Eagle's Eye
With an impressive showing at the November 22 tryouts, we signed three players to the team and slough of others will get a closer look in the AIFFL. WR Mark Lewis reminds me of T.Ford, just a little bit faster. Tui and Head Coach Hans Deemer were impressed with OL Alex Hawkins, and Iospa Nicholas-Silvera was a no-brainer. He dominated on the bench press and will compete with Joe Small for the monster back (linebacker position). We also re-signed Shannon McKenzie and although he's 37, plays lights-out like he's 24. Bobby Dunbar, who was a high school phenom in three sports in Anchorage a few years back, was a stud in the AAFL for the Anchorage Raiders and should be a nice addition to the FB/LB corps.
Also signed from the Anchorage Raiders are brothers Cody Dwyer (6'8", 330) and Dylan Dwyer (6'8", 335). These are some big boys on the o-line.
The IFL has finalized the schedule for the 2009 season. The Wild will play divsional opponents Billings, Colorado and Fairbanks for 8 of the 14 games on the schedule. Billings was 10-4 in 2008 and was the highest scoring team in the UIF and played very well at home. Colorado finished 2008 at 6-8 and was 1-6 on the road. The Grizzlies finished 3-11, with all three wins coming at home, 2 of those wins against us. I feel we can compete with all three of our divisional opponents. With all the additions to the roster, with size and strength added to where they lacked last year, and new speed on the offense, we can compete with teams in our division. The Bloomington Extreme visit the Sully on May 4, and reached the UIF Championship game in 2008 and finished 3-4 on the road. Probably the most intruiging game will be July 4 in Wichita, Kansas when the Alaska Wild take on the Wichita Wild. Wichita went winless at home in 2007 and Alaska is winless on the road in 2 years. Although late in the season, one of these streaks will be snapped and with the Alaska not staying in the lower 48 for weeks at a time, all our players should be able to travel and not miss work, so the Alaska Wild should be able to, at worst, pick up road victory number one.
Alaska Indoor Flag Football League
It's that time of year again! The AIFFL, the developmental league for the Wild and the premier flag league in Alaska is back again! If you want to play flag football call Coach Abe Hernandez at 771-9400 for more information. The season starts in the beginning of January and runs through March. There are divisions for both men and women and the cost is $75 per person. Teams are guaranteed 8 games plus playoffs.
Indoor Football League Stories from December 9, 2008
- Wild Sign WR Mark Lewis, OL Alex Hawkins and LB Sepa Nicholas-Silvera - Alaska Wild
- Wild Release 2009 Schedule - Alaska Wild
- Stampede Express 2009 Schedule - San Angelo Stampede Express
- RiverCity Rage Season Schedule - RiverCity Rage
- 2009 IFL Schedule Officially Released - IFL
- El Paso Generals Announce 2009 Schedule - El Paso Generals
- Ice Announces 2009 Season Schedule - Colorado Crush
- Abilene Ruff Riders Announce 2009 Schedule - Abilene Ruff Riders
- Storm Joins Taco John's to Raise Money for American Diabetes Association - Sioux Falls Storm
- IFL Releases 2009 Schedule - Wichita Wild
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
