Indoor Football League Discussion

Venom Sweep Series Versus Ice

For the second straight week, the Amarillo Venom came from behind at halftime to defeat the Colorado Ice 47-41 Saturday night.

Colorado and Amarillo matched touchdowns on their first possessions of the ballgame. After newly acquired wide receiver Lemans Casimier scored his first tally with the Ice, Venom quarterback Julian Reese found wide receiver Anthony Clark 17 yards out (his first game with the Venom this season). The Ice added a field goal while the Amarillo offense was stopped on fourth and goal to end the first quarter trailing 10-7.

The back and fourth contest continued in the second frame, as Amarillo answered every Colorado score. Wide receivers DuVaughn Flagler and Anthony Clark (second of the half) scored touchdowns for the Venom. Running back Dontrell Moore collected the tilt's first rushing score at the 7:18 mark, spinning at the ten yard line and into the endzone 16 yards out. Halftime score, Colorado 31, Amarillo 27.

The Venom converted on their first opportunity of the second-half, when DuVaughn Flagler caught his second score of the game (Flagler went down injured and did not return). Colorado managed one field goal in the quarter. Amarillo 34, Colorado 34 after three quarters.

Amarillo clamped down on the Ice in the final stanza. Wide receiver Alex Watson and running back Sha-Ron Edwards scored touchdowns while defensive back Cashmin Thomas garnered his sixth interception of the season (leads team). Colorado added a late touchdown to pull the Ice within six. Amarillo ran the clock out via the rushing attack and won 47-41.

The Venom move to 6-0 (the only undefeated team in the IFL)...Amarillo quarterback Julian Reese has thrown 10 touchdowns over his last 2 games...the Venom defense continued its second-half dominance by allowing only 23 second-half points over their last 4 contests.

The Venom continue play next Saturday, May 1st at the Amarillo Civic Center beginning at 7pm CST. Make sure to take advantage of the Venom's best ticket offer of the season! Receive 4 show tickets, 4 backpacks, 4 thundersticks, and 4 pom-poms for only $60! Call 806-350-PASS (7277) today!

The AMARILLO VENOM is a proud new member of the Indoor Football League. The team's front office is located at 901 S. Buchanan in downtown Amarillo. 2010 season tickets are available by calling (806) 350-PASS (7277).

 

Second Half Surge Leads To Win For San Angelo Over Roughnecks, 60-27

The San Angelo Stampede Express took advantage of Roughnecks turnovers in the second half to seal a come-from-behind win on Saturday evening, April 24, 60-27. The Express trailed 17-13 at halftime and scored on four consecutive possessions to take a 39-27 lead early in the fourth quarter.

The game started as a defensive battle in the first quarter, but San Angelo got on the scoreboard as DB Joe McClendon intercepted QB Tommy Jones and returned it back 32 yards for a score to make it 7-0. The Roughnecks tied things up in the second quarter when Jones scrambled for a 10-yard touchdown run. The Roughnecks took their first lead of the game when Jones found WR Josh Floyd for a 41-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-7.

San Angelo closed the gap at 14-13 when QB Dustin Almond completed a nine-yard touchdown pass to Mike Malone. The Roughnecks went into halftime leading 17-13 following a 25-yard field goal from Zeke Arevalo.

The game became a back-and-forth battle in the third quarter when the Stampede Express and the Roughnecks exchanged touchdown passes to make it 24-20 with the Roughnecks on top.

San Angelo took control of the ball game midway through the third quarter when Dustin Almond found TyJuan Manning for a 20-yard touchdown pass and RB Derrick Ross posted a one-yard rushing touchdown to make it 32-24. The Roughnecks added a late-third quarter field goal from Zeke Arevalo to close the gap at 32-27.

San Angelo exploded for 28 points in the fourth quarter with two touchdown runs from Derrick Ross and an 18-yard touchdown pass from Almond to Mike Malone. San Angelo LB Joe Goosby additionally returned a Tommy Jones fumbled snap 49 yards for a score. The Stampede Express took advantage of Roughnecks turnovers and minor mistakes to win the ball game 60-27.

The Roughnecks drop to 2-5 at the midway point of the 2010 regular season, as San Angelo improves to 5-2. The Roughnecks travel to Arkansas to face the Diamonds on Saturday, May 1 as San Angelo travels to Austin to face the Turfcats on May 1.

 

Chicago Slaughter Demolish Kent Predators 71-29 At Sears Centre

The Chicago Slaughter (3-3) overwhelmed the Kent Predators (3-4) with a final score of 71-29 at the Sears Centre Arena in front of a packed crowd of 5,789 fans on Saturday night. Key Slaughter player maneuvers earlier in the week proved instrumental in the lopsided victory as WR Reggie Gray returned to the team catching five passes for 120 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Gray was a member of the 2009 Slaughter championship team. RB Jarrett Payton ran the ball five times for 57 yards and one touchdown, while adding another score on a ten-yard touchdown reception. DB Chris Rodgers returned an interception for a score, and DB Dennison Robinson picked up his fifth interception of the season. Both Slaughter Quaterbacks led the high-flying offense with Randy Hutchison throwing for three touchdowns and backup QB Tavares Woodley adding three touchdowns of his own (one passing and two rushing).

The Slaughter came alive in the second quarter after the defense sacked Kent QB Charles McCallum in endzone scoring a safety. Payton picked up his second score of the game as he ran four yards for a score. Chicago then recovered an onside kick and scored on the next play with a Reggie Gray 44 yard touchdown on a halfback option pass from backup QB Tavares Woodley. The very next Kent possession, Rodgers picked off a McCallum pass and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown to put the Slaughter up 33-10. Gray capped the Slaughter first half scoring with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Hutchinson to make the score 40-10. Kent scored on a long touchdown strike to make the score 40-17.

The Slaughter began the second half in style as Hutchison connected with WR De'Cody ***g for a 45-yard touchdown on the team's first play. Woodley scored on consecutive one-yard rushing touchdown to put the team up 61-17. Woodley took over the QB reins and connected with ***g in the end zone for a 5-yard scoring strike. Kicker Chris Nendick kicked a 40-yard field goal, his longest of the season, to end the scoring at 71-29.

"We've got three in a row now and I am hoping everyone can see just how good this team is," said Head Coach Steve McMichael. "Reggie Gray is back, and that really makes a difference. If you've got a great player like that, it raises up everyone's level. What I told the guys at halftime is even when you are dominating, you have to be sure to finish out. Other teams are watching, and we don't want to have everyone think we are happy with mediocrity."

"It's great to be back and I am hoping to be able to spark this team," said Gray. "It's a great bunch of guys and everyone is having fun. Even when I was gone from the team, I was watching the games. I felt there was great potential here. It was a great team last year, and I see the same thing happening this year."

The 71 points scored by the Slaughter was 21 points higher than the team's previous high score. It was also one point below the single team high score in the IFL this season.

The next road game for the team will be Friday, April 30th against the La Crosse Spartans. The next home game for the Slaughter will be Saturday, May 22nd, at the Sears Centre Arena against the Green Bay Blizzard. Kickoff will be at 7:05 p.m. For more information on the May 22nd home game or on the Chicago Slaughter, please call the team office at (847) 310-3190 or visit the team website at www.ChicagoSlaughter.com

 

Revolution Topples Maniacs 54-45 to move to 6-1

Damon "Redd" Thompson feels good again, something that makes everyone associated with the Richmond Revolution feel fine.

Thompson returned to the Revolution lineup tonight after missing a game with a nagging hamstring injury. He caught eight passes for 53 yards and a touchdown as Richmond produced a 54-45 Indoor Football League victory over the Maryland Maniacs before a crowd of 3,026 at the Arthur Ashe Center.

That's half the passes completed by Revolution quarterback Bryan Randall, who threw for five touchdowns for the third straight week. Chris Segaar added two fourth-quarter field goals as the Revolution produced its highest point total of the season.

Not all of the scoring came on the offensive end. Larry Williams, in just his second game with the Revolution, returned an interception 12 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter. Williams also had a receiving touchdown, good for 11 yards, in the second quarter.

Richmond improved to 6-1 and sits atop the Atlantic East Division of the United Conference. Maryland falls to 0-6 with its second loss of the season to the Revolution.

Revolution Head Coach Steve Criswell warned earlier in the week that the Maniacs were capable and that proved correct. Richmond's victory wasn't secure until Segaar's second field goal 17 seconds from game's end.

"They're a good football team and they're still playing hard," Criswell said. "I looked at more film of them than I have of anyone all year because I knew they could do some good stuff, and they did.

"We won, so we did OK. We've got some new guys to the indoor game. We're learning on the run and the defense is keeping us in it."

Thompson's return will help. The Virginia State product is an indoor football league veteran and his presence is comforting to Randall, who had a stellar career at Virginia Tech but is a "rookie" indoors.

"Redd brings a lot of experience out here to our offense," Randall said. "With his ability and his knowledge of the game, it's definitely a plus with him on the field."

Thompson hopes to stay there. He says his hamstring has improved to the point where he doesn't expect to miss any more time. Despite missing two games, Thompson has 21 catches. He combines with Aaron Alexander, Rodney Landers, Antwun Williams and Larry Williams to give the Revolution an impressive arsenal of receivers.

"I'm back now," Thompson said. "I'm back. It's feeling good again."

Despite the season-high point total, it wasn't a perfect night for Richmond. The Revolution gained just 129 yards, though one huge loss on a bad snap and sack greatly affected the final total. Maryland had two quarterbacks throw for more than 100 yards and the Maniacs also had five aerial touchdowns. Former University of Virginia receiver Deyon Williams caught four of them.

"At times, we get content," Thompson said. "We can turn it off and on but we're keeping it off too much. We make every game a dogfight. But we're getting better. We'll get it together."

Richmond won't be at home again until May 22, when Rochester visits the Ashe Center. In between, the Revolution goes on the road for three games. It goes to West Michigan twice and visits Maryland once.

Criswell is confident his team can handle a long stretch of away games.

"I don't have a problem going on the road," he said. ""These guys travel well, they know how to do it. Travel does not hurt us at all."

Thompson doesn't mind the travel, but he's also looking forward to the return home. The two games he missed? Both against Rochester.

SportsQuest's Richmond Revolution is a proud member of the Indoor Football League. SportsQuest is hosting the US Speedskating Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday May 1st at the Hilton Short Pump. Call (804)595-theQ for more information.

 

Maryland Maniacs Maniacs Stage Multiple Comebacks But Fall Short Against Revolution

Despite coming off of their toughest loss of the season last week in Bloomington, the Maniacs displayed enough resilience to stage not one, but two comebacks against the Richmond Revolution on Saturday night. Unfortunately, the team is still searching for its first win but a renewed energy is circulating within the organization and the expectations remain high.

After falling to a 27-6 deficit late in the first half, quarterback Duane Smith led the team to two touchdowns with less then a minute and a half left. The first of those two scores came courtesy of a leaping catch against the end zone wall made by Rod Bryant that was followed by Smith sneaking in for a two-point conversion with 1:19 remaining. The defense was able to hold Richmond to a missed field goal attempt on the following drive, giving the Maniacs just less than 40 seconds to score.

Once the Maniacs regained possession, Smith connected again with Bryant, who finished the game with six receptions for 109 yards, on a 24-yard pass. Smith capitalized on the field position that was gained from that play by sneaking into the end zone from three yards out with just five seconds remaining to cut the Revolution lead to 27-21 at halftime.

Coming out of halftime, Maryland was only able to produce three points in the third quarter until newly acquired quarterback Brian Harris, formerly of the San Angelo Stampede Express, stepped in to replace Smith. On his first play as a Maryland Maniac, Harris ended the third quarter by firing an 11-yard pass to wide receiver Deyon Williams for his second of an impressive four touchdown receptions on the night. At that point, Richmond's lead over the Maniacs was cut down to 41-30.

The following drive resulted in an interception by defensive back Mike Hill after Richmond's Bryan Randall's pass was tipped by teammate Theron Thomas. That play led to a field goal for the Maniacs that put the score at 41-33 with 11:41 left to play in the game. Harris was able to toss two more touchdowns to Williams in the final eight minutes but it was not enough because Richmond was able to retaliate after each score.

Regardless of the final result, the Maniacs played their most competitive game in weeks and look to be headed in the right direction with the reshuffled roster. The results may not show it but the will to win is still burning inside the players and coaches, who hope to bring their first victory to the home crowd at Cole Field House next Saturday night at Cole Field House against the Rochester Raiders. The game is set to kick off at 7:05 PM.

Notes: Bryson Spinner was with the team Saturday night, acting as a liaison between the coaches and players.

The Maniacs welcomed back a couple familiar faces this week: kicker Justin Willis and defensive end Jason Goode. Willis was two of four on field goal attempts and one for three on extra point attempts. Goode, who played wide receiver and fullback for the Maniacs last season, made two tackles in his defensive debut this season.

Former Maniacs kicker Mike Jones was in attendance supporting his ex-teammates

 

Venom's Flagler out for season

Amarillo Venom wide receiver DuVaughn Flagler is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee in Saturday's 47-41 win against Colorado at Cal Farley Coliseum.

 

Second Half of Season Starts with a Bang

The second half of the Indoor Football League kicked off on Friday evening. Eleven games were featured on the IFL schedule in Week Nine including the IFL Game of the Week which highlighted a matchup for potential playoff positioning in the United Conference between the Rochester Raiders and Bloomington Extreme.

Week Nine began when the West Michigan ThunderHawks (4-2) traveled to take on the winless La Crosse Spartans (0-7). This was a highly competitive battle which saw the lead change hands multiple times throughout the course of the game but it was the ThunderHawks who prevailed by the score of 64-58.. A familiar face to the ThunderHawks sparked the offensive output by the Spartans. QB Buddy Rivera, who started the opening game of the season for the ThunderHawks, provided the Spartans with what they have been missing all year, solid quarterback play. He completed 13 of 20 passes for 202 yards and 2 TD's. It was not enough though as he was outdueled by his replacement in West Michigan QB Brad Iciek who continues to put up incomprehensible numbers in 2010. He completed 28 of 38 passes for 313 yards and 7 TD's in the victory. Both teams will be back in action next week as the Spartans host the Chicago Slaughter and the ThunderHawks host the Richmond Revolution.

The IFL Game of the Week turned out to be a one-sided affair. In a game which could prove the difference in determining qualification for the IFL Playoffs, the Rochester Raiders (4-3) defeated the Bloomington Extreme (3-4) by the score of 56-41. The vaunted Extreme defense, coming off an effort which allowed only 6 points to the Maryland Maniacs, had no answer for Rochester QB Perry Patterson. The dual threat quarterback consistently found open receivers in the Extreme secondary showed command and leadership of the Raider's offense. The Extreme will look to rebound from the disappointing when they travel to take on the Omaha Beef in Week Ten. The Raiders will also be in action as they travel to take on divisional opponent the Maryland Maniacs.

Play resumed on Saturday evening when the Corpus Christi Hammerheads (3-5) traveled to play Lonestar East Division rivals the Austin Turfcats (2-4). This game went down to the wire with the Hammerheads outlasting the Turfcats 32-30. Despite controlling much of the game with a powerful running attack featuring RB Redford Borel (13 attempts for 114 yards, TD) the Hammerheads were never able to pull away from the Turfcats. Down 32-24 late in the fourth quarter, Turfcats QB Deron Ellis found WR Keith Clay for a 5 yard TD pass to pull the game to 32-30 with 8 seconds remaining. The ensuing 2 point conversion was stifled by the Hammerhead's defense which secured the victory for the men from Corpus Christi. The Hammerheads will be on a bye in Week 10 while the Turfcats will look to regroup when they host the San Angelo Stampede Express.

In the fourth and final meeting in 2010 between bitter state rivals, the Fairbanks Grizzlies (5-2) edged the Alaska Wild (2-6) 40-32. The win gives the Grizzlies the season's series 3-1. High intensity indoor football was on full display all season long between these hardnosed teams as three of the four games were decided by 8 points or less. The Grizzlies will ride the momentum from this win into a bye week while the Alaska Wild will search for a win when they travel to play the Tri-Cities Fever in Week Ten.

The Arkansas Diamonds (6-1) managed to maintain Lonestar supremacy with a close 26-23 victory over the Abilene Ruff Riders (1-6). In a defensive battle, a style of play which is quickly becoming a reputation in the Lonestar Divisions, the Diamonds found themselves trailing 23-10 entering the final quarter. The Diamonds then rattled off 16 unanswered points, the last coming on a TD run by QB Brian Jones, to seal the come from behind victory. The Ruff Riders have been playing much better as a team since the mid season coaching change which put Rodney Blackshear at the helm. Both teams will return to action in Week Ten as the Ruff Riders travel to play the undefeated Amarillo Venom and the Diamonds host the West Texas Roughnecks.

The Green Bay Blizzard (7-1) are starting to make a habit out of late game heroics. Trailing the Omaha Beef (2-4) 49-44 in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, Blizzard QB Jake Phillips engineered another amazing scoring drive when he found WR Scott Burnoski open in the end zone for an 11 yard strike which sealed the Blizzard victory 50-49 with no time left on the clock. This is the second week in the row that Phillips has led his team to victory in the winding seconds of the game and he is becoming to make it look easy. The Blizzard will rest on a much needed bye week in Week Ten while the Beef will look to get back in playoff contention at home against the Bloomington Extreme.

The Richmond Revolution (6-1) continued to roll in their inaugural season as they earned another victory over the visiting Maryland Maniacs (0-6), 54-45. The Revolution continue to rely on a stingy defense while the offense and QB Bryan Randall work on acclimating to the indoor game. The defense made big plays in the Maniacs backfield as they tallied 3 sacks and 6 tackles for loss. Despite controlling the pace of much of the game and nearly doubling the Revolution offensive output, the Maniacs still couldn't earn that illusive first victory. The Maniacs will hope their fortunes change in Week Ten when they host the Rochester Raiders while the Revolution will travel to play the West Michigan ThunderHawks.

Ever since coming back off of back-to-back bye weeks the Billings Outlaws (6-1) have been unstoppable. They continued to impose their will on opponents in Week Nine with a 70-47 victory over the Tri-Cities Fever (1-5). The Outlaws were led by familiar names that were standouts on opposite sides of the ball. Reigning League MVP QB Chris Dixon continued his impressive year as he tossed 5 TD's and ran for another 2. DL Michael Bazemore was overpowering on the defensive line has he tallied 7 tackles, 4 of which were for loss, and 2 sacks. The Fever have found the transition to the IFL difficult but the team is too talented to continue to struggle. There is still enough time left in 2010 for the Fever to make an impact. Both teams will be back in action in Week Ten as the Outlaws travel to play the Kent Predators and the Tri-Cities Fever host the Alaska Wild.

The Chicago Slaughter (3-3) have rattled off three consecutive victories since starting the season on a 0-3 slide. The latest victory came in the form of a 71-27 drumming on Saturday night of the Kent Predators (3-4). The Slaughter defense shut down the streaking Predators offense allowing only 152 total yards. Predator's standout QB Charles McCullum was held in check as the dual threat QB completed only 28% of his passes and managed only 17 yards rushing. Slaughter RB Jarrett Payton continued a solid season as he scored 2 TD's, one on the ground and one on a 10 yard reception. Both teams will return to action in Week Ten as the Predators host the Billings Outlaws and the Slaughter travel to take on the La Crosse Spartans.

The Amarillo Venom (6-0) remained undefeated, dodging a major upset, by pulling out a 47-41 victory over the winless Colorado Ice. The Ice fought valiantly all game long as the teams were tied at 34 heading into the fourth quarter of play. 13 unanswered points put the Venom on top for good as the Ice simply ran out of time. Venom QB Julian Reese continues his impressive and efficient play this season as he has tossed 25 TD's versus throwing just 1 interception. The Venom will look to retain their unblemished record when they host the Abilene Ruff Riders in Week Ten. The Ice will continue search for their first victory of the season when they travel to play the Sioux Falls Storm.

In the final game on the Week Nine schedule, the San Angelo Stampede Express (5-2) made easy work of the West Texas Roughnecks (2-5) with a 60-27 win. The Stampede Express got back to basics as they used their powerful running game led by RB Derrick Ross to control the pace of the game by wearing out the Roughneck defenders. Ross carried the ball 12 times for 84 yards and added 3 TD's. DL Jon Williams contributed on the other side of the ball as he added a sack which puts him in a tie for the league lead in the category with 7 in 2010. The Roughnecks have not found a rhythm this year and will look to rebound against the Arkansas Diamonds. The Stampede Express will look to continue to build momentum for a playoff push when the travel to play the Austin Turfcats.

Week Nine Vidswap.com IFL Players of the Week will be announced on Wednesday. The IFL season will continue with Week Ten on Friday April 30th when the Billings Outlaws travel to face the Kent Predators and the La Crosse Spartans host the Chicago Slaughter.

 

Stampede Express dominate 2nd half in rout

The San Angelo Stampede Express rolled to a 60-27 Indoor Football League victory over the West Texas Roughnecks at the Ector County Coliseum on Saturday night.

 

Hammerheads hold on to beat Austin by 2

The Corpus Christi Hammerheads got 114 yards on the ground from Redford Borel and three rushing touchdowns by Justin Hardman to snap their four-game losing streak and beat the Austin Turfcats 32-30 on Saturday night.

 

Indoor Football League Players of the Week Announced

The Indoor Football League is proud to announce the Week Eleven Vidswap.com Players of the Week. As we continue the second half of the season, Week Eleven provided the most unexpected action which caused some of the tightest competition to date for the prestigious weekly honors. Each week the IFL selects three players, one from each phase of the game, offense, defense, and specials teams, whose play on the field stood out among the rest of the competition. Twelve games were featured in the eleventh weekend of football and the following player's performances propelled them to Week Eleven Vidswap.com Players of the Week. Offensive Player of the Week: QB Ben Sankey, Omaha Beef

In what was seen as many to be an underdog affair, the Omaha Beef shocked the Arkansas Diamonds in
a stunning 71-33 victory. Quarterback Ben Sankey and the Beef offense cut up the Diamond's first ranked defense. The Beef scored 45 first quarter points and never looked back from there. Omaha's offense was prevalent all game as Sankey completed 27 of his 32 attempts for 242 yards and 8 touchdown passes. Sankey and the hot Beef offense will look to keep cooking next week for Week Twelve action as they visit heated Central West division rivals, the Sioux Falls Storm.

Defensive Player of the Week: DL Jason Holman, Richmond Revolution

The Maryland Maniacs were at home hosting the Richmond Revolution and searching for their first victory against the Atlantic East leaders. However, Jason Holman and the Revolution defense would drive the Maniacs crazy in their 55-39 victory. Holman made big play after big play in the Maryland backfield. He recorded five tackles, three sacks, and blocked one extra point. The Maniacs were unable to solve the Holman puzzle. The Revolution will try and roll on as they visit divisional opponents, the West Michigan ThunderHawks in an Atlantic East Week Twelve clash.

Special Teams Player of the Week: KR Demarcus James, Richmond Revolution

While the Revolution kept the Maryland offense at bay during the 55-39 Revolution route to victory, the first shot fired offensively from Richmond had to come from Kick-Returner Demarcus James running the opening kickoff of the game 50 yards for a touchdown. This would just be part of his three returns for 80 yards day. James would also rack up 3.5 tackles and two pass defenses. This was on his way to capping off the game on an exciting interception for a 50 yard touchdown. The Thunderhawks will look to keep James and the Revolution from their impressive efforts in Week Twelve.

The IFL season continues with Week Twelve on Friday May 14th when the Chicago Slaughter travel to take on the Bloomington Extreme and the Kent Predators host the Fairbanks Grizzlies. You can view live broadcasts of IFL games all season long at www.b2livetv.com.

VidSwap.com provides numerous services for coaches, players, agents, teams, and leagues. These services include: online game exchange for scouting opponents, distribution of videos to coaches, players, agents, and scouts, game analysis, and player profile and highlight video creation for roster pages and easy recruiting.