Post by Nevadanut on Jun 18, 2018 21:04:24 GMT -8
SEMIFINAL:
Nebraska Danger at Iowa Barnstormers
What: The Danger visit Iowa's capital in the first round of the 2018 IFL playoffs.
When: Friday, June 22 at 5:05 p.m. pacific (7:05 p.m. central).
Where: Wells Fargo Arena; Des Moines, Iowa.
Stream: IFL YouTube Channel.
2018 Head to Head: March 30 - Danger 43, Barnstormers 32. April 14 - Barnstormers 41, Danger 25.
Note: This is a match up of teams which advanced to their conference championship games last season, but were both defeated in those respective games.
HELPFUL LINKS
Indoor Football League Rules
Indoor Football League Schedule and Results - 2018 Season
Nebraska Danger 2018 Schedule
Nebraska Danger - Vital Statistics
Iowa Barnstormers 2018 Schedule
Iowa Barnstormers Vital Statistics
IFL Franchise Index
The Danger finished the regular season at 4-10 and 1-6 on the road. They are coming off a 59-23 home loss to the Arizona Rattlers on June 16. They averaged 37.5 points per game and allowed 42.3 points per game. They finished in fourth place in the IFL standings.
The Barnstormers finished the regular season at 11-3 overall and 7-1 at home. They are coming off a 54-21 home win over the Cedar Rapids Titans on June 16. They averaged 46.3 points per game and are allowing 35.2 points per game. They finished first in the IFL standings.
2018 REGULAR SEASON BREAKDOWN
Total Yards - Danger 202.2; Barnstormers 251.9
Pass Yards - Danger 130.0; Barnstormers 133.7
Rush Yards - Danger 72.2; Barnstormers 118.1
3rd Down Conversion - Danger 42%; Barnstormers 54%
4th Down Conversion - Danger 47%; Barnstormers 56%
Total Tackles - Danger 512; Barnstormers 486.5
Total Sacks - Danger 19; Barnstormers 11
Tackles for Loss - Danger 61; Barnstormers 45
Fumble Recoveries - Danger 11; Barnstormers 8
Interceptions - Danger 4; Barnstormers 18
DANGER-BARNSTORMERS 2018 HEAD-TO-HEAD (two games)
Points per Game - Danger 34.0; Barnstormers 36.5
Total Yards - Danger 395; Barnstormers 452
Pass Yards - Danger 302; Barnstormers 264
Rush Yards - Danger 93; Barnstormers 188
3rd Down Conversion - Danger 63%; Barnstormers 35%
4th Down Conversion - Danger 0%; Barnstormers 60%
Total Tackles - Danger 90; Barnstormers 76
Total Sacks - Danger 2; Barnstormers 0
Tackles for Loss - Danger 8, Barnstormers 5
Fumble Recoveries - Danger 1; Barnstormers 2
Interceptions - Danger 0; Barnstormers 2
SCORES BY QUARTERS
NEBRASKA DANGER
Danger RB Angelo Pease greets fans.
(photo by Andrew Carpenean/Grand Island Independent)
ROSTER
# - name (pos)
1 - Nick Brassell (WR/DB)
2 - Najee Bright (DB)
4 - Noah Housh (WR)
5 - Gregory Dent Jr. (WR)
6 - Angelo Pease (RB)
8 - Darion Monroe (DB)
9 - Kenzel Doe (WR)
10 - Gregory Hankerson Jr (QB)
11 - Jesse Scroggins III (WR)
15 - Jamaal Burgess (DB)
17 - Rahman Kamara (DB)
21 - Korey Ringer (RB)
22 - Brad Hatfield (K)
24 - Nakevion Leslie (LB)
26 - Donta Armstrong (WR)
43 - Davion Belk (DL)
44 - Myke Tavarres (LB)
55 - Olukayode Akinmoladun (OL)
56 - Darrien Howard (DL)
65 - Mason Butler (OL)
71 - Kyle Saxelid (OL)
72 - Devonte McClain (OL)
76 - Drake Miller (OL)
88 - Jarred Haggins (WR)
98 - Charles Walker (DL)
Short Term IR
93 - Xzavie Jackson (DL)
N/A - Darrin Reaves (RB)
Season Ending IR
7 - Damien Fleming (QB)
N/A - Michael Thornton (RB)
Transfer
11 - Nathan Holley (DB) [NFL - Los Angeles Rams]
RTR
4 - Eric Thomas (WR)
43 - Tavita Faaiu (DL)
71 - Palmer White (OL)
76 - Torian White (OL)
N/A - Rahsaan Vaughn (WR)
N/A - Jesse Somsel (OL)
Coaching Staff
Adam Shackleford - Interim Co-Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Pig Brown - Interim Co-Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach
Marshall Hart - Offensive Line/Special teams Coach
2018 REGULAR SEASON STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Yards - Jesse Scroggins II 1,050
Passing TDs - Jesse Scroggins II 21
Passing Ints - Jesse Scroggins II 5
Rushing Yards - Angelo Pease 332
Rushing TDs - Angelo Pease 13
Receptions - Eric Thomas 56
Receiving Yards - Eric Thomas 658
Receiving TDs - Eric Thomas 16
Total Tackles - Myke Tavarres 77.5
Sacks - *Xzavie Jackson 4.5
Interceptions - four with 1
KO Return Ave - Nick Brassell 20.0
KO Return TDs - Korey Ringer 2
*On Short term IR
Roster information is subject to change and is presented here as a basic guide for following the game. Rosters and team information is gathered from the IFL's 2018 Media Guide, as well as other sources, and will be updated as further roster information becomes available.
IOWA BARNSTORMERS
Barnstormers QB Drew Powell, second from left, leads the offense.
(Photo by Adam Lamprecht/SCtoC)
ROSTER
# - name (pos)
1 - Ryan Balentine (WR)
2 - Drew Powell (QB)
3 - Jourdan Wickliffe (DB)
4 - Rocky Hayes (DB)
5 - Sheldon Augustine (WR)
6 - Jermey Gloston (DB)
7 - Tyrell Pearson (DB)
8 - Bryce Enyard (DB)
9 - Skyler Scott (WR)
10 - Raheem Harvey (WR)
11 - Brady Roland (WR)
15 - Grant Rohach (QB)
19 - Josh Gable (K)
21 - Jamal Tyler (RB)
22 - Donavan Williams (RB)
35 - Zachary Allen (LB)
55 - Keith Jones Jr. (DL)
56 - B.J. Butler (DL)
72 - Randall Jackson-Clemons (OL)
75 - Brandon Haskin (OL)
77 - Ken Van Heule III (OL)
90 - Bryon Bennett (DL)
N/A - Cory Henry (DL)
N/A - Corey Madlock (OL)
Short Term IR
5 - Sheldon Augustine (WR)
14 - Jonathan Duarte (WR)
Season Ending IR
20 - Robert Haynes (LB)
Transfer
79 - Isame Faciane (OL) [CFL - Toronto Argonauts]
RTR
44 - Dame Ndiaye (DL)
57 - Terrance Boyd Jr. (OL)
71 - Kyle Grome (OL)
91 - D'Vonn Brown (DL)
Coaching Staff
Dixie Wooten - Head Coach
Marcus Coleman - Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach
Michael Cluster - Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach
Malcolm Nelson - Defensive Line Coach/Special Teams Coordinator
2018 REGULAR SEASON STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Yards - Drew Powell 1,604
Passing TDs - Drew Powell 34
Passing INTs - Drew Powell 4
Rushing Yards - Drew Powell 939
Rushing TDs - Drew Powell 23
Receptions - Brady Roland 60
Receiving Yards - Brady Roland 793
Receiving TDs - Brady Roland 20
Total Tackles - Zachary Allen 72
Sacks - Keith Jones Jr. 4.5
Interceptions - Bryce Enyard 8
KO Return Ave - Raheem Harvey 24.3
KO Return TDs - Rocky Hayes 1
Roster information is subject to change and is presented here as a basic guide for following the game. Rosters and team information is gathered from the IFL's 2018 Media Guide and other sources, and will be updated as further roster information becomes available.
ANALYSIS
One of the most interesting points of this match up is that these teams split their season series, 1-1. The Danger struck first in Grand Island with a 43-32 win. Two weeks later, the Barnstormers got some revenge with a 41-25 victory in Des Moines. The teams have never met in the playoffs. The Danger lead to overall series, 4-3. The Danger won the first three games, but the Barnstormers have won three of the past four meetings, including a sweep of the Danger in 2017. Nebraska will look to upset the top-seeded Barnstormers. During the series, the teams have split 2-2 in Des Moines. The Barnstormers earned the first seed in the final standings, and home field advantage throughout the playoffs due to winning a three-way tiebreaker due to strength of schedule. The Danger solidified their fourth seed following week 16 when the Green Bay Blizzard lost to the Cedar Rapids Titans.
Nebraska is limping into the playoffs after dropping its last nine games. In fact, the Danger's last win was that 11-point week 6 victory over the Barnstormers. During the losing streak, the Danger fired head coach Mark Stoute and named offensive coordinator Adam Shackleford and Pig Brown as interim head coaches. The Danger began the season 3-0, but had lost starting quarterback Damien Fleming to a season ending injury in the second week of the season, Fleming had provided the team with some promise. After he went down, the reigns were turned over to former Salt Lake Screaming Eagles backup Jesse Scroggins II. Scroggins had limited success and was released in early May. The team brought in Gregory Hankerson, Jr., who is more of a rusher than a passer. Scroggins was re-signed prior to the regular season finale, and could get the start in this playoff game.
It remains to be seen which QB will get Shackleford's starting not in this one. Scroggins has more experience in the Danger's offensive system and, despite his hiatus from the team, still leads the Danger in every passing category. He has completed 54.7 percent of his passes. He averages 105.0 passing yards per game, but that number is skewed since he played only partially in two games games this season. Hankerson started the past five games, but was replaced in the second half of the finale by Scroggins. It's likely that either starts in this game, but could be augmented by the other. Angelo Pease is among the better of the IFL running backs, having rushed for 332 yards and 13 touchdowns. Pease can take some pressure off of which ever QB the Danger start. Gregory Dent, Jr. is probably the featured receiver at this point. Eric Thomas is is on the active roster, but who has not played in the past two games, leads the team as a receiver. Dent had 54 catches for 531 yards and 16 yards. Kenzel Doe comes in with 54 grabs for 531 yards and 10 scores.
Linebacker Myke Tavarres has been a ball hawk and enforcer for the Danger defense. He adds 3 sacks and 9 tackles for loss. In watching a game, Tavarres can be found near the ball on nearly every single play. Darion Monroe comes in with 76.5 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 5 pass break ups. The IFL's all-atime sack leader, Xzavie Jackson is on short term IR. While eligible to return for this game, it is unsure that his injury will enable him to do so. The defense looks to match up against a potent offense for the Barnstormers. It will be up to the team to stop Powell on the ground and force him to go through the air. That could be a compromising alternative to Iowa's formidable receiving due of Brady Roland and Ryan Balentine.
Had it not been for a fluke blocked kick turned into a safety resulting in a week 16 loss to the Sioux Falls Storm, the Barnstormers might have all but punched their ticket to home field advantage in the playoffs a week ago (or, at least put themselves in prime position to do so). The Barnstormers lost just three games this season, with that first match up against the Danger ending in favor of Nebraska. Iowa went undefeated during April and May, and Rattled off seven straight wins after that loss to the Danger. They possess the league's best defense, possibly the IFL Offensive MVP and perhaps the best receiving duo in the league. Head coach Dixie Wooten, in his tweets, uses the hashtag #CHAMPIONSHIPMINDSET. Clearly, he is instilling that very sentiment in his players. It seems to have set in, as they have earned the top seed and will host this game and, should they advance, host the United Bowl as well..
Drew Powell is arguably the top quarterback in the IFL. He solidly leads the IFL in total offense per game at 211.9. He leads the league with his 68.1 pass completion percentage. Powell has thrown 34 touchdowns against just 4 interceptions on the season. Powell is fourth in touchdown passes with 34. He leads the IFL in rushing yards at 939 and is third in rushing touchdowns with 23. Powell missed two games this season as he was trying out in the Canadian Football League. Had he played those two games, he might be leading the league in some of those other categories. Jamal Tyler got the call in the season finale and did not disappoint with his 79 carries off 12 yards and 2 touchdowns. Donavan Williams also is an option for Iowa at running back. Brady Roland led the league in receptions (60), receiving yards (793) and receiving touchdowns (20). Ryan Balentine is nearly as much as a threat with his 58 catches for 645 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The Barnstormers' defense is a mix of speed and strength. Defensive back Bryce Enyard's 8 interceptions led the league in the regular season. He also had 69 total tackles and 13 pass break ups. Zachary Allen led the team with 72 total tackles, and had 7 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Keith Jones, Jr. has been outstanding as a pass rusher, compiling 12.5 tackles for loss to go along with his team-leading 4.5 sacks. Iowa had the staunchest defense in the IFL this season, allowing just 35.2 points per game. The defense seemed to have an answer for nearly every threat enemies posed. The Danger average just 37.5 points of total defense and have held the Danger to 34 points per game this season. Josh Gable has the kicking duties. He nailed a 29-yarder against the Blizzard in week 14.
FEATURED SOCIAL MEDIA
OTHER IFL SEMIFINAL
June 23 - Sioux Falls Storm at Arizona Rattlers; 6:05 p.m. pacific (8:05 p.m. central)
IFL PLAYOFF BRACKET
FINAL REGULAR SEASON IFL STANDINGS
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