Post by David on Feb 26, 2016 12:33:37 GMT -8
Wichita Falls Nighthawks at Spokane Empire
What: The Empire make their debut at home against the Nighthawks.
When: Saturday, February 27, 7 p.m. (PT).
Where: Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, Spokane, Washington
Empire Media: Radio - 700/1080 AM ESPN.
National Media: Stream (paid subscription) - IFL Live TV.
Series History: First Meeting.
Note: This will be the only meeting between the Nighthawks and the Empire this season.
Forum: To comment, please login or register.
HELPFUL LINKS
Indoor Football League Schedule and Results 2016
Spokane Empire Schedule 2016
IFL Franchises and Links
The Nighthawks play their first game of the season. Last year, Wichita Falls finished 4-10 overall, 2-5 on the road and 2-4 in inter-conference play. They averaged 39.0 points per game (8th out of 10) and allowed 43.9 points per game (3rd). The Nighthawks' 2015 campaign ended with a 50-60 loss to the Colorado Crush on June 13. The Nighthawks finished 2016 fifth in the Intense Conference.
The Empire are 1-0 overall, 0-0 at home and 0-0 in inter-conference play. Spokane is coming off a 60-51 road win over the Tri-Cities Fever on February 20. They are averaging 60.0 points per game (1st) and are allowing 51.0 points per game (7th). The Empire are first in the Intense Conference.
BREAKDOWN
Yards per Game - Nighthawks N/A; Empire 284
3rd Down Conversion - Nighthawks N/A; Empire 60.0%
4th Down Conversion - Nighthawks N/A; Empire 0.0%
Total Tackles - Nighthawks N/A; Empire 39
Tackles for Loss - Nighthawks N/A; Empire 3
Total Sacks - Nighthawks N/A; Empire 1.0
Fumbles - Nighthawks N/A; Empire 2
Interceptions - Nighthawks N/A; Empire N/A
WICHITA FALLS NIGHTHAWKS
Nighthawks QB Charles McCullum (image credit: The Tennessee Tribune)
ROSTER
# - name (pos)
1 - Charles McCullum (QB)
2 - Edward Wesley (RB)
3 - Tyler Williams (WR)
4 - Jordan Jolly (WR)
5 - Ja'Mes Logan (WR)
6 - Elisha Olabode (DB)
7 - Josh Francis (LB)
8 - Jermaine Jones (WR)
9 - Cardelro Jones (DB)
10 - Tyron Laughinghouse (WR)
11 - Terrance Lloyd (DL)
12 - Rockne Belmonte (K)
16 - Xavier Smith (DB)
19 - Braylon Broughton (DE)
20 - Deante Purvis (DB)
21 - Danny Jackson (DB)
24 - Davon Keys (DB)
52 - Jonathan Mathis (DL)
55 - Anthony Jackson (OL)
72 - Antonio Foster (DL)
73 - Derrick Zeigler (OL)
75 - Jarve Dean (OL)
77 - Walter Thomas (DL)
92 - Tino Tuilata (OL)
99 - Malcolm Goines (DL)
Billy Back - Head Coach
Ernie Cooke - Defensive Coordinator
Ivory Howard - Defensive Line Coach
SPOKANE EMPIRE
Empire QB Charles Dowdell (image credit: David Stufflebeam / Spokane Empire)
ROSTER
# - name (pos)
1 - Samuel Charles (WR)
2 - Lorenzo White Jr. (DB)
3 - Josh Ferguson (DB)
4 - Carl Sims (WR)
5 - Tyree Robinson (DB)
6 - Darryl Thompson (WR)
8 - Aaron Aiken (QB)
11 - Charles Dowdell (QB)
12 - Toby Jackson (DL)
16 - Robert Brown (DB)
17 - Pasquale Vacchio (LB)
18 - Trevor Kennedy (OS)
27 - Dan Kleckner (K)
44 - Brett Bowers (DL)
47 - Nick Haag (LB)
56 - Dave Lefotu (OL)
62 - Dominique Duster (DL)
72 - Kyle Fischer (OL)
76 - Michael Boyefio (OL)
77 - Mike Trice (OL)
78 - Brandon Haskin (OL)
80 - Jefferson "JJ" Hayes (WR)
88 - Justin Helwege (WR)
93 - Benjamin Perry (DL)
99 - Byron Bennett (DL)
Adam Shackleford - Head Coach
Cleveland Pratt - Assistant Head Coach
Ameer Ismail - Defensive Coordinator
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Yards - Charles Dowdell 160
Passing TDs - Charles Dowdell 6
Rushing Yards - Trevor Kennedy 82
Rushing TD's - Trevor Kennedy 2
Receptions - JJ Hayes 6
Receiving Yards - JJ Hayes 73
Receiving TDs - JJ Hayes 3
Tackles - Robert Brown 7
Sacks - Dominique Duster/Toby Jackson 1.0
Interceptions - N/A
KO Return Ave - *Demetruce McNeal 9.0
* not on active roster
DAVID'S TAKES
WICHITA FALLS:
Wichita Falls comes off an early BYE week, and their reward is a trip up north to play the Spokane Empire and its 9th Man at Spokane Arena. The Nighthawks begin Year Two in the IFL after finishing last season on a five game losing streak to end up 4-10. During the offseason, the team got a complete overhaul, including the dismissal of Head Coach James Kerwan. Billy Back comes in with a winning resume, coaching the Nashville Venom for the past two seasons and compiling a 17-6 overall record and a PIFL championship in 2014. He also won three consecutive championships from 2009-2012 with the Cincinnati Commandos of the CIFL and the UIFL, compiling an overall record of 29-3.
This is Back's second go-around in the IFL, having previously coached a season with the Texas Revolution. He would be let go a season later after finishing 5-9. Back should have Wichita Falls ready to challenge in the United Conference, but he has tough conference opponents in the Sioux Falls Storm and Cedar Rapids Titans.
The hope for the Nighthawks' offense is that recently signed IFL veteran QB Charles McCullum will lead an offensive unit that struggled last season, which ranked 8th out of 10 last season in points per game (39.3). McCullum currently is the active leader in rushing yards by a QB (1,919), and the hope is when paired with RB Edward Wesley (343 rushing yards, 10 TDs), the Nighthawks will have a threatening balance in the ground game.
The defensive performance of the Nighthawks was like night and day with the offense, ranking 3rd in the IFL in points allowed (43.9). The presence of DL Terrance Lloyd is the key to the Nighthawks' defense, as he terrorized opposing quarterbacks with 8.5 sacks last year (3rd in IFL).
This team should be different from the 4-10 team from a year ago, but they'll have to take on an expansion team coming off a huge inaugural win, and the momentum is likely to be in Spokane's favor. If Wichita Falls wants to have a shot, they're going to have to figure out how to silence Spokane's 9th Man and put together consistent drives on offense and pile on the points.
Player to Watch: Charles McCullum (QB)
McCullum, who played the past two seasons with the Nashville Venom, follows Head Coach Billy Back to Whichta Falls, where it will be expected that he will be named the starting quarterback. McCullum's no stranger when it comes to the IFL, having played for the Kent Predators, Everett Raptors and Cedar Rapids Titans from 2010-2013. Unlike Fever QB Hunter Winkett, McCullum has more experience under his belt and his threat in the running game will make him a challenging opponent for the Empire's defense.
In addition to the ground game, McCullum will have veteran WRs Jordan Jolly and Avonte Jones to assist in the air. Jolly and McCullum are no strangers to each other, as Jolly played with McCullum in Nashville. The comfort level of McCullum and Jolly in Back's offense should continue the chemistry both players established in the PIFL. Jones, acquired from the Green Bay Blizzard, has experience in the IFL, but it could take a few games to establish a chemistry with McCullum. This offense has a lot more firepower than it did a year ago, but time will tell if it'll be enough to unseat the Titans or the Storm at the top of the conference.
SPOKANE:
You couldn't have asked for a better start to Spokane's debut in the Indoor Football League. The re-established rivalry with Tri-Cities resulted in an exciting back-and-forth game resulting in an Empire 60-51 victory.
The Empire had things go their way right from the get-go, recovering back-to-back turnovers by the Fever on its first two possessions of the game. The first turnover came when Fever QB Hunter Wankett lost his grip on the football and Spokane's Dominique Duster recovered the fumble. That set up Charles Dowdell's 8-yard rushing touchdown on the Empire's second play from scrimmage just 27 seconds into the game. On the Tri-Cities' second drive, the Fever marched to the Spokane 15 yard line, but a bad snap resulted in a fumble recovery by DL Toby Jackson. The Empire would capitalize on the turnover, resulting in a 5-yard touchdown reception by JJ Hayes to put the Empire up 13-0.
Dowdell would lead the team on two more scoring drives in the 1st half, as the Empire jumped out to a 27-10 lead midway through the 2nd Quarter. But Tri-Cities would mount a comeback, cutting into the lead by halftime, 27-20. The second half was tight, with both teams battling back and forth, and at one point the score was tied 39-39. A late 4th quarter charge would push Spokane over the hump, pulling away from the Fever to go up 60-45 with less than 5 minutes left in the game.
Despite some mid-game struggles, the Empire still managed to score the most points in the IFL in Week 1. The season is far from over, and many players on the Empire's roster will continue to grow as the season progresses. Why not benefit from encouragement of Spokane's 9th Man? This week, the Empire return home for their home debut against Wichita Falls, and the loyal Spokane crowd is sure to energize the team.
Player to Watch: Charles Dowdell (QB)
Dowdell was impressive in his debut for the Empire, earning SCtC's Game Ball honors and named the IFL's Offensive Player of the Week. The 2015 CIF league MVP was modest in the passing game (12 of 20 for 160 yards) but made effective decisions that resulted in 6 passing touchdowns. His favorite target was WR JJ Hayes, who caught 6 passes for 73 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also connected with veterans Samuel Charles (3 receptions, 46 yards, 1 touchdown) and Carl Sims. Sims caught 3 passes for 41 yards and hauled in 2 touchdowns, including a remarkable 1 handed pass in traffic leading to the score.
Dowdell also contributed in the ground game, scoring the Empire's first ever touchdown by a rush only 27 seconds into the game. He ran 9 times for 42 yards and his effectiveness in the ground game helped open the lanes for RB/WR Trevor Kennedy, who ran 18 times for 82 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Outside of one fumble, Dowdell didn't make any costly mistakes. If he can keep up his level of production, he may solidify himself as the Empire's starter for the season.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Adam Shackelford's thoughts on Spokane's victory over Tri-Cities.
“There were a lot of mistakes tonight. I think it was our veterans that were the difference."
Shackleford on naming Trevor Kennedy starting RB over Andrew Pierce.
“We saw once he gets the ball in his hands he’s just electric. We didn’t want that kid to leave town."
Shackleford on the IFL allowing more freedom on Defense.
“I enjoy the AFL game, but this takes the gimmick out of it."
RB Trevor Kennedy on playing in front of Spokane fans.
“I'm looking forward to it. I know how passionate the fans are and you don't want to let them down."
FEATURED TWEETS
EXTRA
Are you having trouble getting adjusted to the Indoor Football League? Like you, we're still learning a lot of things about the IFL, from the rules to the teams. Luckily, we've got an index of the current franchises heading into the 2016 season. Get to know the past and present teams of the IFL, from their logos to their franchise inceptions and accomplishments by clicking here.
(photo courtesy of the Indoor Football League)
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Graphic courtesy of David.
