Post by Nevadanut on Jul 3, 2018 21:01:16 GMT -8
UNITED BOWL X
Sioux Falls Storm at Iowa Barnstormers
What: The Storm, appearing in their ninth straight United Bowl, visit Des Moines to face the Iowa Barnstormers, who are hosting the 10th installment of the Indoor Football League's championship game.
When: Saturday, July 7 at 5:05 p.m. pacific (7:05 p.m. central).
Where: Wells Fargo Arena; Des Moines, Iowa.
Stream: 2018 United Bowl on the IFL YouTube Channel.
Note: This is a rematch of last season's United Conference Championship Game, which was won by the Storm, 66-32. Sioux Falls went on lose to the Arizona Rattlers in last season's United Bowl, 50-41.
HELPFUL LINKS
Indoor Football League Rules
Indoor Football League Schedule and Results - 2018 Season
Sioux Falls Storm 2018 Schedule
Sioux Falls Storm - Vital Statistics
Iowa Barnstormers 2018 Schedule
Iowa Barnstormers Vital Statistics
IFL Franchise Index
The Storm finished the regular season 11-3 and 4-2 on the road. They are coming off a 69-68 overtime road win over the Arizona Rattlers in the Intense Conference Championship Game on June 23. They averaged 51.7 points per game and allowed 41.2 points per game during the regular season. The Storm finished third in the final IFL standings.
The Barnstormers finished the regular season at 11-3 overall and 7-1 at home. They are coming off a 48-17 home win over the Nebraska Danger in the United Championship Game on June 22. They averaged 46.3 points per game and allow 35.2 points per game during the regular season. The Barnstormers finished first in the IFL standings.
2018 REGULAR SEASON BREAKDOWN
Total Yards - Storm 255.1; Barnstormers 251.9
Pass Yards - Storm 159.6; Barnstormers 133.7
Rush Yards - Storm 95.6; Barnstormers 118.1
3rd Down Conversion - Storm 46%; Barnstormers 54%
4th Down Conversion - Storm 57%; Barnstormers 56%
Total Tackles - Storm 507; Barnstormers 486.5
Total Sacks - Storm 13; Barnstormers 11
Tackles for Loss - Storm 39; Barnstormers 45
Fumble Recoveries - Storm 11; Barnstormers 8
Interceptions - Storm 12; Barnstormers 18
STORM-BARNSTORMERS 2018 HEAD-TO-HEAD (three games)
Points per Game - Storm 49.3; Barnstormers 46.0
Total Yards - Storm 255.3; Barnstormers 244.7
Pass Yards - Storm 205.7; Barnstormers 130.3
Rush Yards - Storm 49.7; Barnstormers 114.3
3rd Down Conversion - Storm 55%; Barnstormers 44%
4th Down Conversion - Storm 5%; Barnstormers 100%
Total Tackles - Storm 123; Barnstormers 101
Total Sacks - Storm 2; Barnstormers 1
Tackles for Loss - Storm 8; Barnstormers 8
Fumble Recoveries - Storm 2; Barnstormers 1
Interceptions - Storm 1; Barnstormers 4
HEAD TO HEAD RESULTS
March 18 - Storm 52, Barnstormers (H) 40
Strong 4th quarter moves Sioux Falls past Iowa
SF - Lorenzo Brown Jr. 22/26, 241 yds, 4 TD, rush TD; Mike Tatum 8 rec, 90 yds, TD, rush TD
Iowa - Drew Powell 9/19, 111 yds, TD, int, 18 rush, 93 yds, 3 TD; Brady Roland 4 rec, 65 yds, TD
May 5 - Barnstormers 49, Storm (H) 42
Iowa holds off Sioux Falls to earn first ever win over Storm
Iowa - Drew Powell 12/16, 121 yds, 3 TD; 18 rush, 100 yds, 2 TD; Jamal Tyler 8 rush, 31 yds, TD
SF - Lorenzo Brown Jr. 9/21, 124 yds, TD, int, 9 rush, 28 yds, 2 TD; Mike Tatum 3 rec, 69 yds, TD
June 8 - Storm (H) 51, Barnstormers 49
Blocked kick & safety on final play prove to be the difference for Storm win
Iowa - Drew Powell 17/19, 166 yds, 5 TD, 15 rush, 48 yds; Brady Roland 8 rec, 70 yds, 3 TD
SF - Lorenzo Brown Jr. 16/28, 259 yds, 3 TD, 3 int, 10 rush, 32 yds, 3 TD; Damien Ford 7 rec, 165 yds, 2 TD
SCORES BY QUARTERS
SIOUX FALLS STORM
QB Lorenzo Brown Jr., right, engineers the Storm offense against the Barnstormers in week 16.
(Photo by Adam Lamprecht/SCtoC)
ROSTER
# - name (pos)
2 - Jabari Gorman (DB)
3 - Lyle McCombs (RB)
4 - Damond Powell (WR)
6 - Dillion Turner (QB)
8 - Lorenzo Brown (QB)
11 - Damien Ford (WR)
12 - Marques Rodgers (RB)
13 - Trey Wafford (DB)
16 - Miles Bergner (K)
18 - Lorenzo White Jr. (DB)
20 - Judd Harold (WR)
22 - Damond Smith II (DB)
23 - Mike Tatum (WR)
24 - Marlon Moore (DB)
44 - Dezmin Reed (LB)
47 - Kwame Bell (DL)
55 - Chad Stoterau (DL)
56 - Charles Williams (DL)
58 - Owen Williams (DL)
65 - Lawrence Martin IV (OL)
69 - Jabari Buckley (OL)
71 - Darrien Oliver (OL)
74 - Rashaud Mungro (OL)
95 - Claude Davis (DL)
Short Term IR
19 - Chris Martin (DL)
75 - Forrestal Hickman (OL)
Season Ending IR
11 - Jatavius Steward (WR)
44 - Jordan Stanton (LB)
56 - Phillip Williamson (DL)
N/A - Eldrick Bright (DB)
Transfer
18 - Jermaine Robinson (DB) [CFL - Montreal Alouettes]
22 - Ace Clark (LB) [AFL]
RTR
None
Coaching Staff
Kurtiss Riggs - Head Coach
Brian Hermanson - Defensive Coordinator
Jared Fredenburg - Linebackers Coach
Paul Keizer - Offensive Line Coach
Cory Johnsen - Defensive Line Coach
Blake Wilson - Wide Receivers/Special Teams Coach
Terrance Bryant - Quarterbacks Coach
Shannon Poppinga - Defensive Backs Coach
2018 REGULAR SEASON STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Yards - Lorenzo Brown Jr. 2,203
Passing TDs - Lorenzo Brown Jr. 38
Passing INTs - Lorenzo Brown Jr. 10
Rushing Yards - Lorenzo Brown Jr. 607
Rushing TDs - Lorenzo Brown Jr. 24
Receptions - Judd Harrold 46
Receiving Yards - Judd Harrold 618
Receiving TDs - Judd Harrold 15
Total Tackles - Trey Wafford 73.5
Sacks - Owen Williams 4
Interceptions - Jabari Gorman 5
KO Return Ave - Damond Powell 19.3
KO Return TDs - Damond Powell/*Daniel Lindsey 1
*Traded to Cedar Rapids Titans
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 against the Storm in week 16.
(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
It's finally here. Nearly five months since opening day, the United Bowl (United Bowl X) is upon us. On one side is a team which is appearing in its ninth straight Indoor Football League Championship Game, while on the other side is another appearing in its first. However, with this one, the fan can toss history out the window. In what has been a thrilling IFL season, you have two of the IFL's top three teams which are separated by just a collective 10 points in their three head-to-head games over the course of the season. The first two games between the Storm and Barnstormers were won by the visiting team. That very well could have been the case in the third, had the Storm not blocked a long Barnstormers' field goal on the final play. Iowa recovered the ball, but in their end zone. The safety broke a 49-49 tie to give Sioux Falls the two-point win. Since moving over from the Arena Football League prior to the 2015 season, the Barnstormers have defeated the Storm just once in eight games, but with that win coming this season the Barnstormers will look to use it as a stepping stone to their first IFL championship. The Storm lead the overall series 7-1. The largest point disparity in the series came in their first meeting, an 87-11 win by the Storm on April 25, 2015. The teams met in last season's United Conference Championship Game with the Storm winning, 66-32.
Sioux Falls ended the regular season by rattling off five straight wins, including a pair of thrillers in their final two weeks. The first is when they rallied to tie the Barnstormers in week 16. The Barnstormers attempted a long field goal on the final play of regulation, but it was blocked. The ball traveled into the end zone and was recovered by The Barnstormers as time expired in regulation to give the Storm the win. In the finale, they were tested by the Green Bay Blizzard. An interception by defensive back Trey Wafford on the second possession of the third overtime secured the 69-61 victory. The Storm have reached the United Bowl the past eight seasons, and won six straight United Bowls from 2011 to 2016. They advanced to the United Bowl with a thrilling 69-68 overtime win over the Arizona Rattlers in the Intense Conference Championship Game at Phoenix on June 23.
In the conference title game, the defending IFL champion Rattlers appeared to be on the verge of making a return trip to the United Bowl as they led 48-35 with less than a minute left in the first half. The Storm, however, clawed their way back, tying it on Miles Bergner's 30-yard field goal with 1:19 left in regulation. The Rattlers scored first in overtime when quarterback Verlon Reed, Jr. found wide receiver Dezmon Epps for a 16-yard touchdown. Storm linebacker Dezmin Reed blocked Sawyer Petre's extra point attempt, opening the door for the Sioux Falls offense. The response came in one play as quarterback Lorenzo Brown, Jr. found wide receiver Damien Ford for a 20-yard touchdown. Bergner's extra point gave the Storm the one-point win to send them to this United Bowl. Brown threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another three while putting up 239 yards of total offense. Running back Lyle McCombs scored a touchdown on the ground and another through the air, and defensive back Damond Smith II paced the defense with 12.5 total tackles and a tackle for loss.
Brown is a formidable, dual-threat IFL quarterback. He is a fixture near the top of most, if not all, IFL passing and rushing categories. He was second in passing yards per game with 157.4 and passing yards with 2,203 on the regular season. He ranked third in the league with his 38 passing touchdowns, and second among IFL quarterbacks in rushing with 607 yards and 24 touchdowns on the ground. Brown's experience could prove to be a key as he attempts to lead the Storm to a seventh United Bowl championship. McCombs is an excellent compliment in the rushing game. He ranked fourth in the IFL with 437 rushing yards (second among running backs) and 15 touchdowns. He also has caught 35 passes for 308 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Judd Harrold averaged 14.2 yards per catch and had 17 touchdowns through the air. He is a big target who creates difficulties for smaller opposing defensive backs. Ford toward the latter part of the season with 22 catches for 349 yards and 6 touchdowns. Mike Tatum, a receiving stalwart for the Storm, did not play toward the end of the regular season, but averaged 15.8 yards per game, good for third best in the IFL.
Wafford, last season's Defensive Rookie of the Year, was spectacular for the Storm this season. He led the team in total tackles with 73.5. He also had four tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 5 pass break ups and 4 fumble recoveries. Jabari Gorman recorded a team-leading five interceptions and 10 pass break ups to go along with his 70.5 total tackles. Owen Williams finished with four sacks and five tackles for loss. Bergner was the IFL's most accurate field goal kicker having completed 64.7 percent of his tries. He had longs of 45 yards which he nailed twice. He also was second in point after conversions, hitting 85.6 percent of those attempts, second by just a single percentage point to the Rattlers Petre in that category. Last weekend Bergner was awarded the Golden Helmet Award as SCtoC's 2018 IFL Special Teams Player of the Year.
Despite the fluke blocked field goal turned into a safety resulting in a week 16 loss to the Sioux Falls Storm, the Barnstormers ensured themselves of home field advantage throughout the playoffs in the playoffs, including this United Bowl. The Barnstormers lost just three games this season, with their 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, arguably the IFL Offensive Most Valuable Player, 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. Wooten is the recipient of the Golden Helmet Award as SCtoC's 2018 IFL Head Coach of the Year. The Barnstormers advanced to the United Bowl with a 48-17 win over the Danger in the United Conference Championship Game on June 22 at Des Moines.
The Barnstormers outscored the Danger in the conference title game 41-7 over the final 35 minutes to cruise away with the 31-point win over Nebraska, which went into the game at 4-10 and as the fourth seed of the playoffs. The Danger actually led 10-7 after Brad Hatfield connected on a 24-yard field goal with 9:29 remaining in the second quarter. Iowa quarterback Drew Powell rushed for three touchdowns in the second and third quarters, and the Barnstormers were never seriously threatened afterward. They also outscored the Danger in the fourth quarter, 21-0 in the final quarter. Powell completed 77 percent of his passes with two touchdowns while rushing for three touchdowns on 48 yards rushing. Wide receiver Ryan Balentine caught a pair of touchdown passes, and linebacker Nakevion Leslie had eight total tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss to lead the defensive effort for Iowa in that game.
Drew Powell is arguably the top quarterback in the IFL. He solidly led the IFL in total offense per game at 211.9 yards and 68.1 pass completion percentage. He threw for 34 touchdowns against just four interceptions on the season. He leads the IFL in rushing yards at 939 and was third in rushing touchdowns with 23. All this after having 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. Powell was honored last weekend with the Golden Helmet Award as SCtoC's 2018 IFL Offensive Player of the Year. Jamal Tyler and Donavan Williams are formidable at the running back spots. Tyler 4.5 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns in the regular season, including two in the regular season finale against the Cedar Rapids Titans. Williams boasts a 3.9 yards per carry average along with 10 rushing touchdowns during the regular season. Brady Roland led the league in receptions (60), receiving yards (793) and receiving touchdowns (20). Ryan Balentine as much as a threat with his 58 catches for 645 yards and 13 touchdowns. Sheldon Augustine, a potential threat in the kick return game, caught three touchdown passes on the season.
The Barnstormers' defense is a mix of speed and strength. Defensive back Bryce Enyard's eight interceptions led the league in the regular season. He also had 69 total tackles and 13 pass break ups. Linebacker Zachary Allen led the team with 72 total tackles, and had seven tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Defensive lineman 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. Defensive backs Rocky Hayes and Jourdan Wickliffe had three fumble recoveries and three interceptions, respectively. Josh Gable took over the kicking duties during the season and recorded a kickoff average of 51.0 yards. He hit six of seven extra points in the conference championship game. Iowa had the staunchest defense in the IFL this season, allowing just 35.2 points per game, as well as just 17 in their playoff game which tied the lowest point total by any team in the IFL this season set in week 14 by the Green Bay Blizzard.
FEATURED SOCIAL MEDIA
IFL PLAYOFF BRACKET
SCtoC's 2018 IFL GOLDEN HELMET AWARDS
On July 1, we announced our 2018 honorees as the top performers of the regular season. Click GOLDEN HELMET AWARDS to see that list and summaries in each of our eight categories.
2018 IFL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
During United Bowl Weekend, the Indoor Football League will induct three stellar former players into the Hall of Fame. Those three passing into the Hall in 2018 are former Nebraska Danger linebacker (now Danger head coach) Cornelius "Pig Brown, Nebraska Danger quarterback Jameel Sewell and Sioux Falls Storm offensive lineman Charlie Sanders.
FINAL REGULAR SEASON IFL STANDINGS
To share this post on social media, please go to the right side of the page (the top of the page on the mobile site) to the social media icons and choose which social media site(s) to share the thread. To comment on this thread and others on this forum, please login or register
Sioux Falls Storm at Iowa Barnstormers
What: The Storm, appearing in their ninth straight United Bowl, visit Des Moines to face the Iowa Barnstormers, who are hosting the 10th installment of the Indoor Football League's championship game.
When: Saturday, July 7 at 5:05 p.m. pacific (7:05 p.m. central).
Where: Wells Fargo Arena; Des Moines, Iowa.
Stream: 2018 United Bowl on the IFL YouTube Channel.
Note: This is a rematch of last season's United Conference Championship Game, which was won by the Storm, 66-32. Sioux Falls went on lose to the Arizona Rattlers in last season's United Bowl, 50-41.
HELPFUL LINKS
Indoor Football League Rules
Indoor Football League Schedule and Results - 2018 Season
Sioux Falls Storm 2018 Schedule
Sioux Falls Storm - Vital Statistics
Iowa Barnstormers 2018 Schedule
Iowa Barnstormers Vital Statistics
IFL Franchise Index
The Storm finished the regular season 11-3 and 4-2 on the road. They are coming off a 69-68 overtime road win over the Arizona Rattlers in the Intense Conference Championship Game on June 23. They averaged 51.7 points per game and allowed 41.2 points per game during the regular season. The Storm finished third in the final IFL standings.
The Barnstormers finished the regular season at 11-3 overall and 7-1 at home. They are coming off a 48-17 home win over the Nebraska Danger in the United Championship Game on June 22. They averaged 46.3 points per game and allow 35.2 points per game during the regular season. The Barnstormers finished first in the IFL standings.
2018 REGULAR SEASON BREAKDOWN
Total Yards - Storm 255.1; Barnstormers 251.9
Pass Yards - Storm 159.6; Barnstormers 133.7
Rush Yards - Storm 95.6; Barnstormers 118.1
3rd Down Conversion - Storm 46%; Barnstormers 54%
4th Down Conversion - Storm 57%; Barnstormers 56%
Total Tackles - Storm 507; Barnstormers 486.5
Total Sacks - Storm 13; Barnstormers 11
Tackles for Loss - Storm 39; Barnstormers 45
Fumble Recoveries - Storm 11; Barnstormers 8
Interceptions - Storm 12; Barnstormers 18
STORM-BARNSTORMERS 2018 HEAD-TO-HEAD (three games)
Points per Game - Storm 49.3; Barnstormers 46.0
Total Yards - Storm 255.3; Barnstormers 244.7
Pass Yards - Storm 205.7; Barnstormers 130.3
Rush Yards - Storm 49.7; Barnstormers 114.3
3rd Down Conversion - Storm 55%; Barnstormers 44%
4th Down Conversion - Storm 5%; Barnstormers 100%
Total Tackles - Storm 123; Barnstormers 101
Total Sacks - Storm 2; Barnstormers 1
Tackles for Loss - Storm 8; Barnstormers 8
Fumble Recoveries - Storm 2; Barnstormers 1
Interceptions - Storm 1; Barnstormers 4
HEAD TO HEAD RESULTS
March 18 - Storm 52, Barnstormers (H) 40
Strong 4th quarter moves Sioux Falls past Iowa
SF - Lorenzo Brown Jr. 22/26, 241 yds, 4 TD, rush TD; Mike Tatum 8 rec, 90 yds, TD, rush TD
Iowa - Drew Powell 9/19, 111 yds, TD, int, 18 rush, 93 yds, 3 TD; Brady Roland 4 rec, 65 yds, TD
May 5 - Barnstormers 49, Storm (H) 42
Iowa holds off Sioux Falls to earn first ever win over Storm
Iowa - Drew Powell 12/16, 121 yds, 3 TD; 18 rush, 100 yds, 2 TD; Jamal Tyler 8 rush, 31 yds, TD
SF - Lorenzo Brown Jr. 9/21, 124 yds, TD, int, 9 rush, 28 yds, 2 TD; Mike Tatum 3 rec, 69 yds, TD
June 8 - Storm (H) 51, Barnstormers 49
Blocked kick & safety on final play prove to be the difference for Storm win
Iowa - Drew Powell 17/19, 166 yds, 5 TD, 15 rush, 48 yds; Brady Roland 8 rec, 70 yds, 3 TD
SF - Lorenzo Brown Jr. 16/28, 259 yds, 3 TD, 3 int, 10 rush, 32 yds, 3 TD; Damien Ford 7 rec, 165 yds, 2 TD
SCORES BY QUARTERS
SIOUX FALLS STORM
QB Lorenzo Brown Jr., right, engineers the Storm offense against the Barnstormers in week 16.
(Photo by Adam Lamprecht/SCtoC)
ROSTER
# - name (pos)
2 - Jabari Gorman (DB)
3 - Lyle McCombs (RB)
4 - Damond Powell (WR)
6 - Dillion Turner (QB)
8 - Lorenzo Brown (QB)
11 - Damien Ford (WR)
12 - Marques Rodgers (RB)
13 - Trey Wafford (DB)
16 - Miles Bergner (K)
18 - Lorenzo White Jr. (DB)
20 - Judd Harold (WR)
22 - Damond Smith II (DB)
23 - Mike Tatum (WR)
24 - Marlon Moore (DB)
44 - Dezmin Reed (LB)
47 - Kwame Bell (DL)
55 - Chad Stoterau (DL)
56 - Charles Williams (DL)
58 - Owen Williams (DL)
65 - Lawrence Martin IV (OL)
69 - Jabari Buckley (OL)
71 - Darrien Oliver (OL)
74 - Rashaud Mungro (OL)
95 - Claude Davis (DL)
Short Term IR
19 - Chris Martin (DL)
75 - Forrestal Hickman (OL)
Season Ending IR
11 - Jatavius Steward (WR)
44 - Jordan Stanton (LB)
56 - Phillip Williamson (DL)
N/A - Eldrick Bright (DB)
Transfer
18 - Jermaine Robinson (DB) [CFL - Montreal Alouettes]
22 - Ace Clark (LB) [AFL]
RTR
None
Coaching Staff
Kurtiss Riggs - Head Coach
Brian Hermanson - Defensive Coordinator
Jared Fredenburg - Linebackers Coach
Paul Keizer - Offensive Line Coach
Cory Johnsen - Defensive Line Coach
Blake Wilson - Wide Receivers/Special Teams Coach
Terrance Bryant - Quarterbacks Coach
Shannon Poppinga - Defensive Backs Coach
2018 REGULAR SEASON STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Yards - Lorenzo Brown Jr. 2,203
Passing TDs - Lorenzo Brown Jr. 38
Passing INTs - Lorenzo Brown Jr. 10
Rushing Yards - Lorenzo Brown Jr. 607
Rushing TDs - Lorenzo Brown Jr. 24
Receptions - Judd Harrold 46
Receiving Yards - Judd Harrold 618
Receiving TDs - Judd Harrold 15
Total Tackles - Trey Wafford 73.5
Sacks - Owen Williams 4
Interceptions - Jabari Gorman 5
KO Return Ave - Damond Powell 19.3
KO Return TDs - Damond Powell/*Daniel Lindsey 1
*Traded to Cedar Rapids Titans
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 against the Storm in week 16.
(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
It's finally here. Nearly five months since opening day, the United Bowl (United Bowl X) is upon us. On one side is a team which is appearing in its ninth straight Indoor Football League Championship Game, while on the other side is another appearing in its first. However, with this one, the fan can toss history out the window. In what has been a thrilling IFL season, you have two of the IFL's top three teams which are separated by just a collective 10 points in their three head-to-head games over the course of the season. The first two games between the Storm and Barnstormers were won by the visiting team. That very well could have been the case in the third, had the Storm not blocked a long Barnstormers' field goal on the final play. Iowa recovered the ball, but in their end zone. The safety broke a 49-49 tie to give Sioux Falls the two-point win. Since moving over from the Arena Football League prior to the 2015 season, the Barnstormers have defeated the Storm just once in eight games, but with that win coming this season the Barnstormers will look to use it as a stepping stone to their first IFL championship. The Storm lead the overall series 7-1. The largest point disparity in the series came in their first meeting, an 87-11 win by the Storm on April 25, 2015. The teams met in last season's United Conference Championship Game with the Storm winning, 66-32.
Sioux Falls ended the regular season by rattling off five straight wins, including a pair of thrillers in their final two weeks. The first is when they rallied to tie the Barnstormers in week 16. The Barnstormers attempted a long field goal on the final play of regulation, but it was blocked. The ball traveled into the end zone and was recovered by The Barnstormers as time expired in regulation to give the Storm the win. In the finale, they were tested by the Green Bay Blizzard. An interception by defensive back Trey Wafford on the second possession of the third overtime secured the 69-61 victory. The Storm have reached the United Bowl the past eight seasons, and won six straight United Bowls from 2011 to 2016. They advanced to the United Bowl with a thrilling 69-68 overtime win over the Arizona Rattlers in the Intense Conference Championship Game at Phoenix on June 23.
In the conference title game, the defending IFL champion Rattlers appeared to be on the verge of making a return trip to the United Bowl as they led 48-35 with less than a minute left in the first half. The Storm, however, clawed their way back, tying it on Miles Bergner's 30-yard field goal with 1:19 left in regulation. The Rattlers scored first in overtime when quarterback Verlon Reed, Jr. found wide receiver Dezmon Epps for a 16-yard touchdown. Storm linebacker Dezmin Reed blocked Sawyer Petre's extra point attempt, opening the door for the Sioux Falls offense. The response came in one play as quarterback Lorenzo Brown, Jr. found wide receiver Damien Ford for a 20-yard touchdown. Bergner's extra point gave the Storm the one-point win to send them to this United Bowl. Brown threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another three while putting up 239 yards of total offense. Running back Lyle McCombs scored a touchdown on the ground and another through the air, and defensive back Damond Smith II paced the defense with 12.5 total tackles and a tackle for loss.
Brown is a formidable, dual-threat IFL quarterback. He is a fixture near the top of most, if not all, IFL passing and rushing categories. He was second in passing yards per game with 157.4 and passing yards with 2,203 on the regular season. He ranked third in the league with his 38 passing touchdowns, and second among IFL quarterbacks in rushing with 607 yards and 24 touchdowns on the ground. Brown's experience could prove to be a key as he attempts to lead the Storm to a seventh United Bowl championship. McCombs is an excellent compliment in the rushing game. He ranked fourth in the IFL with 437 rushing yards (second among running backs) and 15 touchdowns. He also has caught 35 passes for 308 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Judd Harrold averaged 14.2 yards per catch and had 17 touchdowns through the air. He is a big target who creates difficulties for smaller opposing defensive backs. Ford toward the latter part of the season with 22 catches for 349 yards and 6 touchdowns. Mike Tatum, a receiving stalwart for the Storm, did not play toward the end of the regular season, but averaged 15.8 yards per game, good for third best in the IFL.
Wafford, last season's Defensive Rookie of the Year, was spectacular for the Storm this season. He led the team in total tackles with 73.5. He also had four tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 5 pass break ups and 4 fumble recoveries. Jabari Gorman recorded a team-leading five interceptions and 10 pass break ups to go along with his 70.5 total tackles. Owen Williams finished with four sacks and five tackles for loss. Bergner was the IFL's most accurate field goal kicker having completed 64.7 percent of his tries. He had longs of 45 yards which he nailed twice. He also was second in point after conversions, hitting 85.6 percent of those attempts, second by just a single percentage point to the Rattlers Petre in that category. Last weekend Bergner was awarded the Golden Helmet Award as SCtoC's 2018 IFL Special Teams Player of the Year.
Despite the fluke blocked field goal turned into a safety resulting in a week 16 loss to the Sioux Falls Storm, the Barnstormers ensured themselves of home field advantage throughout the playoffs in the playoffs, including this United Bowl. The Barnstormers lost just three games this season, with their 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, arguably the IFL Offensive Most Valuable Player, 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. Wooten is the recipient of the Golden Helmet Award as SCtoC's 2018 IFL Head Coach of the Year. The Barnstormers advanced to the United Bowl with a 48-17 win over the Danger in the United Conference Championship Game on June 22 at Des Moines.
The Barnstormers outscored the Danger in the conference title game 41-7 over the final 35 minutes to cruise away with the 31-point win over Nebraska, which went into the game at 4-10 and as the fourth seed of the playoffs. The Danger actually led 10-7 after Brad Hatfield connected on a 24-yard field goal with 9:29 remaining in the second quarter. Iowa quarterback Drew Powell rushed for three touchdowns in the second and third quarters, and the Barnstormers were never seriously threatened afterward. They also outscored the Danger in the fourth quarter, 21-0 in the final quarter. Powell completed 77 percent of his passes with two touchdowns while rushing for three touchdowns on 48 yards rushing. Wide receiver Ryan Balentine caught a pair of touchdown passes, and linebacker Nakevion Leslie had eight total tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss to lead the defensive effort for Iowa in that game.
Drew Powell is arguably the top quarterback in the IFL. He solidly led the IFL in total offense per game at 211.9 yards and 68.1 pass completion percentage. He threw for 34 touchdowns against just four interceptions on the season. He leads the IFL in rushing yards at 939 and was third in rushing touchdowns with 23. All this after having 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. Powell was honored last weekend with the Golden Helmet Award as SCtoC's 2018 IFL Offensive Player of the Year. Jamal Tyler and Donavan Williams are formidable at the running back spots. Tyler 4.5 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns in the regular season, including two in the regular season finale against the Cedar Rapids Titans. Williams boasts a 3.9 yards per carry average along with 10 rushing touchdowns during the regular season. Brady Roland led the league in receptions (60), receiving yards (793) and receiving touchdowns (20). Ryan Balentine as much as a threat with his 58 catches for 645 yards and 13 touchdowns. Sheldon Augustine, a potential threat in the kick return game, caught three touchdown passes on the season.
The Barnstormers' defense is a mix of speed and strength. Defensive back Bryce Enyard's eight interceptions led the league in the regular season. He also had 69 total tackles and 13 pass break ups. Linebacker Zachary Allen led the team with 72 total tackles, and had seven tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Defensive lineman 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. Defensive backs Rocky Hayes and Jourdan Wickliffe had three fumble recoveries and three interceptions, respectively. Josh Gable took over the kicking duties during the season and recorded a kickoff average of 51.0 yards. He hit six of seven extra points in the conference championship game. Iowa had the staunchest defense in the IFL this season, allowing just 35.2 points per game, as well as just 17 in their playoff game which tied the lowest point total by any team in the IFL this season set in week 14 by the Green Bay Blizzard.
FEATURED SOCIAL MEDIA
IFL PLAYOFF BRACKET
SCtoC's 2018 IFL GOLDEN HELMET AWARDS
On July 1, we announced our 2018 honorees as the top performers of the regular season. Click GOLDEN HELMET AWARDS to see that list and summaries in each of our eight categories.
2018 IFL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
During United Bowl Weekend, the Indoor Football League will induct three stellar former players into the Hall of Fame. Those three passing into the Hall in 2018 are former Nebraska Danger linebacker (now Danger head coach) Cornelius "Pig Brown, Nebraska Danger quarterback Jameel Sewell and Sioux Falls Storm offensive lineman Charlie Sanders.
FINAL REGULAR SEASON IFL STANDINGS
To share this post on social media, please go to the right side of the page (the top of the page on the mobile site) to the social media icons and choose which social media site(s) to share the thread. To comment on this thread and others on this forum, please login or register