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Post by Caballo Diablo on May 27, 2009 15:05:05 GMT -5
SIFL Resolves Texas Pirate Incident
LAFAYETTE, La. (May 27, 2009) - Southern Indoor Football League Commissioner Dan J. Blum announced today, May 27, 2009, that he has fined Texas Pirates interim head coach Troy Esprit an undisclosed amount and issued an official reprimand for pulling the Pirates off the field before the conclusion of Saturday's 38-20 loss to the Austin Turfcats.
``I've had exhaustive conversations with Coach Esprit, the Turfcats and the officiating crew,'' Blum said. ``Coach Esprit did not understand a rules interpretation on the field and did not respond in an appropriate measure. He was not present during rules meetings and this was his first time on the field of a Southern Indoor Football League game.
``I've known Troy for years and have a tremendous amount of respect for him as a player and a coach. I also appreciate the fact he's stepped in to help a team that's struggling at this point,'' Blum continued. ``However, what he did was a violation of the spirit of the game and it simply cannot be swept under the rug for the sake of convenience. We've made a decision and will enforce what we consider a fair penalty.
``That being said and knowing Troy, I am completely confident that this was an isolated incident and there will NOT be a repeat occurrence,'' Blum concluded. ``The SIFL considers now considers this issue closed.''
Esprit took over head coaching duties for the Pirates last week.
``This one's on me,'' Esprit said. ``I was acting in the best interest of my players, but in doing so; I let my emotions get the best of me. Also, I was not completely prepared. I offer my apologies to the Turfcats, Commissioner Blum, the SIFL and the sport of indoor football for this mistake. I'm going to learn from this and become a better coach because of it.''
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Post by Caballo Diablo on May 29, 2009 14:32:53 GMT -5
From SIFL President Thom Hager Some of you have probably noticed that the SIFL has had a very challenging past few days. Indeed, they have been.
It's not what happens to you that defines you, it's how you handle it. I'm blessed to have an incredible team with a Commissioner that knows how to make fair and accurate football rulings; an Operations Director who can handle any logistics situation; and the combined efforts of our Communications and Creative Service Directors that have produced indoor football's premier communications presentation. I've noticed our efforts are now being emulated by other organizations. My hat is off to my experienced staff of professionals.
We've met the wonderful character- building challenges that come with starting a league head on. With the limited timeframe we faced in launching a new league, I am very pleased how our staff has kept issue to a minimum. That comes from experience and attention to detail. We won't boast about being a premier indoor football league, nor will we make any other boastful or ludicrous claims. We simply believe in what we're doing and we love the sport. Our focus is to secure the long-term success of each member team in the SIFL. We appreciate the support we've received as well as the constructive criticism. Believing in what you're doing not only helps you endure, it is vital to any successful business.
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Post by Caballo Diablo on May 29, 2009 14:50:48 GMT -5
Shoemaker Joins SIFL Front Office The newest member of the SIFL front office is Bryan Shoemaker, who will serve as Director of Quality Control.
Shoemaker will work alongside Director of Operations Rob Winfrey and visit all the SIFL arena to make sure they are in compliance with SIFL standards. The main focus will be on player and fan safety. Shoemaker has been in the construction/ petrochemical safety field for over 22 years overseeing hundreds of employees on job sites. An avid football fan, Shoemaker was introduced to indoor football when his wife, Leah, gave him season tickets to the Beaumont Drillers as a Christmas present. His passion for the game led him to forming a team booster that he oversaw as president. He and Leah reside in Port Arthur, Texas, and have two children -- Kayla (18) and Kolton (9).
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Post by Caballo Diablo on May 29, 2009 14:53:20 GMT -5
Photographers Capture SIFL Action One key part in the success in publicizing the SIFL's inaugural season has been the contribution from the team photographers.
Gary Chism in Texas, Alison Moon in Lafayette, and the crew from Action Sports Photo in Lake Charles have provided the teams and the league web sites and media game photography swiftly as soon as the games complete. ``The SIFL has been blessed and I'm thrilled with how good their stuff is,'' said Communications Director Dan Ryan. ``I'm totally appreciative of what all of them are doing. Their promptness and quality of work are helping us stay ahead of the curve."
It's Chism's first year of shooting indoor football, and he's adjusting to the fast pace of the game.
``I was overwhelmed by the speed of the athletes. You need proper lighting to freeze the athletes in action,'' Chism said. ``Now that I'm used to it, my personal goal is to take a picture so great that it becomes the face of the Southern Indoor Football League just like Jerry West is the model for the NBA logo." Moon served as Editor in Chief for the Vermilion, the student newspaper at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.
``I used to prefer taking pictures of scenery and landscapes but now I am turning towards a photojournalism side. People are very interesting and a lot can be said for body language and emotions in expressions,'' Moon said. ``There is never a loss of emotion at a football game.''
R.J Johnson from Action Sports Photography states that shooting the Swashbucklers has helped his company improve the quality of work during outdoor football. ``You have to be in the right spot or stay with the flow of the game to be successful and covering the Swashbucklers helps me maintain the skills I need,'' Johnson said. ``It keeps me sharp and to be really good at it you have to become part of the game.''
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Post by Caballo Diablo on May 29, 2009 15:05:28 GMT -5
SIFL Week 7 Game Capsules May 29, 2009 by Dan Ryan ..............................................
ACADIANA MUDBUGS AT LOUISIANA SWASHBUCKLERS (6/1)
....................................ACADIANA (3-1)…….LOUISIANA (4-1) SCORING OFFENSE……………..33.8 (3)………...………….55.2 (1) SCORING DEFENSE ……………..27.0 (2)………...………..23.0 (1) TOTAL OFFENSE ………………….187.2 (2)………...………244.4 (1) TOTAL DEFENSE ………………… 194.2 (5) ……...………..124.6 (1) TURNOVER MARGIN………….+3 (2)……………...……….+8 (1) RUSHER …………………………….Logan (31-53-1)…...… Blackwell (26-132-3) PASSER……………………………..Bartik ………………...…........Bartie …………………………………….63-125-7-640-15TD ........27-50-3-343-12TD RECEIVER…………………………..Parks (21-205-6) ….... Knight (24-305-6) KICKING ………………………….Murphy 6-11PAT 1FG..... Hebert 35-36PAT 7 FG
HEAD COACHES: [/u] Acadiana -- John Fourcade, 10th year, 57-99 Louisiana -- Darnell Lee, 4th year, 43-9
NOTES: [/u] Second meeting between Bugs and Bucs … LA won 56-35 two weeks ago … LA’s Sammy Knight leads SIFL in total offense with 602 yards … Bucs came two points shy of breaking 50 points for fifth straight game last week against Houma … Bugs QB Bo Bartik has been sacked just once … DB Kimmee Lewis has a pick in all four games and leads SIFL with seven. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUSTIN TURFCATS AT TEXAS PIRATES (5/30)
........................................AUSTIN (4-1)………………..TEXAS (1-3)
SCORING OFFENSE……………..48.4 (2)………………….......23.0 (5) SCORING DEFENSE ……………..33.8 (3)………………........38.2 (4) TOTAL OFFENSE ………………….177.4 (3)………………......144.0 (4) TOTAL DEFENSE ………………… 187.6 (3) …………......…..194.0 (4) TURNOVER MARGIN………….-6 (5)……………………..........+2 (4) RUSHER …………………………….Ellis (40-217-6)……...... Hayes (48-146-5) PASSER……………………………..Ellis …………………............. Dorsey ………………………………………….45-90-5-475-6 TD.............16-39-3-1572-2 TD RECEIVER…………………………. Smith (16-147-2)….......... Townsend (12-95-1) KICKING ………………………….Brown 22-28 PAT 6 FG........ Maravagolia 6-8PAT 0 FH
HEAD COACHES:[/b] Austin- Chris Duliban, 2nd year 13-8 Texas: Troy Esprit (interim) 2nd year, 6-10
NOTES: [/u] Second week of back-to-back between Lone Star state teams … Austin outgained Texas 241-122 in total yards last week … Texas hasn’t scored 20 points or more in 3 losses .. Duliban is 3-0 versus Esprit head-to-head dating back to last year in the Intense League.
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Post by Caballo Diablo on Jun 2, 2009 15:52:13 GMT -5
From the SIFL: The Tuesday After: Deja Vu All Over Again?
For the second time this season, the Louisiana Swashbucklers defeated the Acadiana Mudbugs 56-35 when the teams met Monday. That score isn’t the only repetitive occurrence that’s come out of Lake Charles this season.
Here’s what else is becoming commonplace at Swashbuckler games:
• The Brandon Thomas second quarter interception that helps Louisiana overcome a slow first period and take control of the game. Last week, Thomas’ INT return for a touchdown helped the Bucs’ pullaway from a tight 17-13 game against Houma. This time, the Thomas pick was part of a 24-0 Bucs scoring run.
• The 100-yard receiving game. Both Sammy Knight and Mudbug WR Anthony Perine finished over the century mark with123 and 107, respectively. All three SIFL 100-yard games have been in Lake Charles.
• Three field goals by the opposing kicker. One weekend after Houma’s Chris Stroplolo nailed three, Mudbugs K LJ Daughtry hit three. Oh, yeah, the automatic Tommy Hebert also had three FG, but did miss one PAT.
NOTES: [/u] Mudbugs DB Kimmee Lewis kept his streak alive with a pick Monday – he now has an INT in all five games and leads the SIFL with eight. By comparison, Baltimore Mariner DB Amar Watson leads the AIFA with 12 in 10 games, Abilene Rough Rider DB Joey Longoria leads the IFL with 8 in nine games and the CIFL’s leader is Walner Belleus of the Rock River Raptors with six in 9 games.
MVPs:[/u] LOUISIANA 56, ACADIANA 35 OFFENSE: Sammy Knight (L); DEFENSE: Brandon Thomas (L). (A); LINE: Lance Fremin (L) SPECIAL TEAMS: Tommy Hebert (L)
There will not be an Austin Turfcat receiving the VIDSWAP.com Player of the Week this time. Knight and Fremin are vying for the fan vote award today until 11:59 p.m. CST.
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Post by Caballo Diablo on Jun 5, 2009 12:18:06 GMT -5
SIFL Week 8 - 2009Saturday 6-6-09, will feature a full slate of action with all six teams in action. The North Texas Crunch makes its SIFL debut against the Austin Turfcats while the Houma Conquerors host their second home against Texas. The Louisiana rivalry beteen the Swashbucklers and Acadiana Mudbugs concludes with the third meeting between the teams Saturday. Live updates, twitter feeds and free videocasts all accessible on www.southernindoorfootballleague.com!
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Post by Caballo Diablo on Jun 5, 2009 12:25:45 GMT -5
Texas Pirates Announcement Slated For 6/8The Texas Pirates will make an announcment regarding ownership and venue on Monday, June 8. Visit www.southernifl.com for all the exciting details.
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Post by Caballo Diablo on Jun 5, 2009 12:46:42 GMT -5
JUST FOR KICKS ......
Indoor football experts and fans will always debate over which league has the best players and quality of play.
Stats are the only means of comparison, but since there's no interleague play, the majority of stats aren't relevant in the discussion. Except of course, for kicking. All the leagues use the same goal post heights and widths and pretty much the same game system. So the SIFL can boast in the accuracy of Louisiana's Tommy Hebert, whose PAT success rate of 95.3 percent is the best among all four indoor leagues. His FG success rate is a respectable 60 percent and good enough for second. Here are the numbers. Let the debate begin.
PLAYER ................ TEAM ..... LEAGUE ...... G ... PAT .. PCT Tommy Hebert ....... Louisiana ... SIFL ....... 6 . 41-43 . 95.3 Peter Chrisofilakos . Bloomington . IFL ..... 11 . 59-65 . 90.8 Erik Rockhold ........ Reading ..... AIFA ..... 11 . 65-72 . 90.3 Chris Nendick ........ Chicago ..... CIFL ....... 9 . 73-81 . 90.1 PLAYER ............ TEAM ..... LEAGUE .... G ... FG .. PCT Derrick Scott .... Florence ..... AIFA ..... 9 . 14-20 . 70.0 Tommy Hebert .. Louisiana ... SIFL ...... 6 . 9-15 .. 60.0 Parker Douglas . Sioux Falls . IFL ........ 7 . 15-27 . 55.6 Eric Schnatz ...... Marion ...... CIFL ...... 8 . 5-12 ... 41.7
**> Parker Douglas is currently in an NFL camp with the Cleveland Browns
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Post by Caballo Diablo on Jun 5, 2009 12:51:09 GMT -5
SIFL and other leagues MINI-HELMETS THE PERFECT GIFT FOR THE FOOTBALL COLLECTOR OFF THE NETS.COM Off The Nets also specializes in the creation of custom made mini- helmets for fantasy leagues, youth, high school and semi-pro players. Quality is first rate and personalized attention will make your mini helmet as detailed as possible for you! www.offthenets.com/
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Post by exit322 on Jun 5, 2009 12:56:33 GMT -5
Except of course, for kicking. All the leagues use the same goal post heights and widths and pretty much the same game system. CIFL goal posts are 12 feet off the ground, not 10.
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Post by phydeaux72 on Jun 5, 2009 13:25:20 GMT -5
Except of course, for kicking. All the leagues use the same goal post heights and widths and pretty much the same game system. CIFL goal posts are 12 feet off the ground, not 10. The Intense Football League's were 12 feet off the ground as well. But I believe that CD may have been referring to the height of the uprights. Most, if not all, indoor leagues use a standard of 20 feet, ceiling height prohibitive of course.
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Post by Caballo Diablo on Jun 5, 2009 16:01:10 GMT -5
SIFL Week 8 Game Capsules June 05, 2009 by Dan Ryan
Game Capsules for Week 8 of the Southern Indoor Football. All six teams are in action.
LOUISIANA SWASHBUCKLERS AT ACADIANA MUDBUGS (6/6) .............................................LOUISIANA (5-1)…….ACADIANA (3-2) SCORING OFFENSE……………...........55.3 (1)………………….34.0 (3) SCORING DEFENSE …………........…..25.5 (1)………………..32.8 (2) TOTAL OFFENSE ……………….........….246.5 (1)………………177.6 (2) TOTAL DEFENSE …………........……… 127.0 (2) ……………..206.8 (5) TURNOVER MARGIN……............…….+9 (1)…………………….+2 (2) RUSHER ………………………. Blackwell (26-132-3).........Logan (34-52-1) PASSER…………………………….............Bartie………….….……….Bartik …………………………….………. 53-107-38-819-19…......… 78-157-9-798-18TD RECEIVER…………………………..Knight (29-428-9) ….. Parks (26-233-8) KICKING ………………………….Hebert 41-43PAT 9 FG .. Daughtry 7-9PAT 3 FG
HEAD COACHES: Louisiana -- Darnell Lee, 4th year, 44-9 Acadiana -- John Fourcade, 10th year, 57-100
NOTES: Third meeting between Bugs and Bucs … LA won first two meetings by identical scores of 56-35 two weeks ago … Bucs have had slow starts in last two games but have used Brandon Thomas INTs in the second quarter to regain control … Bugs 2-0 at Blackham this season. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TEXAS PIRATES AT HOUMA CONQUERORS (6/6) .......................................TEXAS (1-3) ..............HOUMA (0-5) SCORING OFFENSE……………..23.8 (5)……………......…….25.0 (4) SCORING DEFENSE ……………..38.2 (4)……………......…..48.8 (5) TOTAL OFFENSE ………………….144.0 (5)…………….......…177.4 (3) TOTAL DEFENSE ………………… 194.2 (5) ………….....…..181.8 (3) TURNOVER MARGIN……....…….+1 (3)…………………....….-10 (5) RUSHER …………………………….Hayes (48-146-5)…….. Fosselman (20-36-0) PASSER…………………………….. Dorsey…………………....…… Haughbook …………………………….……16-39-3-1572-2 TD…......... 84-153-10-763-13TD RECEIVER………………. Townsend (12-95-1)…......... Landry (34-294-5) KICKING ………………. Maravagolia 6-8PAT 0 FG.. ....Stropolo 8-13PAT 5 FG
HEAD COACHES: Texas: Troy Esprit (interim) 2nd year, 6-10 Houma: Franklin Thomas, 1st year 0-5
NOTES: game actually has playoff implications … A Texas victory would give the Pirates a 2-0 lead in the season series … Texas won the first game 46-27 behind4 Roland Hayes rushing TDS … Houma QB Omar Haughbook has the SIFL’s best passer rating and Gerald Landry leads the league in receptions. It’s Houma’s 2nd home game of the year. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NORTH TEXAS CRUNCH AT AUSTIN TURFCATS (6/6):
HEAD COACHES: North Texas: Larry Hendrix Jr Austin: Chris Duliban, 2nd year, 13-8
NOTES: SIFL debut for Crunch, which is replacing PASM Florida Kings as SIFL travel team … Austin has won four straight.
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Post by Caballo Diablo on Jun 6, 2009 11:25:04 GMT -5
Full Slate Of Game For SIFL Week 8 June 06, 2009 By Jessica Lantz, PRISM/FREELANTZ
Week eight of the SIFL season features a trio of contests, one of which will be highlighted by the debut of the North Texas Crunch, another will see the Houma Conquerors look to garner their first victory and to round out the weekend, the Acadiana Mudbugs will attempt to reverse the outcome of the last week’s game in a rematch with the Swashbucklers.
The first game of the weekend will see the Crunch will start their affiliation with the SIFL by playing the Austin Turfcats at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Travis County Expo Center.
The North Texas squad enters this contest with a 5-0 record in the Independent Indoor Football Alliance. Larry Hendrix, Jr., the Crunch head coach, is excited about this new adventure his team is embarking upon. “It’s an incredible opportunity. Our players are going to go against a higher level of play and gain invaluable experience. You can't ask for anything more as a coach.”
However, the North Texas Crunch aren’t the only ones to expect to garner a victory on the field of play on Saturday. Kerry Cash, assistant coach for the Turfcats, expects his team to build upon their current four game win streak. Cash exudes confidence when talking about the Austin offense, saying ”I don't think anybody can shut us down, so if we just go out there and do what we have to do - execute, no penalties, no turnovers, we'll be fine."
The Houma Conquerors will be seeking their first victory of the 2009 campaign as they host the Texas Pirates at 7 p.m. on Saturday. This will be just the second home game for the Conquerors, who are coming off of a bye week and are hungry to notch a victory, especially considering the impressive season stats of quarterback Omar Haughbook (55.2% completion percentage and 99.9 passing efficiency) as he tosses the pigskin to a corp of top receivers, including Gerald Landry and Clevelan White.
The Texas Pirates started off the season with a showdown at home against the Conquerors. This contest saw Roland Hayes have a monster game, scoring four touchdowns on the ground-a huge catalyst in the 46-27 Texas victory. This time the Pirates are under the helm of new leadership and will be the visitors, but hope to keep their winning ways against Houma intact.
The weekend of action will be rounded out with the third meeting between the Louisiana Swashbucklers and the Acadiana Mudbugs, with the Mudbugs getting their first opportunity to play host in this series-a 7:05 p.m. kickoff time.
The first two meetings ended with identical scores of 56-35, with the Mudbugs falling to defeat in both games. These two beatings constitute Acadiana’s only losses on the season, and coach John Fourcade will be eager to reverse the Mudbug’s fortunes against the Swashbucklers.
Both offenses seem to be fairly evenly matched with stellar quarterback play on both squads. Louisiana quarterback Alvin Bartie leads the league in passing average with 163.8 yards per game, but Acadiana rock-slinger Bo Bartik is just a mere 4.2 yards behind, averaging 159.6 yards per game on the season. Thus far in the season, one difference that favors the Swashbucklers comes in the form of overall scoring. Receiver Sammy Knight, kicker Tommy Hebert and receiver Marcus Wilridge are the top three statistical leaders in points per game in the league, with each member of the trio averaging at least 11 points per game.
Defensively, the Mudbugs come in with the league-leading tackler and interception-getter in Kemmie Lewis. But, the Swashbucklers have their own defensive leader in John Paul Jones and –at least when it comes to this series- Brandon Thomas, who sparked his team with an interception in the contest just two weeks ago.
As always, Louisiana coach Darnell Lee will bring his team into battle prepared for victory, but the same can be said for coach Fourcade’s Acadiana team. This matchup has the markings of creating stiff competition and a Louisiana rivalry that will bring both teams ready to compete to their fullest and triumph on the field of play.
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Post by Caballo Diablo on Jun 6, 2009 11:36:06 GMT -5
FSM Blog Update: Hooter's MVP s, Playoff Picture Developing June 06, 2009 SIFL Blog- The Half Way Mark[/u] By Scott Blanchard Time for Separation- Bucs, Bugs, and T Cats fight for 1st[/u] The Swashbucklers at 5-1 have returned to the top of the standings. With their final visit with the Mudbugs tonight in Blackham Coliseum the Swashbucklers could all but take the Mudbugs out of the picture for the first seed with another win tonight. The Swashbucklers had the schedule advantage with Acadiana, playing two of the three meetings at home. The Mudbugs desperate for a home game and a win, could tie the Swashbucklers in the loss column if they could protect their home turf. The Swashbucklers have won both meetings with Acadiana 56-35. The Turfcats still sit with only one loss and a win over Louisiana at home. Their loss, to the Mudbugs was also at home and the Tcats will have to visit the Swashbucklers next Monday and then travel to Acadiana on June 29th. Somewhere in between they also have to make up a game with the Texas Pirates. This is Austin’s only meetings with the other two of what I call the “Big Three”. If they win both they can secure the post season #1 seed, if they lose both they could end up in third and lose the chance at a playoff home game. The next three weeks will tell a lot about how the SIFL playoffs will shape up. Pirates, Conquerors Game Tonight Could Decide Playoff Spot[/u] In a battle of teams flying completely under the radar, the game in Houma tonight against the Conquerors and Pirates also has playoff implications. These two teams are the other two eligible post season teams and one will be playing as the fourth seed in the SIFL. That means the winner of this meeting will have a huge step on the other. The Pirates won the first meeting between these two and a win tonight could spell doom for the Conquerors playoff hopes. These two will not face each other again this season so tonight is Houma’s chance at redemption. .................................................................... Scott is a former Swashbucklers General Manager, VP of Operations, Information Director, and now serves as Creative Services Director for the Southern Indoor Football League. FULL ARTICLE: www.southernifl.com/news/2009-06-06/fsm-blog-update-hooters-mvp-s-playoff-picture-developing.html
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