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Sunday, May 16, 2010

Wolfpack stays unbeaten with signature victory by Joe Hickman, KY3 News



SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- With a revamping of its roster this season, the Springfield Wolfpack, the area's indoor football team, has been telling anyone who would listen that they are an much-improved team in 2010 that is ready to challenge for the championship in the American Professional Football League.
Being that they play in the Show-Me State, there are those who still wanted to see it to believe it. And the Wolfpack gave them just that on Saturday night with their signature win of the year so far, a 41-37 decision over the Kansas Koyotes.
It's a significant win because the Koyotes have long been a perennial powerhouse in the APFL, winning six league championships in a row before being unseated by the Iowa Blackhawks last year.
The only sobering fact about improving to 4-0 and taking out the former six-time league champs is that Springfield now has to go on the road for the first time this season to take on those current champions, Iowa, next Saturday.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Undefeated WolfPack Host APFL Rival Koyotes, by steve casson, websports radio staff


Undefeated WolfPack Host APFL Rival Koyotes

05/15/10 - SPRINGFIELD, MO - History was made this weekend against the Kansas Koyotes. With a 41-37 win, the Springfield WolfPack start the season with a 4-game winning streak, the first in franchise history.
It's new ground for the Pack who have finally defeated the 6-time APFL Champions.

Trailing 34-37 with 6 minutes left in the game, the WolfPack needed good field position to have a chance to take the lead back. Koyotes' kicker Chris Thompson had been booting low bobbling line drives across the field all night, but this time he sent the ball into the hands of Springfield's Jameson Boyd at the Koyote 20 yard line, who ran it back to the 11.
The ball was moved to the 6 yard line on a penalty, but two incomplete passes and a 1 yard run brought up a 4th down with less than 3 minutes to play.
A bad snap over WolfPack quarterback Derek Rasmussens' head had him scrambling at the 15 yard line and finally getting control of the bouncing football at the 25 yard line. Breaking two tackles, Rasmussen found Jonathan Alvarado in the left corner of the end zone (Pell's extra point good) for a 41-37 lead.
Kansas would not go quietly. With less than 40 seconds remaining, Jordan Brill's pass to Justin Wrecke near the 10 yard line went through his hands and was intercepted by Springfield's Anton Cullom to end the threat.

Scoring:
1st Quarter
Kansas — 11:55 - Justin Wrecke 12 yd pass from Jordan Brill (Pell kick) 7-0
Springfield — 8:23 - Von Dixon 23 yd pass from Derek Rasmussen (Pell kick failed) 7-6
Springfield — 6:24 - Jarod Bankhead 32 yd pass interception (Pell kick) 13-7
2nd Quarter
Kansas — 8:49 - Donnell Smith 1 yd run (Thompson kick failed) 13-13
Springfield — 4:04 - Anton Cullom 14 yd pass from Rasmussen (Pell kick) 20-13
3rd Quarter
Springfield — 7:56 - Dixon 8 yd pass from Rasmussen (Pell kick) 27-13
Kansas — 7:08 - Chris Brown 48 yd kick off return (Thompson kick failed) 27-19
Springfield — 5:27 - Cullom 20 yd pass from Rasmussen (Pell kick) 34-19
4th Quarter
Kansas — 13:40 - Wrecke 25 yd pass from Brill (2 pt. conversion good) 34-27
Kansas — 10:15 - Safety - Rasmussen fell on ball in endzone (Thompson kick failed) 34-29
Kansas — 6:30 - Robbie DuBois 1 yd run (2 pt. conversion good) 34-37
Springfield — 2:03 - Jonathan Alvarado 5 yd pass from Rasmussen (Pell kick) 41-37

BOX SCORE
Springfield
13
7
14
7
-
41
Kansas
7
6
6
18
-
37

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Springfield Wolfpack remains unbeaten by Joe Hickman, KY3 News



SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- It wasn't as easy as the previous two games had been, but the Springfield Wolfpack improved its season record to 3-0 on Saturday night with a 51-42 victory over the Mid-Missouri Outlaws. The visitors based in Sedalia were the first team to score a touchdown on theWolfpack this season.
Over their first two games over teams from Topeka and Nebraska, Springfield scored 100 points while allowing just two points. And, while former Evangel University quarterback Derek Rasmussen kept the Wolfpack offense at its 50 points-per-game pace, the Outlaws became the first team to cross the goal line on Springfield this year.
Up next, Springfield will host the Kansas Koyotes on Saturday, May 15, at 7 at Mediacom Ice Park.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

WolfPack Shutout Replacement Team - quote from websportsradio.com

WolfPack Shutout Replacement Team

04/24/10 - SPRINGFIELD, MO - For the second game in a row the Springfield WolfPack have held opponents away from the goal line after a 47-0 shutout of the Nebraska Wildcats at Mediacom Ice Park.
Nebraska, asked to fill in for the West-Missouri Kings who folded this week, fell victim to a blocked field goal attempt at 11:11 of the opening period, setting the tone of the game.
The Pack ended up with the ball on their 5 yard line and completed the drive on Derek Rasmussen's 40 yard pass to Von Dixon for a 7-0 WolfPack lead, after a good extra point, with 9:38 left to play.
Jameson Boyd, who lead the WolfPack with 7 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 2 touchdowns, grabbed his first pick on the Wildcat's next drive. Boyd intercepted Nebraska quarterback Bobby Peters at the Springfield 2 yard line with 6 minutes left in the opening quarter. The 6 play, 48 yard drive ended with Rasmussen's 33 yard strike to Anton Cullom for a 13-0 lead. Nathan Stokes extra point sailed wide to the right.
Springfield had 192 yards passing and totaled 74 yards on the ground, while Nebraska managed 86 yards in the air and ran for 21.
After holding the Wildcats on downs with 11:08 remaining in the half, the WolfPack dodged a bullet when running back Sean Nevills fumbled the ball on the WolfPack 10 yard line and it was recovered by Alvin Johnson.
Springfield's ensuing drive was stopped on a Rasmussen interception by Nebraska's Kyle Swartz at the Wildcat 5 yard line. But on the next play Heath Shaver returned the favor for the WolfPack with an interception, and a 5 yard sprint into the end zone, good for a 20-0 lead (a good extra point) with 3:13 to go in the half.
Nebraska's next drive didn't last long. Willie Johnson intercepted Peters at the WolfPack 10 yard line and with 36.2 seconds remaining Rasmussen hit Jonathan Alvarado. The 18 yard end zone strike was called back on offsetting penalties setting up an un-timed down with the clock expiring.
The second time worked for 18 yards to Alvarado and after a good extra point, the WolfPack went into the locker room up 26-0.
Nevills gave Springfield great field position after grabbing the second half kickoff at the Nebraska 10 yard line. Unfortunately, a bad snap pushed the WolfPack back to their 16 yard line to start the next scoring drive. Two plays later Rasmussen hit Cullom for 35 yards and his second TD pass of the game at the 12:30 mark.
Two plays later Peters was picked off by Boyd, who ran the ball back from the middle of the field, giving the WolfPack a 33-0 (Stokes' extra point) lead with 9:54 left in the 3rd period.
Nebraska had a drive stopped at their 15 yard line with 3:36 left in the period, when Boyd stepped in front of Aries Henderson and headed into the end zone for a 47-0 lead after a successful extra point.
With 2:51 left in the 4th quarter, Stokes had a field goal attempt blocked and Anthony Vibbard's pass sailed through the endzone ending the WolfPack's final drive of the game.

Scoring:
Springfield — 1st - Dixon 40 yd pass from Rasmussen (Stokes kick) 7-0
Springfield — 1st - Cullom 22 yd pass from Rasmussen (Stokes kick failed) 13-0
Springfield — 2nd - Shaver 5 yd pass interception (Stokes kick) 20-0
Springfield — 2nd - Alvarado 18 yd pass from Rasmussen (Stokes kick failed) 26-0
Springfield — 3rd - Cullom 35 yd pass from Rasmussen (Stokes kick) 33-0
Springfield — 3rd - Boyd 25 yd pass interception (Stokes kick) 40-0
Springfield — 3rd - Boyd 20 yd pass interception (Stokes kick) 47-0

BOX SCORE
  Springfield
13
13
21
0
-
47
  Topeka
0
0
0
0
-
0

Friday, April 23, 2010

WolfPack Look to Stay Perfect After Big Opening Day Win -by Mert Seaton


The Springfield WolfPack will play their second game of the 2010 season as they take on the Nebraska Wildcats Saturday, April 24 at Mediacom Ice Park.

The WolfPack are 1–0 after a huge 53–2 home win over the Topeka Thunder last Saturday.  The outcome of the first game of the season never seemed in doubt.  The WolfPack scored on their first offense play with a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Derek Rasmussen to wide-receiver Jonathan Alvarado.

Rasmussen continued tearing apart the Thunder defense, as he threw three more touchdowns in the first half.  Von Dixon added a rushing touchdown, and defensive back Willie Johnson ran an interception back for 6 points, as the WolfPack cruised to a 41–0 halftime lead.

The defense for the WolfPack looked to be in mid-season form.  Lead by Stanley Harris, who had two interceptions, the team held the Thunder to no offensive points.  The only points came on a bad snap that ended up going out of the back of the end zone for a safety.

By the time the game was over the WolfPack defense had held the Thunder to 39 total yards while gathering four interceptions and three sacks.

“It was an amazing way to start the season,” team President Angela Edwards said.  “We played great on both sides of the ball, and the crowd stayed in the game until the final snap.  I’m not sure things could have started better, but we plan to continue this for the rest of the season.”

The next challenge for the WolfPack will come next Saturday as they take on the Nebraska Wildcats of the World Football League.  Game two of a four game home stand was supposed to be played against the West Missouri Kings, but, because of internal issues, the Kings could not make it to Springfield for the game.

Saturday’s meeting will be the second for the WolfPack and the Wildcats, with the Wildcats winning the only meeting.  The game will start at 7 p.m. and the doors will open one hour prior to kickoff.  For ticket information go to www.springfieldwolfpack.net.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Springfield WolfPack Win Season Opener- quote from websportsradio.com


Springfield WolfPack Win Season Opener

04/17/10 - SPRINGFIELD, MO - A new look Springfield WolfPack Indoor Football team wontheir season opening game 53-2 against the Topeka Thunder in front of 700 or so howling WolfPack fans at Mediacom Ice Park.
It was a game the featured two pass interceptions by Stanley Harris, with one each by Willie Johnson and Nino Bennett.
Springfield used less than 5 minutes, and their first possession of the game to grab the lead. After the Thunder turned the ball over on downs at the Springfield 22 yard line, WolfPack quarterback Derek Rasmussen (Evangel) hit wide-receiver Jonathan Alvarado (SBU-San Diego) with a 28 yard touchdown pass for a 6-0 lead. Nathan Stokes' extra point kick was good for a 7 point advantage.
Once again the Pack stopped the Thunder on downs and with 4:12 remaining in the 1st quarter, and Von Dixon finished the next WolfPack drive by running 21 yards into the end zone. Stokes extra point was good for a 14-0 lead.
After Harris, a standout WolfPack defensive back, intercepted Topeka quarterback Komanae Carey at the Thunder 1-yard line to open the second quarter, Rasmussen ended the drive with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Anton Cullom for a 21 point (Stokes' extra point good) Springfield lead at the 11 minute mark.
"We're looking good out there," said Harris after the game. "I just wish I can get my hands on the ball more on offense. It will come with time."
Harris, corner back Jason Mudge, and center Joe Helms are the only WolfPack players remaining from the original team that began play indoors at Mediacom in 2007.
Johnson intercepted Carey again at the Thunder 1-yard line and ran the ball back 49 yards for a Springfield touchdown. Stokes' kick was wide left and with 6:45 to play in the half, the WolfPack enjoyed the 27-0 score.
For the second time in the quarter, Harris intercepted Jerod Hay at the 25-yard line and ran the ball back to the Thunder 17-yard line. Rasmussen made quick work of a 17-yard strike to Alvarado for 6 more Pack points and (with a good extra point) a 34-0 rout.
The interceptions continued for Topeka, and once again Hay was the victim of Bennett grabbing the ball on the Springfield 22 yard line. After a penalty brought the ball to the 16, Rasmussen hit Josh Pell with a pass for another 6 points, a good extra point by Stokes, and a 41-0 romp going into halftime.
Three minutes into the 3rd quarter the WolfPack found themselves on their own 19-yard line. A bad snap over the head of new WolfPack quarterback Anthony Vibbard bounced through the end zone for a safety, and two points for the Thunder.
For the 3rd time in the game, the WolfPack held the Thunder on downs with 3:51 on the clock. Springfield's drive ended with Lecorey Teague's 1-yard touchdown run for a 47-2 score. The 2-point conversion run by Vibbard failed.
The only score in the 4th quarter, by the WolfPack, came on a 29-yard pass from Vibbard to Dixon with 23.9 seconds left. Stokes' extra point attempt missed to the right.

Scoring:
Springfield — 1st - Alvarado 29 yd pass from Rasmussen (Stokes kick) 7-0
Springfield — 1st - Dixon 21 yd run (Stokes kick) 14-0
Springfield — 2nd - Cullom 22 yd pass from Rasmussen (Stokes kick) 21-0
Springfield — 2nd - Johnson 49 yd interception (kick failed) 27-0
Springfield — 2nd - Alvarado 17 yd pass from Rasmussen (Stokes kick) 34-0
Springfield — 2nd - Pell 16 yd pass from Rasmussen (Stokes kick) 41-0
Topeka — 3rd - Safety - Fumble through end zone. - 41-2
Springfield — 3rd - Teague 1 yd run (2pt conv. failed) 47-2
Springfield — 4th - Dixon 29 pass from Vibbard (kick failed) 53-2

BOX SCORE
Springfield
14
27
6
6
-
53
Topeka
0
0
2
0
-
2

Friday, April 16, 2010

Wolfpack Opens 2010 Season on Home Turf - by Mert Seaton COMMUNITY FREE PRESS ARTICLES

WolfPack First Home Game
4/15/2010


Wolfpack Opens 2010 Season
on Home Turf - by Mert Seaton

The Springfield WolfPack, Springfield’s only professional indoor football team, will open the 2010 season on their home turf this Saturday, April 17, at Mediacom Ice Park.
The WolfPack’s home-opener against the Central Plains Football League’s Topeka Thunder will be the first of four straight home games, and the team couldn’t be happier to start things off at home.

“It is always exciting to get to start things off at home,” Head Coach Mike Burris said. “The fans get the see new and old faces, and what this year’s team is going to look like. The players get to feed off the energy that our fans always seem to bring to the game.”
Burris said fans can expect to see a defense and offense that should rank at or near the top of the league.
“We are going to have an offense that will match up with our always solid defense,” he said. “There are going to be more points scored, especially when we get in the heart of our schedule. We have the balance and talent to win it all this year.”
One of the major players on this year’s offense will be Former Evangel University star, Derek Rasmussen. The American Professional Football League (APFL) rookie quarterback said he is excited about this team’s possibility and ready to get the season started.
“It is going to be a relief to see someone else on the other side of the field,” Rasmussen said. “We have been practicing hard for what seems like a long time and it will be nice to run up against someone in a different color jersey.
“We have tons of speed at receiver this year. We have at least four guys that are flat out fast. There is going to be a bigger mixture of arena type plays and a lot more scoring.”
Although this season is the first for Rasmussen in the APFL, he is no new comer to the indoor game. He has recently played for the Tulsa Talons of the Arena Football League and the Wichita Wild of the Indoor Football League (IFL).
“Derek’s experience is a huge positive for us,” Burris said. “His knowledge of the games is like having another coach out there.”
On the defensive side of the ball, the WolfPack will be led by a new comer off the field and a team MVP on it.
Shem Johnson has joined the coaching staff and has taken over as the team’s defensive coordinator. Johnson, who is a former IFL all-star defensive back and a former Springfield Rifle, brings an extensive background of playing and coaching experience.
“I am basically trying to pass on the simple knowledge of the game.” Johnson said. “We have a lot of new guys who have never played this style of football. It is a small confined area, where you put your head on a swivel and cover your zone. The game is simple if you do that.
“We are going to have a defense full of guys flying to the ball and using their athletic ability. Those who haven’t seen this style of football before are in for a great surprise. There is going to be some hard hitting and the players going over the boards will make it a lot of fun.”
The on-the-field leader of the defense will be last year’s team MVP and star defensive back Stanley Harris. Harris, a four-veteran, said fans will see an intense defense with a definite goal in mind.
“It is going to be electrifying,” Harris said. “We are all in this together and we are going to do what ever it takes to win and to make us number one.
“This year we are going to protect our house so we can bring a home playoff game and a championship to our fans.”

The WolfPack home-opener will start at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, April 17 at Mediacom Ice Park. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Tickets for the game are still available and can be purchased on game day. For more information go to springfieldwolfpack.net.

SPRINGFIELD WOLFPACK 2010 HOME SCHEDULE
· April 17, 2010: TOPEKA THUNDER
· April 24, 2010: WEST MISSOURI KINGS
· May 8, 2010: MID-MISSOURI OUTLAWS
· May 15,2010: KANSAS KOYOTES
· May 29, 2010: IOWA BLACKHAWKS
· June 12, 2010: JUNCTION CITY FORCE
All games start at 7:05 p.m. and are played at Mediacom Ice Park