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The Wolf Pack Bites Back

This is the year for our own arena football team, the Springfield Wolf Pack, to make a run for the playoffs and come away champions.

BY SAMANTHA GOEHRI

Photos by Game Face Photography / Landon Small / Wendy Wells

Springfield’s arena football team, the Wolf Pack, plays on a smaller field than NFL teams.

Are you a football fan who can hardly wait for fall, when you get to tailgate, cheer for your favorite team and watch your favorite sport? Well you’re in luck! This month Springfield’s own indoor arena football team begins its fourth spring season on April 17 at Mediacom Ice Park. Games are open to the public and a fantastic way to spend your Saturday out of the heat watching an action-packed indoor arena football game.
In the past, the Wolf Pack has not had much luck with the playoffs, but according to Terry Edwards, the co-owner of the Wolf Pack, Coach Michael Burris has great potential. “He can coach my team to the championship,” Edwards says. And the team definitely has the talent to back up that dream. For the past three years the Wolf Pack has lead the American Professional Football League in league in defense.
At tryouts in January, Burris kept a very open mind, looking only at the talent he saw on the field. “Everyone has their chance,” He says. “You have a chance to earn your spot and work for opportunity.”

The 411 What: Wolf Pack Arena Football Games When: Season opener April 17 Where: Mediacom Ice Park Cost: $7 general admission More information: Call 417-831-0548 for tickets, and learn more about the team at hometeamsonline.com/teams/wolfpackindoorfootball.

He expects his core group of veterans returning this year to lead the way for the new recruits, although he also keeps his eyes on several key players who have the ability to do great things this season. These key players include Derrik Rasmus, the former quarterback from Evangel University and a newcomer to the team; Stanley Harris, the MVP last year who never missed a practice; and Deontae Blackmon, last year’s Wolf Pack Rookie of the Year.
Because it takes the entire team working together in order to succeed on the field, these guys become more than just teammates. “It’s that camaraderie and teamwork that should be out on the field. That’s a lot of what you play for. You play for pride, you play for your team, you play for your family,” says Burris.
You might be wondering about the differences between arena football and 11-man outdoor football (like the NFL). “It takes a different skill set and a different mindset,” Burris explains. The biggest differences are the field size, team sizes, and game pacing. In 11-man, the team plays on a 100-yard field with two 10-yard end zones and 18-and-a-half-foot wide field goalposts. Eight-man indoor arena football plays on a 50-yard field with two eight-yard end zones and nine-foot wide field goals.
Coach Burris says the differences between arena and outdoor football are minute and practically unnoticeable if you aren’t a big football fan. In any case, this team is sure to feed your game day desires, so watch to see if the Wolf Pack work their way to the playoffs.

source from 417 Magazine
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