Franchise ResourcesAmerican Conference Preview
Hey, IFL fans! This is the time of the year when championship teams are made and dynasties are born. For most team owners in the IFL, two months off of football is needed after the season ends to rest and relax from all the rigorous work it takes to be a team owner. Then, it’s back to the drawing board.
In effect, every IFL team’s front office becomes a madhouse. Talent is brought in, carefully assessed, and evaluated. Offers are made then retooled and contracts are signed. The calculations are endless. Are we to thin on the offensive line? Can we fit in another free agent at this position? Who is a free agent this year? What key areas are in need of improvement? January is primarily when IFL team owners and general managers are scrambling for new talent and veteran additions to make their team better.
With the season opener just around the corner, we have completed our annual season preview for all of you fans who would like to know what to watch out for in 2009. The following predictions, reports and opinions were assembled by multiple observers and fans alike as we preview the American Conference. Note: the teams listed are in no specific order.
Don’t forget to check back next week as we report on the National Conference teams.
Burlington Blue Devils
Owner: Tom Hawkins
Last year’s record: 7-2
Established: 2006
Conference: American
The sky is the limit The only way for Burlington to build upon last season’s success is to make an appearance in Iron Bowl XIII. Year by year, the Blue Devils have gotten stronger and better and team owner/Head Coach Tom Hawkins believes that 2009 is his team’s season. One important aspect Burlington had last year that they missed in previous seasons’ was consistent quarterback play. This year, the Blue Devils will need that, alongside their rough-and-tumble ground game anchored by FB Eric Hansen. Their special teams unit is highly skilled too but their defense has the question marks. Will the secondary produce as well as it did last year? Can they pressure the quarterback and running game with their 4-3 base set? If these questions are answered, 2008 may look like a stepping stone in comparison to this year for the Blue Devils
Rock County Gladiators
Owner: Carter Linneman, Brian Worth, AJ Albrecht
Last year’s record: 4-5
Established: 2006
Conference: American
Locked and Retooled. The big change thus far has been at the top of the coaching staff as Brian Worth takes over as Head Coach. The switch means that Dennis Brunner, the offensive coordinator, can control matters related to Offense while Carter Linneman, a team owner, can focus his attention on the Defense. Worth, another owner, will bring balance to the team while still working as the GM and dealing with other issues off the field. Rock County is well-balanced on offense and their bruising backfield is one of the best in the league. They will need another wide receiver to compliment playmaker Jemar Ayers on the outside though, to help QB Dan Roberts in the play action passing game. Defensively, the Gladiators are good but they need to get more pressure on the quarterback from their front four to take the pressure off of their secondary. 2009 is looking like the year that Rock County makes their playoff push.
St. Francis Monarchs
Owner: Chris Hill
Last year’s record: 1-8
Established: 2008
Conference: American
Turning the page The St. Francis Monarchs are looking to improve off of their one-win performance last season. They return all of their players from last year and would like to grow from last season’s experiences. With good talent on special teams, kick and punt returns may be the brightest spot for St. Francis. Good returns will be a vital asset this year to giving the offense good starting field position. The problems with the Monarchs revolve around the aforementioned offense though. It will be important for the St. Francis offense to develop a consistent passing game to compliment their running game, which will help them sustain drives. Also of interest is the approach taken by new head coach Frederick Coles. Coles was the head coach of the Spring City Cyclones last year and his presence should help to alleviate some coaching consistency issues that the Monarchs faced last season.
Milwaukee Marauders
Owner: Marvin Bailey
Last year’s record: NA
Established: 2009
Conference: American
All hands on deck The Marauders are the newest addition to the Ironman Football League as expectations are high. The Marauders were formed back in 2001 where they became members of the Mid Continental Football League and later joined the NAFL. In 2009, the Marauders will embark on a new journey as members of the Ironman Football League where they hope to contend for an Ironbowl championship. The Marauders are very talented and are not to be taken lightly. Led by multi-talented quarterback Shannon King the Marauders hope to scorch the scoreboards while playing an attack style aggressive defense.
Roscoe Rush
Owner: Brian Kelly
Last year’s record: 7-2
Established: 2006
Conference: American
2009 could be special Roscoe captured the Windy City Showdown championship in 2008 and looks to continue their winning ways this season. The Rush returns all eleven defensive and all-but-one offensive starters from a team, that year ago, came within eleven points of an Iron Bowl championship. Their veteran coaching staff also returns, so if history can repeat itself, it appears that Roscoe is the favorite to win another conference championship. The Rush were dealt a blow this off-season as their superstar running back Deejay Spencer went down with a knee injury, an injury that will sideline him for the year. There are also questions about Roscoe’s early season inconsistencies that saw them lose two of their first four in 2008, and whether QB Joe Cotton can avoid the sophomore slump and play as well as they did last season. 2009 looks as good of a year as ever for the Rush to capture their first Joseph Chudada Memorial Trophy.
Wauwatosa Spartans
Owner: Adam Kujath
Last year’s record: 6-3
Established: 2008
Conference: American
Prepare for war
After winning the Mid-States Tournament Championship in 2008, the Spartans are reloading for 2009. Their offensive line, which may be the league’s biggest and toughest, returns four of their five starters from last season. They also return many of last season’s playmakers, including WR’s Raymon Porchia and Brad Guettel, and CB Tony Salvage, and look to use their stretch-run struggles to motivate the team this season beyond a Wildcard Round playoff game. On paper, the Spartans look very good, there were questions about their quarterback situation but the team addressed it by signing Tony Henner who previously played for the Milwaukee Venom. According to team co-owner Luke Kujath, “Anything less than an Iron Bowl championship would be a disappointment.”
