Both Javicz Jones and Robbie Rouse were with the Iowa Barnstormers when the team beat Colorado 56-50 on the road to open the 2016 IFL season. Since then, both have missed numerous games between an injury and a CFL tryout, as the Barnstormers suffered their latest defeat to Colorado, losing 93-56 at home.
Now, Jones and Rouse are back.
Javicz Jones and Robbie Rouse Return to Iowa Barnstormers
After playing just one game with the team, 2015 All-IFL Linebacker Javicz Jones got the call to try out with the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes. He recorded 12 tackles during that season opener, and he looks to continue his success on the field this week.
“It feels great to be back in Des Moines and with the Barnstormers,” Jones told theiowabarnstormers.com. “This feels like home to me. I’m excited to finish out the season with the team.”
Robbie Rouse, on the other hand, suffered a broken thumb in practice before Iowa’s game against Spokane. He will also return to the team this week, and not a moment too soon.
Iowa begins a six-game stretch that features the three teams that stand between them and a playoff spot. That’s three games against in-state rival Cedar Falls (two at home), two against five-time IFL champions Sioux Falls (one at home), and a home game against Wichita Falls. Again, all three teams are ahead of the Barnstormers in the United Conference standings.
United Conference Standings
Sioux Falls 9-1 0.0
Cedar Rapids 8-4 2.0
Wichita Falls 6-4 3.0
Playoff Cut Line
Barnstormers 4-6 5.0
Green Bay 3-8 6.5
As the Barnstormers stand three games behind Cedar Rapids, a loss to the Titans this Saturday could spell trouble for Iowa. It is possible that Wichita Falls drops below Iowa, but the Nighthawks do not play a team above .500 for the rest of the season. So, Iowa’s smoothest road to the playoffs will go through Cedar Rapids.
This Saturday’s game against Cedar Rapids is being tabbed as an “Iowa Bowl” and will be televised by Mediacom Connections Channel 22 and, of course, IFLLive.com.
Iowa and Cedar Rapids will kick off at 7:00 P.M. The Barnstormers faced Cedar Rapids in the preseason, winning 59-50. However, rosters have changed, players had come and gone, and this is the IFL, which means anything can happen.
Photo by Connor Ferguson copyright Last Word on Sports, all rights reserved.
