- Game Info
Matchup: Iowa Barnstormers (9-2) at Wichita Falls Nighthawks
Arena: Kay Yaeger Coliseum (7,380)
Location: Wichita Falls, TX
Kickoff: 7:05 p.m. CT
TV: YouTube
TV Commentators: Joe Stasi (PxP and Color)
Radio: 1040am WHO
Radio Commentators: Joe Stasi (PxP and Color)
The Iowa Barnstormers (9-2) are taking on the Wichita Falls Nighthawks (9-2) this Saturday in a road game, where there is a playoff spot on the line.
In the Indoor Football League, the top two teams in each conference will make the playoffs. With Sioux Falls playing at 10-1, the Barnstormers and Nighthawks are battling for 2nd place.
It is not too difficult to say that this is the most important game the Barnstormers will play this season.
“The pressure that Wichita Falls and Sioux Falls have put on us this season makes every game, the biggest game,” quarterback Travis Partridge said.
But, that’s how the Barnstormers have looked at every game this season.
“It’s the biggest game because it’s the next game,” linebacker Javicz Jones said.
Iowa will face Wichita Falls for the second time this season. In the first meeting, also on the road for the Barnstormers, the team’s defense was picked apart and Iowa lost 68-53.
“We weren’t [playing] as a unit defensively,” Jones said. “They were able to nickel and dime us down the field and we still only lost by 13.”
“When the Nighthawks have the ball”
A popular section of a preview includes looking at the match-ups of the offensive and defensive units when each team has the ball. This week, fans will see one of the most intriguing of match-ups.
The Barnstormers defense sits at second in the IFL in scoring, giving up 37.5 points per game. The Nighthawks are first in the IFL in scoring offense, with 55.2 points per game.
“I’ll take our DB’s over a lot of receiving corps in this league,” defensive back Dee Maggitt Jr. said.
The two units will face each other at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday.
“We’re a much better team than we were the first game of the year,” Jones said. “We’re ready.”
IFL Standings
| Indoor Football League Standings | ||||
| United Conference | ||||
| Position | Team | Record | GB | |
| 1 | Sioux Falls | 10-1 | ||
| 2 | Wichita Falls | 9-2 | 1 | |
| 3 | Iowa | 9-2 | 1 | |
| 4 | Green Bay – e | 2-10 | 8.5 | |
| 5 | Cedar Rapids – e | 1-11 | 9.5 | |
| Intense Conference | ||||
| Position | Team | Record | GB | |
| 1 | Arizona | 7-4 | ||
| 2 | Spokane | 7-5 | 0.5 | |
| 3 | Nebraska | 6-5 | 1 | |
| 4 | Salt Lake | 3-8 | 4 | |
| 5 | Colorado | 3-9 | 4.5 | |
e – Eliminated from the playoffs.
x – Clinched playoff spot.
y – Clinched conference.
z – Clinched home field advantage through playoffs.
Week 14 Schedule
Thursday, May 18
Colorado Crush 45, Spokane Empire 36
Saturday, May 20
Iowa Barnstormers at Wichita Falls Nighthawks | 7:05 p.m.
Cedar Rapids Titans at Sioux Falls Storm | 7:05 p.m.
Green Bay Blizzard at Nebraska Danger | 7:05 p.m.
Salt Lake Screaming Eagles at Arizona Rattlers | 8:00 p.m.
Main Photo Credit: Connor Ferguson, Last Word on Sports
