Buffalo, New York- The Buffalo Wings enjoyed last week off thanks to the OIFL All-Star Classic. No Wings players were selected to participate in the game, but they may have been too busy celebrating their huge 45-42 victory over previously unbeaten Rocky Mountain anyway.
"The victory over Rocky Mountain affirms the work the players have put in since the offseason," said Buffalo head coach Michael Watts. "This team has the us against the world mentality, and it's really beginning to translate into our results on the field."
Against the Reign, DS Ian Sanders had his best performance of the season. He intercepted QB Dan Schultz twice, including one in the final minute of the game to seal the deal for Buffalo. He took his other interception back 42 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. Sanders also snagged four receptions for 55 yards on offense.
"I saw a few things in film this week, and was able to take advantage of that," said Sanders. "Schultz is a damn good QB, don't get me wrong, but no QB is perfect." Sanders then jokingly noted he hopes his two picks will convince the coaches to put him out on the field at wideout more often.
Other strong performances from the Wings came from QB Tony LiPetri (17 for 32 passing, 195 yds and 2 TDs, 1 rushing TD) and WRDB Alex Emmons (5 catches for 53 yards and a TD). OLDLs Wayne Mitchell and Cyrus McPhee also recorded a sack each.
At the halfway mark of the OIFL regular season, the Wings hold a 5-3 record, which is good for third place in the Northeast Division. If the playoffs started today, the Wings would qualify for the postseason. This is even more impressive considering preseason polls predicted the Wings to win about only five games all season.
"We should be happy about where we stand, but we have a long way to go," said Watts. "This team is no longer flying under the radar, and our guys are going to have to learn how to play well with a target on their backs, which is not easy."
"Do I care that no one on our team made the OIFL all-star game? Not one bit," said RBLB Marion Stubbs. "This is not a team that sits around worrying about individual accolades. What we are worried about is making sure we are ready for a big game in Portland we have this weekend."
Baltimore, MD- With the way the Buffalo Wings are performing right now, they might not want to stop playing. But, the offseason will give the team a chance to admire their OIF2 Championship victory and Gravy Bowl title.
In front of a sellout crowd in Baltimore's First Mariner Arena, the Buffalo Wings claimed the 2008 Gravy Bowl title with a 34-29 victory over the Baltimore Breakers. It was a freezing night outside First Mariner, but quite a heated affair between the two teams. RBLB Brian Cameron picked up two touchdowns on the ground, including the eventual game-winning score. A stingy Buffalo defense allowed the Breakers to score only 23 offensive points.
"Great job by the guys tonight," said Wings head coach Michael Watts. "I could sit here and talk all night about the win, but I really think our play out there said it all. Alex (Emmons) is amazing me more everyday; he has a pick in each of our last three games, and I can't say enough about his effort out there today." With the victory, Watts now has a 13-1 record as Wings' head coach.
The aforementioned Emmons did not just shine on the defensive side of the ball. He also reeled in five catches for 53 yards and a touchdown. OS DeFlorence Love accounted for the other touchdown on a 26-yard catch. Another top defensive performance came from reserve OLDL Horace Green, who recorded a sack on Baltimore QB Jamarco Angermeier.
With the victory, the OIFL will award the Wings the number one overall selection in the 2009 OIFL Draft. Rumblings out of Buffalo suggest the team is looking to trade the pick for a package of players. When asked about the trade rumors, Wings assistant general manager Sarah McGuire said: "We will not comment on any rumors or hearsay. What I can tell you is that our franchise is always looking for ways to get better, and we will use any method available to accomplish that task."
The Gravy Bowl championship victory tops off a successful 2008 campaign for the Wings franchise. The 2008-09 offseason proves to be hectic as the team works on the transfer to the OIFL. The team will hold numerous offseason events for fans, including a OIFL championship viewing party at the Elmwood Ave. Buffalo Wild Wings on December 21st. The Wings encourage supporters to check their website throughout the offseason to keep track of all offseason news and happenings.
Fresno, CA- Welcome to the OIFL, Buffalo Wings. Or perhaps more fittingly, meet the Buffalo Wings, current OIFL clubs.
The Buffalo Wings made a remarkable first impression with an improbable 33-31 victory in a Gravy Bowl semifinal matchup against the Fresno Bobcats. The Wings made history with the win, as they became the first team with OIF2 standing to defeat an OIFL team in a postseason game on the road. Although the Wings have accepted an invitation to join the OIFL in 2009, the team is still considered an OIF2 club until the 2008 OIFL postseason is complete. With the victory, the Wings will face the Baltimore Breakers in the Gravy Bowl championship game, with a number 1 overall pick in the 2009 OIFL draft on the line.
In front of a crowd of 6,726 at Selland Arena in Fresno, the OIF2 champion Wings and the 2-14 OIFL Bobcats put on quite a show for the modest-sized crowd. The outcome was in question up until Fresno kicker Moe McDonald missed a 40-yard field goal as time expired. QB Spencer Morrow paced the Wings offense with 191 passing yards and 3 TDs through the air. On the defensive side of the ball, DB Alex Emmons shined with an interception and two pass breakups.
"Is this one of the biggest wins in our franchise's history? I don't see it that way," said Wings head coach Michael Watts. "I don't buy into the idea that a team can't compete in a game based on what league they play in. When it comes down to it, there are two football teams out on the field in every game. More often than not, the team who wants it more will pick up the victory, and that certainly was the case tonight."
Morrow spread the ball around to his receivers, and three Wings receivers ended up with a touchdown- Squeak Scolari, DeFlorence Love, and Alex Emmons. "We are glad we were able to get out of here with a win," said Scolari. "The talent level in the OIFL is something we have not yet seen, and although Fresno had a tough year in the league, they certainly gave us all we could handle. They stifled our running game, and fortunately Spencer did a great job of spreading the ball around to all of our targets."
Indeed, the Wings running game struggled all game; RB Brian Cameron managed only 32 yards on 13 carries, while adding a touchdown. On the other side of the ball, the Bobcats attempted to catch the Wings off-guard with some trick formations, but it proved unsuccessful.
The Wings will head back to Buffalo to practice before traveling to Baltimore's First Mariner Arena next Sunday to face the Baltimore Breakers in the Gravy Bowl Championship. The Breakers (5-12) defeated the New England Sno-Dogs 48-45 to earn a spot in the final. Game time is 8:00 pm on Sunday, December 7. The game will be televised live on NBC WGRZ-TV Channel 2. Additionally, fans can listen to the game with a live audio broadcast either on WGR SportsRadio (AM 550) or at wgr550.com. Those seeking more information on fan transportation to Baltimore and tickets to the game should visit the "Ticket Info" section of the Wings official website.
Buffalo, NY- Qualifying for the OIFL's annual Gravy Bowl Tournament is not usually the preseason goal of an OIFL team. But, from the perspective of the recent OIF2 champion, that OIFL postseason tournament is exactly where they want to be.
Following their OIF2 Championship victory, the Buffalo Wings were expecting an invite to the OIFL Invitational Tournament. However, a recent OIFL rule change gave Buffalo the choice of participating in either the 12-team OIT or the 4-team Gravy Bowl Tournament. The Wings announced their decision to join the Gravy Bowl Tournament following a closed-door organizational meeting. The Wings will be the first OIF2 champion to play in the Gravy Bowl directly following the OIF2 championship.
"There are a few reasonings behind our decision," said general manager Jason Graham. "We were very intrigued about the possibility of getting the number 1 overall selection in next year's draft. Of course, we still have to actually win the tournament, but having that pick would provide our team with a cornerstone franchise player. Also, we are aware that the competition in the OIT is probably too tough for our franchise at this time. Although having the opportunity to showcase our team against tougher OIFL competition was tempting, we feel we'll have a difficult time with our Gravy Bowl opponents as it is."
Had Buffalo decided to enter the OIT, they would have been slotted as the 12-seed. Last year's OIF2 champion, College Station, lost 47-40 to Rocky Mountain in the OIT's first round. As it stands, the Wings will be the 4-seed in the Gravy Bowl Tournament. The OIT features mid-level OIFL teams, while the Wings will face some of 2008's worst OIFL teams in the Gravy Bowl. The number 1 overall pick in the 2009 OIFL Draft will be awarded to the tournament's winner. If Buffalo does not win the tournament, their first selection in the draft will be significantly lower.
"We're itching to show these OIFL teams just what they can expect from us next season," said WRDB Alex Emmons. "I don't really know how the whole OIFL playoff selection thing works, but we are looking forward to playing whoever is on our schedule. Apparently we are playing for a higher draft pick or something, but I don't think we really need any more motivation- we are planning to make a statement."
The first round of the Gravy Bowl will be held the weekend of November 30. The Wings will head out on the road to the arena of a yet-to-be-determined opponent. Who the Wings face will be decided following Sunday's OIFL games, and information regarding tickets will be released shortly after.
Brinkhaven, OH- The Buffalo Wings had one goal this season: win the OIF2 championship. On Sunday night, they did just that- and they aren't done just yet.
Backed by a 4 touchdown performance from WRDB Alex Emmons and 2 interceptions by DS Ivan Wynne, the Wings defeated the Eugene Knights by a score of 52-38 at the Bombing Square in Brinkhaven, Ohio. The game easily featured the best two OIF2 teams of the 2008 season; the teams combined for a 17-3 regular season record and each won the regular season championship of their conference.
With the victory, the Wings received an invitation to join the OIFL starting in 2009. Futhermore, the Wings will compete in the 2008 OIFL Invitational Tournament. The OIT is a OIFL postseason tournament featuring 11 OIFL teams and the OIF2 champion. The Wings will be the 12 seed in the tournament, which is slated to begin in late November.
In what will be the Wings' final game in the OIF2, the Buffalo defense was absolutely stifling against the OIF2 team with the 2nd best offense in the league. Knights all-star RBLB Andrew Fox Jr. was unable to get anything going all night, and he finished with only 62 yards and a TD. "Our rushing defense was spectacular this evening, I'm so proud of our guys," said Wings head coach Michael Watts. "Listen, Andrew Fox is the best RB in the OIF2, and we won because we shut him down. Man, what a great job by our defense, they sure as hell stepped up big tonight." The Wings passing defense also played a big role in the victory, as the defensive backfield combined for 3 interceptions, 2 of them returned for touchdowns.
On offense, the Wings got things done through the air. The Knights kept QB Spencer Morrow under pressure all night, and DL Christian Osbourne recorded an impressive 4 sacks. However, Morrow found just enough time to get off most of his throws. Alex Emmons hauled in 3 receiving touchdowns and Tarvaris Holmes chipped in with 1 touchdown. RB Brian Cameron had trouble against the stout defensive line of Eugene, but did manage to score 1 rushing touchdown. "Wooohhh! OIF2 champions baby! Man, I can't believe we did it! What a game, what a season, what a team!" said an obviously excited WRLB Benjamin Slynt.
The Wings held a championship parade in downtown Buffalo on Tuesday. Fans far and wide came downtown to congratulate the Wings roster and coaching staff on a job well done. The Wings accounted for Buffalo's second championship of 2008. The first was won by the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse team, who captured the NLL championship back in May.
Team owner Adam Tupitza was very excited about the championship victory, and he offered some insight into what's next for his franchise. "Well, we're obviously going to relish this championship win for the time being. Once the excitement has worn off at least slightly, we as an organization are going to hold a closed door meeting in which we'll discuss what going to the OIFL means for this team. Obviously, the jump from league to league is significant and there are numerous things we need to do to make that jump go as smoothly as possible."
The Wings players will take some much deserved time off before returning to practice in preparation for the OIT. Ticket information for the OIT as well as the 2009 OIFL season will be available on the Wings website around mid-November. The Wings would like to extend a special thank you to all Wings fans, both for packing the HSBC Arena every game this season as well as loyally supporting the team all year.
Brinkhaven, OH- Only two OIF2 teams were able to end the regular season with a record better than .500. Fittingly, those two teams will fight for OIF2 supremacy Sunday night in Ohio.
The 2008 OIF2 Championship will be contested between the Eugene Knights and the Buffalo Wings. The Knights won the Western Conference Championship with a 54-37 victory over the San Jose Thunder, while the Wings claimed the title of Eastern Conference Champion with a 41-27 win over the D.C. Conspiracy. Regardless of the championship game's outcome, both teams are expected to receive invites to join the OIFL in 2009.
"We've been waiting all season for this opportunity, and our hard work and dedication has gotten us here. This team has come so far, and anything short of a victory would be a major disappointment," said WRDB Alex Emmons. Emmons is a big reason the Wings were able to advance to the championship game, amassing 104 yards and a touchdown on 8 receptions.
Buffalo will have to deal with a star-laden Knights roster. RBLB Andrew Fox, Jr., OLDL Christian Osbourne, WRDB Brandon Smith, and QB Scott Johnson will keep the Wings' hands full on both sides of the ball. The Knights boast the OIF2's top defense and the 2nd most proficient offense. The Wings did defeat the Knights 44-27 in the teams' one and only meeting, but that game was a meaningless preseason game held back in June of 2008.
The team has made arrangements for an OIF2 Championship fan bus trip package. The package, valued at $80, includes transportation to and from Brinkhaven, Ohio, free beverages on the bus, a ticket to the championship game, and a "Wings Time Now" fan t-shirt. Fans unable to make the trip to Ohio are encouraged to attend championship watching parties being held at all three Buffalo-area Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants. The Wings already held a successful fan send-off at HSBC Arena on Thursday at which supporters wished their Wings well as the team hopped on a bus headed for Ohio.
The clash of the two OIF2 titans will be held at Bombing Square in Brinkhaven, Ohio. Game time is 8:00 pm on Sunday, October 26. Fans will be able to watch the game live on NBC WGRZ-TV Channel 2. Additionally, fans can listen to the game via live audio broadcast either on WGR SportsRadio (AM 550) or at wgr550.com. Those seeking more information on transportation to Ohio and tickets to the game should visit the "Ticket Info" section of the Wings official website.
Buffalo, NY- The crowd at HSBC Arena was hyped to see their Wings in action at home one last time this season. Sure enough, the Wings did not disappoint the home fans.
The Wings clinched a spot in the 2008 OIF2 Championship Game with a 41-27 victory over the D.C. Conspiracy in the Eastern Conference Championship game. RBLB Brian Cameron ran for 79 yards and 3 TDs and tacked on a defensive fumble return TD in what was largely a defensive affair. The Wings defensive backfield recorded an interception and held Conspiracy QB Jacob Strong to only 180 yards passing and 1 TD. D.C.'s backfield was also kept in check; RBLB Adrian Anarcho managed only 1 TD and 44 yards on 16 carries.
"When our defense plays like they did tonight, we are tough to beat," said Buffalo head coach Michael Watts. "They were all over the place- batting down passes, pressuring the QB, forcing turnovers- you name it, they did it. If you hold the opponent to 27 points in this game, you know you are doing something right." On the other hand, the Wings offense did just enough to help the team to victory. WRDB Alex Emmons did catch 8 passes for 104 yards and 1 TD, but aside from that, the Wings passing game was surprisingly ineffective.
With the victory, the Buffalo Wings will face the Eugene Knights for the right to be known as the 2008 OIF2 Champion. The championship game will be held Sunday, October 26 at Bombing Square in Brinkhaven, Ohio. Along with the championship berth, the Wings have likely clinched a spot in the OIFL for 2009.
"We've been waiting for this all year," said OLDL Rolf Rinehardt. "We wanted the chance to prove just how good of a team we really are, and the championship game is the place to do just that. We just have to put in a good week of preparation, keep from getting distracted by the hullabaloo of championship week, and above all, realize we haven't won anything yet."
The Wings are planning numerous activities to help fans cheer on their championship-bound Wings. Thursday at noon, there will be a fan send-off at the HSBC Arena. Also, the Wings are currently hammering out details of a fan bus trip to Brinkhaven so that fans can root on their team in the Bombing Square. Finally, the Wings will be coordinating various championship watching parties throughout the Buffalo area. Fans are encouraged to check the Wings website for more details about these events as more information is expected to be available in the next couple of days.
Buffalo, NY- The Buffalo Wings now know the opponent for their one and only home game this postseason. They will face the D.C. Conspiracy, who defeated the Philadelphia Colonials 58-44 last Sunday.
The two teams played twice in the regular season, with Buffalo winning each. Both games were tightly contested- the Wings barely escaped D.C. with a last-second 46-43 win, and a 52-41 victory at HSBC Arena was no walk in the park. The Conspiracy are led by WRDB Anthony Satterfield and OLDL Brady Downing, both 2008 OIF2 all-stars. Additionally, the team features a dual threat backfield of RBLB Adrian Anarcho and RBDB Leonard Pickings.
"Make no mistake, the Conspiracy know how to play the game of football. And they play it well," said Wings head coach Michael Watts. "We had to grind out two difficult victories against them in the regular season, and it was not easy. Sarge Antietam has done an excellent job down there, and we wouldn't be facing them this weekend if they weren't the real deal." D.C. started the season 0-3 but has since won 6 of 8.
The atmosphere at this Eastern Conference Championship is expected to be explosive. The game is a sellout, and the Wings have announced that they will be donning their popular purple alternate uniforms. All fans will receive a purple Wings rally towel at the turnstile. Also, pregame festivities including live entertainment from the Goo Goo Dolls are expected to set the stage for the showdown. Not only does the winner of this game advance to the 2008 OIF2 Championship game in Brinkhaven, Ohio, but the winner will almost assuredly be offered a spot into the OIFL for the 2009 season.
"We just need to go out and play our game," said DS Alphonso Elliott. "We didn't go 9-1 in the regular season just to fizzle out now. Our guys know that it's now or never, and we need to take care of business. Coach (Watts) has been telling us all week that the only thing that can stop us is ourselves. We need to play this game like it is our last."
The much-anticipated matchup will take place this Sunday at 7:05 pm. Arena gates will open at 6, and pregame festivities will begin at 4 outside of HSBC Arena. Fans without a ticket will be able to watch the game live on NBC WGRZ-TV Channel 2. Additionally, fans can listen to the game via live audio broadcast either on WGR SportsRadio (AM 550) or at wgr550.com.
Buffalo, NY- With a regular season record of 9-1, the Buffalo Wings won the OIF2's Eastern Conference regular season title. Their reward? A first round bye in the OIF2 playoffs.
"We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to have our guys rest up and get healthy this week," said head coach Michael Watts. WRDB Tarvaris Holmes and DS Ivan Wynne, both regular starters on the team, each are coming off of recent injuries. Although Holmes did play in the Wings' final regular season game against Toronto, he seemed slightly hindered by his knee. On the other hand, Wynne was injured in the Wings' week 8 game and has been kept out of game action since then, but he is expected to return for the conference championship game.
The bye is also important to the Wings players who saw action in the 2008 OIF2 All-Stars vs. OIFL Rookies Game in Dodge City, KS last Saturday. QB Spencer Morrow (7-for-13, 84 yds, 1 INT), RBLB Brian Cameron (7 rushes for 37 yds and 2 TDs), WRDB Alex Emmons (2 catches for 20 yds and 1 TD), OLDL Jameson Miggs, OLDL Rolf Rinehardt (1 sack), and DS Alphonso Elliott all saw action in the exhibition game. The OIFL rookies defeated the OIF2 all-star team by a score of 53-34.
Buffalo will face the winner of the conference semifinal game between Philadelphia and D.C. When asked if he is planning to watch the game on Sunday, QB Spencer Morrow said: "Of course, I'll be watching it. As a matter of fact, I've invited all of the guys over to my house to watch the game, and naturally there will be some good eats available. My wife's not too happy because I told her she has to do all of the cooking because I don't want to risk a kitchen accident now that it's playoff time."
The Wings assured reporters that they are not worried about coming out rusty in the Eastern Conference championship. "This is exactly where we want to be, and we aren't going to let this opportunity pass us by," said RBLB Rolando Oyola. "We plan to go out and have a great practice next week so that we'll be ready for whoever we play. Everyone on this team is focused on the goal and we aren't going to let something as little as rust get in the way."
The OIF2's Eastern Conference Championship will be held at HSBC Arena Sunday, October 19th. A limited number of tickets will go on sale to the general public on the Buffalo Wings website at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 11. Tickets are expected to be sold very quickly, and the Wings recommend that fans try to purchase their tickets exactly at 11. Additionally, there will be a Wings Playoff Bash outside of HSBC Arena starting at 4 pm, featuring inflatables and games for the kids, live musical entertainment by Buffalo's very own Goo Goo Dolls, Hot Wing Dancers signing autographs, various area radio stations coming out to lend support, as well as food and Wings merchandise on sale.
Arena gates will open at 6, and game time is 7:05. Those not attending the game will be able to watch the game live on NBC WGRZ-TV Channel 2. Additionally, fans can listen to the game via live audio broadcast either on WGR SportsRadio (AM 550) or at wgr550.com.
Buffalo, NY- The Buffalo Wings have had a very smooth inaugural season up to this point. Things nearly got a lot more bumpier for the first-year OIF2 team.
Buffalo Wings owner Adam Tupitza was offered the opportunity to purchase an OIFL team by OIFL commissioner Josh Stein. However, after about five days of contemplation, Tupitza chose not to purchase the OIFL team. If he had decided to make the purchase, he would have been required to sell the Buffalo Wings to a new owner.
The OIFL team that was available for purchase was the Dallas Diablos, who currently have a 2-4 record in the OIFL's Southwest Division. The team was in the playoffs last season, but was underperforming this year. The previous owner, John-Mark McKethan, was unhappy with his team's performance and traded away his star players to begin a rebuilding process. Some OIFL owners questioned the legitimacy of the trades, and McKethan subsequently resigned from his ownership position.
"The offer caught me by surprise," said Tupitza. "I definitely considered buying the Dallas franchise, as it is a goal of mine to be the owner of an OIFL team. However, I didn't feel like I would be entering into a good situation in Dallas. I wasn't very interested in cleaning up the mess out there. Also, there definitely is an allure to build a team from the ground up and stay with them, and I intend to do just that with the Wings."
With Tupitza's refusal to buy the team, the OIFL announced that the Diablos will be league-owned for the rest of the 2008 OIFL season. Tupitza noted that he is hopeful that the Wings will perform well enough this season to earn them an invite to the OIFL for 2009.
Washington, DC- The Buffalo Wings entered their matchup with the D.C. Conspiracy coming off of a huge blowout victory at home over Carroll County. Things weren't nearly as easy for the Wings in the nation's capital, but a last second touchdown gave them a 46-43 victory Sunday night at the Verizon Center.
QB Spencer Morrow threw for 249 yards and 5 touchdowns, and WRDB Alex Emmons racked up 109 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. The two players hooked up for a 2 yard touchdown pass with 2 seconds left in the game that gave the Wings a 44-43 advantage. RBLB Brian Cameron ran in the 2 point conversion, and the Wings were able to run out the final seconds on the ensuing kickoff.
The teams traded scores all night, and neither team had a lead larger than 8 throughout the entire game. "It surely felt like we were playing a playoff game tonight," said WRDB Squeak Scolari, who had 2 catches for 24 yards. "I don't understand how they (Conspiracy) haven't won a game yet, because they are definitely the toughest team we've played so far this season." With the result, the Wings moved to 3-0 and maintained first place in the Eastern Conference. The hard luck loss left the Conspiracy searching for answers at 0-3.
The Wings relied on a few big plays to secure the victory. DS Alphonso Elliott intercepted a QB Jacob Strong pass early in the 3rd quarter and took it back 10 yards for a touchdown. OLDL L.Q. Paulson blocked an extra point kick, which proved to be crucial in a game in which both teams scored the same number of both touchdowns and field goals. Cameron recorded 2 sacks and recovered a fumble forced by OLDL Jameson Miggs, who had 1 sack of his own.
Despite the victory, Wings head coach Michael Watts was very unhappy with his team's performance. "I don't understand how we can feel satisfied about the game tonight. I feel like the Conspiracy just handed us the win, because our performance was downright hideous. Our offensive line wasn't opening up the holes for Cameron, the defense let the other team run the ball all over us all night, and we just barely escaped there at the end. There's going to be a lot to go over in practice this week, I can assure you of that."
The Wings have a bye week next weekend. Their next game will be at home against the 0-3 Toronto Assault on Sunday, August 10. The game is being billed as "The Peace Bridge War, Chapter I". A limited number of tickets are still available for this rivalry game and may be purchased by calling the Wings office at 716-08-WINGS or by visiting the HSBC Arena box office. Gates will open at 6, and game time is 7:05. Those not attending the game will be able to listen to a live audio broadcast either on WGR SportsRadio (AM 550) or at wgr550.com.
Buffalo, NY- Fans at the Buffalo Wings home opener expected an exciting game between two undefeated teams vying for first place in the Eastern Conference. Instead, the sellout home crowd was treated to a 68-point beatdown at the expense of the visiting Carroll County Cannons.
RBLB Brian Cameron ran for 4 touchdowns for the 2nd game in a row, QB Spencer Morrow threw 4 touchdowns, and the Wings' defense accounted for 3 touchdowns as the Wings easily handled the Cannons by the score of 84-16. A sellout crowd of 18,690 watched the Wings improve to 2-0 and take sole possession of 1st place of the OIF2's Eastern Conference.
The game started off with a bang as WRDB Alex Emmons returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. From there, Buffalo never looked back. The Cannons found themselves down 35-0 before K Chris Kendrick finally hit a 34 yard field goal early in the 2nd quarter to get Carroll County on the board. "We executed every part of our gameplan tonight, and we just saw what happens when we play inspired football," said head coach Michael Watts. "Our home opener only happens once a season, so we were happy about being able to put on a show for our great fans." When asked about whether the Wings were guilty of running up the score, Watts had this to say: "This is professional football. I feel as though it is more offending to opponents when you decide to stop playing football. We gave them everything we had and it just so happens that the game turned into a blowout."
The Wings offense was unstoppable, and the defense was nearly impenetrable, allowing only one Cannons touchdown. Players on both sides of the ball posted gaudy stats. Cameron added to his 4 TD day with a sack, fumble force, and fumble recovery touchdown. WRLB Matt Golsen caught 2 touchdowns and also forced as well as recovered a fumble. DS Alphonso Elliott and WRDB Squeak Scolari each recorded interceptions. OLDL Jameson Miggs picked up 2 sacks and blocked a Cannons kick.
On a night when all Wings players padded their statistics, one player's performance managed to stand out. Along with his kickoff return touchdown, Emmons caught 9 passes for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns. Finally, he picked off a Erick Loewenstein pass and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown. "I have to give all of my teammates credit for playing so well this week," said Emmons. "The blockers on our special teams were dominant. Spencer (Morrow) put the ball where only our guys could get it on pretty much all of his throws. Our defensive line got so much pressure on the QB and forced him into many bad throws. I did score 4 times but it's really thanks to everyone else for giving me great opportunities."
The Wings will return to practice in preparation for a trip south to the nation's capital to take on the D.C. Conspiracy (0-2) at the Verizon Center on Sunday, July 27. The game will be broadcast live both on NBC WGRZ-TV Channel 2 and on WGR SportsRadio AM 550. The Wings are also working on arrangements for a Wings game viewing party, and details will be released as soon as they are available.
Philadelphia, PA- The Buffalo Wings wanted to keep the momentum from an undefeated preseason going as they entered the regular season. Fortunately for them, they were able to do just that.
New starting RBLB Brian Cameron racked up 74 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground as the Wings defeated the Philadelphia Colonials by the score of 52-42. The fact that the team was able to come out with the win in front of a hostile sellout crowd of 17,380 at the Wachovia Spectrum made it that much more significant.
Cameron, playing his first game in a Wings uniform after being sent down by the OIFL's Memphis Crusaders, suddenly found himself in a starting role with Long Island's call up of RBLB John Snider. "I didn't expect to be in a position where I could really make an impact this quickly," said Cameron. "But when you are called upon, you've got to leave everything out on the field. I was able to do just that tonight, and now I have some confidence heading into next week's game. I'm still learning the playbook and my specific role on this team, but tonight coach Watts really simplified things for me so that I would be able to play to the best of my ability in this game."
WRDB Alex Emmons was his usual dominant self, picking up 107 yards and 2 touchdowns on 10 catches. WRLB Matt Golsen also recorded 119 receiving yards and caught 1 touchdown. QB Spencer Morrow was 25 for 41 passing with 278 yards, 3 touchdowns, and an interception. Head coach Michael Watts had nothing but good things to say about his team's offensive performance: "We won't lose very many games if our offense stays as efficient as it was today. I was very proud of Matt (Golsen)'s performance; I generally think of him as a defensive-minded player, but he showed his worth on both sides of the ball. Also, we are surely glad that Memphis let us borrow this Cameron kid, he really knows how to find the end zone."
Although the Wings offense was definitely on its game, there were still defensive heroics needed to seal the victory. The Wings held a slim 45-42 advantage late in the game, and the Colonials were on the move. However, DS Alphonso Elliott made a big time play and picked off Philadelphia QB David Greywacz to seal the victory.
Buffalo now returns home to prepare for the home opener against the Carroll County (Md.) Cannons. The game is scheduled for Sunday, July 20 at downtown Buffalo's HSBC Arena. Gates will open at 6, and game time is 7:05. A limited number of tickets are still available and may be purchased by calling the Wings office at 716-08-WINGS or by visiting the HSBC Arena box office. Those unable to attend the game will be able to listen to a live audio broadcast either on WGR SportsRadio (AM 550) or at wgr550.com.
Buffalo, NY- If the preseason is any indication as to how the Buffalo Wings will fare in this upcoming season, things are looking good in the Queen City.
RBLB John Snider led the way with 64 yards and 2 touchdowns on 10 carries as the Wings demolished the San Jose Thunder by the score of 67-33 in front of a large home preseason crowd of 12,392 at HSBC Arena. The running game was in full force against the Thunder as Stanley Maloney and Marques Swift also recorded 1 rushing touchdown each. "Whatever works, we will utilize," stated head coach Michael Watts. "Sometimes that will be the running game, as it was tonight, and sometimes we'll have to get it done through the air."
That's not to say the passing game wasn't clicking, however. Wings quarterbacks combined for 223 yards passing, 4 touchdowns, and no interceptions. WR Alex Emmons had 6 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. DeFlorence Love, Rolando Oyola, and Benjamin Slynt all caught touchdown passes as well.
On the defensive side of the ball, DS Alphonso Elliott was able to pick off a Ramon Feufer pass, DS Ontrea Samson recovered a fumble forced by OLDL Jameson Miggs, and the Wings were able to sack Feufer a total of three times. Snider, who picked up one of those sacks, had this to say about his overall performance: "I really love to move the chains, so I can't complain when they decide to give me the ball as much as they did tonight. I have to give a lot of credit to the great blockers we have on this team, they open up so many holes that it's hard not to make a big play every time I'm running."
The Wings finished the exhibition season with a win in a scrimmage and two wins in preseason games, for an overall record of 3-0. Watts assured reporters that "we are not going to get caught up in our success so far. I just will not allow it. The regular season is a completely different animal from the preseason. I know it, and the players know it. Tomorrow it will be time to go back to work and we will all be aware that the past is in the past."
On Saturday, July 12, the Wings will head south to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to take on the Philadelphia Colonials in the team's first regular season game of the 2008 season. The game, scheduled for 7:05 at the Wachovia Spectrum, will be broadcast live both on NBC WGRZ-TV Channel 2 and on WGR SportsRadio AM 550.
Eugene, OR- Flying out west to Oregon, one could assume that the Buffalo Wings might suffer from a case of jet lag. The time difference proved not to be a problem however, as the Wings picked up a 44-27 win over the Eugene Knights.
The Wings defense held the Knights offense to a mere 3 touchdowns and 2 field goals. WRDBs Alex Emmons and Squeak Scolari each got an interception and WRLB Benjamin Slynt recovered a fumble forced by OLDL Norm Vanderbrockland. Scolari, who was recently signed to fill the roster spot of injured WRDB Tarvaris Holmes, returned his interception 36 yards for a touchdown.
"The defense was the key to victory tonight," noted head coach Michael Watts. "It makes things a whole lot easier for our offense when they get to take the field right after a defensive stop. Of course, we still have some things to shore up with respect to our defense, but (defensive coordinator) Ian (Thurman) and I are very happy with how the unit has performed so far."
As if his one interception wasn't enough, Emmons also racked up 90 yards and 1 touchdown on 7 catches as well as a kickoff return touchdown. "My teammates expect me to make big plays," said Emmons. "I just want to contribute to this team in any way possible, and tonight I was fortunate to come up with some big plays all around. It's hard not to play well when you know your teammates have your back and are supporting you 110 percent."
The Wings offense had trouble getting started against the talented Knights defense. Wings running backs combined for only 17 yards on 8 carries. QB Gordon Elmore and QB Spencer Morrow both threw one interception. Luckily for Buffalo, the kicking game stepped up, as the Wings two kickers finished a respectable 3 of 4 on field goals. Backup K Scorpio Cienfuegos drilled an impressive 59 yard field goal early in the 4th quarter that took the life out of the Eugene crowd and swung the momentum over to the Wings.
Buffalo returns home to take on the San Jose Thunder in the team's second and final preseason game. The game, scheduled for Sunday, June 29 at 7:05 at HSBC Arena in downtown Buffalo, will be the Wings first home game in franchise history. The first 5,000 fans through the gates will receive a Wings t-shirt.
Hamilton, ON- The Buffalo Wings completely dominated the rival Toronto Assault in a scrimmage Saturday night. But you couldn't tell it from the mood in the Wings locker room after the game.
QB Spencer Morrow led the team with 140 yards and 3 touchdowns on 11 for 18 passing as the Wings scored a decisive 49-28 victory over Toronto in a neutral site scrimmage held in Hamilton, Ontario. However, the big story of the night was the injury suffered by WR/DB Tarvaris Holmes. The rookie badly tore his ACL and will most likely miss the rest of the season. Before the injury occurred, Holmes already had 3 catches for 17 yards and 1 touchdown.
"We obviously aren't very happy about the injury to Tarvaris, but this is the nature of the game of football," said head coach Michael Watts. "It's especially tough considering he is a rookie, and we know he was very anxious to get his OIF2 career off to a great start. Knowing Tarvaris, he's going to work extra hard to get back out on the field as soon as possible, within reason."
The injury dampened the mood to what was otherwise a stellar performance from the Wings. Six different receivers scored, led by OS DeFlorence Love who racked up 82 yards and 2 touchdowns on 4 receptions. Backup QBs Gordon Elmore and J.J. Samley combined for 4 passing TDs, and DSs Alphonso Elliott and Ivan Wynne each recorded 1 interception.
"I'm very unhappy about the fact that I'm probably going to be out for the year," said WR/DB Tarvaris Holmes. "Even though I know this game was only a scrimmage, it was still important to what we are trying to accomplish for the year, so I'm not angry about that. I believe everything happens for a reason, so I'm going to rely on God and work very hard to get back to playing shape."
Holmes was expected to be a starter for Buffalo this season. "This is why we have depth. When one of our starters sustains a big injury, we don't want to have to sit here and feel bad about ourselves. I am confident that someone will step up and will do a great job in Tarvaris's place," said OL/DL Jameson Miggs.
The Wings will soon head out west to Eugene, Oregon for their first preseason game against the Eugene Knights. When asked about the game, Watts noted: "Out in Eugene, we just want to keep doing what we did against Toronto. If we continue to avoid penalties and keep turnovers to a minimum, good things will continue to happen. Right now the goal is to get everyone on the same page leading up to the regular season, and hopefully we will pick up victories along the way."
Buffalo, NY- The Buffalo Wings will be holding an open house at HSBC Arena for all fans on Friday, May 23rd. Admission is free; doors will open at 6 pm and the event will last until 11 pm. Fans are encouraged to scout out their seats for the upcoming season, and season tickets will be available for purchase. Also, many Wings players will be out on the Wings brand new turf signing autographs and taking pictures with fans. The official DJ of the team will play music during the event and there will be various performances by the Hot Wing Dancers throughout the evening. There will be door prizes for fans, and there will be various games and activities for children. Mascot Bobby Buffalo will also be in attendance. At approximately 10 pm, fans will be asked to head into the stands to watch as the Wings begin their 2008 training camp.
"An open house is a great way to connect with fans," owner Adam Tupitza said. "This is our way of introducing the 2008 Buffalo Wings team to the community. We want to get the word out to fans about the upcoming season and let them know how exciting of a year we expect it to be. Our hope is that the open house will be both informative and exciting for all of our fans."
The Wings also announced a special ticket offer for all those who purchase season tickets. The team has partnered with the Buffalo Bills of the NFL to present a special incentive to all Wings season ticket holders. If the Wings fail to make the playoffs the season, all season ticket holders will receive a voucher that will be good for $20 off of Buffalo Bills season tickets.
"Obviously, anything less than making the playoffs is unacceptable in my book," said GM Jason Graham. "We have partnered with the Bills to offer a reward to those who have made the financial dedication of buying season tickets to our games. Should the unthinkable happen and the Wings fail to make the playoffs, all season ticket-holding fans will get a discount off of Bills season tickets. We want all of our fans to have the opportunity to watch good football."
Finally, the Wings announced that they will play a scrimmage against the Toronto Assault. Details of the scrimmage will be available on the Wings website as they become available.
Buffalo, NY- Things have been moving quickly in the past two weeks for the Buffalo Wings. Since the team was officially announced to the public just 15 days ago, the organization has been hard at work getting ready for the team's first season. Owner Adam Tupitza noted that "it's been a whirlwind for us so far but we are definitely excited about getting ready for the upcoming season. We still have lots of work to do to make this team the best it can be."
The team unveiled a logo, color scheme, uniforms, and helmet design. The team's colors will be orange, purple, gray, and white. The team's helmet is orange and includes the team's logo, which is a purple standing buffalo with an extended orange wing. "The logo is sharp as well as simple, and we like the fact that the combination of orange and purple will make it distinctive," said Tupitza. On its website, the team unveiled two uniforms for home games as well as a uniform reserved for away games.
The Wings organization also announced the completion of their front office staff. Highlighting the staff is general manager Jason Graham. "I am proud to stand here today as the general manager of Buffalo's new indoor football team. We know you fans have been waiting for the return of indoor football and I as well as everybody else on the Wings are ready to make this city and the fans proud," said Graham.
The Wings 2008 schedule has been released. Highlights on the schedule include a home and home series with the Toronto Assault and a trip out to Texas to take on the Round Rock Raiders. "We are very pleased with the schedule," Tupitza said. "We won't be away from home more than two weeks in a row, which helps keep the fans involved with everything that's going on with the team." The Wings play a 10 game schedule, with 5 games at HSBC Arena. The team opens the season with a road game against the Philadelphia Colonials.
Another announcement from the Wings concerns the fan entertainment that will be present at the home games. The Wings announced that the team's official mascot will be Bobby Buffalo. The dance team will be known as the Hot Wing Dancers. Director of Game Day Operations Othello Carney stated "In indoor football, there is much more than just football at a game. We recognize that not everyone is going to be a diehard football fan. The mascot and the dance team are things that provide atmosphere and help to keep everyone excited."
Last but not least, the OIF2 player draft has started and the Wings have already selected seven players. The team chose QB Gordon Elmore with the seventh overall pick in the draft. "We felt Gordon was the best quarterback available in the entire draft, and we had no choice but to select him when he fell to us at pick number seven," said GM Jason Graham. Other players selected by the Wings were University at Buffalo graduate OL/DL Jameson Miggs, WR/LB Benjamin Slynt, RB/LB Matt Golsen, DS Alphonso Elliott, RB/DB Stanley Maloney, and OL/DL Olen Hindman. Graham also addressed the concern of the fans that the team had not yet locked up any loaned OIFL players. "I want to assure the fans that they need not be worried about our OIFL loan situation. We do not yet have any confirmed loans but we have been in talks with various OIFL teams about possible players. We really want to explore all of our options, and we don't want to get ahead of ourselves and end up with a player we don't want."
The Wings look forward to finishing out the OIF2 Draft. We encourage fans to check the website periodically as we plan to release new information about the rest of the Wings draft, tickets, and loaned players from the OIFL.
Buffalo, NY- At a press conference held at HSBC Arena earlier today, the OIF2 announced that an expansion team will be placed in Buffalo for the 2008 season. The team will play all of its home games at HSBC Arena. The team will be owned by Adam Tupitza, and will be known as the Buffalo Wings. The team's head coach is Michael Watts, an indoor football coaching veteran. The 10-team OIF2 is the official developmental league for the Online Indoor Football League (OIFL). Buffalo has been the home of numerous OIFL and OIF2 teams in the past.
"I can't tell you how excited I am to announce that indoor football is back in Buffalo," Tupitza said at the press conference. "I am hoping this will be a great thing for Buffalo and the surrounding areas, and we will really focus on getting involved throughout the community in numerous ways. We will strive to put an exciting team out on the field, with the ultimate goal of bringing home an OIF2 championship." Tupitza has experience in team ownership as he was the owner of the Erie (Pa.) Argonauts last year in the now defunct IIFL.
OIF2 commissioner Robert Cole was present at the press conference and was excited to welcome the Wings to the league. "It's great to welcome a team back to Buffalo, and Mr. Tupitza is an owner that has the determination and financial willingness to do whatever it takes to get a championship for his team. The Buffalo market will fit in well with the rest of the teams in the Eastern Division of the league. We expect some rivalries to be formed with the clubs in Toronto and Cleveland."
The team is currently focusing on hiring front office staff and on the upcoming OIF2 player draft. In addition, the team will soon release information about their logo, uniforms, mascot, and dance team. Keep checking the Wings website as new details will be posted as soon as they are available.