Featured | DFW Football

Allen Wranglers To Face Off Against Raptors

May 16, 2012 By Todd E. Jones Leave a Comment

Allen, TX: The Allen Wranglers are coming off of a big win against the New Mexico Stars, 73-9, on May 5th. After a bye-week they are ready to face off against the Everett Raptors at the Allen Event Center in Allen, Texas this Saturday, May 19th. The last time the two teams meet March 3rd, the Wranglers beat the Raptors (48-27).

Casey Printers ~ Photo by Brad McClendon of BHM Images

The Wranglers hold a tight second place spot in the Intense Conference Standings at 6-3 with the Colorado Ice in a close third with 6-4. The Raptors are in fourth in the standings at 3-7. The Raptors enter the game this week averaging 50.2 points, 261.3 yards and 210.1 passing yards per game. Raptors WR Mike Tatum leads the league in All Purpose yards with 1,213 as well as leads the league in return yards with 838, adding in 5 return touchdowns. Raptors quarterback Shane Austin is first in the Intense Conference in yards per game averaging 251.

The Wranglers average 52 points per game with 238.4 total yards and 176.7 passing yards. Their defense has held strong, averaging only 36.7 points per game. Wranglers QB Casey Printers is one of the highest rated quarterbacks in the Intense Conference this year, having not thrown an interception. Printers carries a completion rate greater than 60% for the 2012 season into the game. Wranglers RB Darius Fudge is second in the league rushes with 116 and sits tied for sixth with 371 total yards averaging 41 yards per game, scoring 13 touchdowns. Having played in six games so far this season, Terrell Owens has 27 receptions for 357 total yards, averaging 13.2 yards per reception and scoring 10 touchdowns.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:05 pm (CST) on Saturday, May 19th. Wranglers fans unable to attend the game can watch live by clicking the “Watch Game Live” button on the Wranglers website or on Time Warner Sports Cable.

The Wranglers next game is Saturday, May 26th at 7:05 pm in the Allen Event Center against the Wichita Wild. Tickets are available by calling the Allen Wranglers Front Office at 972-912-3131.

Casey Printers on the dfwfootball Radio Show

Casey Printers joined us on the dfwfootball radio show Tuesday night, May 15, 2012. Check out the interview. Casey joins us about an hour into the show.

Filed Under: Allen Wranglers, Lead Story Tagged With: Allen Wranglers, arena football, Casey Printers, Darius Fudge, IFL, Terrell Owens

All dfwfootball Semi Pro Football Team

May 15, 2012 By Todd E. Jones 4 Comments

Could Alex Martinez be a member of the first team? Photo by Sarah Sweny-Smith

In the Fall of 2011, we resurrected the All DFW College Football Team by selecting players from the three local colleges. Now, in the Spring of 2012, dfwfootball.net is going to bring fans the first ever All dfwfootball Semi-Pro Football Team.

This is something the staff at dfwfootball has wanted to do to honor the local semi-pro players.

There will be offense, defense and a special teams representatives on the team. In all, we anticipate about 25 players being selected.

Think about that.

We are going to honor 25 of the area’s top semi-pro football players!

We want all the leagues to be represented if possible. We are looking for nominations from the Texas United Football League, the Minor Professional Football League, the American Eightman Football League and the Dallas Defenders of the National Public Safety Football League or any other outdoor team or league that is in the Dallas Fort Worth area.

Nominations must be made by a coach, team owner or staff member or a league official. Along with your nomination, include important statistics as well as height, weight, as well as any pictures you might have of the player.

At the moment, we are in the works to get a sponsor for the team and hope to have some tangible prizes for each player.

Nominations will close on June 2, 2012 and the team will be announced on June 25, 2012. Please get nominations in as soon as possible!

Send your nominations and info to our email address: info<at>dfwfootball.net.

Filed Under: AEFL, Lead Story, MPFL, Semi Pro, TUFL Tagged With: AEFL, All dfwfootball Semi-Pro Football Team, Dallas Defenders, MPFL, semi pro football, TUFL

The 2012 DFW Avengers Cheerleaders

May 14, 2012 By Todd E. Jones 2 Comments

Under the direction of Eboni Gray, the Avengers Cheerleaders have been a staple in the Texas United Football League and across the Semi -Pro football. The Avengers have been a part of the organization for several years and always recruit some of the top young women in the area who are aspiring dancers.

2010 Avengers Cheerleader Ira Stewart went on to become a member of the prestigious Dallas Cowboys Rhythm & Blues Dance Team, showing the kind of development the Gray has started.

Who will be the next Avengers Cheerleader to move on?

The 2012 AVENGERS CHEERLEADERS!

Sarah Alvery
Leslie Ashton
Kierra Barrett
Kaytie Bass
Kesha Carter
Marisol Fernandez
Eboni Gray
Gabriela Ivonne
Karina Martinez
Whitney Moore
Shelby Morris

Filed Under: Cheerleaders, Fort Worth Avengers, Lady Avengers, Lead Story Tagged With: cheerleaders, DFW Avengers, DFW Avengers Cheerleaders

TUFL Playoffs are set and DFW teams are plenty

May 13, 2012 By Todd E. Jones Leave a Comment

The TUFL playoffs are set, and the chance that a team from the North Texas area, or the DFW area even, will win this year’s TUFL Championship is really good.

Eight of the leagues sixteen teams are teams with North Texas ties, and two play each other in the first round. The North Texas Longhorns will be the number one seed with a 10-0 record. Unfortunately, for the league and the Longhorns, four of their ten wins were via forfeit. That does not help a team preparing for a playoff run, but the Longhorns should still be the favorite.

The Longhorn wins were all lopsided. In six played games, the Longhorns have scored 300 points for an average 50 points per game while giving up a total of 24 points, or 4 points per game.

The DFW Xpress will take the number three seed into the TUFL playoffs. The Xpress have had a resurgence and a renewed passion for winning a title. Their only loss was to the DFW Avengers who will take the number seven seed.

Other notable DFW area teams in the playoffs are the Plano Pitbulls (12th seed) and the Parker County Bullets (13th seed).

Other North Texas teams in the playoff are the Lightning (6th seed), Falcons (4th seed), Denton County Rhinos (10th seed) and Lonestar Venom (15th seed).

TUFL Playoffs

North Texas Longhorns (10-0) vs. Central Texas Vipers (3-7)

Texarkana Warriors (9-1) vs. Lonestar Venom (4-6)

DFW Xpress (9-1) vs. East Texas Outlaws (5-5)

North Texas Falcons (9-1) vs Parker County Bullets (5-5)

Port City Jaguars (8-2) vs. Plano Pitbulls (6-4)

North Texas Lightning (8-2) vs. Arkansas Hawks (6-4)

DFW Avengers (8-2) vs. Denton County Rhinos (7-3)

Vernon Texans (7-3) vs Mexia Trojans (7-3)

May 12 Results

DFW Xpress 34
Mexia Trojans 21

Plano Pitbulls 54
Lonestar Venom 0

Cedar Hill Stallions 2
Lonestar Soldiers 0

Filed Under: DFW Xpress, Fort Worth Avengers, Lead Story, North Texas Longhorns, TUFL Tagged With: DFW, playoffs, TUFL

DFW Texans look to remain unbeaten against Bayou City Gators

May 11, 2012 By Todd E. Jones Leave a Comment

pass from James Mitchell to Anthony Sainecilaire

Anthony Saineclaire catches a pass from James Mitchell ~ DFW Texans

The DFW TEXANS (2-0) are in first place in the South Division of the National Indoor Football Association. The team returns to Lone Star Field at Nytex Sport Center on Saturday, May 12th to face the BAYOU CITY GATORS.

Tickets are still available for purchase online at www.dfwtexans.com. Follow the DFW Texans on Facebook (facebook.com/dfwtexans) and Twitter (@dfwtexas) for all the latest news and updates.

Filed Under: DFW Texans, Lead Story Tagged With: arena football, DFW Texans, NIFA

Wranglers Cheer on their Cheerleader

May 8, 2012 By Todd E. Jones Leave a Comment

Allen Wranglers Cheerleaders perform ~ Photo by Brad McClenden of BHM Images

Allen, TX: The Allen Wranglers announced today that one of their own, Allen Wranglers’ Cheerleader Laura, has made it through to the finals for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Laura is an Austin, Texas native and attended Texas Tech University. “It has always been a dream of mine to cheer for the Cowboys,” said Laura.

“We are so proud of Laura and hate to see her go, but this is a chance of a lifetime.” AWC Coach Tatum McCann said. “We wish her the best of luck!”

Appearance set for Saturday during Bye Week

You have a chance to see the Allen Wranglers Cheerleaders and players this weekend, Saturday May 12, 2012, at the Harley Davidson of Dallas in Allen, Texas.

The 2012 Ms. Harley Davidson of Dallas Bikini contest kicks off at 10:30 am with Autograph signings by both Wranglers Cheerleaders and Players.

Free food, live music by the Dalton Gang, a free Bikini Bike Wash and a radio appearance by Cindy Scull from 97.1 KEGL “The Eagle” are just some of the events planned.

Filed Under: Allen Wranglers, Allen Wranglers Cheerleaders, Lead Story Tagged With: Allen Wranglers, cheerleaders

Allen Wranglers dominate the New Mexico Stars 73-9

May 6, 2012 By Todd E. Jones Leave a Comment

Terrell Owens hauls in a TD ~ Photo by BHM Images

Sonny Clark’s voice has to be hoarse. With 73 points, the voice of the Wranglers on the Couch Potato Sports Show found himself hollering “Touchdowwwn Allen Wranglerrrrrrrrs!” many times over.

New Mexico may have the name Stars, but it was the Wranglers defense who were the stars. In a game, arena football, that usually sees basketball type scores, the Wranglers defense held the New Mexico Stars to 9 points.

The Wranglers defense held the Stars offense to 2.5 yards per play, had 2 interceptions, 7 sacks and held the Stars to 26% on third down. The Stars went for it on 6 fourth downs converting only one.

Offensively, once again, Maurice Avery showed why he is one of the best in the Indoor Football League going on a stretch of three straight touchdowns, 12, 3 and 14 yards, in the first half from QB Casey Printers. Avery would finish the night with 6 receptions for 61 yards, 3 touchdown catches, 1-for-1 passing for 40 yards and a touchdown. Avery is one of the most versatile players in the league.

Allen Wranglers Cheerleaders perform ~ Photo by BHM Images

A David Pino field goal at the end of the first half, along with a Darius Fudge rushing touchdown at the start set the halftime score at 31-0, and this game was never in doubt.

The Wranglers even got a touchdown on special teams when Ramonce Taylor answered the lone Stars touchdown by returning the kickoff 55 yards for a touchdown. Pino was perfect on extra points to go with his field goal.

Terrell Owens lead all receivers catching 6 passes for 76 yards and one touchdown while Luke McArdle caught 2 passes for 64 yards and 2 touchdowns. Taylor added a touchdown catch for 17 yards.

The Wranglers will have a bye this coming week, but will return to action with two straight home games on May 19th and 26th.

The win leaves the Wranglers 6-3 on the year and still in the hunt for the playoffs.

Check out the gallery below. Pictures by BHM Images.

: Maurice Avery

: Allen Wranglers Cheerleaders perform ~ Photo by BHM Images

: Luke McArdie

: Terrell Owens

: Maurice Avery and Darius Fudge celebrate

: Terrell Owens

: Terrell Owens hauls in a TD ~ Photo by BHM Images

: Allen Wranglers Cheerleaders

: Maurice Avery

: Allen Wranglers Cheerleaders

Filed Under: Allen Wranglers, Lead Story Tagged With: Allen Wranglers, arena football, IFL, Maurice Avery, Terrell Owens

Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft ranks a Solid B

May 5, 2012 By Todd E. Jones Leave a Comment

By Roger Corralez, Chief Cowboys Blogger for dfwfootball

Roger Corralez

Morris Claiborne….wow! If you read my article before the draft then you know that I made no mention of Mr.Claiborne. I think it surprised everyone when the opportunity to move up and get Mo came to fruition.

Probably the Cowboys most glaring need was DB, and it has been addressed.

For those who don’t know, Claiborne was this past year’s SEC defensive player of the year. Think about that for a second. In the toughest conference, with the best defenses, and several great defensive stars, Mo was voted the best.

Morris Claiborne….wow!

Quite an achievement for a guy who scored very poorly on his wonderlic test. I personally think he will be fine despite this low score.

The only adjustment he’ll have to make is for the game being slightly faster and at times, more complex plays being run. I think he can manage. We’ll certainly find out. And I definitely don’t blame Jerry and friends from taking the shot. They did the right thing.

As for the rest of the picks, who knows, but I have my one sleeper whom I think fans should keep an eye on. If not now, certainly in the next few years – James Hannah. Anyone who can play at a big time school like Oklahoma is definitely no slouch.

2012 NFL Draft

Add to this the wonderful combine he had and I think it’s a potential recipe for success. Now make no mistake, I’m not a combine loyalist who thinks it is the be-all end-all of evaluating a player. Just like i don’t see the wonderlic as a perfect barometer.

But, in Hannah, you have a tight end who, already standing at 6-4, had the best vertical jump among tight ends. He also had the fastest 40 time. Now, if this guy can run good routes and hang onto the ball, we could have our next long term tight end in the fold.

Now I like John Phillips and think he is a very capable backup to Jason Witten, but another tight end can’t hurt. Especially one with this much potential upside.

The other picks were Tyrone Crawford, Kyle Wilber, Matt Johnson, Danny Coale, and Caleb McSurdy. The ‘Boys definitely went defense this time around and I for one think that was a good idea. The only pick i think they passed up that I would have liked to see here was Michigan center David Molk.

Strongest player in the draft? Are you kidding me? Who wouldn’t want that? Especially when we lack strength at the center position.

In all, I give this draft a solid B. Let’s hope these young men can influence Cowboy Land for the better in the near future. Good luck draft picks.

And, how ‘bout them Cowboys!

Filed Under: Cowboys, Lead Story, Roger Corralez Tagged With: 2012 NFL Draft, Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys get new schedule and new players

May 2, 2012 By Todd E. Jones Leave a Comment

By Daniel Durany

Daniel Durany

Schedule

The Cowboys start the 2012 season on the road against the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. Ironies for both teams play their season opener on a Wednesday. Last time an NFL game occurred on a Wednesday, September 22, 1948 when Los Angeles Rams defeated Detroit Lions 44-7.

However their home opener occurs September 23 against Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Then Week 4 comes, the Cowboys’ only Monday night appearance is against the Chicago Bears on October 1st. Week 5 is their bye week just like last year’s schedule.

After the bye week, the Cowboys brutal schedule on the road with four out of the next five games away from Cowboys Stadium during parts of October and November. Cowboys play road games against Baltimore (October 14th) and Carolina (October 21st). First two games for month of November: NBC Sunday Night matchup against Atlanta Falcons (November 4th) and division-rival Philadelphia (November 11th). Sprinkled into those road games is lone home game against the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants (October 28th).

Starting Week 11, Cowboys play five out of their next six games at home. This includes three consecutive games at Cowboys Stadium with two of them against division rivals (Thanksgiving Day vs. Washington Redskins and December 2nd vs. Philadelphia Eagles on NBC Sunday Night). Only road game sprinkled in this stretch against Cincinnati Bengals on December 9th. Home games against Pittsburgh Steelers (December 16th) and New Orleans Saints (December 23rd) finishing off the stretch. Regular season finale matches up with division-rival Washington Redskins on the road for December 30th.

Draft

Cowboys selected defensive players in their first four overall picks. This includes trading their 14th and 45th overall pick to St. Louis Rams for 6th overall pick to acquire Morris Claiborne from LSU. Many scouts considered him the best defensive player throughout the draft. Claiborne won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back with six interceptions in 2011. By trading their 45th overall, the Cowboys without 2nd round pick.

However in the 3rd Round, they selected Defensive End Tyrone Crawford from Boise State who registered 13.5 sacks during his last two seasons. Cowboys used their 4th round picks both on defense with Kyle Wilber from Wake Forest and Matt Johnson from Eastern Washington. Johnson had 17 interceptions during his collegiate career. Wilber played DE and OLB during his time at Wake Forest and should provide flexibility for the Cowboys defense.

Their first offensive player selection came in the 5th round drafting Danny Coale. Coale’s flourished in his senior season with 60 receptions and over 900 yards receiving. For 6th round, Cowboys selected Flower Mound native James Hanna from University of Oklahoma. Hanna’s had 45 receptions with nine of them for touchdowns in his last two seasons at OU. In their 7th round pick, Cowboys selected Caleb McSurdy from Montana. McSurdy awarded Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year with over 130 tackles last year.

2012 Schedule

9/5/12 @ New York Giants (NBC WEDNESDAY NIGHT)
9/16/12 @Seattle Seahawks
9/23/12 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (HOME OPENER)
10/1/12 vs. Chicago Bears (ESPN MONDAY NIGHT)
Bye Week (Week 5)
10/14/12 @ Baltimore Ravens
10/21/12 @ Carolina Panthers
10/28/12 vs. New York Giants
11/4/12 @ Atlanta Falcons (NBC SUNDAY NIGHT)
11/11/12 @ Philadelphia Eagles
11/18/12 vs. Cleveland Browns
11/22/12 vs. Washington Redskins (THANKSGIVING DAY)
12/2/12 vs. Philadelphia Eagles (NBC SUNDAY NIGHT)
12/9/12 @ Cincinnati Bengals
12/16/12 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
12/23/12 vs. New Orleans Saints
12/30/12 @ Washington Redskins

2012 Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft Picks

1st Round-6th Pick Overall Morris Claiborne LSU
3rd Round-81st Pick Overall Tyrone Crawford Boise State
4th Round- 113th Pick Overall Kyle Wilber Wake Forest
4th Round-135th Pick Overall Matt Johnson Eastern Washington
5th Round-152nd Pick Overall Danny Coale Virginia Tech
6th Round- 186th Pick Overall James Hanna Oklahoma
7th Round- 222nd Pick Overall Caleb McSurdy Montana

Cowboys Off-Season Moves and Additions

Additions:

CB Brandon Carr (5-Years, 50.1 Million, with 26.5 million guaranteed)
QB Kyle Orton (3-year deal)
G Nate Livings (5 years, 18.75 million including 3.5 million signing bonus)
FB Lawrence Vickers (2-year deal)
S Brodney Pool (1-year deal)
LB Dan Connor (2 years, 6.75 million including 2.7 million signing bonus)
G Mackenzy Bernadeau (4 years, 11 million)

Elsewhere:

LB Brady James (Free Agency-Acquired by Houston Texans)
TE Martellus Bennett (Free Agency-Giants: 1-year deal)
WR Laurent Robinson (Free Agency-Jaguars: 5 years, 32.5 million)
FB Tony Fiammetta (Released) (Acquired by New England Patriots)
G Kyle Kosier (released)
QB John Kitna (retired)
CB Terence Newman (released) (Acquired by Cincinnati Bengals)
K David Buehler (released)

Filed Under: Cowboys, Daniel Durany, Lead Story Tagged With: 2012 NFL Draft, 2012 Schedule, Dallas Cowboys

Allen Wranglers Move in a New Direction

May 1, 2012 By Todd E. Jones Leave a Comment

Allen Wranglers

Parting ways with Pimmel, and making plans for the future

ALLEN, TX: Following the teams second consecutive loss this weekend, making the team 5-3, as a mutual agreement both the team and Head Coach Pat Pimmell have decided to go in different directions. The team wishes Coach Pimmell the best success for his future.

The team ownership has already begun the process of identifying replacement candidates for this position. “We are determined to find a coach that will be as a remarkable as our fans deserve”, stated team President Tommy Benizio. Though the team realizes the urgency to do so, we recognize that accomplishing our goal of tremendous success can take time.

Without a Head Coach going into this weekends game against New Mexico, the team has confidently asked defensive coordinator, Quinn Cairo and Offensive Coordinator, Dixie Wooten to lead this team together. Both Cairo and Wooten understand the great demand and are more than willing to step up to the plate.

Coach Cairo began his coaching career with the Amarillo Dusters in 2004; he served as a defensive assistant, secondary coach and defensive coordinator in his seasons with the Dusters. He spent the 2009 season as the defensive coordinator for the Corpus Christi Sharks (AF2) before returning to Amarillo for the 2010 season with the Amarillo Venom. Cairo played college football at the University of Wisconsin. Cairo was a member of the 1997 Minnesota Vikings before playing with the Toronto Argonauts (CFL) and the Grand Rapids Rampage (AFL).

Darius Fudge is the IFL's leading rusher for the Wranglers -- BHM Images

Coach Wooten a Houston Texas native earned his Associate degree at Cisco Jr College. In 2011,he joined the Southeast Prep season as the wide reciever coach. Wooten is no stranger to the indoor football game, as he has spent several years as quaterback for teams in the former Intense Football League and the present Indoor Football League. Most recently Coach Wooten spent time with the Nebraska Danger, and in 2009 and 2010 he was the quarter back for the Wichita Wild where he earned Player of the Week honors, and the Adam Pringle Award.

Team Owner Jon Frankel said, “We are pleased to have such great leaders on our coaching staff, that we know we can depend on in a time like this, and are confident they will be what we need during our search for a replacement.”

Be sure to join the Allen Wranglers for the game this Saturday, May 5 at the Allen Event Center, where the Wranglers will host the New Mexico Stars. To come support and cheer on the Wranglers to a big win, call our office for tickets at 972-912-3131.

Filed Under: Allen Wranglers, Lead Story Tagged With: Allen Wranglers, arena football, IFL