Bay Area Football Fans Get Ready. Arena Football is Back.  And it’s Only on KOFY, Only on Sundays!

San Francisco, Calif. - March 17, 2010 - KOFY TV20-Cable 13 is on hand to usher in a new era for avid football fans in the Bay Area. The Granite Broadcasting-owned television station today announced plans to air the region’s latest sports attraction the San Jose Wolves’ riveting home games on Sunday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. PT.

The San Jose Wolves are new members of the Western Conference of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA), a professional indoor football league that was formed in 2006. The Wolves, owned by Ryan Petersen and coached by Bennie King, will begin play this month, joining the 14-team AIFA league for its fourth season, which lasts through June. The San Jose Wolves are preparing for their season opener against the Alaska Arctic Predators on Saturday, March 20th at the Cow Palace, located in Daly City, California. The game will be broadcast on KOFY on Sunday, March 21st.

“The excitement that the San Jose Wolves have already generated locally makes the new football franchise attractive programming for KOFY TV's lineup,” stated KOFY TV 20/Cable 13’s President and General Manager, Craig Coane. “These games mark the return of indoor/arena football to the Bay Area and, as our first official sports offering, we look forward to capturing the thrill of Wolves action for our viewers.”

Baltimore, MD (March 17, 2010) - The American Indoor Football Association is pleased to announce the VidSwap.com AIFA Players of the Week for the second week of regular season play. Each week three AIFA players are selected for their outstanding performance on offense, defense and special teams. One hundred-twenty players competed for top honors this past weekend, all from the Eastern Conference.

Offensive Player of the Week: EJ Nemeth, QB #15, Baltimore Mariners
Nemeth and the entire Baltimore Mariners squad were impressive in their home opener as they routed the New Jersey Revolution 68-23. Nemeth recorded the best performance by completing 12-20 passes for 165 yards, 1 interception, and 5 touchdowns, including a 42 yard touchdown pass to Jamal Stokes late in the second quarter. Sunday’s win put the Mariners at the top of the East Conference standings with a perfect 2-0 record.

Defensive Player of the Week: Armar Watson, DB #5, Baltimore Mariners
Watson had an exceptional game against the New Jersey Revolution as he had 5 interceptions. The first interception came on New Jersey’s first possession with just 1:50 elapsed time in the first quarter – an interception that was returned for a 45 yard touchdown, putting the Mariners up 13-0, and setting the pace for a tough defensive attack from Baltimore. The Mariners host the Fayetteville Guard next Sunday. This will be the Guard’s first game of the season.

Special Teams Player of the Week: Scott Derrick, K #12, Harrisburg Stampede
The Harrisburg Stampede rode into Tullio Arena in Erie, PA with one goal in mind – knock off the team that beat the Reading Express, the defending AIFA Champions. They did just that.  Derrick posted an almost perfect performance by kicking 2-2 field goals (33 and 23 yards) and 5-6 PAT’s, contributing 11 points in the Stampede’s 41-34 victory over the Erie Storm. The Stampede (1-1) travel to Reading (1-1) next Sunday to take on the defending AIFA Champs.

The San Jose Wolves members of the American Indoor Football Association’s Western Conference are preparing for their Regular Season opener verse the Arctic Predators March 20th 2010 at the Cow Palace at 7pm. The Wolves are coming off an impressive debut as an organization with a 48 – 16 win over the Ogden Knights in a pre season matchup.” The game was a great success as an organization we were able to unveil our product to the bay area and I think fans were surprised at what they saw on the field and with the overall in game experience” said GM Bennie King. The Wolves come into the AIFA with high expectations on the field and off. The team will be the only indoor football team playing in the state of California this year.” We have a large responsibility to maintain the level of play that fans of this area our used to with indoor football we are more than capable of doing so” said King. The Wolves boast a roster of talent that King feels will allow the wolves to compete for a championship this year.” We have done a good job at getting guys in here who can flat out play we feel the pieces our here to win the AIFA Championship we just need to execute “said King. From King’s previous track record with championships in his last two previous stops (Lakeland Thunderbolts 2007, Florence Phantoms 2008) the mentality of winning is understandable. The Bay Area’s last Arena Football team was the San Jose Sabercats in the now defunct AFL. “We are looking forward to this Saturday and continuing off the success of our pre season game” said King.

March 21st Game to Feature Special Commemorative Decals, Giveaways, and More

BALTIMORE, MD (March 16, 2010) – When the Baltimore Mariners take the field against the Fayetteville Guard on Sunday, March 21st at 4:00 PM at 1st Mariner Arena, they will also be showing their support for Breast Cancer Awareness.  This special night will feature a commemorative decal worn by the Mariners, reduced pricing for women wearing pink to the game to show their support for breast cancer awareness, and a portion of the game’s proceeds will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The Mariners will wear pink ribbon decals, provided by Susan G. Komen for the Cure, on their helmets and the society will also provide a special giveaway. The Mariners will also offer $15 tickets (plus a $2 arena fee) for only $10 (plus fee) to any women wearing pink. These tickets may be purchased on game day at the Arena Box Office.

Also to help celebrate this special night, the Baltimore Nighthawks, who are members of the Independent Women’s Football League, will take part in a skills challenge against fans selected from the audience at halftime. For more information on the Nighthawks, visit http://www.mybaltimorenighthawks.com.

Mariners Run their Record to 2-0 with Record Performances

BALTIMORE, MD (March 14, 2010) – The Revolution made the trip from New Jersey for their American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) debut, but the Baltimore Mariners proved to be inhospitable to their guests as they pounded the Revos 68-23 behind a record-tying five interceptions by defensive back Armar Watson and five touchdown passes from quarterback E.J. Nemeth.

Just 1:25 into the game the Mariners jumped to a 7-0 lead with a 35-yard touchdown strike from Nemeth to wide receiver Scorpio Brown. Baltimore then grew their 1st quarter lead to 21-0 following a 45-yard interception for a score by Watson and a 12-yard touchdown run by running back Isaiah Grier. New Jersey kicker Craig Pinto nailed a 21-yard field goal to close the quarter with Baltimore leading 21-3.

The Mariners continued to pound the Revolution with a 30-point outburst in the second period. Nemeth tossed three more scoring passes hitting Brown, Jamaal Stokes, and Aaron Yarbough for touchdown receptions of 33, 42, and 7 yards respectively. Grier also added his second touchdown dash of the day, a 2-yarder, and kicker J.R. Cipra booted two unos (by splitting the uprights on kickoffs) to give the Mariners a franchise record 51 points in the first half. New Jersey could only muster a 32-yard touchdown pass from Jay Hawes to Zikoma Richards in the quarter and Baltimore held a resounding 51-10 lead at the half.

After Season Opening Win in Harrisburg, Baltimore Looks for Victory in Home Opener

BALTIMORE, MD (March 11, 2010) – When the Baltimore Mariners play their 2010 home opener this Sunday at 4:00 PM against the New Jersey Revolution at 1st Mariner Arena, they have two simple goals: show improvement and win. “I expect fewer mistakes on both sides of the ball, especially defensively. The goal is to come out, perform better than the previous week and secure our first win at home,” said Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson.

After earning the franchise’s first playoff berth in 2009, the Mariners entered the 2010 season with a stated goal of winning the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) championship. They completed the first step in reaching that objective by defeating the Harrisburg Stampede 55-48 in week one of AIFA play. The offense appeared to fire on all cylinders as Mariners quarterback E.J. Nemeth had his best game as a pro compiling a QB rating of 157.08 by connecting on 19 of 25 passes for 258 yards and four touchdown tosses; while throwing no interceptions. He also added two rushing touchdowns.  Nemeth spread his completions amongst five players and wide receiver Scorpio Brown led the way with three touchdown receptions.

Saturday March 6 2010, San Francisco CA:  Fans at the Cow Palace were wowed Saturday night as the San Jose Wolves dominated with a 48 – 16 win over the Ogden Knights in the Wolves inaugural preseason game. This game marks the return of indoor/arena football to the Bay Area and brings bay area fans hope that the Wolves domination continues into the season, something that they have sorely missed.

“Preseason games are unheard of at this level and we are happy to have been able to show bay area fans what they can expect this coming season, as an expansion franchise starting strong was important. We gave the fans a great show.” commented General Manager, Bennie King “We have built a team that can compete at the highest levels and are looking forward to a record season”

Ticketed attendance was significantly above expectations for a preseason game despite the fact that it was scheduled on the same day and time of a local NHL match. The Wolves next scheduled game is the Saturday March 20th Regular season opener against the Alaska Arctic Predators.

HARRISBURG – On Saturday, the well-established warriors from the Inner Harbor will make a drive approximately two hours North to take on one of their biggest rivals, the Harrisburg Stampede.  With the Baltimore Mariners bringing their high-powered offense to the Farm Show Arena, it is sure to be a grueling battle for Interstate 83 from the opening kickoff at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are still available and start as low as $10 for groups and can be purchased on game day starting at 2 pm at the box office of the Farm Show Arena.

Coach Ramon Robinson of the Stampede said, “Blood boils when you bring guys from this close to play against each other.  Some of these guys are former players, friends and teammates, but it won’t matter as soon as the teams suit up for this war in the trenches on Saturday.” 

Harrisburg looks to build around its defense, which was second in the league last year, with some new looks under center.  By adding key pieces to a solid team that was in most games last season, Harrisburg looks to push for one of the possible playoff spots as it kicks off its second season.

However, Baltimore comes into this game with a chip on their shoulder, as they dropped a close game at the ‘Show last season.  John Morris, owner of the Stampede, stated, “This game really shows off the interstate rivalry providing a great atmosphere for fans of all ages.  Baltimore always brings up their crazy fans, the Mariner Maniacs, and it really shows off how important this game is to both teams, let alone as the season opener for both teams.”

After Playoff Loss in 2009, Baltimore Mariners Seek Championship Win in 2010

BALTIMORE, MD (March 5, 2010) – The first playoff berth in franchise history, a 6-1 record at 1st Mariner Arena, and five players named to the All-Pro team. These were just a few of the highlights from the Baltimore Mariners’ successful 2009 season. On July 2, 2009 all those accomplishments came crashing down as the Mariners were stunned by a 50-20 loss to the Reading Express in the first round of the playoffs; a team they had beaten twice during the season. The playoff loss stung the organization and almost immediately the front office, coaching staff, and players began paving a path to the 2010 American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) championship game in Baltimore.  The first trip on that road to redemption is north up I-83, where the Mariners will take on a familiar foe, the Harrisburg Stampede.

When the Mariners take on Harrisburg at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex this Saturday March 6th at 7:30 PM, Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson hopes to build on the solid base the team built in training camp, “We want to win this game and establish ourselves on the road for the remainder of the season.  We always want to add building blocks to the foundation set during training camp. There will not be anything fancy from us. Just sound, fundamental football is what we want to see from this first game.”

The 2010 squad will have many familiar faces to Mariners fans, but General Manager and Director of Player Personnel Greg Justice had a busy off-season fortifying Baltimore’s offensive and defensive attacks. On the offensive side of the ball seven of eight starters are back with Quarterback E.J. Nemeth, All-Pro Running Back Isaiah Grier, the team’s top three wide-outs Scorpio Brown, Jamaal Stokes, and Aaron Yarbough, and two-thirds of the starting line in Gus Kosmakos and Jeff Tyler. Matt Folke is also back as the #2 QB and J.R. Cipra, the leading kicker in the AIFA in 2009 with 191 points, will be back for his seventh professional season.

The American Indoor Football Association has entered into an agreement with PALMGARD® International, Inc. to be an “Official Glove Supplier of the AIFA”. Under the agreement Palmgard® would produce a customized line of football gloves for the AIFA and its member teams. In addition the agreement gives Palmgard® the ability to test market potential new products in its glove line with AIFA players in a professional setting.   Palmgard® currently offers gloves for the following positions – wide receiver, runningback, linebacker, lineman as well as a line for coaches and its products are sold online at retailers like Sports Authority, Footlocker, Dicks Sporting Goods, Champs and Modell’s Sporting Goods.

AIFA players will also be used in an upcoming marketing campaign to showcase the Palmgard® product line through print, television and web presence. The “Palmgard Catch of the Game” will be a regular segment in the nationally televised “2010 AIFA Game of the Week”

John Morris, Co-Owner of the AIFA, is excited about the partnership with Palmgard® and the many opportunities it presents the AIFA. Morris noted that Palmgard® is recognized as a leader in the sports glove industry that supplies over 70 professional and collegiate football teams across the nation. With the addition of Palmgard the AIFA has added another proven equipment partner for its member teams.

PALMGARD® International, Inc. is a Maryland Corporation organized in 1988 by Mr. Charles H. Webster to manufacture, sell and distribute the PALMGARD® Glove line throughout the United States and foreign markets. Charles Webster knew it was essential that the materials used for his gloves provide performance, comfort, flexibility, and durability.  The new GRIP-TACK II™ palm material used in the receiver glove provides the highest level of performance and durability on the market.