The Kent Predators players are ready for some football.
Receiver Blaine McConnell, one of two dozen or so players who attended the Predators kickoff press conference Friday at the ShoWare Center, can’t wait to get out on the field to play in the professional Indoor Football League.
“We’re ready to go out there and make our mark in the league,” said McConnell. “We’re anxious for practice and everything to start. These press conferences are fun, but we’re all ready to get out and play some football.”
Training camp starts for 45 players Feb. 14 at Wilson Playfields on the East Hill. Coach William McCarthy will cut that number to 25 players over the next two weeks for the season opener Feb. 28 at the Billings (Mont.) Outlaws.
Players who make the team will receive $225 per game and a $25 bonus if the Predators win. The games will feature eight-on-eight football on a 50-yard field. There is no punting.
Kent makes its home debut March 12 against the Fairbanks Grizzlies at the ShoWare Center.
“This is most definitely an exciting time in my life,” said defensive back Kevin Jones. “I played high school football for Kentwood and I remember how the community and fans reached out to the players and were always very supportive. We’re playing this game not only for ourselves but for the community. I’m excited to be home.”
Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke, IFL commissioner Tommy Benizio and Predators co-owners Chris Kokalis and Ken Moninski were among the speakers at the press conference to drum up support for the expansion team.
“Ticket sales are going good,” Kokalis said in an interview after the media event. “We’re close to 500 season tickets. Our goal is 1,000.”
Nancy Skorupa, owner of Renaissance Yarns at Kent Station, came to the opening event and plans to attend all seven Predator home games.
“I’m all about the community and support the ShoWare,” Skorupa said. “I don’t know anything about football but I’m going to be learning.”
Kokalis told Cooke that she will flip the coin at the first home game to determine which team kicks off.
“I am thrilled,” Cooke said. “This is just great. Indoor football in Kent. As a community, we couldn’t be more proud that you selected this community and this center as your home. You will find that this community will take to the sport. The nuances of indoor football will be intriguing and delightful for folks to pursue.”
Benizio flew in from the league headquarters in Richmond Va., to help promote the Predators. He launched the Intense Football League with six teams in Texas in 2003. He expanded that league to 10 teams before it merged with the United Indoor Football league to form the 19-team Indoor Football League in 2009.
The league will feature 25 teams this year from Maryland to Alaska. Kent will play a 14-game schedule in the Pacific North Division that includes teams in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Billings and the Tri-Cities.
“There are pretty impressive looking young gentlemen here in the first couple of rows and I can’t wait to see them perform and for you guys to see that as well,” Benizio said as he eyed the Predator players. “This really is a great game that I can’t wait to unveil here not too far down the road.”
Benizio said he plans to spend a few extra days in the Pacific Northwest in an effort to find other cities in Washington for future IFL teams.
McCarthy, the coach who was an assistant coach last year with the El Paso Generals of the IFL before that team folded, said indoor football is an exciting game.
“A lot of people have heard about arena football, but actually when you get to see it, it’s a lot different,” McCarthy said. “It’s a fast-paced game. I’ve heard it compared to basketball and hockey and football and it’s kind of all those mixed together. You’ve got guys running full speed and running into a wall. Hopefully, we can pack the stands.”
For more information, go to www.kentpredators.com or www.goifl.com.
Who: Kent Predators, Indoor Football League
What: 25 teams
When: Feb. 28-June 19. 14-game schedule
Where: ShoWare Center, 7 home games
Rules: 8-on-8 players; field 50 yards long
Tickets: Tickets range from $42 to $14.50
Web site: www.kentpredators.com
Talk to us
Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.
To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.
