Posted 11:03 pm Friday, March 12, 2010
A Different Kind Of Football Hits East Texas
By CHRIS PARRY
Staff Writer
There will be football this Sunday in Tyler, but it might not be the kind East Texans are accustomed to.
Staff Writer
There will be football this Sunday in Tyler, but it might not be the kind East Texans are accustomed to.
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Only eight players on each side of the ball, a 50-yard field, no out of bounds, no punting, no corner blitzes and very few rushing plays.
Only eight players on each side of the ball, a 50-yard field, no out of bounds, no punting, no corner blitzes and very few rushing plays.
And a lot of scoring.
The East Texas Drillers open their inaugural season in the Independent Indoor Football Alliance at 3 p.m. against the defending IIFL champion North Texas Crunch. All of the Drillers home games will be played at the Oil Palace.
The East Texas Drillers open their inaugural season in the Independent Indoor Football Alliance at 3 p.m. against the defending IIFL champion North Texas Crunch. All of the Drillers home games will be played at the Oil Palace.
Roger Viser, owner and head coach of the Drillers, said fans are in for nonstop action and excitement.
"Don't look at eight-man football the way you look at eleven-man football because everything is basically halved compared to an eleven-man mentality," said Viser, who has installed new turf and other comforts for the Oil Palace to get the venue ready for his team.
"(Offensive and defensive) schemes change, blocking changes; scoring is high and there are a lot of good hits. It's basically geared for offense."
Viser said the average point total for a single team in an arena game is 50 -- with many games surpassing that.
Some other things to remember:
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A padded wall surrounds the field, which is in play.
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A padded wall surrounds the field, which is in play.
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Only three linemen are allowed on each side of the ball. One player is allowed to blitz per play and they must line up at least 5 yards away from the ball at the snap. Before the ball is snapped, that blitzing player must hold his hand up to show that he is "eligible" to blitz on that play. Up to three players can be in motion at the same time during a snap.
Only three linemen are allowed on each side of the ball. One player is allowed to blitz per play and they must line up at least 5 yards away from the ball at the snap. Before the ball is snapped, that blitzing player must hold his hand up to show that he is "eligible" to blitz on that play. Up to three players can be in motion at the same time during a snap.
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Each team is given four downs in a possession to advance the ball 10 yards for a first down or a score.
Each team is given four downs in a possession to advance the ball 10 yards for a first down or a score.
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The usual point totals apply to arena, except teams can earn four points with a successful drop kick through the goal posts. Teams cannot fake a field goal or extra point.
The usual point totals apply to arena, except teams can earn four points with a successful drop kick through the goal posts. Teams cannot fake a field goal or extra point.
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On kickoffs, one point is awarded to the kicking team if the returner doesn't advance out of the end zone before being tackled.
On kickoffs, one point is awarded to the kicking team if the returner doesn't advance out of the end zone before being tackled.
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Games are 60 minutes broken into four 15-minute quarters. The clock only stops on change of possession and in the final minute of each half.
Games are 60 minutes broken into four 15-minute quarters. The clock only stops on change of possession and in the final minute of each half.
The IIFA is entering its fifth year and is comprised of the North Texas Crunch (Southlake), Oklahoma Titans (Ardmore, Okla.), Southlake Pirates, Texas Krush (The Colony), Texas Wranglers (Allen), Arlington Aviators, Missouri City Blitz and the Drillers.
Games are held every Sunday with the playoffs beginning July 3. The best two teams then meet July 10 in Alliance Bowl III at a place still to be determined.
Notes:
Tickets are $18 for general admission and $13 for students or those with a military ID. Ages 6 to 12 cost $7 and six-and-under get in free. Tickets can be purchased through the Oil Palace at oilpalace.com or at the gate.
Tickets are $18 for general admission and $13 for students or those with a military ID. Ages 6 to 12 cost $7 and six-and-under get in free. Tickets can be purchased through the Oil Palace at oilpalace.com or at the gate.
