Post by 50yardfan on Apr 11, 2011 23:02:24 GMT -5
Wolves Dominate in Home Opener - Looking to Fill Football Void
STOCKTON - Frank Martinez supported Pacific football and the Stockton Lightning.
Both teams have been gone for some time - Pacific discontinued its football program in 1995 and the Lightning ceased operations when arena-football2 folded after the 2009 season.
Martinez, a Stockton resident, was among a crowd of about 1,000 who watched the Stockton Wolves indoor football team beat the Las Vegas Cobras 69-24 in their debut on Friday at Stockton Arena.
"I just like football. I missed it when (Pacific) dumped it," said Martinez, 62, who went to Stagg High and Delta College. "If (the Wolves) are half as good as the Lightning was, it would be exciting."
The Lightning was an arena tenant for four years. The team had four losing seasons with one playoff berth and did decent, but not overwhelming, business at the box office.
The Wolves are trying to fill the void, choosing Stockton as their home after playing last season at the Cow Palace in Daly City. The American Indoor Football Association team's season nearly was scrapped, but a deal between the city and the franchise over use of the arena was struck on March 14, giving Wolves coach Bennie King and his staff little time to prepare for Friday's opener.
Motorcycles roared onto the field in a cloud of smoke as the orange-and-black clad Wolves took the field. The She Wolves dance team did its thing, there were contests during breaks in the action, a halftime performance by Ernie Reyes' martial arts academy and the fans could keep any football that went into the stands.
Wolves defensive back Marcus Harper drew "oohs and aahs" when he took a Las Vegas receiver over the boards. Former Grant High and Lightning quarterback Chad Elliott was sharp, as was receiver Jasonus Tillery.
Zach Schrader returned an interception for a touchdown, defensive back Jesse Karl, formerly of Delta College, made some plays, and defensive lineman Lamell Ransom often found his way into the Cobras' backfield.
"I like it," said Stockton resident Victor Lopez, 44, who works for California Welding Supply. "I like to see these guys not giving up on their dreams. This is very entertaining."
That has to be good news for the Wolves, as they try to build a following.
STOCKTON - Frank Martinez supported Pacific football and the Stockton Lightning.
Both teams have been gone for some time - Pacific discontinued its football program in 1995 and the Lightning ceased operations when arena-football2 folded after the 2009 season.
Martinez, a Stockton resident, was among a crowd of about 1,000 who watched the Stockton Wolves indoor football team beat the Las Vegas Cobras 69-24 in their debut on Friday at Stockton Arena.
"I just like football. I missed it when (Pacific) dumped it," said Martinez, 62, who went to Stagg High and Delta College. "If (the Wolves) are half as good as the Lightning was, it would be exciting."
The Lightning was an arena tenant for four years. The team had four losing seasons with one playoff berth and did decent, but not overwhelming, business at the box office.
The Wolves are trying to fill the void, choosing Stockton as their home after playing last season at the Cow Palace in Daly City. The American Indoor Football Association team's season nearly was scrapped, but a deal between the city and the franchise over use of the arena was struck on March 14, giving Wolves coach Bennie King and his staff little time to prepare for Friday's opener.
Motorcycles roared onto the field in a cloud of smoke as the orange-and-black clad Wolves took the field. The She Wolves dance team did its thing, there were contests during breaks in the action, a halftime performance by Ernie Reyes' martial arts academy and the fans could keep any football that went into the stands.
Wolves defensive back Marcus Harper drew "oohs and aahs" when he took a Las Vegas receiver over the boards. Former Grant High and Lightning quarterback Chad Elliott was sharp, as was receiver Jasonus Tillery.
Zach Schrader returned an interception for a touchdown, defensive back Jesse Karl, formerly of Delta College, made some plays, and defensive lineman Lamell Ransom often found his way into the Cobras' backfield.
"I like it," said Stockton resident Victor Lopez, 44, who works for California Welding Supply. "I like to see these guys not giving up on their dreams. This is very entertaining."
That has to be good news for the Wolves, as they try to build a following.