Cedar Valley Phantoms

Cedar Rapids, Iowa-- (February 5, 2009)

The Cedar Valley Phantoms are happy to announce the signing of three free players in the first round of OIFL Free Agency. Running back/Linebacker Rod Moesly joins the Phantoms as another veteran that will bring toughness and experience to a roster that was lacking a viable running threat on offense. With the addition of Moesly to the already improved offense that includes Phantoms 2008 team MVP WRDB Marcus Klecker, WRDB Rod Gardner, Offensive Specialist Kyle Farmington and Quarterback Tom Clements, the Phantoms now have an offense that can compete.

"We were ecstatic when we found out on Sunday that we had added Rod to our roster. He is a strong running back who brings a lot of experience, toughness, and ability to our roster. He's going to help this offense be successful this year. This signing filled one of our biggest offensive needs and now we have a viable running game for the forseeable future," said Phantoms Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Adam Shackleford.

Cedar Valley also added another key dimension to their defense with the signing of Defensive Specialist Adam Sandler. Sandler is also a seven year veteran of the OIFL as well as being a very tallented player on the defensive side of the ball. "Adam is a player that can rush the passer or drop back in coverage, he can pretty much do it all. He's Fast, Hits hard, and plays the game the right way. Adam is a great leader and will be a great role model for our young guys." Those comments from Phantoms Defensive coordinator Max Shockey.

The Final addition from Round 1 was Kicker Colin Blair a second year player with a lot of potential. Cedar Valley Special Teams Coordinator Frank Monaco had these comments about blair; "We expect Colin to come in and make an impact in our kicking game. He has the skills to be a successful kicker in the OIFL and with a little work has a chance to be one of the best kickers in the OIFL. I look forward to working with Colin once camp starts."

The Signing of Moesly, Sandler and Blair filled three needs that the Phantoms had going into the off season as they prepare for their first season of play in the OIFL in 2009, after being called up earlier this winter. With the changes made to the Cedar Valley roster already this off season and two more rounds of FAFFA as well as the draft many in the league are calling the Phantoms a Sleeper team with the ability to make a possible run at the playoffs. The Phantoms play in arguably the toughest division in the entire OIFL, so making the playoffs will be no easy feat.

Cedar Valley has a schedule that includes five teams that Played in the 2008 OIFL Cup Playoffs three of which; Evansville, Kansas City, and St. Louis the Phantoms will play twice as they are Midwest Division Rivals. The Phantoms also play San Antonio, another Playoff qualifier from 2008 and the 2007 OIFL Cup Champions. Rocky Mountain rounds out the 2008 Playoff qualifiers on the 2009 schedule for Cedar Valley. The Phantoms also face the 2008 OIF2 Champions Buffalo in the 2009 season. In state Rival Fort Dodge, Wisconsin, College Station (all three 2008 OIT Participants) D.C, and Baltimore round out a difficult 2009 OIFL schedule for the Cedar Valley Phantoms.

"We have a goal in mind this year when it comes to wins, with the team we have now we should have no problem meeting or surprassing that goal. With the addition of the right guys in the remainder of FAFFA we could have a playoff contending team, but we know it's not going to be easy considering the Division we play in and the schedule we have been given this year," said Owner/General Manager Matt Patten.

Cedar Rapids, IA-- (Jan. 20, 2009)

The Day after the Grand Opening of the General Mills Center the Cedar Valley Phantoms have announced another big move to help their roster. In a deal that has many people talking the Cedar Valley Phantoms sent their 2010 E2 to the Texas Terrors for OLDL Wilky Bazile a seven year veteran to anchor their offensive and defensive line. Bazile joins the Phantoms after stops in Cleveland, New Hampshire and Texas and is ranked seventh all time on the OIFL Sack List with 96 career sacks. Bazile will wear #72 for the Cedar Valley Phantoms.

"We are excstatic to acquire a player of Wilky's caliber to help us moving forward. Wilky is a veteran presense who will help lead the young guys on this team and will give us a new dimension on the line of scrimmage, not to mention a sure fire Hall of Famer on our roster." Said Owner/General Manager Matt Patten in a telephone interview.

"I am looking forward to going to Cedar Rapids and helping to build that franchise and becoming a leader on and off the field. I can't wait to meet my new coaches and teammates," stated Wilky Bazile about being traded to Cedar Valley.

Texas Terrors Owner and General Manager Bust Ratliff had these comments regarding Bazile; "Wilky Bazile's contributions to Texas are numerous. His leadership and hard work will be an instant impact to Cedar Valley. We wish him and the Phantoms all the best."

This move adds another veteran to a Phantoms Roster that is filled with young players. It is also another deal that shows Owner and General Manager Matt Patten's desire to field a competative team in the OIFL. For more news on the newest Addition to the Cedar Valley Phantoms Check out their website.

Cedar Rapids, IA-- (Jan. 20, 2009)

The Cedar Valley Phantoms had a historic day in their short history yesterday as they had the official ribbon cutting and Grand Opening of their new State of the Art Arena, the General Mills Center. In a day that saw many great things happen fans and citizens from the Cedar Valley were invited to join the festivities and take a tour of the new facilities. Several members of the Cedar Valley Front office and Coaching staff, as well as members of the Roster were on hand for the event.

"This place is awesome, It's going to be fun playing in an arena this nice. I knew Matt (Patten) was committed to making this organization one of the best in the business, but I had no Idea this is what he had in mind. I can't wait to get on the field and have all the fans cheering." Said Phantoms two way player Marcus Klecker after the players and personell only tour prior to the ribbon cutting.

The Ribbon Cutting made the General Mills Center an official member of the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce but more importantly gave the Cedar Valley fans something to look forward to. The Fans were led on a tour through the facility by Phantoms Players, Coaches and Owner/General Manager Matt Patten. During the tours fans were also given the opportunity to see the Phantoms new locker room which features a 64 inch screen and movie theatre style seating where the players and coaches can watch film as a team, among other features. The General Mills Center was also set up for a game with turf down as wells the Goal posts and nets up as well. The new "Lucky Charms Land" children's play area was also open for kids to play in during the tours. "This place is going to be great to watch games in." Said Tim Johnson, a Phantoms Season Ticket Holder "I am very excited for the 2009 season to kick off. It is great that they put a place for kids to play if they get bored, and the nicest thing about that is I can still watch the game while my kids are playing. Seeing this new arena makes me think it's going to be a special year for the Phantoms in 2009," he finished.

Matt Patten had these comments about the Grand Opening; "I have heard many thank you's and much praise and excitement from not only the staff and players but from the fans as well today. We wanted to give this organization and these fans something they could be proud of and I think we did just that. The General Mills Center is a state of the art facility that will be the standard for new stadiums for years to come. It is going to be electric in here when the games start and I look forward to being a part of all of it."

With the Ribbon Cutting and the tours Cedar Valley Owner Matt Patten also announced some big events coming to the Arena in the coming months building up to the start of the 2009 OIFL Season in May. One Major event coming in February is UFC Fight Night Live, the Nationally Televized UFC show on Spike TV. In a related event the WWE has confirmed that it will be having both Monday Night Raw and Friday Night Smackdown at the General Mills Center in March. Metallica, Toby Keith, AC/DC and Nickelback are noteable musicians who have scheduled concerts in the General Mills Center as well. In a related note the Phantoms Store, which also opened yesterday, had a very successful day selling out of several itmes, including the most popular item the #11 Marcus Klecker Replica Jerseys.

The call up to the OIFL, off season trades to improve the roster, and the Grand opening of the General Mills Center has brought plenty of buzz to the Cedar Valley for the Phantoms 2009 Season. It remains to be seen what the team will look like when it hits the field for their first game but one thing is for sure, things are looking up for the Cedar Valley Phantoms.

The Cedar Valley Phantoms are a fictional football team created as a part of the Online Indoor Football League. Any pictures or mention of real people or places are used soley for entertainment purposes. The Cedar Valley Phantoms and OIFL is in no way affilliated with the Arena Football League or any other real life indoor football league.