Saginaw Sting open the 2013 CIFL season at the Dow Event Center

The 2012 CIFL Champions Saginaw Sting opened the 2013 at the Dow Event Center on Friday night in front of a large crowd.  The undefeated champions from last year would host the Marion Blue Racers in the opening night match-up and sounded defeated them 49-28.

Sting team owners presented Championship rings to all of the team members from the 2012 Continental Indoor Football League championship team prior to the start of the game.  Saginaw now has won the Indoor Football league championship in 3 of the last five seasons and didn't compete in 2009.   The team now has become the team to beat in the CIFL in 2013.  Head Coach Fred Townsend adds stability to this franchise by signing a long term contract with the team. 

The Sting would feature a team that consisted of several new players this season at new positions would make for some exciting football on opening night.   Head Coach Fred Townsend wants to make the Sting a more wide open team this season with the addition of a running game.  Saginaw Heritage native running back Deshawn Hayes had a good first night in a Sting uniform with 10 carries and 4 touchdowns in the game. 

New this season at the quarterback position is A.J. McKenna who accounted for two touchdowns on the evening.   He passed for 131 yards  and one touchdown while running in a score.   McKenna appears to be more mobile than last years quarterback Tommy Jones.  This years Sting roster includes 13 players who competed their collegiate careers at Saginaw Valley State University and Northwood University which gives the team a local flavor. 

The Sting won't return to the Dow Event until March 18th against the Kane County Dawgs after 3 games on the road and a bye week.  I hope that the team can keep the local fans interest  with a break of 37 days between home contests.  That will be a test for the Saginaw Sting front office staff to draw another good crowd for the 2nd home contest of the 10 game schedule in 2013.