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Boise burns for arena football debut
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The Fiesta Bowl Champion Boise State Broncos are no longer the only football team in town. For now the Broncos will move aside to make room for the Arena Football Two League’s newest expansion team – the Boise Burn.
On Saturday night the Burn will debut in its home opener at Quest Arena against the 0-2 Everett Hawks.
“We are excited to be here in Boise and we hope our style of play will be exciting and entertaining,” Boise Burn Head Coach Lee Leslie said. “We’ve been waiting so long for this and we’re glad it’s finally here.”
In June of 2006 the AFL2 announced that Boise would compete in the 30-team league. Leslie was chosen as the Burn’s head coach that same month and brings nearly four decades of both playing and coaching experience to the table.
“We believe we can compete for a league championship right away,” Leslie said. “We have a core of players here who have our team off to an excellent start and we’re excited about that.”
As for the Burn’s roster, look no farther than the Boise State record books. Last October former BSU quarterback Bart Hendricks and wide receiver Lee Marks signed on to play for the league’s newest expansion team.
Hendricks is a former All-Big West two time Offensive MVP (1999 & 2000) and holds the record for most touchdown passes (35) in a season. He was also the highest rated QB in the country his senior season at Boise State. Hendricks spent the 2002 season playing for the Frankfurt Galaxy in the NFL Europe league. Most recently he played for the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League.
“This is such a great opportunity to be back here in Boise,” Hendricks said. “We want to be league champions here and we plan to play like it every night.”
Former Bronco Lee Marks is accustomed to winning and he hopes that will continue with the Burn. Marks was used as an all-purpose player at Boise State, but will be utilized primarily as a wide receiver in the Burn offense. Marks was part of four Western Athletic Conference championship teams in football and two WAC championships in track at Boise State.
“This is exciting and we can’t wait for our home opener,” Marks said. “We know that some of the best fans in the world can be found in Boise, Idaho, and we look forward to playing in front of them.”
With loads of experience at just about any position Marks will be invaluable to the Burn. Marks ranks eighth all-time in rushing at Boise State with 1,865 yards and led the team in all-purpose yards in both the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
“Lee’s a special player and we know that he will be an important part of our offense this season,” Leslie said. “He was versatile and talented at Boise State and that is one big reason we wanted him here with us so much.”
The Burn is loaded with talent. Linebacker Levi Madarieta helped lead the NIFL Tri City Fever to a league championship in 2005 and most recently won the AF2 Championship last season with the Spokane Shock.
“He will be a leader out there for us,” Leslie said. “He brings a lot of championship experience and attitude to the team and that’s what we need.”
Madarieta will play alongside Brandon Hazenberg who played his college ball at Linfield College. Hazenberg was an all-purpose man having played wide receiver and cornerback.
He also was valuable as a punt and kick return man. He led the team in all-purpose yards from 2003-2005 with 110 yards per game in 33 games.
“These guys [Hazenberg and Madarieta] play as if every down matters and give it everything they’ve got,” Leslie said. “They lead by example and our guys respond to that.”
Meanwhile, Leslie and the rest of the team look forward to their home debut this weekend. Boise (1-1 overall) will return home Saturday night to take on the Everett Hawks. Boise got its season off to a hot start defeating Louisville 57-52 on opening night. The win moved the Burn to No. 9 in the first AF2 rankings.
Hendricks was impressive in the stunning win in front of nearly 10,000 fans. He completed 21-33 passes with four touchdowns, including the first in Burn history to Marks. That touchdown helped Marks earn the United States Army Iron Man of the Game Award.
“That was a great experience,” Marks said. “It was nice to get the first win and even nicer that it was on the road.”
The win was short-lived for Boise. Last weekend after flight delays and travel complications the Burn suffered a 65-38 drubbing by the second ranked Quad City Steamwheelers.
Boise was close early on but could not close the deal and remain undefeated.
Casey Allen was the lone bright spot for Boise, catching nine passes for 120 yards and three touchdowns. On Saturday night Quest Arena will be transformed and prepared for the Burn’s home debut.
The field will be different from standard college and professional fields. The indoor turf will stretch 85 feet wide and just 50 yards in length, half of a standard size field.
“This game is slightly different, but we’re confident the people of Boise will love it,” Leslie said. “We hope for a full house and some fans ready to watch some great football.” The game will begin at 7 p.m. at Quest Arena.
TATE CASTLETON
Sports Writer