A new era of professional football in southwest Missouri will kick off this weekend when the Ozarks Lunkers take the field for the first time.
The Lunkers, one of four teams playing in the inaugural season of The Arena League, will host the Iowa Woo at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the new Wilson Logistics Arena on the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds.
Here’s what you need to know about the Lunkers heading into opening night:
When The Arena League was announced in March 2023, Tommy Benizio, an advisor for the league, told the News-Leader that rosters would “likely” feature former NFL players who were released and were hoping to work their way back into the league. He said it would also feature young, undrafted players who might still want to play in the league and continue their playing career.
Previously:‘The Arena League’ football is coming to Springfield in 2024. Here’s what to know.
The Lunkers’ initial roster doesn’t include any former NFL players. It mostly consists of local athletes who played high school and/or college football in town. Some have connections to the Queen City Insane Asylum, an eight-man semi-professional team, which Lunkers general manager Caleb Scott has owned.
The Lunkers’ roster, listed on its website, consists of the following:
Ell Teycer, C/DL — A former defensive lineman at Evangel.
Darius Daniel, WR/DB — A former starting cornerback for Missouri State from 2015-17
Matt Rush, QB/RB/DB — A Hillcrest grad who started four seasons in Missouri State’s secondary from 2015-18.
Kendrick Payne, WR — A former wide receiver at Southwest Baptist.
Patrick Puletasi, DL — A former defensive lineman at Evangel.
Tobias Little, RB/LB — A former Missouri State running back who rushed for 859 yards and 10 touchdowns across two FCS Playoff seasons under Bobby Petrino.
Colby Fields, QB — Lighthouse Christian’s starting quarterback from 2018-19 where he threw for 8,391 yards and 107 touchdowns in two seasons.
Edward Sands, WR/DB — A former wide receiver at Evangel.
Jackson Mitchell, TE/LB — A former linebacker at Truman State and Central Missouri.
Craig Travis, LB — A former linebacker at Missouri Valley College.
Ronnie Bertelsmeyer, WR — A former wide receiver at Park Hill South
Taiwo Oluwafunmila, TE/DL — A former Missouri State defensive end who played 35 games from 2015-19.
Wren Rodriguez, WR/DB — A former wide receiver at Eldon High School.
Parkview High School coach Cam Bruffet is the coach of the Lunkers. He played four seasons at Evangel as a defensive back and played in the Arena Football League.
Parkview is coming off a 0-10 final season in the Ozark Conference, the first season with Bruffet at the helm. The Vikings will play the 2024 season as an independent.
More:Springfield’s new Arena League football team mascot aims to represent the Ozarks
Games will be played in the Wilson Logistics Arena on the Ozarks Empire Fairgrounds and host horse and livestock shows. There will be a 50-yard field with what the league promises to be a “faster-paced game” with quick play clocks and no huddles.
Six offensive players and six defensive players will be on the field with both teams containing a 15-men roster. All offensive players are eligible receivers with three lined up in the offensive line position. The player in the quarterback position is not allowed to advance the ball past the line of scrimmage.
There are no kickoffs. A video of the rules on the league’s website said teams would be forced to go for it or “surrender” on fourth downs. Onside kicks are replaced by onside conversions and kickoffs are replaced by quarterback “throwoffs.”
The Arena League has said from the initial announcement that it was coming to Springfield that it would have a phone app allowing those in the stands to listen to different on-field interactions throughout the game. Such an app had yet to be announced as of Tuesday morning.
The Lunkers announced a tailgate party outside Wilson Logistics Arena that will take place before the game and that a Pro Football Hall of Famer will be on the field for the coin toss before kickoff… err… throwoff.
The tailgate party begins at 3 p.m. with live music beginning an hour later with rock tribute band Sequel Dose performing. It will also feature raffles “and much more” with proceeds and donations benefiting the Blind Community Thrift Store.
The Lunkers also announced Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, will be the honorary guest for the coin toss.
More:Missouri State to Conference USA: How does Plaster Stadium compare to CUSA stadiums?
All home games start at 7:05 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m.
Tickets for Ozarks Lunkers games are available on Stubwire.com. Season tickets range from $90 to $750 with single-game tickets ranging from $15 to $250, according to what’s listed on StubWire.
The more expensive tickets include access to a VIP bar and lounge, waitress service, valet parking and a head-start on refreshments.
Arena football has had its problems nationally over the last few decades but The Arena League appears confident that it is here to stay.
The Arena League recently announced it will expand next season with teams in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
