There is a lot of buzz around town regarding the Fargo Invaders 2016 Season.  This off-season the Invaders introduced new Co-Head Coaches Derek Bakken & Brent Lundgren. Both return to the team from the 2014 Championship Season.

Defensive Head Coach Derek Bakken will be implementing a 3-4 Defense, "We're going to see a defense that plays loose and fast. Our most important job is to keep the other team out of the endzone and get the ball back for our offense".  Brent Lundgren will be the Offensive Head Coach, "We're just excited to have another chance to come back and coach these guys. They're all good.  If you just enjoy football, you'll enjoy watching the Fargo Invaders".

The Fargo Invaders roster features 28 new players, most with college experience; including NDSU, MSUM, Concordia College, Valley City State, NDSCS, U of M - Crookston, and MSCTC - Fergus Falls.  These new players join the leagues' back-to-back leading rusher, Brandon Jones, as well as the returning Dynamic Receiving threats Kevin Irby, Ty Small, Nick Jackson, & Taurean Smith.  Tony Stauss is back at QB after taking a year off, and he has another college QB joining him in the backfield in Justan Taliaferro  The offense also returns All-Star Linemen Chad McQuade & Nathan Hruby.  On the defensive-side MVP Brandon Sloan is returning at Cornerback, along with All-Star's Steven Othelot at Safety & Delono Brown at Defensive End.  Joining the Defense are two ex-Bison, Cornerback David Earl & Jeremy Gordon who will be anchoring the defense at Middle Linebacker.  Rochenel Jeanbaptiste is also at linebacker, returning as the teams leading tackler in 2015, with fellow Linebacker Ronnie Buck who lead the league in tackles in 2014.

With all this excitement on the field & on the sidelines, the Board of Directors had their own News to announce.  Thanks to the tireless work of Treasurer Mike Bryant, the Fargo Invaders are recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  President Matt Petznick says, "It's a huge positive for us to be recognized as a nonprofit. Really that's what we're striving for, to be part of the community and have that charitable aspect to us".  Both Petznick & General Manager Nate King have been active on the business-side of things in preparation for the 2016 season.

This will be the 3rd Season for the Fargo Invaders, who already they have a Championship to their name.  2016 brings those same high aspirations.
League play kicks off May 7th against the South Metro Patriots in Burnsville, MN, with the Home Opener on May 14th.  That game will be the first rematch against the West Central Broncos since defeating them 35-14 in the 2014 Championship.  It is the first of a three-game homestand.  All home games will be played at Shanley High School with a 6:00pm kickoff.  There are 10 regular season games with playoffs to follow.  The I-29 Bowl against the Tri-City Northstars will be in Grand Forks this year on August 20th.  For more information on the team visit FargoInvaders.org, Like them on Facebook, and Follow them on Twitter.  You can access league information at TheNSFL.org.

SWAY