Freedom go to 3-0, Skelton Article

AT FORT WAYNE 37, OHIO VALLEY 32 -The Fort Wayne Freedom improved to 3-0 on the season with 37-32 win over Ohio Valley Saturday night in United Indoor Football action. The Freedom hitched their wagon to Rocky Harvey to UIF record 171 yards and four touchdowns. That broke Fred Jackson's 169 in United Bowl 1 last August. Harvey also set a new standard with 38 carries in a contest. Three of Harvey's scores came in the third quarter. The running back also added 101 yards in the second half to power the sputtering Freedom to the win. The Freedom trailed early as the offense was unable to convert on scoring drives.

Skelton’s ability to scamper has Freedom off and running

Monday April 3, 2006
By Stacy Clardie
The Journal Gazette

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Bill Skelton has the prototype quarterback body – 6-foot-3, 210 pounds.

Not necessarily the type you’d expect could hurt defenses running the ball.

But Skelton’s athleticism at the position has provided a nice boost to Fort Wayne’s offense.

Skelton has shown his mobility in both games this season. But perhaps his elusiveness was best shown in the Freedom’s 51-28 victory over Bloomington on Saturday when Skelton rushed for a touchdown and evaded defenders to throw for another.

Late in the third quarter with the Freedom up 30-20, Skelton and running back Rocky Harvey combined to lead the team on an eight-play drive.

Skelton capped it when he was able to buy time in the pocket. He got some pressure up the middle but simply scooted to the left and kept moving to evade defenders until seeing Adrian Reese streak open in the back of the end zone.

Once Skelton saw that, he quickly zipped a pass across the field to Reese for a touchdown.

Against the Extreme, Skelton also rushed for a touchdown on a nice play call.

The Freedom twice ran a no-huddle style of offense in the season opener against Sioux City in which it lined up all four of its receiving options stacked on the right side of the line. From that formation, Skelton tossed the ball to Harvey for a run.

But out of that same formation near the goal line against Bloomington, Skelton kept the snap and ran off the left side for an easy touchdown.

He has rushed for 32 yards on six carries this season, including a long of 16 yards.

“I think that helps me,” Skelton said of his mobility.

“I think that’s a benefit. In the arena league, you’ve got to be able to throw the football, but being able to run is an added bonus, and when you can create plays, it’s always a good thing.”

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