The Wolfpack prepare to sack Oregon’s quarterback during the May 18 game at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett.
Jim Scolman
EVERETT — The Washington Wolfpack are back, but they’ll compete in a different league this season. Arena football returns to Everett on March 16 as the Wolfpack open their second season at Everett’s Angel of the Winds Arena. However, this year, the team will compete in the new Arena Football One (AF1) league, after playing in the now-defunct Arena Football League (AFL) last year. The new AF1 features nine teams from the Pacific Northwest to New York.
“The AF1 has taken major steps forward, starting with the AFU Arena Football University, where coaches and owners collaborated in Chicago to build a strong foundation. With leadership from Jeff Fisher (former National Football League coach), Gary Compton, and Jerry Kurz, the league has never been in a better position,” said Jonathan West, the team’s spokesperson
West also noted that the Wolfpack will be more refined, intense, and disciplined this season.
“This team is locked in and ready to compete for a title,” West said.
The Wolfpack will have 24 players, including three on the taxi squad, with talent coming from various regions. Most of the returning players are on defense, while the offense has been retooled. This season, the Wolfpack will present a very different team compared to last year’s roster. The team is still finalizing its roster, which will feature players from various levels of football, including college and even professional ranks.
New for the Wolfpack this season is a shift in their training approach. They will move their practices from the Snohomish Sports Dome to outdoor synthetic turf fields, a decision made to reduce the risk of injuries.
“Last year, we were indoors and dealt with soft tissue issues. This year, we’re training on outdoor synthetic turf at local high and middle schools to better prepare for game conditions,” West explained.
The Wolfpack will open their season at home against the Billings Outlaws, who won the AFL title last year. During the season, which runs from March to June, the Wolfpack will host a total of six home games, facing teams from Oregon, Texas, Tennessee and Arizona.
In a new season in a new league with different training facilities, and a renewed focus, the Washington Wolfpack are poised to make a strong statement in their new league.
