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No crying yet: Arena football returns, but the Wolfpack falls

EVERETT – As the Washington Wolfpack walked off the field after their first home game in the Arena Football League, they tried not to dwell on the score at 49-12.

“This is about more than football,” said Wolfpack head coach JR Wells, whose team fell 2-0 after losing to Billings on Sunday at Angel of the Winds Arena. “It’s about the community. Yes, the score didn’t turn out the way we wanted, but we’re back to the drawing board and ready to rock and roll next week.”

Billings quarterback Isaac Harker threw a 38-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the game, one of four TD passes he threw as Billings improved to 2-0.

After losing the franchise opener 47-40 to the Oregon Blackbears on April 27, the Wolf Pack struggled to finish drives on Sunday in front of about 1,400 fans.

Although Everett has hosted indoor soccer in the past, stadium announcers made an effort to explain to spectators during the game some of the differences between the AFL and typical outdoor soccer. The players are in the loop, but have indicated they are still getting used to the nuances along with the fans.

The field is 50 yards long – half the size of an NFL field – which often leads to high scores. The pitch is bordered by a wall and players often crash into the wall, sometimes landing on fans' laps. Some fans seemed pleased to learn they would get to keep the ball if it landed in their hands.

“There are a lot of die-hard fans who don’t even really know us,” said JR Nelson, who led Washington with six receptions for 102 yards. “It was a great atmosphere – really fun.”

The Wolf Pack kept things in check early. Nelson made a 25-yard diving catch that threw it over the wall, pulling Washington within 14-12.

But shortly after Billings fullback Jayson Jayson Jackson stormed into the end zone with 13 minutes and 54 seconds left in the half, it was all Outlaws after that.

Billings kicker Bailey Giffen, up 27-12 early in the second half, probably taught some newer fans another difference between the NFL and the AFL. He stepped up to the Wolf Pack, avoided the low-hanging scoreboard and pushed it through the uprights. Known as the “Deuce,” it scored two more points for Billings and forced Washington to start the drive at its own 5.

A few plays later, Washington's Xavier Crawford caught a screen pass, but the ball was stripped and returned by the Outlaws for a touchdown.

“We had little, little mistakes,” said Crawford, who also played defense. “Next time we’ll just have to capitalize. It’s a shame we didn’t win, but we’ll learn from the growing pains.”

The Wolfpack were missing injured defensive backs Austin Joyner and Caleb Brown – Brown also plays receiver. Wells said both players could be available for next Sunday's home game against West Texas.

Wells noted that the team has a chance for a different outcome and that changes at all positions would be considered based on what the coaches see on film.

“When I look out there and see guys wide open, we know the plays are working,” Wells said. “We just have to distribute the ball better and get it to the offensive man so he can make a play.”

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Quarterback Jacob Ta'ase is tackled during the Washington Wolfpack's first home opener against Billings on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry/The Herald)

Outlaws receiver Ka'ronce Higgins reaches across the finish line for a touchdown during the Washington Wolfpack's first home game against Billings on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry/The Herald)

Receiver Vincent Wilkerson nearly catches a ball as he slams into the wall during the Washington Wolfpack's first home opener against Billings on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry/The Herald)

Quarterback Jacob Ta'ase falls back during the Washington Wolfpack's first home opener against Billings on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry/The Herald)

Quarterback Jacob Ta'ase drops back to pass during the Washington Wolfpack's first home opener against Billings on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry/The Herald)

An official signals a completion after a wild catch by JR Nelson that sent him flying into the stands during the Washington Wolfpack's home opener against Billings on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington . (Ryan Berry/The Herald)

Arena Football League footballs lie on the bench during the Washington Wolfpack's home opener against Billings on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry/The Herald)

Apollo the Wolf performs during the Washington Wolfpack's first home game against Billings on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry/The Herald)

Wideout Vincent Wilkerson signs a hat for a young fan before making a kick return during the Washington Wolfpack's first home opener against Billings on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry/The Herald)

Kicker Wyatt Paul starts the Washington Wolfpack's first home game against Billings on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry/The Herald)

Outlaws defensive back Duane Brown intercepts a pass in the end zone during the Washington Wolfpack's home opener against Billings on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry/The Herald)

Wideout JR Nelson scores the Washington Wolfpack's first home touchdown on a long throw from Jacob Ta'ase during the team's first home opener against Billings on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry/The Herald)

Free agent kicker Alberto Castaneda holds up a sign and shouts that he wants Washington Wolfpack kicker Wyatt Paul's job during the Tams' first home opener against Billings on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at an Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry/The Herald)

Wideout and defensive back JR Nelson is introduced before the Washington Wolfpack's first home game against Billings on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry/The Herald)

JR Nelson hits the ground hard and is injured during the Washington Wolfpack's first home game against Billings on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry/The Herald)


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