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Mohegan\'s Road to ArenaCup Starts In Fayetteville, NC

July 31, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Mohegan Wolves News Release


NEW LONDON, Conn. (July 31, 2003) – The Mohegan Wolves (arenafootball2) will play their first playoff game in team history this Saturday night (Aug. 2) in Fayetteville, N.C. against the Atlantic Division Champion Cape Fear Wildcats. The Wolves earned their first-ever postseason berth on the strength of a 10-6 regular season record. Mohegan enters its first round game as the sixth seed in the American Conference.

"The team is really focused on getting the job done this weekend in North Carolina," Mohegan Coach Mark Stoute said. "Cape Fear is a very talented and well-coached football team, but we believe in ourselves. If we play smart, I like our chances.

If the Wolves defeat the number three seed Wildcats (10-6), they will move on to conference semifinals. In the semifinal round, Mohegan would travel to Huntsville, Ala. to tackle top-seeded Tennessee Valley (14-2). The Vipers would host the semifinal affair on Friday, Aug. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Von Braun Center.

This week's game at a glance – Wolves (10-6 overall, Streak: Lost 1) vs. Wildcats (10-6 overall, Streak: Won 2) Saturday's game is the second all-time meeting between the Wolves and Wildcats. Cape Fear leads the all-time series 1-0, winning the only previous head-to-head affair 63-32 on June 28, 2002. Cape Fear is led on offense by veteran QB Bryan Snyder and OS Anthony Hines. Snyder is one of the top passers in af2, ranking among the league leaders in total offense (5th – 3,671 yds), passing yards (6th - 3,659) and pass rating (6th – 112.5). Hines finished the regular season in the top five in af2 in receptions (4th – 114) and receiving yards (2nd – 1,575). He also set an af2 record with 19 receptions in a game against the Norfolk Nighthawks on July 19. In contrast, the Wolves are led by their defense. Mohegan's stingy defense finished the regular season allowing just 38.7 points per game, a league-low average. In addition, a year after recording just 18 sacks in 16 games, Mohegan ranked fourth among the af2's elite with 29 sacks in 2003. Offensively, the Wolves will look for another solid showing from rookie QB Greg Smith. Smith ranked among the league's sharpest passers this season, finishing tied for second in pass rating at 118.0. He also threw 35 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. OS Mel Long had a fantastic first season as well, leading the team in receptions (81), receiving yards (1,277) and touchdowns (29).

The following is how the American Conference seedings break down and the first round playoff schedule:

* PLAYOFF SEEDINGS *

American Conference
1. Tennessee Valley (14-2)
2. Albany (13-3)
3. Cape Fear (10-6)
4. Macon (10-6)
5. Florida (10-6)
6. Mohegan (10-6)

PLAYOFFS - FIRST ROUND SCEHDULE

Friday, August 1
Wichita at Hawaii 1:30 a.m. (7:30 p.m. local)
Saturday, August 2
Mohegan at Cape Fear 7:30 p.m.
Florida at Macon 7:30 p.m.
Bakersfield at Arkansas 8:00 p.m.

ALL TIMES EASTERN

Don't miss the Mohegan Wolves special 2004 season ticket offer, available now. When a Wolves fan purchases their 2004 season tickets and pay in full by Sept. 1, they will receive a 20% discount on their 2004 season tickets. For more information, please contact the Wolves office at (860) 443-1900.



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