Norfolk Nighthawks Game Notes
April 1, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Norfolk Nighthawks News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Norfolk Nighthawks (0-0) vs Charleston Swamp Foxes (0-0)
Date: Saturday, April 5, 2003
Kickoff: 7:00pm
Site: Norfolk Scope Arena
National Anthem: CKN
Coin Toss: George Garrison
Officials: Referee – Terry Haney Umpire – William fealey Head Linesmen – John Mc Daid Line Judge – George Mason Back Judge – Don Foushee
Radio: None
Series Record: Norfolk leads, 4-1
Last Meeting: June 23, 2002, Norfolk 42-41
Streaks: Norfolk (0), Charleston (0) Coaches: NOR: Rick Frazier (1st Year, 0) RIC: Rik Richards (1st Year, 0)
THE STAKES: The Nighthawks (0-0) organization seems to be extra-energized, as their fiery new head coach Rick Fraizer has come on board with a bang. Frazier has brought a new style and attitude to the defense and overall. The Swampfoxes (0-0) too have a new coach in Rik Richards (promoted from his defensive coordinator post) who replaced veteran coach Jimmy Dunn. Dunn was head coach during the Swamp FoxesÂ’ first three seasons in arenafootball2, Richards has spent the months since then trying to make those words come true.
THE SERIES: Norfolk Leads this series (4-1) dropping their fisrt loss to the Swamp Foxes in their The Nighthawks scored just seven second-half points and accumulated 14 penalties in their 40-37 loss to the Charleston Swamp Foxes 6/10. The Nighthawks avenged that loss by coming back at home a few days later. Nighthawks WR/LB Travis Burns caught two touchdown passes and ran for an eventual game-winner to earn Game MVP honors and propel the Nighthawks (the 5-6) past Charleston (then 4-7), 42-41, in front of 3,304 fans at the Norfolk Scope 6/23/02.
THE IFs:
If NORFOLK defeats CHARLESTON, it would Â…
- Give NORFOLK seventh straight win at home
- Give NORFOLKÂ’s new head coach (Rick Frazier) his first victory as a part of the NORFOLK franchise
- Give NORFOLK a victory to start the 2003 campaign, a welcome sight after stumbling to (1-3) in 2002.
- Get the overall record up to (5-1)
HEAD COACHES: Rick Fraizer brings more than a quarter century worth of coaching experience to the Norfolk Nighthawks in his new capacity as the teamÂ’s Head Coach. Frazier comes to Norfolk after spending the 2002 season with the Toronto Phantoms of the AFL. Frazier served the Phantoms as their Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator.
Rik Richards starts the 2003 campaign as the Charleston Swamp Foxes head coach, after toiling as the defensive coordinator for several years.
LAST SERIES MEETING: Nighthawks WR/LB Travis Burns caught two touchdown passes and ran for an eventual game-winner to earn Game MVP honors and propel the Nighthawks (5-6) past Charleston (4-7), 42-41, in front of 3,304 fans at the Norfolk Scope Saturday night.
Charleston kicker Justin Skinner missed an extra point that would have tied the game with only :48 seconds to play. After a missed on-side kick attempt, Nighthawks kicker Matt McNew attempted a 31 yard field goal that sailed wide right. It was McNewÂ’s second try after his first one, which was good, was called back on a Norfolk penalty. CharlestonÂ’s last attempt ended when Mike Chandler caught a pass, but remained in bounds to run out the clock.
Burns had 55 yards rushing and four catches for 89 yards to lead the Nighthawks to their fifth straight home victory. Fellow “Killer B” Dominic Banks also caught two scores and finished with three receptions, while Gary Briggs caught a game-high seven passes for 89 yards.
FORWARD MOTION: In two weeks (April 19), the Nighthawks will face the Rochester Brigade. PLAYERS TO WATCH:
NIGHTHAWKS: Aaron Sparrow, QB, was the first player ever to be voted the Most Valuable Player in all of the arenafootball2 in the year 2000. The Norfolk State alum and Wilson High School graduate is now playing quarterback for his hometown Norfolk Nighthawks. Before coming to Norfolk, Sparrow spent time with the Grand Rapids Rampage, the Nashville Kats and the Augusta Stallions (when he set the league on fire — passing for 4,000 yards and 78 touch downs — en route to netting that MVP award). The past few years, Sparrow has been in the AFL with the Buffalo Destroyers and the Carolina Cobras. For his first game as the starting quarterback for the Norfolk Nighthawks, look for Aaron Sparrow to use his powerful arm and years of important arena football experience to guide his team to victory.
SWAMPFOXES: CharlestonÂ’s QB Major Harris has a lot of experience in pro football. Harris started out his professional career with the Canadian Football LeagueÂ’s British Columbia Lions. After one year in the CFL, Harris spent parts of the next five seasons playing in the AFL for the Columbus and Cleveland Thunderbolts. In his rookie AFL campaign in 1991, Harris set a current league record for rushing yards in a single season with 424 on the second-most rushing attempts, 88 carries (4.8 yards per carry). He still holds the AFL career record for rushing average (4.9 yards per carry) and ranks fifth on the all-time career-rushing list with 832 yards gained.
• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...
arenafootball2 Stories from April 1, 2003
- Norfolk Nighthawks Game Notes - Norfolk Nighthawks
- Macon Knights Set 24-Man Roster - Macon Knights
- Xplorers Lose Lemon To NFL, QB Signs With San Diego Chargers - Memphis Xplorers
- Wardogs Honoring Fort Benning Soldiers in Iraq - Columbus Wardogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
