Norfolk Nighthawks Game Notes
May 13, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Norfolk Nighthawks News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Norfolk Nighthawks (3-2) @ Wilkes Barre/ScrantonPioneers(1-5)
Date: Friday, May 16, 2003
Kickoff: 7:00p.m. EST
Site: First Union Arena (7,955)
National Anthem: TBD
Coin Toss: TBD
Officials: Referee Ed Ardito Umpire Wayne Mackie Head Linesman Scott Mackie Line Judge Dale Shaw Back Judge James Quirk
Series Record: Norfolk leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Saturday, May 10, 2003 Norfolk 46, Pioneers 32
Streaks: Pioneers L2, Nighthawks W1
Coaches: Rick Frazier (3-2, first season) Dean Cokinos (1-5, first season)
THE STAKES: The Norfolk Nighthawks (3-2), got a win after a two in a row loosing streak. Hoping to avoid a similar season to the disasterous beginning of last season, which the team lost 5 out of their first 6 games, the Nighthawks broke their 2-game streak on the shoulder of QB Aaron Sparrow and the frighteningly good play from the defense for 3 quarters. THE SERIES: The Nighthawks lead the series 1-0, as their first meeting was last Saturday.
THE IFs:
If NORFOLK defeats the PIONEERS, it would
- Give NORFOLK a 2-0 all-time series lead over the Pioneers.
- Get their record up to 4-2 and solidify their place in the divison as a solid second
and eventually in position to challenge the Cape Fear Wildcats for the top spot
HEAD COACHES: Rick Fraizer brings more than a quarter century worth of coaching experience to the Norfolk Nighthawks in his new capacity as the teams 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.
Dean Cokinos was promoted from Defensive Coordinator to Head Coach in early March 2003. He has spent several years as a head coach in the German Football League (GFL), and served as an advanced scout for the AFLs Nashville Kats in 1998.
LAST SERIES MEETING: The Nighthawks lead the series 1-0, as their first meeting was last Saturday. QB Aaron Sparrow led his Norfolk Nighthawks to a seemingly easy 45-32 win at Norfolk Scope in front of 3,813 fans.The Nighthawks were in complete control until the fourth quarter, and thanks to several miscues and mistakes by the Norfolks team, the Pioneers were able to make the game much more interesting. The Nighthawks picked up from where they left off in their game on May 3rd versus the Cape Fear Wildcats. The Nighthawks generated nearly 300 yards of offense to keep pace with the Wildcats, who did win the contest with last minute theatrics by OS Matt Burstein. Norfolks offense was pumping and Sparrow was a big part of that. He amassed for 261 yards on 25-34 passing. Among those passes were an amazing six touchdowns, with just one interception. Norfolks OS Travis Burns had another excellent evening, as he caught nine passes for total of 109 yards; WR/LB Stuart Brown enjoyed a healthy game with eight catches for 105 yards. But perhaps the real story of the game was the Nighthawks defense. Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Rick Frazier seemed happy with the victory, but upset with his teams trend of winning the first three quarters and then allowing the opponent to climb back into the game for the fourth. This game was no different, as the Nighthawks held the Pioneers to just 12 points until the 4th Quarter. Aaron Sparrow was voted the MVP of the game with his 6 TDs and 261 passing yards. The ADT Defensive Player was DS Kofi Smith, thanks to his timely interception, 3.5 tackles and one tackle which resulted in a 16-yard Pioneers loss.The IRON MAN award went to Norfolk WR/DB Dominic Banks. Banks finished the game with three catches for 13 yards and one interception.
FORWARD MOTION: Next week, the Nighthawks play the Mohegan Wolves in Uncasville, Connecticut. PLAYERS TO WATCH:
NIGHTHAWKS: Aaron Sparrows amazing offensive outburst makes him the obvious choice for the player to watch. Sparrow threw 261 yards with 25-34 passing. Sparrow compiled an outstanding 6 touchdowns to three different players.
PIONEERS: Pioneers WR/LB Terrell Johnson: Johnson has been one of the Pioneers most consistent performers thus far in 2003, averaging 4.5 receptions per game for 56 yards to go along with his five touchdowns. Johnsons play has allowed Pioneers QB Chris Boden to mix up his offensive attack and take pressure away from OS Cosmo DeMatteo.
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