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Phantoms Game Notes

May 28, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Toronto Phantoms News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Toronto Phantoms (3-3) vs. New York Dragons (2-4)
Date: Saturday, June 1st
Kickoff: 7:00 PM EST
Site: Nassau Coliseum
Officials: Wes Fritz (Referee), Tony Payne (Umpire), Rich Grube (Head Linesman), Art Lucky (Line Judge), Tony Lombardo (Back Judge)
Series Record: 2-0 Toronto (5-0 including pre & postseason play)
Last Meeting: Toronto 66 New York 49 (6/23/01); Toronto defeated New York 51-42 in the 2002 preseason (4/11/02)
Streaks: Toronto has lost 2 in a row; New York won its most recent game Coaches: Toronto - Mark Stoute (11-8, 2nd year); New York – John Gregory (71-43, 8th year)

THE STAKES: Toronto has lost 3 of its last 4 games to fall out of 1st place in the Eastern Division. A loss to New York would leave Toronto, the defending division champs and preseason favourites, stuck in last place in the division.

THE SERIES: Toronto swept its 2–game regular season series with New York last year, before bouncing the Dragons from the playoffs in the first round. Toronto has also defeated New York twice in preseason play (2001 & 2002)

THE IFs:

If Toronto defeats New York, it would ...
 Give Toronto a 4-3 record overall
 Give Toronto a 2-2 road record
 Give Toronto a 1-2 record in Eastern Division play
 Give Toronto a 3-0 series lead over New York (6-0 including pre & post season play)

HEAD COACHES: Toronto's Mark Stoute is spending his 2nd season as the Head Coach & General Manager of the Toronto Phantoms, after serving as an assistant in the AFL for the previous 6 years. In his first year at the helm, Stoute led the Phantoms to an 8-6 regular season record, an Eastern Division Championship and a playoff victory.

New York's John Gregory has headed up the Dragons franchise since its inception as the Iowa Barnstormers. Gregory has compiled a career record of 71-43 winning the AFL's Coach of the Year award twice (1995 & 1996).

2002 IN REVIEW: After recording a pair of lop-sided routs to open the season, the Toronto Phantoms Arena Football Club has stumbled badly losing 3 of its last 4 games.

The Phantoms kicked off the new season with a 51-37 win over Tampa Bay (4/20). Chad Salisbury threw for 4 scores to earn MVP honours. Ty Law was named as the Ironman after hauling in two of those scoring strikes and making an interception to kill a 4th quarter Tampa Bay rally. Steve Konopka set a new Phantoms single game high with 3 sacks. On the second of those three sacks, Konopka knocked Tampa quarterback John Kaleo out of the game with what was later revealed to be a season-ending knee injury.

On Thursday, April 25th, Toronto staged its home opener in front of 7,107 phans at Air Canada Centre. The Phantoms made good on their President's guarantee, rolling the Detroit Fury 50-30. Team President & CEO Rob Godfrey had guaranteed a win to the phans of Toronto – a guarantee backed by the promise of a free ticket to another Phantoms home game, in the event of a Phantoms loss. Salisbury was brilliant on "Guaranteed Win Night" throwing for 5 touchdowns without an interception. The Toronto QB was named as the MVP for the 2nd consecutive week, while Charlie Davidson earned Ironman honours. Davidson made a pair of touchdown catches and led his team with 4½ total tackles. The Phantoms 7 game regular season winning streak was snapped in a 58-47 road loss in Phoenix (5/4). Sherdrick Bonner threw for 362 yards and 7 touchdowns earning MVP honours in leading Arizona past Toronto. The Ironman of the game, WR/DB Chris Horn, caught two of those touchdown passes. Damian Harrell, Kerry Brown and Anthony Derricks all turned in strong individual showings in the loss. Harrell and Brown each scored a pair of touchdowns, while Derricks recorded 214 kickoff return yards taking one kick back 56 yards for a score.

Toronto set a new team rushing record in an impressive Week 4 win over the visiting Indiana Firebirds (5/9). Game MVP Jermaine Younger scored 2 of Toronto's 3 rushing touchdowns, as the Phantoms out gained Indiana 43-23 along the ground. The Phantoms built an early 14-0 lead but actually head to the 4th quarter trailing by 2.

Toronto outscored Indiana 14-3 in the final frame as Younger and Kerry Brown each scored the 2nd of their 2 touchdowns respectively to clip the wings of the Firebirds. Damian Harrell matched his own single game club record with 10 receptions, piling up 121 receiving yards with 1 touchdown. Charlie Davidson was selected as the Ironman after making 3 tackles and 2 receptions.

Toronto lost its 2nd consecutive road game, falling 49-46 to Buffalo on May 18th , in the latest installment of the so-called "Border War". Toronto had a chance to win, but Chad Salisbury's 4th down pass with 10 seconds remaining sailed incomplete when Damian Harrell was hauled down in the end zone by a Destroyer defender. Harrell finished the game with 3 touchdowns, making 7 receptions for 109 yards. Luke Leverson turned in a strong performance, starting in the place of the injured Charlie Davidson, making a pair of touchdown catches. Anthony Derricks led the Phantoms with 7 ½ tackles and 148 kick return yards, including a 55-yard return for a score. Lamont and Bret Cooper paced the Buffalo attack combining for 281 all-purpose yards and 4 touchdowns.

Toronto dropped its second consecutive game falling to 0-2 in division play, losing 45-38 to the New Jersey Gladiators on Friday, May 24th. Mike Horacek led New Jersey to the victory, being named as MVP. The Gladiators offensive specialist made 10 catches for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns. Toronto had a chance to tie the game on the last play in regulation time, but Chad Salisbury's pass intended for Ty Law was batted down in the end zone. Damian Harrell had another impressive outing scoring a pair of touchdowns, making 8 catches for 100 yards. Luke Leverson was selected as the Ironman, after playing virtually the entire game (due to an injury suffered by Del Lee). Leverson led all players with 7 ½ tackles and also registered 3 receptions.

2001 MEETINGS:

April 21, 2001 - Toronto 68 New York 58
Uniondale (NY): The Toronto Phantoms ran over the New York Dragons earning the first win in team history. A pair of 4th quarter touchdown runs, one from Ty Law and another from Daren Williams, pushed the Phantoms to a 68-58 victory. For the game, Toronto outrushed New York 32-6. Pat O'Hara was named as game MVP for the second consecutive week, throwing for 328 yards and 6 touchdowns. Charlie Davidson turned in a repeat performance as well, earning Ironman honours. Davidson scored twice on offence and produced an interception on defence. Anthony Derricks turned in a fine performance with 163 kick return yards and 1 interception. Williams led all players with 23 yards rushing and 2 rushing touchdowns.

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
Toronto Phantoms 7 20 14 27 68
New York Dragons 7 22 14 15 58

June 23, 2001 - Toronto 66 New York 49
Toronto (ON): Chad Salisbury came off the bench to lead the Toronto Phantoms to a 66-49 victory over the New York Dragons. Salisbury was put into the game after the halftime break in place of the injured Pat O'Hara. He completed 8 of his 12 passing attempts for 147 yards, engineering 4 scoring drives. Charlie Davidson, Jermaine Younger and game MVP Damian Harrell all turned in multi-touchdown performances for the Phantoms, winners for the first time in 4 games. Anthony Derricks was named as the Ironman returning a fumble 33 yards for the game-winning score. Derricks also compiled 166 yards in kick and missed field goal returns.

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
New York Dragons 7 21 7 14 49
Toronto Phantoms 7 24 7 28 66

SERIES NOTABLES: New York has been stripped of its two most potent threats from a year ago with the departures of Aaron Garcia and Kevin Swayne to the NFL...Garcia torched the Phantoms defence for 12 touchdown passes in the 2 regular season meetings, connecting with Swayne on 5 of those scoring strikes...Damian Harrell made 18 catches covering 222 yards against New York in 2001...in this year's preseason matchup, Harrell shone again scoring 4 touchdowns on 9 catches covering 104 yards...Anthony Derricks recorded an interception in each of the two regular season match-ups...Derricks also returned a fumble 33 yards for a touchdown...Matt George has scored 21 points in regular season play against New York.

CAREER MILESTONES:

In the loss to New Jersey, four Phantoms passed major career milestones. With the second of his 3 TD passes, Chad Salisbury hit 75 for his career. Salisbury could get to 100 before season's end. Ty Law registered 83 receiving yards in the loss pushing him past the 2000 mark (2022). Damian Harrell hauled in his 60th career touchdown reception with his 2nd TD of the game. Jermaine Younger rushed past the 200-yard mark with 16 yards on 5 carries.

Here are the Phantoms closing in on major milestones;
Chad Salisbury
 needs 599 passing yards to reach 5000
Charlie Davidson
 needs 5 tackles to reach 200
Damian Harrell
 needs 369 receiving yards to reach 3500
Anthony Derricks
 needs 293 kick return yards to reach 4000
Kerry Brown
 needs 172 receiving yards to reach 3500
 needs 4 receptions to reach 250
 needs 6 ½ tackles to reach 100
Ty Law
 needs 2 TD receptions to reach 40
Matt George
 needs 15 points to reach 300

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

"We need to slow down and take a look at ourselves. We need to see the problem within ourselves and step up, not as individuals, but as a team." Toronto defensive specialist Del Lee after the loss to New Jersey. Lee left the game with a hamstring strain in the 1st quarter and did not return. His absence played havoc with Toronto's substitution patterns throughout the remainder of the game.

"In any arena game turnovers are the margin of victory. There were no stops on downs so those turnovers made the game [for us]." Frank Haege, the Head Coach of the New Jersey Gladiators, on a pair of turnovers that proved costly to the Phantoms. New Jersey converted both turnovers into touchdowns.

"We were stuck playing 18 against 20 and we had to leave Luke [Leverson] out there and he played one fantastic game. We were only able to give him a couple of series off on the night and he still kept going." Phantoms Head Coach Mark Stoute on the performance of Luke Leverson. With the Phantoms hindered by a pair of 1st quarter injuries, Leverson was forced to play virtually the entire game. He responded with a brilliant effort being named as the Ironman and the Phantoms Defensive Player of the Week.

TORONTO PHANTOMS LAST WEEK:

May 24, 2002 – New Jersey 45 Toronto 38 Toronto, Ont. – The Toronto Phantoms suffered their first home defeat since June 8th 2001, falling 45-38 to the New Jersey Gladiators in front of 7112 at the Air Canada Centre.

For the second week in a row, the game came down to the final play ending in a Phantoms loss. Toronto quarterback Chad Salisbury had his pass knocked down in the end zone, thus ending Toronto's seven game home winning streak (pre & post season games included). The play began with Toronto set up at New Jersey's 10 yard line with 4 seconds left. It appeared that Toronto was going to spike the ball to kill the clock, but instead Salisbury rolled out to pass. New Jersey was not fooled on the play and provided solid defence against Toronto's receivers.

The Phantoms now sit with a 3-3 record after starting the season 2-0. According to Toronto defensive specialist Del Lee, who was knocked out of the game with a hamstring strain early in the first quarter, it is up to the team to refocus. "We need to slow down and take a look at ourselves. We need to see the problem within ourselves and step up, not as individuals, but as a team."

With Lee out with an injury, Charlie Davidson was forced to play out of position lining up at the defensive specialist spot. Luke Leverson saw extra playtime and responded with an Ironman performance as the top two-way player. Leverson led all players with 7 ½ tackles – he also made 3 catches for 28 yards.

Toronto jumped out to a 14-7 lead in the first quarter courtesy of fullback Jermaine Younger's three-yard touchdown plunge and a 21-yard dart from Salisbury to offensive specialist Damian Harrell. Harrell finished with 8 receptions covering 100 yards, marking the 5th consecutive week the Toronto star had 100 yards or more in receiving.

In the second quarter, New Jersey scored fourteen straight points beginning with a 16 yard Jay McDonagh to wide receiver Mike Horacek touchdown pass. Then a after a Jermaine Younger fumble on the 5 yard line, the Gladiators exchanged the Phantom turnover for seven points when McDonagh found Horacek from three yards out. Horacek was selected as the game MVP with 10 catches for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns.

New Jersey had a 21-14 lead until Salisbury found time in the pocket and throw a 16-yard strike to Ty Law for the tying score. They went to the locker room tied at 21. "It was a good back and forth," New Jersey head coach Frank Haege said after the game, "We kept the lead in the end but it was a volley back and forth until then."

After an exchange of field goals to start the second half, the Gladiators capitalized on another Toronto offensive turnover as Damon Mason snagged a Salisbury pass and rumbled 33 yards to the end zone to put the visitors up 31-24. Salisbury has now thrown 6 interceptions in Toronto's last 4 games.

"In any arena game turnovers are the margin of victory," Haege said, "There were no stops on downs so those turnovers made the game (for us)." Toronto responded to their offensive miscue with a solid drive capped off by a one yard Anthony Hicks touchdown dive. It was tied at 31 at the end of the third quarter.

In the final quarter, New Jersey was not to be denied as they faked a field goal allowing them to drive down to the Toronto three yard line. That's where McDonagh found Dennison Robinson for the go ahead score.

The trickery on New Jersey's part was the key play of the game according to Haege. "It could have ended differently if we did not make (the first down). That was a big fake."

Both teams added late touchdowns but New Jersey would hold on to win 45-38.

Phantom head coach Mark Stoute refused comment after the game.

Toronto's next chance to step up as a team is on the road June 1st as they travel to New York to take on the Dragons. It's the first of back-to-back road games for the Ghosts of the Gridiron – they travel to Atlanta to face the Georgia Force on Sunday, June 9th.

TORONTO PHANTOMS NEXT WEEK:

On Sunday, June 9th, Toronto will launch the second half of its regular season schedule tackling the Georgia Force in the Phillips Arena in Atlanta. The Phantoms and Force have met on one previous occasion, when the Force franchise was known as the Nashville Kats. The Kats bounced the Phantoms from the 2001 post-season en route to an appearance in Arena Bowl XV. The Kats were subsequently relocated to Atlanta and renamed during the off-season.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

MAY-DAY!: This week's game between Toronto and New York will actually kick off on the first day of June which must come as some sort of relief to the Phantoms -- a team that has fared poorly in the month of May. Toronto went 1-3 in May 2002, matching its monthly record of a year ago. The following charts clearly depict that May is, in fact, the cruelest month from a Phantoms perspective.

Win/Loss by Month
Month 2001 2002 Total
April 2-1 2-0 4-1
May 1-3 1-3 1-6
June 2-2 - 2-2
July 3-0 - 3-0

Points For/Against by Month
Month 2001 2002 Margin
April 150/144 101/67 +40
May 194/221 176/188 -39
June 184/220 - -36
July 166/121 - +45

FALLING IN THE FOURTH: During this recent slide, Toronto has had its share of problems in the 4th quarter. Toronto has been outscored 41-15 in the combined final frames of its 3 losses.

4th Quarter Points For/Against
Week Opponent Points For Points Against
3 @ Arizona 0 13
5 @ Buffalo 8 14
6 New Jersey 7 14

THE PHANTOMS LOVE NEW YORK: Toronto has yet to lose in 5 previous meetings with the New York Dragons (pre, post & regular season). Phantoms vs. Dragons

Date Result Key Performance
4/11/02 51-42 * Damian Harrell – 4 touchdowns
7/27/01 64-57 ~ Chad Salisbury – 7 TD passes
6/23/01 66-49 Damian Harrell – 127 rec. yards
4/21/01 68-58 Pat O'Hara – 6 TD passes
4/2/01 67-35 * Ty Law – 2 touchdowns
* - denotes preseason game
~ - denotes playoff game

DIVISION DIFFICULTIES: Toronto has lost each of its last two games to Eastern Division opponents – Buffalo & New Jersey. At 0-2 in 2002, Toronto has already exceeded its total losses within its division from 2001. In their march to the division crown, Toronto posted a 7-1 record against New York, New Jersey, Buffalo and Carolina (since relocated to the Southern Division).

RED ZONE: Toronto has only scored on 17 of its 27 trips into the red zone (63.0%). Only Detroit (1-5) has a worse red zone offence at present (59.1%). Conversely, Toronto has the 2nd best red zone defence in the AFL , limiting its opponents to scores on 71% of their possessions.

PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

Dragons QB Danny Kannell vs. Toronto's D: The former NFL quarterback will be making his first career AFL start, after coming off the bench last week leading New York in a come-from-behind win over Detroit. Kannell will face the league's second ranked defence. Toronto trails only Indiana in total points surrendered.

Phantoms QB Chad Salisbury vs. Dragons DS Donvetis Franklin: Salisbury has struggled of late throwing at least one interception in each of his last 4 starts (6 in total). In this week's game, Salisbury will be throwing against Franklin who holds down a spot in the AFL's top 10 in tackles, interceptions and passes defended.

Phantoms DS/KR Anthony Derricks vs. Dragons OS/KR Steve Papin: This game will feature a match-up of two of the most explosive kick returners in professional football. Both Derricks and Papin rank among the league leaders in kickoff return and all-purpose yardage. These two young stars will also line up opposite one another when New York's offence takes the field.

Phantoms DL Steve Konopka vs. Dragons O-line: Konopka, the league leader with 4 sacks, will be looking to do damage against the offensive line that has surrendered the most sacks in the AFL this year.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 28, 2002


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