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Sharks Game Notes

March 23, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Corpus Christi Sharks News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Rio Grande Valley Dorados (0-0)

Vs Corpus Christi Sharks (0-0)

Date: Saturday, March 28,2009

Kickoff: 7:05 p.m. CT

Site: American Bank Center (7,498), Corpus Christi, TX

National Anthem: TBD

Coin Toss: Mayor Henry Garrett

Officials: TBD

Radio: ESPN 1230 KSIX - Scott Howe

Pre-Game 6:40pm

Kickoff 7:05

TV: NIFTYtv.com/af2

Series Record: Dorados lead Series 5 - 1

Last Meeting: Dorados defeated the Sharks 48 - 26 on July 12, 2008.

Streaks: The Dorados have won the last two meetings with Corpus Christi. The Sharks are looking to run their opening day record to 2-1.

Coaches: Dorados: Marty Hammond, (29-19 regular season; 1-1 playoffs, 4th season with Rio Grande)

Sharks: Michael Trigg (13-19 regular season, 3rd season with Corpus Christi)

THE STAKES: The Sharks come into the season with the deepest and most talented roster in franchise history. The expectations are certainly high and nothing less then a playoff berth will be satisfactory in 2009.

THE SERIES: Tonight's game is the 7th meeting all time and the first of 4 meetings between these two division rivals in 2009.

THE IFs:

If Corpus Christi Wins

It would win their second consecutive season and home opener.

It would move the all time home record above .500 to 9-8.

It would earn its second consecutive home victory over Rio Grande.

Corpus Christi Sharks (0-0) (All Times Cent.)

Date

Opponent

Result

Score

3/28

Rio Grande Valley

7p

4/4

@Bossier/

Shreveport

7p

4/11

Amarillo

7p

4/25

@ Rio Grande

7:30p

5/3

@ Florida

6:30p

5/9

Tennessee Valley

7p

5/16

@ Amarillo

7p

5/25

Oklahoma City

3:05p

5/30

Arkansas

7p

6/6

@Bossier/

Shreveport

7p

6/13

Rio Grande Valley

7p

6/20

@ Oklahoma City

7p

6/27

Kentucky

7p

7/11

@ Arkansas

7p

7/18

Bossier Shreveport

7p

7/25

@ Rio Grande Valley

7:30p

HEAD COACHES:

Mike Trigg is in his third season as head coach of the Sharks. Last season, Trigg lead the Sharks to a 7-9 record. The numbers don't tell the whole story however as the Sharks were far more competitive in their sophomore campaign with the team just missing the post season on the final day of the season. Heading in to 2009, Trigg has revamped his coaching staff and his roster determined to deliver a winning season to Sharks fans!

Marty Hammond enters his fourth year as coach of the Dorados. After leading the Dorados to a league best 15-1 mark in 2007, Hammond's team came crashing back to earth in 2008 going 7-9 on the season. Hammond looked to upgrade at QB brining in former Dallas Cowboy Quincy Carter, but Carter was ruled ineligible by the league so Tiger Lyons will return under center.

TALE OF THE TAPE:

Statistical

Dorados

SHARKS

Category

Rank

Stat

Rank

Stat

NO STATS

FIRST GAME FOR BOTH TEAMS

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Sharks Team Leaders

Player

Category

Stat

NONE

Passing Yds

0

Receptions

Receiving Yds

Rushing Yds

All-Purpose Yds

Total TDs

Receiving TDs

Rushing TDs

Scoring

Sacks

INTs

Tackles

TFL

LEAGUE TOP 5: Sharks players from this week's matchup who rank among af2's statistical leaders:

SHARKS

Player

Rank

Category

Stat

NO TOP 5'S

MILESTONES:

The Sharks look to win there second straight season opener and home opener.

Jonathan Graham is 3 catches away from his 100 career reception with Corpus Christi.

Brandon Hussey is 17 catches away from 250 career receptions and 340 yards away from 3000 in his Sharks career.

Sharks QB Gary Cooper will eclipse the 100 career TD plateau with two TD passes.

DROPBACK: The Sharks 2008 season ended with a one point loss to the Manchester Wolves 46-45 on July 26th, 2008.

FORWARD MOTION: Corpus Christi will play its first road game of 2009 next Saturday in Bossier Shreveport. The Sharks are still looking for their first win against the Wings... they are 0-4.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

Stability at QB: The Sharks feel they now have their first franchise QB in Gary Cooper. 10 different players have taken snaps for the franchise over its first two seasons.

Who's #1, or 2, or 3? WR's Brandon Hussey and Jonathan Graham return after each posted 1000 yard seasons last year. Jerale Badon and Brandon Jackson are competing for time as the #3 receiver with Nate Fricke waiting to come off IR. Tim Harris may return soon so the battle for starting wide outs is still being fought.

Hello My Name is...: After a sub par 2008, the Sharks have completely overhauled the secondary with Henry Hall being the only returnee from last year's team.

PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

Sharks Offensive and Defensive Lines: The Sharks look to control the line of scrimmage this week. The Sharks look to put a lot of pressure on the Dorados QB while giving Gary Cooper the time to find his offensive weapons down field. If the Sharks control the line... they'll control the game.

The WOW Factor: Ivory McCann, who has dazzled fans for two seasons decided against playing this season. The question now is can Henry Hall maintain the Sharks superior Kickoff and MFG return game.

Sharks Secondary: The Sharks have struggled in the past in the secondary. Look for new Defensive Coordinator Quinn Cairo to be much more aggressive this season. Rookie Scott Felando could be a star in the making.

Can You Tackle a House? The new face at Fullback this year Wallace House is aptly named. His big bruising style left opposing defenses stymied while producing 12 TD's in 11 games for Florida in 2007. Last season the Dusters used House primarily as a LB. Look for House to be the Sharks Unstoppable Force in goal line situations this year.

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