Texas Copperheads game notes
June 1, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Texas Copperheads News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings (6-2, 4-0)
At Texas Copperheads (2-6, 2-2)
Date: June 2, 2007
Kickoff: 7:05pm
Site: Berry Center
National Anthem: TBA
Coin Toss: TBA
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Mike Defee
Umpire: Eric Griffin
Head Linesman: Otis Cliatt
Line Judge: Keith Garmond
Back Judge: Joe Machol
Radio: KWKH am1130 - Darrell Rebouche
Net: www.kwkhonline.com, TSRN - Texas Sports Radio Network
TV: None
Series Record: 1-0 BattleWings
Last Meeting: 52-0 BattleWings on April 14, 2007
Streaks: BattleWings, L1 Copperheads L2
Coaches: Jon Norris (6-2, First season), 16-9 as an af2 head coach.
Bryan Blake, (2-6) First season
THE STAKES:
This is a division game and the BattleWings need a win. Their loss to South Georgia, Combined with a Rio Grande valley victory over Amarillo, knocked the Wings out of first place in the af2 Southwest for the first time in 2007.
The Copperheads offense improved greatly last week as they scored the most points this season in a 77-60 loss at Tri-Cities. Both Copperheads wins this year have come at home.
THE SERIES: The Battle Wings beat Texas in Bossier City, 52-0. During that game, Elex Reed recorded a league-record six sacks. The loss was the worst in the Copperheads brief history.
THE IFs:
If the BattleWings defeat Texas, it would ...
- Keep the BattleWings unbeaten within the af2 Southwest division in 2007.
- Mean the Wings will sweep the season series with the Copperheads.
- Give Jon Norris a 17-9 record as an af2 head coach.
If the Copperheads defeat the Battlewings, it would ...
- Push the Copperheads into a winning drive into the second half of the season.
- Give the Copperheads their third home win of the season.
- Give Copperheads Booker Jenkins revenge against his former team.
FAMILIAR FACES:
Former Battlewings FB/LB Booker Jenkins, a product of Louisiana-Lafayette, plays for the Copperheads.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
It was a story of complete dominance. The Battlewings did not allow Texas to score, the second shutout in af2 history.
DIVISION STANDINGS:
Southwest
Rio Grande Valley Dorados 7 - 1 .875 4 - 1 .800
Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings 6 - 2 .750 4 - 0 1.00
Texas Copperheads 2 - 6 .250 2 - 2 .500
Corpus Christi Sharks 1 - 6 .143 1 - 4 .200
Laredo Lobos 0 - 8 .000 0 - 4 .000
PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
The BattleWings' line play was disappointing in last week's loss to South Georgia. It was dominant against the Copperheads in April. So, which line will show up this week?
Can the Copperheads repeat last week's offensive output versus the Battlewings and continue to show improvement over week 2.
THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:
Jon Norris, on the Copperheads:
"We expect to see a completely different team than we saw back in April. They have changed their roster significantly, and they continue to gain valuable experience playing our brand of football. We must prepare diligently to face a much-improved team"
On his team's injury woes: "We have lost several valuable soldiers, and that's never a good thing. Our players know what they have to do, though and I expect them to do it."
HEAD COACHES:
Jon Norris, Bossier - Shreveport: (First season)
Jon Norris came to the BattleWings from the Austin Wranglers of the AFL where he served as the Defensive Coordinator and Line Coach. He made a demonstrative difference in Austin where in 2005, the offensive line gave up only 4 sacks which led the AFL. Norris spent 3 seasons with the Dallas Desperados in the AFL where he served as line coach and special teams coach. His line racked up some impressive stats, both offensively and defensively. Under Norris' leadership, Will Pettis led AFL with 88 kickoff returns for 1750 yards and 4 TD's. Norris moved to Dallas after a stint as assistant head coach and offensive and defensive line coach for the Oklahoma Wranglers. His Oklahoma defense finished 3rd in AFL with 21 sacks.
Norris served as head coach for the Tulsa Talons (af2) and led them to the playoffs in their inaugural season with an offense that averaged 52.7 points per game and a defense that led the league with 33 interceptions
Norris spent time in the NFL with the New England Patriots in 1984 and 1985. He played for the Chicago Bears in 1987 and 1988. Norris is married with two sons.
Bryan Blake, Texas:
Blake was the owner and head coach of this team when it played as the Katy Copperheads in the NIFL. While he is not a stranger to indoor football, he is making adjustments to the nuances of the arena game.
The native Houstonian, who grew up in League City, TX, coached the Copperheads to a 12-4 record and a first-round playoff win in their only season in the National Indoor Football League.
Blake began his coaching career in 2003 as a defensive coordinator with the NIFL franchise Beaumont Drillers. A year later, he took the reins of the entire team and led the Drillers to an 8-6 record, good for second place in the Pacific South Division. In 2005, his coaching career landed him with the NIFL expansion team Lubbock Gunslingers.
After one season with the Gunslingers, Blake added the word "owner" to his portfolio as he founded the NIFL Katy Copperheads. He then paired with Doug MacGregor to help establish the franchise in af2.
THE SCHEDULES:
Bossier - Shreveport (6-2, 4-0 Lost 1)
Date Opponent Result Score
4/7 FT. WAYNE 7:00 W 67-52
4/14 TEXAS 7:00 W 52-0
4/21 At Rio Grande 7:30 W 52-48
4/27 LAREDO 7:30 W 64-45
5/5 At Corpus Christi 7:00 W 62-27
5/12 At Arkansas 7:00 L 50-62
5/18 MANCHESTER 7:30 W 62-52
5/26 SOUTH GEORGIA 7:00 L 46-60
Date Opponent Time Streak Series
6/2 At Texas 7:00 W1 1-0
6/8 At Alabama 7:00 W1 1-3
6/16 Corpus Christi 7:00 W1 1-0
6/29 At Amarillo 7:30 W1 1-3
7/7 ARKANSAS 7:00 L8 2-9
7/14 RIO GRANDE 7:00 W1 3-3
7/21 At WB/Scranton 6:00 None 0-0
7/28 At Laredo 7:00 W1 1-0
Texas (2-6, 2-2 Lost 2)
Date Opponent Result Score
4/7 FLORIDA 7:00 L 13-54
4/14 at Bossier-Shreveport 7:00 L 0-52
4/21 CORPUS CHRISTI 7:00 W 56-42
4/29 At Lubbock 3:00 L 27-65
5/3 ALABAMA 7:00 L 27-58
5/13 LAREDO 7:00 W 42-34
5/19 CORPUS CHRISTI 7:00 L 28-39
5/26 At Tri-City 7:00 L 60-77
Date Opponent Time Streak Series
6/2 Bossier-Shreveport 7:00
6/9 At Rio Grande 7:30
6/16 At Laredo 7:00
6/30 LUBBOCK 7:00
7/7 At Corpus Christi 7:00
7/14 At South Georgia 6:30
7/21 TULSA 7:00
7/28 RIO GRANDE 7:00
LEAGUE TOP 10s: Players from this week's matchup who rank among af2's statistical leaders:
COPPERHEADS
Player Rank Category Stat
Jarrod Fuller 6 All purpose 166.2 ypg
Nick Gatto 1 Field Goals 10
BATTLEWINGS
Player Rank Category Stat
Jason Schule 2 Rushing avg. 28.0 ypg
Jason Schule T1 Rushing TD's 12
Jason Schule 4 Yards/ rush 5.3
Jason Schule 1 Rushing yards 224
Quincy Carter 6 Passing avg. 266.2 ypg
Quincy Carter 6 Total offense 271.2 ypg
Quincy Carter 4 Pass efficiency 117.9
Quincy Carter 1 Yards/ play 8.3
Quincy Carter 2 Yards/ completion 13.5
PJ Winston 3 Yards/ catch 16.7
Jamaal Perry Receptions
Kendrick Walker T3 Interceptions 6
Kendrick Walker MFG returns
Brian Hazelwood 1 Scoring (kick) 77 points
Brian Hazelwood 2 Field Goals 9
Brian Hazelwood 3 PAT kicking 50
Kenneth Williams 6 Tackles 53.5
Elex Reed 1 Sacks 9.5
Elex Reed 1 Tackles for loss 13.5
Elex Reed 9 Fum. forced 3
TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:
The BattleWings have hit a rough patch. They've lost two of their last three games. Two defensive backs are lost with injuries. Wide receiver/ kick returner Anthony Chambers is lost for the season with a shoulder injury. Questions linger at the quarterback position.
The Copperheads have lost two straight games and will try to rebound against one of the best af2 teams in 2007. The team is still battling with the quarterbacks position. Being an expansion team, the Copperheads have experienced growth pains throughout most of the season.
MILESTONES:
The Battle Wings are seeking the second winning season in franchise history. The team's best season was 9-7. The Battle Wings, in six af2 seasons, have yet to reach the playoffs.
The Battle Wings have won as many games in 2007 as they did over the last two seasons combined.
The Copperheads continue to find all their wins in 2007 at the Berry Center. The team is currently in a 2-game losing streak.
BATTLEWINGS RECENT ROSTER MOVES (most recent first):
Date Action Player
5/31 Activate Tramissian Davis
5/31 Activate Kendrick Bournes
5/29 Injured reserve Brent Withers
5/29 Injured reserve Anthony Chambers
5/24 Assigned Dane King
5/24 Injured reserve Kendrick Walker
5/17 Team Suspension Quincy Carter
5/3 Activated from refused to report Reggie Hargrove
5/3 Assigned Frank Henson
4/23 Team suspension Charlie Myles
4/21 Injured Reserve Kendrick Bournes
4/12 Activated Charlie Myles
4/12 Activated Greg Hodges
4/12 Reassignment Marcus Harris
4/12 Team Suspension Victor Carter
3/30 Team Suspension Greg Hodges
3/29 Recallable Assignment Adrian Burnette
3/29 Recallable Assignment Edmundo Martinez
3/29 Reassignment Ederrick Coleman
3/29 Reassignment Chris Highshaw
3/29 Reassignment Booker Jenkins
3/29 Reassignment Damian Huren
3/27 Assigned Terrence Jefferson
3/27 Assigned Tramissian Davis
3/18 Reassignment Patrick Craig
FORWARD MOTION:
The Battlewings will be in Birmingham next weekend to play the Alabama Steeldogs, and then will come home to face the Corpus Christi Sharks.
The Copperheads will hit the road next week against the first place Rio Grande Dorados.
HIGH NOON:
Gary Cooper made his debut at QB for the BattleWings against Manchester. The former Booker T. Washington star who played at Grambling threw five touchdown passes to five different receivers. Against South Georgia he passed for 225 yards and four Touchdowns.
The Copperheads will watch up with theone two punch of Kenton evans and Tony Eckert.
TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how the Lobos and the Wings match up:
Statistical BATTLEWINGS COPPERHEADS
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring offense 4 56.9 28 31.6
Scoring defense 8 43.5 25 52.6
Pass offense 10 251.8 ypg 20 158. 2 ypg
Pass defense 27 257.9 ypg 21 246.9 ypg
Kickoff returns 4 20.3 20 15.5
Turnover margin T9 +3 T23 -8
Rushing offense 3 35.9 19 16.6
Rushing defense 12 17.4 19 23.0
Total offense 4 287.6 30 174.9
Total defense T24 275.2 23 269.9
Pass efficiency 8 112.2 29 60.2
Pass def. efficiency 9 89.3 12 97.0
First downs T18 136 26 116
Opp. first downs T24 149 11 135
Sacks by T3 18 T13 13
Penalties 18 59.8 ypg 14 54.6 ypg
Opp. Penalties 28 43.2 ypg 17 55.9 ypg
Red Zone offense 4 32 of 38 27 16 of 27
Red Zone defense 6 23 of 33 27 37 of 44
3rd dn conversions 5 24 of 49 19 21 of 60
Opp 3rd dn conv. 21 30 of 69 23 25 of 55
Sacks against T7 7 T39 30
Field Goals 4 9 of 13 13 10 of 29
PAT kicking 9 50 of 61 20 23 of 31
Yards/ off. Play 1 7.2 29 4.2
Total off. Yards 3 2286 29 1399
Offensive TD's T5 57 30 27
Yards per rush 2 4.5 22 1.9
Rushing TD's T9 14 26 7
Pass yds/ attempt 4 7.9 29 4.8
Passing TD's 12 43 29 20
Int. ret. avg. 8 15.6 27 6.1
Fumble ret. avg. 2 35.0 17 3.0
Interception returns T4 14/ 3 TD's T10 12/ 2 TD's
BATTLEWINGS INJURY REPORT:
Pos. Name Injury Status
WR Anthony Chambers Shoulder IR
DB Brent Withers Knee IR
DB Kendrick Walker Wrist IR
OL/DL Nick Codutti Elbow Doubtful
WR Terrance Jefferson Groin IR
COPPERHEADS INJURY REPORT:
Pos. Name Injury Status
WR Jason Deml Leg IR
OL Matthew Beeler Shoulder IR
OL Jesse Duncan Leg IR
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