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Wolves Game Notes

May 6, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Mohegan Wolves News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Albany Conquest (3-1) vs. Mohegan Wolves (2-3)
Date: 5/10/02
Kickoff: 7:30 pm
Site: Mohegan Sun Arena- (7,564)
National Anthem: TBA
Coin Toss: TBA
Officials: William Gosselin (Referee), Karl Swanke (Umpire), Stephen Toal (Head Linesman), John Salmon (Line Judge), Derwin Williams (Back Judge)
Radio: WMOS-The Wolf
TV: none
Series Record: Conquest 1-0
Last Meeting: April 5, 2002
Streaks: Mohegan-Lost 2/Albany-Lost 1
Coaches: Gary Porter (9-12, 2nd Year)
Ron Selesky (9-11, 2nd Year)

THE STAKES: After a two game skid the Wolves have six divisional games that will decide their playoff future. Albany is coming off a bye week, which followed the first loss of the season for the Conquest to Rochester. A win versus Albany would put Mohegan back in contention for the Northeast Divisional crown.

THE SERIES: Albany defeated Mohegan 29-14 on April 5th. That game was both franchises first game. Offensive Specialist Corey Hill earned game MVP honors with 14 receptions for 103 yards and a TD. Defensive Specialist Henry Baker earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game Honors when he intercepted 2 passes and recorded 4.5 tackles. Conquest lineman Alex Houston was named Ironman of the game. The Conquest were led by QB John Krueger who passed for 130 yards and 2 touchdowns. Wolves Offensive Specialist Brandon Burnside caught the first pass in team history that also happened to be the first touchdown in team history. It was a 33-yard catch from QB Cable Davis. Brandon’s twin brother Brent caught the other Mohegan touchdown on the night, an 11-yard reception. Davis passed for 191 yards on the night. Wolves’ defensive specialist Carlos McLaurin recorded 7.5 tackles on the night. WR/LB Melvin Phillips had the first interception in team history. He also had 5 ½ tackles on the evening. Lineman Pete Govens recorded the franchise’s first sack against Albany that night as well.

THE IFs:

If Mohegan defeats Albany, it would …
· Give Mohegan 1-1 series record with Albany
· Give Mohegan 2-1 home record in 2002
· Give the Wolves a 2-2 divisional record
· Give Head Coach Gary Porter a 3-3 record as a coach of the Wolves and a 10-12 overall record as an af2 coach
· Give Wolves Head Coach Gary Porter a 1-1 lifetime record vs. Albany
· Give Wolves Head Coach Gary Porter a 1-3 lifetime record vs. Conquest Head Coach Ron Selesky
· Give the Wolves a 3-3 conference record
· Give the Wolves their third win in franchise history

HEAD COACHES: In just his second season as head coach, Gary Porter leads his second expansion team into af2 play. Last season he led the expansion Peoria Pirates to a 7-9 record. The Pirates had the top-rated run defense in af2. Porter played in the Arena Football League in 1997 as a Quarterback for the Texas Terror. Ron Selesky enters his second season as a Head Coach in the af2. Last season Ron led the Louisville to a 6-10 record. Prior to his stint in Louisville, Ron spent one season as the director of player personnel and assistant coach for the Carolina Cobras. Before joining Carolina, Selesky served as the director of player personnel/assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Storm, where he coached from 1997-99. During that time the Storm compiled a 31-11 regular season record and a berth in the Arena Bowl XII.

LAST SERIES MEETING: Albany defeated Mohegan 29-14 on April 5th at the Mohegan Sun Arena in front of 5,041. It was the first game in either team’s history.

SERIES NOTABLES: Andy Macaione: 4 receptions, 51 yards, 3 rushes 15 yards…Brent Burnside: 3 receptions 33 yards, 1 TD…Cable Davis: 15-31 191 yards, 2 TD’s…Carlos McLaurin: 7.5 tackles…Jeff Cogell: 1 sack…Heron O’Neal: 4 tackles, 1 pass broken up…Corey Hill: Game MVP, 14 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD…Henry Baker: ADT Defensive Player of the Game, 2 interception, 4 ½ tackles, 3 passes broken up…Alex Houston: Ironman of the Game…

FAMILIAR FACES: Since defeating Mohegan Albany has beaten Rochester and Wilkes Barre-Scranton. They lost to Rochester on April 27th. Mohegan defeated Rochester on April 19th. Wolves Defensive Specialist Carlos McLaurin and Conquest Offensive Specialist Corey Hill were teammates last season with the Iowa Barnstormers.

THIS WEEK’S QUOTES:

Head Coach Gary Porter on last week’s game vs. Norfolk:

“I’m disappointed in our play, but we’ve got to get past it and focus on the next 6games, which are all divisional games. We are going to make some changes to strengthen up some key positions. We just aren’t playing well right now, bottom line.”

MILESTONES:

· OS Brandon Burnside became the first player in Mohegan Wolves history to return a kick for a touchdown (56 yards) vs. Norfolk on 4/12

· FB/LB Kenyea Ware recorded the first rushing touchdown in franchise history with a 1 yard plunge versus Norfolk on 4/12

· QB Cable Davis threw the first completion as well as touchdown in franchise history. That happened on the same play, which was the opening offensive play in team history. He hooked up with Brandon Burnside from 33 yards out for the first touchdown in franchise history versus the expansion Albany Conquest on 4/5

· OL/DL Pete Govens recorded the first sack in team history vs. the Conquest on 4/5

· WR/LB Melvin Phillips recorded the first interception in team history vs. Albany on 4/5

· QB Cable Davis became the first 300 yard passer in franchise history with his 357 yard effort versus Rochester on 4/19

· WR/DB Brent Burnside became the first 100 yard receiver in franchise history with 9 receptions for 172 yards against Rochester on April 19th

· Brent Burnside recorded the second 100 yard receiving game in team history vs. New Haven on 4/27, he caught 6 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown

· Offensive Specialist Brandon Burnside became the first player other than his twin brother to record a 100-yard receiving night. Brandon had 8 receptions for 142 yards and 3 touchdowns against Norfolk on 5/4

· May 4th’s game at Norfolk marked the first time in team history that both Brandon and Brent Burnside didn’t both catch a touchdown pass.

DROPBACK: The Wolves dropped their second straight road game to the Norfolk Nighthawks (1-3). Mohegan had 4 turnovers and 17 penalties for 153 yards in the loss. QB Cable Davis was injured in the 2nd quarter but returned to pass for 208 yards and 4 touchdowns. Back up QB Kevin Carty passed for 2 touchdowns despite leaving the game with a separated shoulder. Brandon Burnside caught 8 passes for 142 yards and 3 touchdowns while Andy Macaione hauled in 5 passes for 54 yards and 2 touchdowns. Lineman Jeff Cogell continued his consistent play with a sack, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown.

FORWARD MOTION: Mohegan will host Rochester, another Northeast Divisional foe. The Wolves defeated the Brigade on April 19th by the score of 54-45. It will be the second of three meetings between the Brigade and the Wolves. Rochester will return to Connecticut on July 19th for the final home game of the regular season for the Wolves.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

From Heron Out: Defensive Specialist Heron O’Neal looks to continue the success that he had the previous two seasons with the Milwaukee Mustangs. As a two year started in the AFL Heron recorded 3 interceptions to with 100 tackles and 2 touchdowns. Heron had 4 tackles in his Wolves debut. O’Neal recorded his first af2 interception against Norfolk while defending 2 passes as well. Heron added a key forced fumble late in the game against Rochester to help seal the victory. He also recorded 2 tackles and defended one pass. Against New Haven Heron had a tackle, a fumble recovery and two passes defended. In the second game versus Norfolk Heron had 3.5 tackles and one pass broken up.

Two game home stand: Mohegan will have two home games, both divisional match ups before a home-at-home with the New Haven Ninjas. The Wolves will welcome Albany (3-1) this weekend and Rochester (2-3) next weekend before the games vs. New Haven.

Pivotal Six Pack: The next six games for the Mohegan Wolves will go a long way in determining the fate of the 2002 Mohegan Wolves. They will play every team in their division including Albany, Rochester, New Haven twice, and Wilkes Barre-Scranton twice.

Burning up the Turf: Brent and Brandon Burnside look to have the same impact on the Mohegan Wolves that they did with Tulsa. In 2000 Brandon had 120 receptions for 1721 yards and 33 touchdowns for the Talons while Brent had 54 receptions for 623 yards and 11 touchdowns as well as 45 tackles and 6 interceptions. Brent and Brandon both recorded a receiving touchdown in their Wolves debut. The twins matched their opening night effort with each brother hauling in a touchdown catch. Brandon also added a kickoff return for a touchdown. The trend continued against Rochester when both brothers recorded more than one touchdown: Brent had 3 while Brandon recorded 2 in only one half of play. The twins did it again with both scoring touchdowns versus New Haven. Brent had 6 receptions for 101 yards while Brandon had 4 receptions for 48 yards against the Ninjas. Brandon had his best game in the blue and silver against Norfolk. He recorded 8 receptions for 142 and 3 touchdowns. Brent rushed for 26 yards and caught one pass for 6 yards. He also had a tackle in the defeat.

Top Tackler: Defensive Specialist Carlos McLaurin is a two time ADT Defensive Player of the Game. He led the team in tackles in each of the first four games. Carlos was named Built Ford Tough Player of the Game for his 7-tackle effort against New Haven. Carlos recorded 4 tackles, an interception and 2 passes broken up against Norfolk.

PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

Wolves DS Heron O’Neal: Heron enters his first af2 game with two years of AFL experience under his belt. He stands to be one of the most dominant defensive specialists in the entire af2.

Conquest OS Corey Hill: Hill torched the Wolves for 14 receptions and 102 yards in the first meeting. He is among the league leaders in receiving and will be the key in shutting down the Conquest’s offensive attack.

Wolves OS Brandon Burnside: As one of the top receivers in the af2, Brandon beat the Conquest deep in the first game.

Conquest DS Henry Baker: Baker recorded 2 interceptions of Cable Davis on opening night. He along with his defensive backfield mates shut the Wolves offense down in the second half.

KEY DATES IN TEAM HISTORY:

· July 19th, 2001: Mohegan Sun Arena and Dr. Eric Margenau announce agreement to bring af2 to southeastern Connecticut

· Nov. 1st, 2001: 1st Season Tickets sold, Margaret Lidden becomes first Wolves Season Ticket holder

· Dec. 12th, 2001: Team Name and logo unveiled

· Dec. 12th, 2001: Jeff Cogell, Randy Hart, Greg Gildea and Mike Thomas become first Mohegan Wolves assignees

· Jan. 5th, 2002: Team Holds Inaugural Player tryout

· Jan. 14th, 2002: Wolves sign Andy Macaione, Heron O’Neal, Daniel Porter

· Jan. 25th, 2002: Wolves sign Kevin Carty, and Mondez Haire

· Jan. 28th, 2002: Wolves Hold Inaugural Cheerleader Tryouts at Stashes Café on Super Bowl Sunday

· Feb. 5th, 2002: Wolves sign Mike Zawilinski, Edwin Moore, Gary Bolden, Anthony Giovingo, and Bryan Sparacino

· Feb. 17th, 2002: Wolves hold second cheer leader audition

· Feb. 20th, 2002: Wolves sign James Duckett, Carl Wisnieski, Pete Govens, Antron Peebles, Alex Sepulveda, Isaiah Holloway, and Brian Shubin

· Feb. 27th, 2002: Wolves sign Carlos McLaurin, Mike Summers, Troy Davidson, and Brian Hegnauer

· Mar. 1st, 2002: Single Game Tickets go on sale at Mohegan Sun Box Office as well as tickets.com

· Mar 7th, 2002: Opening night April 5th vs. the Albany Conquest dubbed “Pride of America Night”

· Mar 19th, 2002: First practice in Mohegan Wolves history, held at Workout World in Waterford

· April 5th, 2002: The Wolves drop the inaugural game in team history to the Albany Conquest by the score of 29-14

· April 12th, 2002: Wolves win their first game in team history by defeating the Norfolk Nighthawks 47-29 at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

· April 19th, 2002: Wolves win their first road game in franchise history by defeating the Rochester Brigade 54-45.

· April 27th, 2002: Wolves lose their first road game in team history to the New Haven Ninjas 51-38. They also lost possession of the “Constitution Cup” a traveling trophy that goes to the winner of each Ninja/Wolves game

· May 4th, 2002: Wolves lose first overtime game in team history to the Norfolk Nighthawks 58-51.

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