Sports stats



af2 arenafootball2

2005 National Conference Preview

March 29, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


Editor's Note: af2's sixth season begins Friday, April 1 with five games on the opening weekend schedule. Below is a team-by-team preview of the National Conference. A team-by-team preview of the American Conference was released on Monday and can be found at the following link: http://www.af2.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3525&ATCLID=114764&SPID=1590&ISWIDE=1.

MIDWEST DIVISION

Amarillo Dusters (expansion team)

Home Field: Amarillo Civic Center (4,870)

Head Coach: Don Carthel, first year in Amarillo, 0-0 career regular season record

Returners: NA (expansion team)

Rookies Invited to Camp: 24

Key Players Lost: NA

Key New Faces: NA

Key Returners: NA

Burning Questions: Can a team lacking af2 experience compete with the big boys? Can the Dusters make "The Cellar" a home field advantage?

Last Game: NA

Comments: Melvin Phillips, a WR/LB has three years of experience in af2. Other players with af2 experience include WR/DB Wali Mumin, FB/LB Joe Massey and OL/DL Markavious Woods. Making up for their inexperience on the field is the Arena Football experience on the coaching staff. Rickey Foggie, an eight year AFL veteran quarterback joins the Dusters coaching staff as the offensive coordinator. His experience will help the Dusters make an impact in the Midwest Division. The Dusters receiving corps received a blow when 6-5 WR/LB Anton Paige tore his right ACL in training camp, ending his season before it even began. Quarterback Julian Reece will need to find other receivers to get the ball to.

Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings (2004: 5-11)

Home Field: Century Tel Center (12,500)

Head Coach: Keith Barefield, second year in Bossier-Shreveport, 5-11 career regular season record

Returners: 7

Rookies Invited to Camp: 21

Key Players Lost: QB – Sherard Poteete, WR/LB – Reggie Perkins, DS - Willie Sheppard

Key New Faces: QB – Brent Rawls, OS – Kenneth Johnson, FB/LB – Joe Wesley

Key Returners: WR/LB – Shadrick McAfee, OS – Bo Smith, WR/DB – Heard Robinson

Burning Questions: Can quarterback Brent Rawls play consistently as a rookie? Poteete was the Battle Wings' leading rusher, who will control the ground game for the Battle Wings?

Last Game: Lost at Arkansas 36-60 in regular season finale

Comments: Instead of bringing back the majority of a five win team last season Keith Barefield has gone with the "out with the old, in with the new" philosophy bringing in several af2 rookies. These rookies come with some big time college football resumes. The Battle Wings' 35 man training camp roster features players from twelve different D-1A schools, including players from LSU and Louisiana Tech. The key for Keith Barefield will be adjusting them to the unique aspects of Arena Football. Look for veteran Caleb Slover to step in immediately if Rawls struggles.

Memphis Xplorers (2004: 10-6)

Home Field: DeSoto Civic Center (8,444)

Head Coach: Danton Barto, fourth year in Memphis, 21-27 career regular season record

Returners: 7

Rookies Invited to Camp: 23

Key Players Lost: QB – Michael Wall, OS – Robert Kilow, DS – Kenzaki Jones

Key New Faces: DS – Roderick Jefferson, OL/DL – Lewis Powell, OL/DL – Ryan Roberts

Key Returners: OS – Kevin Prentiss, DS – Dahnel Singfield, OL/DL – Joe Crear

Burning Questions: Bryan Jones was replaced by Michael Wall midway through the 2004 season; can Jones with a year of experience now be the man? Can the Xplorers show last season wasn't a fluke?

Last Game: Lost at Florida 33-35 in the first round of the playoffs

Comments: Last season the Xplorers earned their first playoff berth in franchise history. They had the eventual champion Florida Firecats on the ropes until a 13-yard game winning field goal was missed with no time remaining. Now the Xplorers look to 2005 with high hopes. Two all-af2 performers, Singfield and Crear return along with the always dangerous Kevin Prentiss, making Memphis a favorite in the Midwest Division. Don't overlook the acquisition of Steve Azar at kicker. The former four-time all-MAC kicker made several clutch kicks at Northern Illinois and will look to do the same for Memphis.

Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (2004: 10-6)

Home Field: Ford Center (17,844)

Head Coach: Jeff Jarnigan, first year in Oklahoma City, 0-0 career regular season record

Returners: 6

Rookies Invited to Camp: 7

Key Players Lost: OS - Kris Peters, WR/DB - Timon Marshall, OL/DL - James Landers

Key New Faces: WR/DB – B.J. Barre, DS – Gana Joseph, WR/LB – Craig Cole

Key Returners: QB – Craig Strickland, WR/LB – Al Hunt, OL/DL – Chuck Little

Burning Questions: Former head coach Gary Reasons and offensive coordinator Sparky McEwen are gone, can Jarnigan keep last seasons high-powered offense going? The Dawgz totaled 43 sacks last season, how will the line follow up that performance?

Last Game: Lost 36-45 to Peoria in the first round of the playoffs

Comments: At 10-6 the Dawgz put together one of the most successful expansion seasons in af2 history, now they look to take the next step and advance in the playoffs. Three Dawgz receivers racked up more than 1,000 yards last season, but only Al Hunt returns. Peters and Marshall do not. Hunt is more than just a receiver for Oklahoma City; he led the team in tackles last season with 53.0 while grabbing two interceptions and recovering two fumbles. 2003 ArenaCup MVP Craig Strickland returns at quarterback to provide stability and leadership on offense.

Quad City Steamwheelers (2004: 10-6)

Home Field: The Mark of the Quad Cities (9,437)

Head Coach: Rick Frazier, first year in Quad City, 8-8 career regular season record

Returners: 10

Rookies Invited to Camp: 16

Key Players Lost: QB – Ronnie Gordon, WR/DB – Tim Dodge, WR/LB – Carmelo Ocasio, OL/DL – Jamaal Cherry

Key New Faces: WR/LB – Torrey Morris, DS – Kofi Smith, OS – Travis Burns

Key Returners: DS – Matt Forbes, WR/DB – Jeff Hewitt, WR/DB – Billy Cook

Burning Questions: Which quarterback will step up to guide the Steamwheelers? Can one of af2's traditional powers get over the first round playoff hump after losing their first game in the playoffs the last two seasons?

Last Game: Lost vs. Louisville 48-53 in the first round of the playoffs

Comments: The times they are a changin' for the Steamwheelers. Out is Rich Ingold at head coach, in is former AFL head coach Rick Frazier. Out is quarterback Ronnie Gordon, who moved up to the New York Dragons of the AFL. All-af2 first team WR/DB Tim Dodge is gone as well. As they say though the more things change the more they stay the same, and there are some constants on the Mississippi River. Matt Forbes and Jeff Hewitt are back and you can always count on a stingy Steamwheelers defense, last season they gave up only 38.6 points per game.

WEST DIVISION

Bakersfield Blitz (2004: 11-5)

Home Field: Robobank Arena (9,000)

Head Coach: Rick Van Horne, second year in Bakersfield, 11-5 career regular season record

Returners: 11

Rookies Invited to Camp: 10

Key Players Lost: FB/LB – Ben McCombs, WR/DB – Mel Miller, OL/DL – Ahmad Bhatti

Key New Faces: WR/DB - Ronshay Jenkins, DS – Chris Colbert, QB – Rich Lucero, WR/LB – Mel Long

Key Returners: QB – Chad Elliott, WR/LB – Eric Mahanke, OS – Steve Wofford

Burning Questions: Can Rich Lucero step in if Elliott gets hurt? Who will step up with Mel Miller gone?

Last Game: Lost vs. Peoria 36-38 in National Conference Semifinals

Comments: The defending West Division champions enter the 2005 season with the Chad Elliott to Eric Mahanke connection intact. Last season Elliott completed 326 passes, with 110, or 33 percent of those going to Eric Mahanke. On defense Mahanke intercepted three passes and recovered two fumbles while registering 39.0 tackles, making Mahanke one of the best two-way players in af2. Bakersfield will be looking to prove themselves after earning a bye in the playoffs last season and bowing out after one game. Despite an improved West Division the Blitz look to be the favorites in the division.

Central Valley Coyotes (2004: 3-13)

Home Field: Selland Arena (8,911)

Head Coach: Fred Biletnikoff Jr., first full season in Central Valley, 2-5 career regular season record

Returners: 8

Rookies Invited to Camp: 11

Key Players Lost: OS – Kenyatte Morgan, DS – VonKieth Spencer, WR/DB – Darnell Lacy

Key New Faces: WR/DB – Deronn Finley, WR/DB – Anthony Arceneaux, DS – Josh Robinson

Key Returners: WR/DB – LaMonte Jones, FB/LB – JaJuan Huddleston, QB – Juston Wood

Burning Questions: Can the Coyotes turn their fortunes around this season? Can the Coyotes find stability at the quarterback position?

Last Game: Won at San Diego 48-34 in regular season finale

Comments: The Coyotes struggled last season but finished strong, winning the final two games of the season and defeated San Diego in the final week of the regular season to keep the Riptide out of the playoffs. 2005 looks like it will be different. Former Green Bay Blizzard standout DeRonn Finley comes to the Coyotes. Anthony Arceneaux, one of af2's most exciting players comes to Fresno as well. Josh Robinson and his seven interceptions last season also come to Central Valley. Worth noting, the Coyotes have three players on their training camp roster with the last name of Jones: B'Jay, Daniel and LaMonte.

Rio Grande Valley Dorados (2004: 6-10)

Home Field: Dodge Arena (5,500)

Head Coach: Kevin Guy, first year in Rio Grande Valley, 39-9 career regular season record

Returners: 2

Rookies Invited to Camp: 19

Key Players Lost: OS – Manwell Talbert, WR/DB - Ronshay Jenkins, OL/DL – Spencer Conley

Key New Faces: QB – Josh Kellett, WR/DB – Travis McAlpine, FB/LB – Ben McCombs

Key Returners: K – Eric Houle, OL/DL – Kenny McClain

Burning Questions: Can the Dorados find consistency on offense this season? Can the new players gel fast enough?

Last Game: Won at Wichita 47-43 in regular season finale

Comments: The Dorados brought in af2 veteran head coach Kevin Guy to take over the Dorados and he has already put his stamp on the team. It is a compliment to be called a "man's man." Well, coach Guy has gone out and brought in some "Guy's guys". Players like Josh Kellett and Travis McAlpine are guys who have played for Kevin Guy and will bring a winning attitude to the Dorados. Kellett, who threw 62 touchdowns in 14 games last season, is a dependable leader. McAlpine brings his four interceptions, two fumble recoveries and nine touchdown receptions from last season to the Dorados. Basically this is Guy's team and Guy has his sights on a division title.

San Diego Riptide (2004: 8-8)

Home Field: ipayOne Center (12,920)

Head Coach: Sean Ponder, first year in San Diego, 12-12 career regular season record Returners: 12

Rookies Invited to Camp: 8

Key Players Lost: OS – Dwight Carter, F/LB – Ryan Cuthbert, WR/LB – Jesus Reyes

Key New Faces: WR/LB – Nian Taylor, WR/DB – Anthony Griffin, K – Kimo Naehu

Key Returners: WR/LB – Rico Curtis, WR/DB – Nakoa McElrath, QB – Kevin Feterik

Burning Questions: Can the Riptide get off to a good start? Can the Riptide's returning receivers make up for the loss of Dwight Carter's 104 catches from last season?

Last Game: Loss vs. Central Valley 34-48 in regular season finale

Comments: In 2004 the Riptide were one game away from a playoff spot, but couldn't upend the Coyotes at home in the final week to earn the playoff berth. The 8-8 record was the best in franchise history but that won't be good enough this season. Now most of the key components return looking to not only advance to the playoffs, but win the division. Look for Nian Taylor and Anthony Griffin to combine with Nakoa McElrath to create a dynamic trio of receivers. They totaled 2,511 yards last season and this season could be even better. It will be on Kevin Feterik to get the ball to them.

Tulsa Talons (2004: 13-3)

Home Field: Tulsa Convention Center (7,111)

Head Coach: David Alexander, first year in Tulsa, 0-0 career regular season record

Returners: 14

Rookies Invited to Camp: 9

Players Lost: OS – Mitch Allner, QB – Bob Bees, WR/DB – B.J. Barre

Key New Faces: DS – Ty Ardoin, OL/DL – Spencer Conley, WR/DB – Don McGee

Key Returners: WR/LB – Toby Moeves, WR/DB – Robert Reed, FB/LB – Corky Martin

Burning Questions: Can either Ben Bowling or Josh Blankenship fill Bob Bees' role at the quarterback position? Can rookie head coach David Alexander keep the winning tradition of the Tulsa Talons alive?

Last Game: Lost vs. Peoria 28-30 in National Conference Championship game

Comments: After winning the ArenaCup in 2003 the Talons had almost an entirely new roster last season. This new team surprised many and went on to a 13-3 record and one game away from the ArenaCup before losing in the National Conference Championship game to Peoria. This year the team remains mostly intact. Leading reliever Robert Reed returns along with contributors Mike Duncan and Shan Jordan. One of the best to ever suit up in af2, Mitch Allner, retires and takes over as offensive coordinator. David Alexander enters his first season as head coach. These two men have the talent, now it is up to them to put the players in position to succeed.

About af2

Kicking off its sixth season in 4 days, af2 serves as a vehicle to bring Arena Football to second-tier cities and as a developmental league with an unmatched history of sending players, coaches and officials to major professional football leagues each year. af2 operates under the same Mission Statement and Fans' Bill of Rights as the Arena Football League, which is currently in its 19th season and third on NBC. Log on to www.af2.com for more information.

• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...

arenafootball2 Stories from March 29, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central