A look at Louisville's road to the ArenaCup
Published on August 23, 2005 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release
SHREVEPORT, La. - When the Louisville Fire are mentioned, a name that might come to mind is quarterback Matt Sauk. And deservingly so, it should.
In his second year as the signal caller for the Fire - and fourth in the af2 - Sauk shattered three af2 single season passing records while guiding the Fire to its first-ever American Conference championship and berth in ArenaCup6.
Sauk set records for touchdowns (99), yards (4,489) and completions (408), which earned him the honor of af2 Offensive Player of the Year. But it wasn't just Sauk who helped the Fire to their best record in team history (14-5) and to the championship. It took an entire team to grow into what this Fire team has.
It took veteran leadership and rookies stepping up to guide the Fire to within one step of their ultimate goal. Veteran players such as fullback/linebacker Demetrius Forney and offensive/defensive lineman Derrick Shepard led a group of rookies and first-year players like wide receiver/defensive back Cesare Manning and offensive specialist Rob Mager.
The season started off great for the Fire, who came out of the gates and won their first four games. Then three straight setbacks against would-be playoff teams, including two on the road, challenged the Fire. Back-to-back losses at Manchester and Green Bay were followed by a 47-43 loss at home to Florida.
It took overtime the next week for the Fire to knock off Albany. Another road test awaited the Fire the next week at Quad City, where the Steamwheelers avenged a 2004 playoff loss with a 47-41 win.
The additions of offensive/defensive linemen Andrew Tippins and Paul White helped turn the Fire's season around. After the two joined the Fire in late May/early June, the Fire, well, caught fire.
Sitting at 6-5 with five weeks left in the season, the Fire went on a run to finish the regular season at 11-5, which included wins over Oklahoma City and Manchester, to earn the third seeding.
The trek through the playoffs was not an easy one for the Fire. After opening the postseason on the road because the Fire's home arena, Freedom Hall, was already booked, the Fire went down to Macon and rallied for a 55-54 victory.
Trailing 51-34 with 2 minutes, 8 seconds remaining, the Fire scored twice in the final minute to cap a 35-point fourth quarter. Macon had a chance to win at the buzzer, but Macon kicker Sharif Najib missed a 37-yard field goal.
The win propelled them into the following week's contest against second-seeded Manchester. The Wolves led 21-20 with 6:21 to go in the second quarter, but it would be the only lead they would hold, and the Fire went on to win 69-56.
The defending ArenaCup champion Florida Firecats awaited the Fire in the American Conference championship. The Firecats trailed 21-20 with 2:19 to go in the first half, but just like they did during at the end of the season, the Fire caught fire. Over the next 8:40, the Fire outscored the Firecats 28-6 to take command of the game that the Fire eventually walked away with a 70-40 win.
The success of the team showed when the league awards were handed out this week. Other than Sauk taking home the Offensive Player of the Year award, kicker Danny Kight was named the Kicker of the Year.
To say that this is the best season in Louisville history goes without saying, but to the players and coaches, it won't be the best unless they are hoisting a trophy at the end of the night.
arenafootball2 Stories from August 23, 2005
- A look at Louisville's road to the ArenaCup - af2
- Fire ArenaCup update - Louisville Fire
- A look at Memphis' road to the ArenaCup - af2
- Marquis Floyd Earns Cutters Gloves af2 Ironman of the Year Award - Rio Grande Valley Dorados
- Marquis Floyd named Ironman of the Year - af2
- Matt Sauk scores Offensive Player of the Year - af2
- Sauk, Larkin and Adams receive conference finals honors - af2
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