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af2 2008 West Division Preview

March 27, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


CHICAGO - The af2's ninth season kicks off this Friday night (March 28) with an 11-game first week schedule. This week a special team-by-team preview is being presented for each division. The following is a profile for the National Conference's West Division, which includes five teams: Boise, Central Valley, Spokane, Stockton and Tri-Cities.

WEST DIVISION

Boise Burn (2007: 8-8)

Home Field: Qwest Arena (5,006)

Head Coach: Lee Leslie, second year in Boise, 8-8 career regular season record

Key Players Lost: DB Tyler Bruhn, WR/LB Emmett White, QB Bart Hendricks, DB Sullivan Beard, FB/LB Corey Dodds

Key New Faces: QB Royal Gill, WR/DB DeRonn Finley, OL/DL Brandon Leyritz

Key Returners: WR/DB Chris Bruhn, WR/DB Ahmad Harris, WR/LB Casey Allen, LB Levi Madarieta, QB B.J. Rhode

Burning Questions: Can Head Coach Lee Leslie fuel the Burn into the playoffs in year two? Will Boise find consistency in its starting QB in 2008? Will the Burn be able to bring the heat up front on defense?

Last Game: Won at Tri-Cities, 52-42, on July 28

Comments: The Burn head into year two in the af2 with playoff aspirations after finishing their first season at 8-8 on the strength of four straight wins to close out 2007. Head Coach Lee Leslie has a number of young returnees back from 2007 that should only improve in 2008. Leading the cast coming back to Boise include the team's two top playmakers from a year ago, WR/LB Casey Allen and WR/DB Ahmad Harris. Allen led all Burn pass catchers with 101 receptions for 1,116 yards and 31 TDs. Harris was second on the squad with 68 catches for 1,133 yards and 21 scores. The duo will be bolstered by the arrival of league veteran DeRonn Finley, a two-way dynamo who last played with Bakersfield in 2007. Finley amassed 1,253 all-purpose yards for the Blitz in 2007 with 14 total touchdowns (10 receiving, 3 rushing, 1 kick return). He also registered 19.5 tackles and two interceptions on defense. The quarterback battle between returnee B.J. Rhode (Boise State) and rookie Royal Gill (Eagle HS grad, New Mexico State) has been tightly contested throughout camp At this time a starter has not been named. Defensively, the Burn are led by FB/LB Levi Madarieta. Madarieta won an ArenaCup title in 2006 as a member of the Spokane Shock and fired up Boise fans in 2007 with his all-around effort and drive. Madarieta notched 27.0 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss in his first season with the Burn. DL Travis Tofi will also be a factor up front for the Burn in 2008. Last year, in just seven games played, the second-year player from USC recorded 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. Lineman Brandon Leyritz, who played in nine games last season with Spokane before spending time in camp with the AFL's Cleveland Gladiators, should bolster the Burn offensive line. If the team doesn't get burned by inconsistent QB play and focuses on limiting its mistakes, Boise will be firmly in the playoff conversation all year long.

Central Valley Coyotes (2007: 10-6; 1-1 playoffs)

Home Field: Selland Arena (5,487)

Head Coach: Fred Biletnikoff, Jr., fourth year with Central Valley, 32-23 career regular season record

Key Players Lost: QB Clay Groefsema, DB Aaron Miller

Key New Faces: OL/DL Larnell Ransom, QB Patrick Josten, QB Joe Ayoob

Key Returners: OL/DL Donyell Booker, WR/LB Wes Borba, WR Jason Barnes, WR Tonae Martin, DL Doug Langenfeld

Burning Questions: Who will trigger the Coyotes' offense under center in 2008? Can Central Valley's veterans continue to excel? Has the Coyotes' defense improved?

Last Game: Lost at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 53-70, in second round of ArenaCup playoffs

Comments: The Coyotes earned their third straight trip to the postseason under Fred Biletnikoff, Jr. in 2007 and look poised to make a run at four in a row in 2008. Every year it seems like Biletnikoff finds a hidden gem at quarterback. In 2006 it was Scott Rislov who entered the league without much fanfare only to throw for a then Arena Football record 106 TD passes. Last year it was rookie Clay Groefsema who stepped in and threw for nearly 3,600 yards, 75 TDs and 11 INTs in just 13 games before an injury cut short his season. Despite Groefsema's untimely injury, Central Valley's league-leading offensive unit (58.4 points per game) hardly missed a beat behind the efforts of backup Brian Luke. After a 10-6 regular season finish, the Coyotes earned their first-ever playoff win with a come-from-behind, 42-41, road triumph at Manchester. This year Central Valley will feature another starting signal caller in either Cal grad Joe Ayoob or second-year pro Patrick Josten, who saw action in five game for Cincinnati a year ago. Whoever wins the job, they will have the benefit of having one of the most dynamic receiving duos in the entire league at their fingertips. Jason Barnes, the younger brother of NBA player Matt Barnes, had a prolific first season in the af2 with 119 catches for 1,477 yards and 37 TDs. Tonae Martin was another 1,000-yard receiver for Central Valley, finishing second on the team with 90 grabs, 1,051 yards and 20 scores. Martin also had six rushing touchdowns. Four-year veteran WR/LB Wes Borba is another name to take notice of. Borba amassed 51 catches for 536 yards and 12 TDs to go along with two TD passes and one TD rush. In addition, on the defensive side, Borba contributed 26 tackles, two interceptions and three fumble recoveries. Central Valley will also benefit from having Donyell Booker and Doug Langenfeld, the team's top two defensive linemen, back in town. The veteran big men up front should help the team's young secondary in the early part of the season. The group of defensive backs includes a host of rookies that will see significant playing time due to the departure of Aaron Miller, Tierre Sams and Aleric Clark. Oregon product Marques Binns, New Mexico's Corey Brown and former Charleston standout Maurice Holmes will be thrown into the fire on opening night on March 29 at Bossier-Shreveport. With steady QB play, Central Valley's veterans should carry Biletnikoff and the Coyotes to another playoff appearance.

Spokane Shock (2007: 12-4; 0-1 playoffs)

Home Field: Spokane Arena (10,653)

Head Coach: Adam Shackleford, second year in Spokane, 12-4 career regular season record

Key New Faces: QB Jason Murrietta, FB/LB Lee Foliaki, WR Andy Olson, DB Sergio Gilliam, DL Harrison Nikolao

Key Returners: DB Nygel Rogers, OL/DL Rico Ochoa, DL Devon Parks, WR Raul Vijil, WR/DB Kelvin Dickens, OL/DL Katon Bethay

Burning Questions: Which new faces will make a name for themselves this year for Spokane? Can Head Coach Adam Shackleford build on his success from last year? Do the Shock have enough talent to spark another dream season like 2006?

Last Game: Lost to Louisville, 35-62, in first round of ArenaCup playoffs

Comments: Despite having a rookie af2 head coach in 2007 in Adam Shackleford, it didn't shock many to see Spokane enjoy a 12-win season and a second-straight West Division title. Shackleford is well regarded around the league as an intelligent offensive mind with an eye for Arena Football talent. This year he's brought together what looks to be a potent mix of returning veterans and young talent that has the rabid fans in Spokane bursting at the seams to get things underway in 2008. On offense, the Shock return two of their top three receivers from a year ago. Raul Vijil and Kelvin Dickens combined for 26 TDs and 114 catches. Together with rookies like Western Washington grad Andy Olson and Lee Bugg from Eastern Kentucky, Spokane shouldn't miss a beat despite seeing last year's leading man Antwone Savage (1,482 yards receiving, 40 TDs) head back to his hometown team, the South Georgia Wildcats. This group should ease the transition for rookie QB Jason Murrietta. Murrietta got the nod to begin the season as Spokane's starter after a strong camp and near flawless preseason exhibition against rival Tri-Cities. There is a host of familiar names on defense as well that are back on board for the Shock. Leading the cast are second-year standouts DB Nygel Rogers (69 tackles, 8 INTs) and DL Devon Parks (9.5 TFLs, 6.0 sacks). DL Harrison Nikolao and DB Sergio Gilliam are also two newcomers the Shock believe can contribute right away. On paper, the 2008 Shock look to be among the most talented teams in the af2.

Stockton Lightning (2007: 6-10)

Home Field: Stockton Arena (9,737)

Head Coach: Doug Murray, second year with Stockton, 6-10 career regular season record

Key Players Lost: QB Evan Gray, WR Sale' Key, WR/KR Kenyatte Morgan

Key New Faces: QB Chad Elliott, WR Atnas Maeko, WR/DB Tyler Bruhn

Key Returners: LB Jason Hunt, FB/LB JuJuan Huddleston, OL/DL Stephen Bell, WR/DB Diamond Francies, K Alex Walls

Burning Questions: Can QB Chad Elliott bring Lightning fans a winning season? Can WR Atnas Maeko mirror his success from his 2006 season with Stockton? Is LB Jason Hunt poised for a breakout season?

Last Game: Lost to Corpus Christi, 50-57, on July 28

Comments: The Lightning and second-year head coach Doug Murray believe they have created the right mix to spark what they hope to be the team's first playoff push in three years of af2 play. Last season Stockton had high hopes as well, and through 12 games, a postseason berth was within their grasp. A late season slide of four straight defeats, however, left the team on the outside looking in. Taking over for QB Evan Gray, who departed for Oklahoma City, will be Chad Elliott. Elliott is entering his sixth season in the league. His experience and ability (17,066 career passing yards, 315 TD passes) have Stockton stoked about its chances to make serious noise in 2008. His presence should aid the Lightning's rookie receiving corps of Michael Hooper, Donva Louder, Thyron Lewis and Hannibal Thomas. The squad is also hopeful that WR Atnas Maeko, the af2's International Player of the Year in 2006 for the Lightning, will reach Stockton shortly to provide Elliott with a little extra security. The team's FB/LB group and cast of defensive linemen might be the team's strongest areas. FB/DL Tupo Tuupo, FB/DL Jajuan Huddleston, FB Peter Tuialuuluu and LBs Jason Hunt and Carl Walker are all talented veterans who can make a difference on both sides of the ball. Stephen Bell is another returnee who will anchor the Ligntning's offensive line. With an improved defensive effort and steady QB play from Elliott, Stockton has a chance to surprise some people in 2008.

Tri-Cities Fever (2007: 8-8; 0-1 playoffs)

Home Field: Toyota Center (5,700)

Head Coach: Cedric Walker, first year in Tri-Cities, 6-10 career regular season record

Key Players Lost: QB Brian Baker, WR/LB Robert Garth

Key New Faces: WR/LB Phil Goodman, WR/DB LaMonte Jones, QB Jason Campbell, OL/DL Johnny Jackson, WR/DB Randy Chappell

Key Returners: WR J.R. Thomas, DB Jamie Hattley, DB Ruchard Dodd-Masters, WR/DB Emery Beckles

Burning Questions: Can QB Jason Campbell equal his output from Everett in Tri-Cities? Can New Head Coach Cedric Walker guide the Fever into the postseason? Will the Fever/Shock in-state rivalry grow more intense in 2008?

Last Game: Lost at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 54-57, in the first round of the ArenaCup playoffs

Comments: The Fever could puff out their chests in the offseason after being the only expansion team in the af2 last year to qualify for the playoffs. Since the end of 2007, Tri-Cities has gone through some changes. The most notable change was last year's Head Coach Tony Wells being dismissed amid pending legal issues. Taking his place in 2008 is former Everett Head Coach Cedric Walker. Walker has worked hard since his hiring to secure the talent necessary to bring Fever fans even more success in the team's second season of af2 play. The Tri-Cities offense looks to be solid again in 2008 despite the losses of Second Team All-af2 QB Brian Baker (knee injury) and WR/LB Robert "Superman" Garth, the 2007 Cutters Playmaker of the Year. The Fever's new on-field leader will be second-year player Jason Campbell, a product of Arkansas Tech. Campbell rebounded from early season struggles in 2007 to finish eighth in the league in passer rating (111.7) as Walker's starting signal caller in Everett. The 6-2, 215-pounder also racked up 3,663 yards passing with 84 touchdowns in 15 games played. He'll have a host of elite playmakers to throw to in 2008, led by J.R. Thomas. Thomas enjoyed the best season of his four-year af2 career in 2007 with 135 catches for 1,851 yards and 38 touchdowns on the way to earning a spot on the National Conference All-af2 Second Team. Campbell will also have Phillip Goodman and LaMonte Jones to throw to this season, two of his favorite targets from Everett. Goodman is one of the best two-way players in the game. Last season he caught 90 passes for 987 yards and 21 TDs to go along with 33.0 tackles and three interceptions. Jones snatched 53 passes in 10 games with the Hawks in 2007 for 573 yards and 15 scores. He's also just two seasons removed from being named the af2s Ironman of the Year in 2006. On defense, former Everett lineman Johnny Jackson has joined Walker as well. Jackson led the Hawks defensive unit a year ago with 10.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. The defensive backfield looks to be a strong suit just as it was for the team in 2007. The team returns its top two playmakers in the secondary in Jamie Hattley (team-high 91.5 tackles, 5 INTs, 24 PBUs) and Rashard Dodd-Masters (68.5 tackles, 4 INTs, 32 PBUs). Everett refugees LaRue Burley (team-high 79.0 tackles, 2 INTs) and Charles Ealy will also compete for playing time along with Fever fan favorite Emery Beckles. If Walker gets solid play out of his linemen, the Fever could be tough to bring down again in 2008.



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