Sports stats



af2 arenafootball2

af2 2009 west division preview

March 19, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


CHICAGO - The af2's 10th anniversary season begins this Friday, March 20, when the Central Valley Coyotes host the Tri-Cities Fever. The two-game slate that is 2009's "Kickoff Weekend" finishes Saturday when Florida hosts South Georgia in a South Division showdown. The year gets into full swing the following weekend with 12 Week 1 affairs, including six on Saturday, March 28. This week a special team-by-team preview will be presented for each division. The fifth division profiled is the National Conference's West Division, which features five teams: Boise, Central Valley, Spokane, Stockton, and Tri-Cities.

WEST DIVISION

Boise Burn (2008: 8-8)

Home Field: Qwest Arena (5,006)

Head Coach: Brent Winter, first year with Boise, first season overall

Rookies Invited to Camp: 18

Key Players Lost: QB Royal Gill, WR George Williams, DL Travis Tofi

Key New Faces: WR Nichiren Flowers, WR/DB/KR Jomo Wilson, QB Taylor Tharp, DB Roshawn Marshall, FB/LB Damian Walker

Key Returners: WR Casey Allen, WR Ahmad Harris, DB Demond Williams, DB Terrance Sanders, DB Ernest James, OL/DL Mark Weivoda, OL Richard Seals

Burning Questions: Will first-year af2 Head Coach Brent Winter be the guy to get Boise to the playoffs? Can former Boise St. standout QB Taylor Tharp develop into a top-flight Arena Football signal caller?

Last Game: Lost at Spokane, 48-63, in 2008 regular season finale (July 26)

Comments: After back-to-back 8-8 seasons without a playoff appearance in Boise, the Burn brought in longtime AFL assistant Brent Winter to take the team to the next level. Winter went to work early and has built the Burn back up with a roster made of a strong mix of experience, talent and youth. WRs Casey Allen and Ahmad Harris, DBs Demond Williams and Terrance Sanders and linemen Mark Weivoda and Richard Seals are among the cast of experienced players who have returned to Boise. Allen led the team in receiving in 2008 with 86 catches for 1,073 yards. He also had seven rushing scores. Harris led the team in rushing yards (135) and ranked third in receiving (45-615-15 TDs) and scoring (128). Williams and Sanders combined for 15 interceptions and 138.5 tackles. Williams was also a factor in the return game, recording team-high marks in total kick return yards (1,203) and kick return TDs (3 - 2 kick return, 1 missed field goal). Weivoda was a factor up front on defense with a team-best 13.0 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. Seals earned All-af2 honors in 2008 for his outstanding play anchoring the offensive line group. In addition to keeping Boise's talented corps in tact, Winter also brought in a number of talented newcomers. His notable new additions include WR Nichiren Flowers, WR/DB/KR Jomo Wilson, QB Taylor Tharp, DB Roshawn Marshall and FB/LB Damian Walker. Out of the group of five, only Tharp is an Arena Football rookie. Flowers (75-955-20 TDs), Wilson (league-high 7 KR TDs, All-Ironman Team) and Walker (122 rush yards - team-best) all played in Central Valley in 2008 while Marshall (40.5 tackles, 6 INTs) spent last season in Spokane. All four veterans should make an immediate impact. The Burn have three quarterbacks in camp, but so far Tharp has been the most impressive. Winter has been pleased with how quickly the rookie from Boise State has picked up the Arena game. On paper, this Boise squad looks solid from top to bottom. If the Burn get steady quarterback play, they have all the necessary elements for success.

Central Valley Coyotes (2008: 10-6, 1-1 playoffs)

Home Field: Selland Arena (5,487)

Head Coach: Fred Biletnikoff, Jr, sixth year with Central Valley, seventh season overall; 44-32 overall record (including playoffs)

Rookies Invited to Camp: 11

Key Players Lost: FB/LB Damian Walker, QB Clay Groefsema, WR Jason Barnes, WR Tonae Martin, WR/DB Jomo Wilson, WR Nichiren Flowers

Key New Faces: WR George Williams, WR/DB LaMonte Jones, WR John Roberson, DB Charles Ealy, QB Jason Murrietta

Key Returners: WR/LB Wes Borba, DL Donyell Booker, LB Tyson Butler, OL Sean Finnerty

Burning Questions: Can Biletnikoff guide the Coyotes to their fourth straight playoff appearance? Will Central Valley's veteran receiving corps be among the top trios in the af2? Can QB Jason Murrietta be the consistent starter the Coyotes need to succeed?

Last Game: Lost at Spokane Shock, 63-83, in National Conference semifinals.

Comments: Central Valley (No. 9 in preseason coaches poll) looks to continue its impressive streak of success in recent years. The team has reached the postseason three straight years under the guidance of Fred Biletnikoff, Jr. This year's Coyotes cast features a solid collection of veteran playmakers on both sides of the ball. Biletnikoff's receiving corps might be one of the best in the af2 in 2009. The trio is comprised of LaMonte Jones, who starred in Central Valley before playing most recently with the Fever, John Roberson and George Williams. Jones led Tri-Cities in receiving last year with 114 grabs for 1,442 yards. Roberson is coming off his best af2 campaign in 2008, leading Austin and ranking among the af2's elite with 131 catches for 1,734 yards and 35 TDs. Williams, a seven-year veteran, is one of the league's all-time best. He currently ranks second in af2 history in scoring and touchdowns. Jason Murrietta, last year a backup in Spokane (22 TD passes, 7 INTs in 9 games) is the likely candidate to start for the Coyotes at QB on opening night. On the defensive side, the Coyotes boast returnees DL Donyell Booker and LB Wes Borba and new addition DB Charles Ealy, another former Fever player. Booker had 12.0 sacks in 2008 while Borba led the club in tackles (65.5) and interceptions (7). Ealy paced Tri-Cities in tackles (68.5) and interceptions (7) a year ago as well. Central Valley will also work a number of talent rookies into the equation on both sides of the ball. If Murrietta can be a consistent starter, the Coyotes could be in the fight for another postseason berth. With his will, Coach Biletnikoff always seems to find a way.

Spokane Shock (2008: 15-1, 3-1 playoffs)

Home Field: Spokane Arena (10,653)

Head Coach: Adam Shackleford, third season with Shock, third overall; 30-7 overall record (including playoffs)

Rookies Invited to Camp: 23

Key Players Lost: FB Katon Bethay, DB Nygel Rogers, DB Roshawn Marshall, OL Rico Ochoa, WR Kelvin Dickens

Key New Faces: DB Aaron Williams, DB James Todd, DL Ben McCombs, WR Charles Dillon, DB Stanley Franks

Key Returners: QB Nick Davila, DB Sergio Gilliam, WR/KR Raul Vijil, LB Lee Foliaki, LB Kevin McCullough, OL/DL Harrison Nikolau, WR Patrick Bugg, OL Kyle Young, K Brian Jackson

Burning Questions: Can the Shock make it three trips to the ArenaCup in four years of play? Can Spokane's impressive cast of second-year players be even better than they were in 2008? Can any West club challenge the Shock for the division title?

Last Game: Lost to Tennessee Valley Vipers, 55-56, in ArenaCup championship game.

Comments: The Shock are coming off an amazing season in 2008 that was soured only by a one-point home overtime loss to Tennessee Valley in the ArenaCup Championship. Spokane fans may have been disappointed by the result, but nobody could dispute the caliber of competition or the level of suspense. A vote taken earlier this month confirmed what everyone who watched the show already knew to be true - that it was the best game ever played in league history. After taking some time to recover mentally from the exhausting 2008 campaign, the Shock coaching staff got back to work putting together a 2009 team that could challenge for the league title yet again. QB Nick Davila, DB Sergio Gilliam, LB Kevin McCullough, OL/DL Harrison Nikolau, OL Kyle Young and WR Patrick Bugg are among a number of talented rookie performers from a year ago that have chosen to return to Spokane. Gilliam had a banner first year in the league, earning First Team All-af2 accolades after setting a new af2 record for interceptions in a single season (16). Young was the Shock's other rookie to be named All-af2, earning a spot on the Second Team. WR/KR Raul Vijil's return can also not be overlooked. Vijil, who has been with Spokane since the team's first season (2006), is coming off his best year as an af2 player. The Shock fan favorite earned First Team All-af2 honors in 2008 after leading the team in a host of categories, including scoring (252 points - 42 total TDs), receiving yards (1,212), receiving TDs (35), all-purpose yards (2,545), total kick return yards (1304 - 1248 ko, 56 mfg) and total kick return TDs (3 - 2 ko, 1 mfg). The Shock did sustain losses on both sides of the ball, but they excelled in offseason recruiting and grabbed some high-caliber newcomers to fill the voids. A big hole to fill on the roster was at defensive line due the departure of Devon Parks who led Spokane in sacks in 2008 (15.5) and was named First Team All-af2. Enter first time Shock player Ben McCombs. McCombs is a five-year league veteran who ranks second in af2 history with 41 career sacks. He is coming off another stellar season in 2008 where he earned First Team All-af2 accolades for leading Central Valley with 13.5 sacks in just nine games played. Also on defense, Spokane lost DBs Nygel Rogers (83.5 tackles, 2 INTs) and Roshawn Marshall (40.5 tackles, 6 INTs) but gained All-af2 First Teamer Aaron Williams (61 tackles, 12 INTs, 19 PBUs with Amarillo in 2008) and All-af2 Second Teamer James Todd (73.5 tackles, 11 INTs, 18 PBUs with Texas in 2008). A handful of rookies will also be sprinkled into the mix in what looks to be the makings of something sweet again in Spokane.

Stockton Lightning (2008: 5-11)

Home Field: Stockton Arena (9,737)

Head Coach: Chad Carlson, second year with Stockton, fourth season overall; 9-16 record

Rookies Invited to Camp: 19

Key Player Lost: FB Peter Tuialuuluu, FB/LB JaJuan Huddleston, QB Chad Elliott, WR Hannibal Thomas, DB Shannon Davis, K Alex Walls

Key New Faces: DL Travis Tofi, K Kimo Naehu, OL/DL C.J. Niusulu, WR Andre Taylor

Key Returners: QB Andy Collins, WR/DB Ruschard Dodd-Masters, LB Jason Hunt, WR Justin Taplin, OL Stephen Bell, LB Carl Walker

Burning Questions: Is this the year the Lightning finally bring a winner to Stockton? Will QB Andy Collins continue his positive progression at the QB position? Can Chad Carlson, in his first full season as coach, help spark the Lightning to a playoff berth?

Last Game: Win against Tri-Cities, 66-40, in regular season finale (July 19)

Comments: Stockton hopes that Chad Carlson's first full season as an af2 head coach will spark the Lightning to their first winning season since the club came into the af2 in 2006. Carlson came on in midseason in 2008 to replace Doug Murray after Stockton's 2-7 start. He earned the job on a full-time basis in the offseason on the strength of the Lightning's 3-1 run to finish out the season. The team's only loss came against Spokane, a club that won the division title and later went on the win the conference championship. One of the first moves Carlson made upon his arrival in Stockton was to bring in Andy Collins at quarterback. Collins led the Lightning last year with 1,689 yards passing and 35 touchdowns in just seven games. He also rushed for 198 yards and nine TDs. Collins is back and is the favorite over rookie Chad Cavender to be the team's starting signal caller on opening night. Local high school standout Ruben Jackson returns at wide receiver after finishing third on the team last season with 384 yards receiving on 31 receptions, including nine for touchdowns. Another local product, WR Troy McBroom, is also back after catching 30 passes for 296 yards and eight touchdowns over the final four games of 2008. Another receiver that re-committed to the Lightning is Justin Taplin. Taplin turned into a Collins favorite down the stretch a year ago and finished as the team's leading pass catcher with 61 receptions for 795 yards and 15 scores in nine games. Other returning players include DB Ruschard Dodd-Masters and LBs Jason Hunt and Carl Walker. Dodd-Masters, despite only eight games played, led the Lightning in all-purpose yards (955) in addition to recording 36 total tackles and 15 passes defended (5 INTs, 10 PBUs). Hunt has led the team in sacks for two straight seasons (8 - 2008, 11.5 - 2007). Notable newcomers to the squad who should make a difference are led by former Boise DL Travis Tofi. Tofi led the Burn with 10 sacks in 2008. Rookies who may step in for Stockton and make an impact include former Sacramento State standout wideout Andre Taylor and David Sutton, a 6-foot-6 receiver who spent time in 2008 on the practice squad of the AFL's Utah Blaze. Overall, Carlson's club has depth and talent. The question for the Lightning in 2009 is whether the team can finally turn the corner and become competitive for a full 16-game season.

Tri-Cities Fever (2008: 4-12)

Home Field: Toyota Center (5,700)

Head Coach: Richard Davis, first year with Tri-Cities, seventh season overall; 46-34 record (including playoffs)

Rookies Invited to Camp: 23

Key Player Lost: QB Tali Ena, QB John Pierce, WR LaMonte Jones, DB/DS Charles Ealy, WR J.R. Thomas

Key New Faces: QB Joe Ayoob, WR Tremaine Kirkland

Key Returners: DB Ray Little, DB Chuck Jones, DB Jamie Hattley

Burning Questions: Can veteran Head Coach Richard Davis turn things around in Tri-Cities? Will QB Joe Ayoob be a solid starter for the Fever? Can the talented young players on the Fever roster learn the Arena game quickly?

Last Game: Lost at Central Valley, 63-70, in regular season finale (July 26)

Comments: The Fever enter 2009 with renewed optimism after winning just four games a year ago. They began their transformation this summer when they hired veteran coach Richard Davis. Davis owns 46 career wins in six af2 seasons. Davis has rebuilt the Tri-Cities roster almost completely. Currently only two players from last year's team are likely to see action in Friday's contest - DB Ray Little and DL Chuck Jones. Little didn't see a lot of action in 2008 but managed to make an impression with 11 tackles and two interceptions in three games. Jones, in seven games, ranked second on the team in sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (6.5). Last season's impact players such as WR J.R. Thomas, DL Johnny Jackson, DB Charles Ealy and WR/DB Emery Beckles will not be back, either electing to join other teams or step away from the game entirely. Fever fan favorite WR/LB Phil Goodman is a possibility to return at some point but has yet to report to camp. Despite the defections, the good news is DB Jamie Hattley is back in town. Hattley played for the Fever in 2007 and began the year with the club in 2008 before being dealt to Arkansas early on. He finished with 62.5 tackles and five INTs in 14 games with the Twisters. On offense, Tri-Cities will likely start second-year signal caller Joe Ayoob under center. Fittingly, his first start as a Fever player could come against his former team. In nine contests with the Coyotes in 2008, the former California Bear threw 36 TD passes against just four interceptions. A host of rookie receivers are currently vying to be Ayoob's favorite target. Look for rookie Tremaine Kirkland, who played two seasons at Portland State, to be a factor early in the passing game. Ayoob's performance under center will likely play a big part in how well the Fever fair in the talented West Division.

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

arenafootball2 Stories from March 19, 2009


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