af2 Friday Night Matchups
Published on May 15, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release
NORFOLK NIGHTHAWKS (3-2) AT WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS (1-5)
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2003 - FIRST UNION ARENA (7,955) 7:00 P.M. ET
The Norfolk Nighthawks meet the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers for the second time this season. Norfolk defeated Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 46-32 last Saturday. The Nighthawks are 3-2 and are tied for second place in the American Atlantic division with the Richmond Speed, while the 1-5 Pioneers are tied for third place with the Rochester Brigade in the American Northeast. In the teams' first meeting, Nighthawk quarterback AARON SPARROW threw for 269 yards and six touchdowns. Offensive specialist TRAVIS BURNS also caught nine passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Both teams have averaged less than 40 points per game, but the Pioneers put up 58 points against the Brigade on April 26th. Pioneer coach DEAN COKINOS has found an offensive weapon in quarterback CHRIS BODEN, who has thrown for 1,297 yards and 24 touchdowns, but he must beware of defensive specialist QUESUA WIGFALL, who recorded 7.0 tackles in their meeting last week. The Nighthawks have the fifth ranked scoring defense in the league, while the Pioneers are ranked seventh in total offense. This is the final meeting of the regular season for these clubs.
RICHMOND SPEED (3-2) AT MOHEGAN WOLVES (3-2)
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2003 - MOHEGAN SUN ARENA (7,700) 7:30 P.M. ET
The Richmond Speed hopes to continue its three-game winning streak as it faces the Mohegan Wolves, who has lost its last two. After starting the season 0-2, the Speed has come alive and is tied with Norfolk for second place in the American Atlantic division. Richmond offensive specialist ROY JOHNSON has thrown for 18 touchdowns and has connected with wide receiver DAMON THOMPSON for 546 yards and 11 touchdowns. Mohegan is currently third in the league in total defense. Mohegan's KAZMELL MINOT leads the team with 18 tackles, while LAJOHN JONES and CHARLIE COOK each have two sacks of the team's total of ten. ANDRE WEATHERS has pulled in three interceptions for the Wolves, including one for a touchdown. Richmond went 5-3 on the road last season, while the Wolves struggled at home at 1-7. This is the first of two regular season meetings between the teams. They meet again on July 11.
GREEN BAY BLIZZARD (0-5) AT QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (4-2)
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2003 - THE MARK (9,200) 8:30 P.M. ET
National Midwest Division rivals Green Bay and Quad City meet for the first time this season. The Blizzard is still seeking its first win this season while the Steamwheelers have won four straight and are in first place in the division. The Blizzard is coming off a heart-breaking loss to the Pirates, while Quad City beat Wichita last week. The Blizzard offense and defense ranks 26th in points scored/allowed per game. Quad City, on the other hand, is ranked first in offensive points per game and yards per game. Steamwheeler quarterback TONY ZIMMERMAN has been explosive with his 1,716 pass yards and 34 touchdowns, ranking first in the league in total offensive touchdowns and yards. His main target of late has been offensive specialist IRA GOOCH, who last week racked 397 all-purpose yards and earned af2 Offensive Player of the Week honors. Green Bay offensive specialist NICK JOHNSON has 34 receptions for 436 yards and six touchdowns for the Blizzard offense. Quad City was 6-2 at home last season and is 2-1 this season. This is the sixth straight game that the expansion Blizzard has played a team above .500 and the fifth team that has been in first place the week the Blizzard plays them. These teams meet again on July 5.
WICHITA STEALTH (4-2) AT HAWAIIAN ISLANDERS (4-2)
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2003 - NEAL BLAISDELL ARENA (6,443) 1:30 A.M. (7:30 P.M. LOCAL) ET
The Wichita Stealth takes on the Hawaiian Islanders in a battle for first place of the National West Division. Hawaii is coming off of a close victory against the Blitz, while Wichita looks to bounce back from its tough loss against the Quad City Steamwheelers last week. Despite identical records, the Stealth has the edge in the division due to its thrilling Week 6 win over the Islanders. Wichita leads the all-time series two games to none. Wichita quarterback ANTHONY BUICH and offensive specialist MICHAEL DRITLEIN have connected for 618 yards and 17 touchdowns, helping Dritlein first in the league in scoring. Dritlein was the hero in the first game against Hawaii, returning a Hawaii game-winning field goal attempt for a Wichita game-winning touchdown. LEE VAUGHN leads the Stealth defense with his 37.5 tackles and three interceptions. In the teams' first meeting this season, game Ironman JOSH WHITE recorded two rushing touchdowns, a tackle, and a blocked pass. White is coming off a five-rushing touchdown performance last week, which tied a league record. This is the final meeting of these two teams during the regular season.
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