af2 Friday night matchups

July 17, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton travels to Mohegan to take on the Wolves for the teams' third and final meeting this season. The teams have met twice before this season, with the Wolves coming out on top both times. They met back on April 11th in which the Wolves edged the Pioneers 41-38. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton played a great game, especially with the play of COSMO DEMATTEO who caught five touchdown passes in the game, including one with 34 seconds left on the clock in the fourth quarter to put the Pioneers up 38-35. The Pioneers smelled victory, and it slipped away from them as Mohegan's MEL LONG caught a 30-yard touchdown pass as time expired to give Mohegan the win. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton had a chance for revenge as it met the Wolves again on June 14th. This time Mohegan exploded on offense for 55 points to defeat the Pioneers 55-22. Mohegan's LAJOHN JONES rushed for three touchdowns and caught a pass for another in this game. The Wolves have been very strong on defense all season, leading the league in defensive points per game with 36.6. Defensive specialist CHARLIE COOK shares the league lead with 11.5 sacks. This is an important game for both teams as they keep their playoff hopes alive. Mohegan currently holds the fifth spot in the American Conference and can clinch a Wild Card berth with a win, while the Pioneers still have a chance to snatch a spot if they win their last games and see how other teams come out.

GREENSBORO PROWLERS (7-7) AT RICHMOND SPEED (6-8)
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2003-RICHMOND COLISEUM (11,088) 8:00 P.M ET

The Richmond Speed hosts the Greensboro Prowlers for the teams' second meeting this season. They met back on May 2nd in which Richmond handled the Prowlers 59-52. Speed quarterback ROY JOHNSON played one of his best games of the season as he went 26-for-36 for 326 yards and seven touchdowns while rushing for another two. DAMON THOMPSON also played a great game as he caught 18 passes for 225 yards and five touchdowns. Greensboro also put on a strong offensive performance in this game, with quarterback CALEB SLOVER going 22-for-35 for 261 yards and six touchdowns. Slover has helped the Prowlers earn their 48.6 average points per game, making them sixth in the league. Slover has thrown 68 touchdown passes this season, which ranks him sixth in the league as well. This game is very important to both teams as they have the playoffs in their sights. Greensboro currently ranks in the ninth spot in the American Conference while Richmond lies in the twelfth. It is still very possible for both teams to snatch one of the six spots, especially with the division race so tight. This is the final meeting of the regular season between these teams.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDERS (9-5) AT SAN DIEGO RIPTIDE (5-9)
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2003 -SAN DIEGO SPORTS ARENA (12,000) 10:30 P.M. ET

The Hawaiian Islanders travel to San Diego to take on the Riptide for the third time this season. The teams first met on April 26th in which the Islanders handled the Riptide by a score of 51-43. Islander CHRIS PAOGOFIE played a great game as he had four rushes for 61 yards and two touchdowns. ISAAC WHITE earned his Ironman of the Game title as he had three receptions for 35 yards, an interception return for 20 yards and a touchdown, five solo tackles, and a pass deflection. The teams also met on June 20th in which Hawaii barely edged San Diego 39-38. KANE CLAUNCH of San Diego connected with DWIGHT CARTER for a 20-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to put the Riptide ahead. However, the Islanders answered right back as ANTHONY ARCENEAUX caught a nine yard touchdown pass with just 45 seconds left in the game to give Hawaii the victory. The Islanders can clinch the division title with a win and a Wichita loss, while the Riptide still has a shot at the final Wild Card spot. This is the final meeting between these teams this season.

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