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af2 Nation

by Walter L. Johnson II
April 4, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)


One week of action is in the books for arenafootball2, and if what happened the first week is any indication, it could be one crazy spring and summer en route to the Arena Cup in late August. So, what are we waiting for? Let's go!

TALONS "DUSTED": The Amarillo (Tex.) Dusters played their first-ever game as a member of the af2 against the Tulsa Talons on Friday. And the home team shocked the most casual fan by upsetting the Talons 62-55. Winning the first game your team ever plays is amazing enough, but when that victory comes against one of the premier teams in af2, it shows that a team like the Dusters will at least be competitive this season. A touchdown catch with 1.7 seconds left gave Amarillo the winning score. Now the Dusters hope to continue their winning ways against Memphis on Friday.

"THRILLER IN THE MACON": The defending Arena Cup champion Florida Firecats began their title defense in Georgia against the Macon Knights on Friday. Quarterback Chris Wallace provided much of the offensive spark for the Firecats, as he threw for four touchdowns, including the game-winner with seven seconds left. Earlier, Lionel Hayes gave Macon a 32-27 lead thanks to a 26-yard TD pass to Matt Jackson. But a missed two-point conversion proved to be very costly for the Knights, as the Firecats came from behind for the win.

"BAKERSFIELD BLITZED": The Bakersfield Blitz got its defense of its West Division title off to a bad start Saturday night, as the Central Valley Coyotes, winners of just three games last season, shocked the home team 33-20. The Coyotes won the game thanks to two safeties, a blocked field goal, a blocked extra point, and three forced turnovers. The Blitz has the week off before hosting the San Diego Riptide on Saturday, Apr. 16. The Coyotes will pay a visit to Oklahoma City the same night to take on the Yard Dawgz.

ELSEWHERE: J.R. Thomas caught five passes for touchdowns, as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers downed Oklahoma City 59-47 Friday night. In Bossier City, La. Sunday, just 1,301 fans showed up to watch the Memphis Xplorers score the game's last 37 points in an easy 63-24 rout of the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings. By the way, the af2 office announced that Bossier-Shreveport would host the first neutral Arena Cup championship, which will be held on Aug. 26, 27, or 28.

A LOOK AHEAD: Week 2 marks the first full slate of games for the 2005 season, as nine games are on the schedule. Here is a look at several key games for this weekend.

Florida (1-0) at Manchester (0-0): The Firecats head up north to New Hampshire to take on their former head coach, Ben Bennett. Bennett led Florida to the Arena Cup title last year before taking over as the Wolves head coach this year.

Memphis (1-0) at Amarillo (1-0): In another Friday night contest, the Xplorers head west to Texas to face the Dusters in a big early season battle for first place in the Midwest Division. Amarillo could improve to 2-0 on the season with a win.

Macon (0-1) at South Georgia (0-0): It's not the Red Sox-Yankees, Vikings-Packers, or even Georgia-Georgia Tech. But the Saturday night match-up between the Knights and Wildcats in Albany, Ga. could become one of the fiercest rivalries in all of af2 this season, and maybe beyond. The former Cape Fear Wildcats will play their first game in Georgia after moving from Fayetteville, N.C. at the end of the 2004 season, while the Knights hope to bounce back after a heartbreaking loss to Florida last week.

QUICK PICKS:

Last Week: 3-2 (.600)

Year-To-Date 3-2 (.600)

Manchester over Florida

Green Bay over Albany

Memphis over Amarillo

South Georgia over Macon

Birmingham over San Diego

Tulsa over Bossier-Shreveport

Oklahoma City over Arkansas

Louisville over Rio Grande Valley

Quad City over Wilkes Barre-Scranton

UNDER THE ROOF: For the latest news on the af2, as well as the other indoor professional football leagues nationwide, including the Arena Football League, listen to "Under The Roof" each Thursday at http://www.oursportscentral.com.

CONTACT US: Have a question or comment about the af2? Or do you have a question about the column itself? Tell us what you think at af2nation@hotmail.com.



arenafootball2 Stories from April 4, 2005


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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