af2 Saturday night matchups

Published on July 18, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release

TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (14-0) AT QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (12-2)
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2003-THE MARK OF THE QUAD CITIES (9,200) 8:30 P.M ET

The anticipation for Saturday night's matchup between the Tennessee Valley Vipers and the Quad City Steamwheelers has been building since Week 3. It was in Week 3 that Tennessee Valley QB MATT SAUK connected with WR/DB JERRIAN JAMES for a seven-yard touchdown with 16 seconds left to lift the Vipers to a three-point win over the Steamwheelers. It was also in Week 3 that the Steamwheelers last tasted defeat. Since then, the Vipers and Steamwheelers are a combined 24-0 and hold the two best records in af2.

The storylines and stars for this game are numerous. Not only is this a possible preview of the 2003 ArenaCup, a chance for the Steamwheelers to avenge the loss from earlier in the season, a matchup of the top two offenses in the league or the continuation of one of af2's best rivalries, it's also about pride. The Steamwheelers, who are the only team in af2 history to go undefeated in a single season, can prevent the Vipers from doing the same.

One key to the success of both teams' offenses this season has been the play of the men under center. Quad City QB TONY ZIMMERMAN and the Viper's Sauk have each had remarkable seasons. Leading or among the league leaders in just about very passing category, they are both on track to eclipse 4,000 yards and 80 touchdowns this season, a feat accomplished by only four other signal-callers (one being Sauk in 2001) in af2 history. Zimmerman, who has 81 touchdown passes already, needs just six more to break the single season record of 86, held by none other than Sauk.

Down field, both QBs have plenty of options. Sauk, who has only been sacked twice this season, has four receivers with 10 or more touchdowns to their credit. RONNEY DANIELS leads that crew with 51 catches for 833 yards and 22 scores. Zimmerman, who has only thrown six interceptions this season, has three receivers with over 1,000 yards receiving. Never in the history of Arena Football has a team had a more prolific trio. IRA GOOCH, JEFF HEWITT and TIM DODGE have caught 225 passes for 3,576 yards and 77 touchdowns.

Defensively, these teams are just as good. They force turnovers and take down opposing QBs with ease. The Steamwheelers' ASA FRANCIS is tied for the individual league lead with 11.5 sacks, while the Vipers are second in the league with 30 team sacks including 9.5 from WES STEPHENS. The Vipers have forced 27 fumbles (or almost two a game) and recorded 19 interceptions. Quad City has picked off 17 passes and forced 13 fumbles this season.

This is the eight meeting between these teams with Quad City holding the 5-2 series edge, but the Vipers have won the last two straight. Quad City has only lost three times at home in history including once to Tennessee Valley last season. The Vipers have the best road success since 2001, going 22-1 during that span. Tennessee Valley clinches home field advantage throughout the postseason and ArenaCup with a win. The Steamwheelers are assured home field advantage throughout the National Conference side of the playoffs with a win.

NORFOLK NIGHTHAWKS (8-6) AT CAPE FEAR WILDCATS (8-6)
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2003 -CUMBERLAND COUNTY CROWN COLISEUM (8,920) 7:30 P.M. ET

Another important matchup unfolds in Fayetteville this week as the streaking Nighthawks battle the Wildcats. Meeting for the second time this season, the Wildcats' four-game slump has allowed Norfolk to sneak up and challenge for the division title. Depending on what Greensboro and Charleston do this weekend, the Nighthawks and Wildcats could be playing for the division title in this game. Considering that 8-6 is leading the division right now, the division winner might be the only Atlantic representation in the postseason.

In these teams first meeting on May 3, the Wildcats came out on top by a score of 56-49. Wildcat MATT BURSTEIN put on a great performance in the game as he rushed for seven yards and two touchdowns, caught 13 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns, returned a missed field goal for 16 yards, and returned five kickoffs for 100 yards. The Wildcats offense has been steady all season, averaging 51.1 points per game and 263.0 yards per game. Those numbers put them in the top five in the league. However, the Nighthawks have been equally powerful on defense, ranking fifth in the league in average defensive points per game with 41.3. Defensive specialist QUESUAN WIGFALL played a great game in the first meeting against Cape Fear as he recorded 9.5 tackles, a fumble recovery, an interception, and a pass deflection.

ROCHESTER BRIGADE (2-12) AT ALBANY CONQUEST (11-3)
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2003 -PEPSI ARENA (13,901) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Albany Conquest can wrap up the Northeast Division crown if the beat the visiting Rochester Brigade this Saturday. Meeting for the third time this season, Albany has swept the previous two meetings, winning 52-38 on May 17 and 64-40 on May 31. Albany quarterback RYAN VENA put up some strong numbers in those meetings, throwing for 297 yards and six touchdown passes in their first meeting and throwing for another six touchdowns in their second meeting. Vena has helped the Conquest establish its top ranked offense which averages 293.9 yards per game. Vena needs just 132 yards to surpass the 4,000-yard mark for the season. He'll need to be aware of WR/DB DEREK BAKER, who recorded 12.0 tackles in their second meeting and leads the team in interceptions with three. Baker is also the top offensive threat for the Brigade and has 22 touchdowns on the season. Rochester is playing for pride this week, and can help Mohegan in the process. If the Brigade knock off the Conquest and the Wolves take care of business against Wilkes-Barre, Mohegan and Albany will battle for the division title next weekend. Whether it is Mohegan or Albany who wins the division, they won't be playing in the playoffs until the second round as the conference's second bye is guaranteed to go to either of those clubs.

BAKERSFIELD BLITZ (7-7) AT WICHITA STEALTH (8-6)
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2003 -KANSAS COLISEUM (9,686) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Bakersfield Blitz travels to Wichita to take on the Stealth in a rematch from last week. Bakersfield defeated Wichita 56-40 last week and it hopes to carry its momentum to repeat that performance. Bakersfield put on a strong offensive performance as quarterback CHAD ELLIOTT went 17-for-30 for 204 yards and five touchdowns. The Blitz defense ranks third in the league with its 212.8 defensive yards per game average. Blitz defensive specialist RICKY LEUNG'WAI has been very strong throughout the season, having recorded 9.5 sacks, 12 quarterback hurries, and four forced fumbles among many other accomplishments. Wichita's offense has stepped it up as well, with quarterback ANTHONY BUICH ranking among the top ten quarterbacks in the league in many categories. The Blitz's 6-1 second half has put them in position to run for the division title. If Bakersfield wins and Hawaii falls to San Diego, the West Division title will be up for grabs next weekend in Honolulu when the Blitz and Islanders hook-up in the season finale.

TULSA TALONS (11-3) AT LOUISVILLE FIRE (5-10)
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2003 -FREEDOM HALL (16,154) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Louisville Fire wraps up its season as it hosts the Tulsa Talons for the teams' only meeting this season. Despite not making the playoffs this season, the Fire has to be pleased with the efforts of defensive specialist ARKEE THOMPSON, who led the team in tackles with 57.0, recorded 25 pass breakups, and forced three fumbles this season. Thompson also pulled in ten interceptions, which placed him second in the league in interceptions and allowed him to become the all-time af2 interception leader. Kicker MARC SAMUEL has been solid all season for the Fire as well, and he ranks among the top ten kickers in the league. Tulsa and Louisville are coming off impressive wins last week, with the Talons narrowly edging Hawaii 48-47 to clinch a division title and a first-round bye in the playoffs. The Talons have been explosive on offense this season, averaging 51.0 points per game which makes them fifth in the league. CRAIG STRICKLAND has done what was asked all year, ranking among the top ten quarterbacks in the league and leading the team into the postseason.

COLUMBUS WARDOGS (4-10) AT CHARLESTON SWAMP FOXES (7-7)
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2003 -NORTH CHARLESTON COLISEUM (10,150) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Wardogs travel to Charleston to take on the Swamp Foxes for the second time this season. The teams met back on May 3 and the Swamp Foxes defeated the Wardogs 56-40. Charleston quarterback JOHN TURMAN went 18-for-33 for 223 yards and five touchdowns in the victory. Both teams are coming off exciting victories last week, especially the Wardogs who barely edged the Steeldogs 43-42. Quarterback SHERARD POTEETE connected with TERENCE SAMUEL for an eight-yard touchdown as time expired in the fourth quarter. Columbus' playoff hopes have been dashed, but that won't stop them from trying to play the role of spoiler, as Charleston needs this victory to stay alive in the Wild Card chase. The Swamp Foxes currently hold the tenth spot in the American Conference, and this victory is crucial because the teams ahead of them, Birmingham and Greensboro, hold a better winning percentage over common opponents and a head to head advantage. Charleston has never advanced to the postseason.

PEORIA PIRATES (4-10) AT CINCINNATI SWARM (6-8)
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2003 -US BANK ARENA (14,000) 7:30 P.M. ET

Another team looking still looking for a postseason berth is the expansion Cincinnati Swarm who take on the Peoria Pirates for the second straight week. Last week in Peoria, the Swarm handily defeated the Pirates 54-39. Swarm QB ANDY SAHM played a great game, going 19-for-33 for 234 yards and five touchdowns. The Pirates put up a strong fight, especially with the play of defensive specialist DAVID KNOTT who recorded 7.5 tackles. On offense, the CHARLIE PETERSON to JACK WALKER connection netted five more touchdowns. Walker leads the league scoring and continues to be one of the Pirates highlights of 2003. JAMES SCOTT has had an encouraging season for the Swarm, catching 30 touchdowns passes. The Swarm holds the seventh seed in the National Conference Wild Card chase, just one game behind six-seed Bakersfield, and are fighting for their playoff lives. A win over Peoria is a must for the Swarm.

MACON KNIGHTS (8-6) AT ARKANSAS TWISTERS (8-6)
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2003-ALLTEL ARENA (16,058) 8:00 P.M. ET

Since the Macon Knights and Arkansas Twisters have not officially clinched Wild Card spots in their respective conferences, this intra-conference matchup proves important for both clubs. Macon currently holds the fifth spot in the American Conference, and it has an edge as it holds a better winning percentage over common opponents with Florida and Norfolk. However, all three of these teams are tied at 8-6 so a win or loss can make or break playoff hopes. The Twisters are in a similar position in the National Conference as they hold the fifth spot but are just games separated from Wichita and Bakersfield. This is the second meeting between Macon and Arkansas this season. Macon hosted Arkansas back on May 3 in which it handled the Twisters 63-49. JACQUES RUMPH put on an excellent performance in this game as he rushed for a touchdown, received two, returned a missed field goal for fifty yard and a touchdown, and returned three kickoffs for 31 yards. Arkansas put up a strong defensive effort as KAHLIL CARTER recorded 4.5 tackles, one interception, and four pass deflections. Carter leads the af2 with his 11 interceptions. The Knights are pretty strong both offensively and defensively, but the Twisters have really come alive on defense, averaging 204.3 defensive yards per game, which is first in the league.

FLORIDA FIRECATS (8-6) AT BIRMINGHAM STEELDOGS (7-7)
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2003 -BIRMINGHAM JEFFERSON CIVIC CENTER (15,000) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Florida Firecats travel to Birmingham to take on the Steeldogs for the second time this season. The teams met back on May 3 in which the Steeldogs edged the Firecats 38-35. Birmingham kicker RHETT GALLEGO made four field goals in the game, including a 47-yard one at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. As the Steeldogs drove down the field in overtime, it was Gallego who saved the day once again as he hit a 35-yard field goal to win the game. Florida put up a strong defensive game as ROY STABLER recorded 9.0 tackles, one fumble recovery, and three pass deflections. Stabler is coming off IR this week. This game also has meaning in the Wild Card chase. Florida currently holds the last playoff spot in the American Conference as they rank sixth. They fortunately hold a better winning percentage over common opponents with Norfolk. Birmingham currently sits out of the playoffs as they rank eighth, but this could all change with a victory because the Steeldogs have an edge as they hold a better winning percentage over common opponents with Greensboro and Charleston, who rank just below them. They key for both teams is to win.

MEMPHIS XPLORERS (5-9) AT GREEN BAY BLIZZARD (2-12)
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2003 -THE RESCH CENTER (8,327) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Green Bay Blizzard hosts the Memphis Xplorers for the first meeting between these teams in af2 history. The Xplorers and the Blizzard are both coming off tough losses last week, and they hope to bounce back and end their seasons on a good note. While Green Bay is eliminated from playoff contention, it still has the ability to shake things up a bit as Memphis is not out of the picture quite yet, clinging to the ninth spot in the National Conference, just two games back from the final Wild Card spot. Green Bay quarterback RAMON ROBINSON will have to be at his best as he faces Xplorer defensive specialist KEVIN COBB, who has recorded 72.0 tackles this season to lead the team and rank him third in the league. Cobb has also defended 38 passes which also makes him third in the league. Cobb has been a huge part of Memphis' strength on defense, which is evident in its sixth ranked defensive points and yards per game.

arenafootball2 Stories from July 18, 2003

• Wolves Earn Playoff Berth, Set Scoring Record - Mohegan Wolves
• Memphis At Green Bay - Memphis Xplorers
• af2 Saturday night matchups - af2
• Upcoming Event Reminder and Updates - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers

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