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June 16, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


LOUISVILLE FIRE (5-5) AT ALBANY CONQUEST (5-5)
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2006 - Pepsi Arena (13,901) 7:00 P.M. ET
The Louisville Fire look to sweep the season series and make it four victories in their last five games as they square off against Albany at Pepsi Arena. In the previous meeting, QB BRETT DIETZ threw for 315 yards and 8 touchdowns in the 51-38 victory. Also standing out in the win were OS ROB MAGER, who recorded 14 catches for 207 yards and 5 TDs, and DS KABOTA SIYKALA, who had 9.5 tackles, one forced fumble and one interception. Last week, QB Dietz was recognized as the Schutt Offensive Player of the Week as he threw eight touchdowns and ran for two more. On the season, Dietz is #1 in completion percentage, #2 is passing efficiency, and #3 in both passing yards and passing TDs with 59. Rob Mager will try and keep the hot streak going as he has scored a touchdown in every game this season after recording four last week. Mager has been going head-to-head with Steve Gonzalez from Manchester for the league lead in a number of the receiving categories. Currently, Mager is first in rec. yards and #2 in receptions and touchdowns. Mager may have been overshadowed last week, however, by the play of WR/DB LANCE TAYLOR who caught 10 balls for 106 yards and three scores. Taylor added 4 tackles on defense as well. On the other side of the ball, Louisville ranks second to last in total defense giving up 295.9 yards per game. Hopefully, they were given a boost last week by DS JEREMY CHANDLER, who had an outstanding game with 10.5 total tackles and 1 INT. Albany redeemed an early season loss to W-B/Scranton last week, and will look to do the same again. The Conquest victory was not easy, as they scored two touchdowns and kicked a field goal in the final minute to steal the win. Their offensive attack was led by veteran QB RYAN VENA as he threw for 325 yards and seven touchdowns. His ground attack was lethal as well as he piled up 59 yards rushing and made a trip into the end zone. Vena leads af2 in passing yards and the team stands in second with 27 rushing TDs. WR/DB THOMAS ANTHONY was Vena's favorite target last week as he grabbed 10 balls for 172 yards and a whopping 6 TDs. DS BRANDON TINSON is seeking out another big game as he totaled 10.5 tackles in the first meeting. Albany is #2 in total offense with 326.6 yards/game, but should not expect to overcome 12 penalties, like they had last week, again if they plan on defeating Louisville.

FIRE CONQUEST
SERIES LEADER Louisville leads series 4-1
LAST MEETING Louisville Won 51-38 on 5/20/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 2-3
LAST GAME Won vs. SPO 79-69 on 6/10/2006 Won vs. WBS 73-70 on 6/10/2006
2006 LEADERS FIRE CONQUEST
PASSING Dietz: 331-236-7; 2695; 59 TDs Vena: 366-229-12; 2965; 50 TDs
RECEIVING Mager: 95-1242; 32 TDs Talbert: 61-774; 12 TDs
RUSHING Green: 9-33; 2 TDs Vena: 49-135; 16 TDs
TACKLES Chandler: 50.5 Tinson: 37.5
SACKS Connor: 3.5 Ward: 3
INTERCEPTIONS Siykala: 5 Murray: 5
KICKING Hendrix: 61-76 PAT; 5-8 FG 76 PTS Cirrincione: 65-73 PAT; 6-9 FG 83 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 54.0 PPG; 277.5 55.5 PPG; 326.6
TEAM DEFENSE 50.8 PPG; 295.9 55.0 PPG; 289.1

QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (4-6) AT WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS (7-3)
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2006 - Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza (7,950) 7:00 P.M. ET
The Steamwheelers are hoping for another W this week as they go on the road to face the W-B/Scranton Pioneers. Quad City defeated Manchester last week as WR/DB TIM DODGE ran the ball in from the one yard-line with :20 remaining. QB TIM HICKS threw three touchdowns and ran in another two before leaving the game at the end of the 3rd quarter. After suffering a helmet-to-helmet collision, Hicks made way for backup QB MATT PIKE, who left off right where Hicks had started. Pike led the Steamwheelers on four scoring drives of his own as he finished 6-8 for 104 yards, 2 TDs, and one rushing TD. Tim Dodge, who scored the game-winning touchdown, had 10 receptions for 143 yards and 4 TDs. He also added 2.5 tackles, and forced and recovered a fumble. Not to go unnoticed was OS KRIS PETERS, who rang up 125 yards on eight catches. Peters leads the team with 997 receiving yards. The Steamwheelers have three players in the Top 10 in receptions and their offense ranks #1 in yards per game. WR/DB TROY GRAHAM had a solid game on defense totaling 9.5 tackles and two pass break ups. More efforts like that are needed on defense as Quad City ranks dead last in both scoring defense and total defense. They have also only forced a league-low nine turnovers all season. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is happy to be back at Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza this week after blowing a 14-point lead in the final minute last week at Albany (73-70 loss). The loss spoiled QB MIKE GRANIERI's best performance of the season, as the rookie compiled 370 passing yards and eight touchdowns. OS J.R. THOMAS led the way with 10 catches for 192 yards and four scores. Thomas is no longer with the team, however, as the veteran playmaker was re-assigned earlier in the week. WR/DB YARDON BRANTLEY wasn't half bad either, as he scored three times and had an interception. This week should be a match-up of strength vs. strength as the Pioneers bring in the fifth best scoring defense in the league.

STEAMWHEELERS PIONEERS
SERIES LEADER W-B/Scranton leads 3-1
LAST MEETING W-B/Scranton won 63-36 on 7/8/2005
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 2-3
LAST GAME Won vs. MAN 62-59 on 6/10/2006 Lost at ALB 70-73 on 6/10/2006
2006 LEADERS STEAMWHEELERS PIONEERS
PASSING Hicks: 372-244-9; 2923; 49 TDs Granieri: 361-184-13; 2184; 41 TDs
RECEIVING Walker Jr: 82-875; 15 TDs Brantley: 61-774; 12 TDs
RUSHING Hicks: 22-63; 6 TDs Granieri: 35-40; 8 TDs
TACKLES Lewis: 46.5 Hattley: 56.5
SACKS Macrea: 2 Harding: 5.5
INTERCEPTIONS Graham: 2 Forbes: 4
KICKING Naehu: 48-65 PAT; 4-11 FG 60 PTS Davis: 53-63 PAT; 3-10 FG 62 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 55.8 PPG; 333.7 46.4 PPG; 228.2
TEAM DEFENSE 60.1 PPG; 299.4 43.6 PPG; 282.2



GREEN BAY BLIZZARD (5-5) AT SOUTH GEORGIA WILDCATS (1-9)
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2006 - Albany Civic Center (8,034) 7:30 P.M. ET
The South Georgia Wildcats try to defend their home turf at the Albany Civic Center as the Green Bay Blizzard stroll into town following an overtime loss the week before. K DALLAS PELZ hit a 22 yd FG to send the game into OT, but from there the Blizzard were unable to secure the victory. FB/LB PETER LAZARE had two rushing TDs, bringing his streak to five straight games with a rushing touchdown. QB JAMES MACPHERSON filled in quite well for QB RONNIE GORDON throwing for 386 yds and 6 touchdowns. WR/LB BRENT HOLMES became MacPherson's favorite target hauling in 9 throws for 184 yards and 2 TDs. At the moment, Holmes leads af2 with 20.2 yards per reception. Green Bay also has the #1 rushing offense at 40.1 yards/game, as well as Gordon and MacPherson tying for the league lead with 13.5 yards per completion. DS DAVID CROCKER, who leads the team in tackles and pass break ups, will head the #3 scoring defense in the match-up with the Wildcats. South Georgia has struggled this season, and their struggles were apparent in the loss last week to Birmingham. After scoring 18 consecutive points to take a 35-34 lead with 1:30 remaining, the Wildcats lost it soon after. One of the few bright spots was newly acquired WR/DB JAMAAL PERRY, who returned a kickoff 50 yards for a touchdown early in the first half. Leading receiver OS CHRIS MCKINNEY had another impressive performance catching 13 balls for 110 yards and 3 touchdowns; he is currently fourth in rec. yards and third in receptions. DS JAMES MCCOY led the defense with 8.5 tackles and one pass break up, and he leads the team with 3 FF and 4 FR on the season. While South Georgia ranks #1 in Red Zone defense at 69.6% and are #3 in time of possession, they have the second worst 3rd down conversion rate (34.9%) and are last in the league in turnover margin (-17). The Wildcats must improve on those numbers if they expect to beat a solid Blizzard squad.

BLIZZARD WILDCATS
SERIES LEADER Green Bay leads 1-0
LAST MEETING Green Bay won 78-44 on 7/30/2005
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 1-4
LAST GAME Lost vs. STK 62-68 in OT on 6/10/2006 Lost at BIR 35-42 on 6/10/2006
2006 LEADERS BLIZZARD WILDCATS
PASSING Gordon: 198-113-4; 1526; 24 TDs Reese: 214-128-6; 1319; 16 TDs
RECEIVING Lane: 44-449; 10 TDs McKinney: 86-999; 17 TDs
RUSHING Lazare: 39-157; 11 TDs Reese: 34-135; 5 TDs
TACKLES Crocker: 68 McCoy: 69
SACKS Boss: 2.5 Null: 2
INTERCEPTIONS Kaymore: 3 Saunders: 2, Robinson: 2
KICKING Talachka: 21-35 PAT; 3-7 FG 30 PTS Burnett: 27-35 PAT; 6-20 FG 45 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 45.4 PPG; 264.8 34.9 PPG; 213.1
TEAM DEFENSE 42.0 PPG; 261.1 50.8 PPG; 260.4



MACON KNIGHTS (4-6) AT FLORIDA FIRECATS (7-2)
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2006 - Germain Arena (7,128) 7:30 P.M. ET
The Macon Knights look to avenge an early season 53-40 loss to Florida as they square off Saturday night at Germain Arena. The Knights defeated Arkansas 62-35 last week behind the play of WR/DB MATT JACKSON, who was named U.S. Army Ironman of the Week. Jackson returned a missed FG 47 yards for a score and ran back an interception 18 yards for another. QB CHAD ELLIOT totaled 5 TDs as the Knights held Arkansas scoreless in the third quarter, while scoring 21 to jump out to a commanding lead. OS CHAVIS MCCOLLISTER grabbed 9 balls for 136 yards and two touchdowns in his first game of the season. OS JAMES HICKENBOTHAM, who is fifth in the league in receptions and seventh in yards, added a touchdown of his own. The last time these two teams met he found the end zone three times. Florida QB CHRIS WALLACE, who last time scorched the Knights' defense for 344 yards and 6 TDs in the air, threw seven touchdowns and ran one in two weeks ago against Tennessee. Wallace, who leads the #1 scoring attack, utilized all three of his receivers against the Vipers. OS MAGIC BENTON had 5 receptions for 100 yards and 3 TDs, while WR/DB ETHENIC SANDS and WR/DB BRITTNEY TELLIS added two scores each. Benton is #3 in af2 with 27 touchdown receptions. As great as their passing game is, FB/LB CLENT CROSSLEY leads the league with 52 rushing attempts for 222 yards and is tied for second with 12 rushing touchdowns. He is backed up on defense by DS QUINCY SORRELL, who leads the team in tackles and in pass break ups with 12. Something to watch for is whether the Firecats' timing on offense is off at all after the two-week layoff.

KNIGHTS FIRECATS
SERIES LEADER Florida leads 8-4
LAST MEETING Florida Won 53-40 on 4/15/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 4-1
LAST GAME Won vs. ARK 62-35 on 6/10/2006 Won vs. TVV 74-33 on 6/3/2006
2006 LEADERS KNIGHTS FIRECATS
PASSING Elliot: 350-221-13; 2348; 33 TDs Wallace: 299-183-10; 2343; 56 TDs
RECEIVING Hickenbotham: 81-974; 18 TDs Benton: 69-972; 27 TDs
RUSHING Lloyd: 41-132; 8 TDs Crossley: 52-222; 12 TDs
TACKLES Jackson: 50.5 Sorrell: 59
SACKS Wrangler: 7 Fisher: 5
INTERCEPTIONS Fenceroy: 5 Brown: 4
KICKING Yoon: 34-52 PAT; 3-15 FG 43 PTS Kornblue: 42-62 PAT; 2-5 FG 48 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 39.7 PPG; 276.5 60.4 PPG; 286.3
TEAM DEFENSE 48.5 PPG; 266.9 46.7 PPG; 249.2



BAKERSFIELD BLITZ (7-3) AT OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (7-3)
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2006 - Ford Center (17,884) 8:00 P.M. ET
The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz have no time to recover from an excruciating last second loss to in-state rival, Tulsa, as they prepare to take on Bakersfield this week. The Bakersfield Blitz enter this week's game in Oklahoma coming off a 55-32 victory at Tennessee where they scored 28 consecutive points during the second and third quarters to seal the win. QB BOBBY PESAVENTO threw for 270 yards and 7 TDs and added another on the ground. OS RENNA REYNOLDS, who has scored a touchdown in every game this season, led the Blitz with 8 catches for 110 yards and 5 touchdowns. He improved on his team leading 86.1 yds/game and is now tied for 4th in the league with 26 touchdown grabs. WR/DB ERIC MAHANKE turned in a solid game on both sides of the ball hauling in 7 receptions for 93 yards and 2 scores, as well as adding 2 tackles on the defensive side of the ball. ADT Defensive Player of the Week OL/DL JERRY TURNER recorded 4 tackles, 3 sacks and a forced fumble while leading the defense in a valiant effort. The #1 total defense (192.7) and #2 scoring defense (39.8) is lead by DS ALEX WALLACE and his league-leading 9 interceptions. Oklahoma QB CRAIG STRICKLAND had another stellar performance against Tulsa throwing 7 touchdowns while totaling 326 yards in the air. He is currently tied for the league lead in TD passes with 65. OS JARRAI JACKSON had 9 rec. for 138 yds and 2 TDs, and has teamed up with WR/DB AL HUNT to grab 57 of Strickland 65 touchdown passes. Hunt caught 6 balls last week, three of which ended in scores. Backup WR/DB TACOM FONTAINE left his mark on the game catching 5 passes, one that resulted in a touchdown. DS JON HOLLAND turned in a strong performance against Tulsa totaling 4.5 tackles and 4 pass break ups. DS OLIVER FLETCHER leads af2 with 8.1 tackles/game; he had 8 solo tackles in the loss last week. The Yard Dawgz have a potentate offense, they are #2 in scoring offense, although they are last in the league in time of possession. Something has to give in this match-up between a quick-striking offense and tenacious defense.

BLITZ YARD DAWGZ
SERIES LEADER First ever meeting
LAST MEETING First ever meeting
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-2
LAST GAME Won at TVV 55-32 on 6/10/2006 Lost at TUL 58-59 on 6/10/2006
2006 LEADERS BLITZ YARD DAWGZ
PASSING Wall: 276-160-8; 1787; 43 TDs Strickland: 323-194-4; 2533; 65 TDs
RECEIVING Reynolds: 63-861; 26 TDs Jackson: 75-987; 26 TDs
RUSHING Onaindia: 12-54; 2 TDs Dingle: 9-82; 4 TDs
TACKLES Wallace: 30.5 Fletcher: 80.5
SACKS Turner: 8.5 Allen: 2.5
INTERCEPTIONS Wallace: 9 Fletcher: 3, McColister: 3
KICKING Johnson: 16-19 PAT; 1-3 FG 19 PTS Haglund: 74-79 PAT; 5-18 FG 91 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 48.6 PPG; 247.0 58.7 PPG; 264.1
TEAM DEFENSE 39.8 PPG; 192.7 44.0 PPG; 281.4



MANCHESTER WOLVES (4-6) AT TULSA TALONS (7-3)
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2006 - Tulsa Convention Center (7,111) 8:00 P.M. ET
The Tulsa Talons picked up the victory last week on WR/DB ZAC JONES 28 yd touchdown reception from QB MARK RADLINSKI as time expired. The touchdown was Jones' first of the day, and capped of an extraordinary performance by Radlinski. In the victory over in-state rival, Oklahoma, Radlinski threw for 314 yds and 8 TDs. OS ANDRE FONDE torched the Yard Dawgz defense compiling video game-like numbers. Fonde's line read as so: 14 receptions, 135 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns. While making a strong case for Offensive Player of the Week (he did not win, however), Fonde passed WR/DB DON MCGEE for the team lead in receptions. McGee was no slouch on the day, though; he grabbed two touchdowns and performed well on defense totaling 4 tackles and 2 pass break ups. DS JERMAINE HOPE finished the game with 7.5 tackles. The Tulsa Talons have been well-balanced all year bolstering the sixth-best total offense, #7 scoring defense, and third-best total defense. The last time these two teams met Forde put on another show, posting four receiving touchdowns, while the Talons' defense held OS STEVE "SPEEDY" GONZALEZ to nine catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns. The downfall for Manchester was Tulsa jumping out to a quick 20-0 lead, forcing the Wolves to play catch-up, and in turn causing Manchester's QBs to throw a total of 5 interceptions. The Manchester Wolves lost a tough one to Quad City last week on a last second TD run. The Wolves bolstered a rushing attack of their own as FB/LB MARK KIMENER rushed for 36 yards and scored two TDs. The story of the game was the play of QB D. BRYANT and his trio of receivers. Gonzalez caught 8 balls for 102 yards and two touchdowns and totaled 213 all-purpose yards. Running mates WR/DB DAVID BAILEY and WR/DB WENDELL WILLIAMS each tried to steal the spotlight from Gonzalez (who leads af2 in receptions, receiving TDs and scoring at 21 ppg, and is #2 in rec. yards), as Bailey recorded 9 rec. 149 yds receiving and 1 TD, and Williams 6 receptions for 83 yards and 3 touchdowns. The effort seemed like it should have been more than enough from the #3 total offense, but it was let down by a defense that has struggled to find consistency all year. DS BRIAN MANCE led the team with 8.5 tackles against the Steamwheelers. This meeting between the two teams should result in higher scoring than the first as each team is coming off 59 point games.

WOLVES TALONS
SERIES LEADER Tulsa leads 1-0
LAST MEETING Tulsa won 50-35 on 6/3/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 4-1
LAST GAME Lost at QCS 59-62 on 6/10/2006 Won vs. OKC 59-58 on 6/10/2006
2006 LEADERS WOLVES TALONS
PASSING Bryant: 274-182-5; 2012; 47 TDs Radlinski: 339-213-6; 2552; 55 TDs
RECEIVING Gonzalez: 96-1059; 33 TDs Forde: 60-693; 21 TDs
RUSHING Kimener: 37-182; 6 TDs Radlinski: 34-104; 8 TDs
TACKLES Haith: 39 Sadler: 44
SACKS Forney: 2.5 Murphy: 5.5
INTERCEPTIONS Haith: 4 Sadler: 5
KICKING MacInnis: 22-35 PAT; 0-3 FG 22 PTS Phillips: 55-71 PAT; 3-13 FG 64 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 51.3 PPG; 296.1 52.6 PPG; 285.2
TEAM DEFENSE 51.2 PPG; 261.0 45.4 PPG; 235.0



RIO GRANDE VALLEY DORADOS (5-5) AT ARKANSAS TWISTERS (6-4)
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2006 - ALLTel Arena (16,058) 8:00 P.M. ET
Rio Grande Valley Dorados look to make it two straight against the Arkansas Twisters when they step into Alltel Arena Saturday night. In the previous meeting, the Dorados won 57-55 as their time of possession was 37:16 for the game. Arkansas QB WALTER CHURCH and Rio Grande QB JOSH KELLETT went head-to-head as Church threw for 288 yards and 8 scores and Kellett went for 345 yards and six touchdowns. OS DWIGHT COUNTER caught 12 of Kellett's passes for 149 yds and three TDs. Arkansas WR/DB JON SCHOONOVER had four touchdown receptions of his own, to go along with the performance of af2 leading sackmaster FB/LB STEVE WATSON, who recorded two sacks. Last week, WR/DB CHRIS CANTY hauled in a 37 yard TD-reception with 53 seconds left on the clock. QB J.R. DAVIES, who has been starting in place of the injured Kellett, threw for seven touchdowns in the victory. Leading receiver, Dwight Counter, grabbed 10 passes for 78 yards and 2 scores and his counterpart, WR/DB MEL LONG, scored three times on passes from Davies. The Dorados are #1 in the league in time of possession at 33:12 per game. OL/DL RICK JONES had a good game last week picking up 4.5 tackles, 1 TFL and 1 sack. Rio Grande Valley boasts the #2 total defense allowing 202.7 yards/game as well as rank #2 in opponents 3rd down conversion rate. Against Macon, Arkansas committed 10 penalties in the 27-point defeat. Church threw for four touchdowns, 2 falling in the hands of WR/DB ROBERT KILOW. Church is currently tied for 4th with 56 touchdown passes. WR/DB PIERRE THOMAS led the defense with seven total tackles and one interception against the Knights. #1 and #2 in the league in sacks, Watson and DLS C.J. MCCLAIN have combined for 24.5 of the team's 35 sacks so far. McClain has added 6 forced fumbles to the #5 total defense. WR/DB DELENELL REID has a team leading 23 pass break ups.

DORADOS TWISTERS
SERIES LEADER Series Tied 1-1
LAST MEETING Rio Grande Valley Won 57-55 on 4/22/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 2-3
LAST GAME Won vs. AMA 49-45 on 6/10/2006 Lost at MAC 35-62 on 6/10/2006
2006 LEADERS DORADOS TWISTERS
PASSING Kellett: 261-142-6; 1557; 32 TDs Church: 349-198-15; 2444; 56 TDs
RECEIVING Counter: 74-797; 17 TDs Kilow: 52-595; 15 TDs
RUSHING Canty: 7-55; 2 TDs Johnson: 4-31; 1 TD
TACKLES Withers: 49 Reid: 52.5
SACKS Jeter: 3.5 Watson: 13
INTERCEPTIONS Withers: 2, Long: 2 Williams: 5
KICKING Bell: 45-57 PAT; 3-11 FG 54 PTS Carlton: 41-54 PAT; 2-15 FG 47 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 42.6 PPG; 249.0 51.1 PPG; 242.6
TEAM DEFENSE 46.7 PPG; 202.7 46.0 PPG; 239.6



BIRMINGHAM STEELDOGS (5-5) AT MEMPHIS XPLORERS (8-2)
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2006 - DeSoto Civic Center (8,444) 8:00 P.M. ET
The Memphis Xplorers reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in the Weekly Coaches Poll this week, and will look to show the visiting Steeldogs just why this Saturday. The Xplorers, who had a bye in Week 11, are 8-2 and tied for the best record in the league. Memphis also boasts a 10-game home winning streak dating back to 7/16/2005. Birmingham has already more then doubled last year's win total entering this week's match up and look to take the 4-2 advantage in the all-time series with a big win. The Steeldogs currently sit third in the American South Division at 5-5 and are poised for a playoff run after their 42-35 come from behind victory over South Georgia last week. In the previous meeting between the two clubs, Memphis won impressively 62-32, in 2005. Birmingham may give the starting quarterback job back to rookie RYAN HAWK after he led the team to victory against South Georgia in the late moments. Hawk has thrown for 2,074 yards and 31 touchdowns on the year. STEVE SILLS, a first-time offensive specialist, earned Schutt Offensive Player of the Game Award honors for leading Birmingham with eight catches for 95 yards and a touchdown against the Wildcats. BOBBY KEYES who leads the squad with six interceptions and 46.5 total tackles. The Xplorers are once again led by veteran quarterback BRIAN JONES. Jones ranks third in the af2 with 2,608 passing yards and also has 55 touchdown passes and 12 rushing touchdowns. His favorite receiving targets are KENNY HIGGINS (1,008 yards, 20 touchdowns) and TERRELL ADAMS (569 yards, 12 touchdowns). Another dangerous weapon that has returned to the fold is KEVIN PRENTISS. Prentiss enjoyed his best game so far this season in a Week 10 win against Stockton with 10 catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, DEON GIDDENS ranks third in the league in tackles with 68.0. He also leads the team with three interceptions.

STEELDOGS XPLORERS
SERIES LEADER Birmingham leads 3-2
LAST MEETING Memphis Won 62-32 on 6/18/2005
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 4-1
LAST GAME Won vs. SGW 42-35 on 6/10/2006 Won at STK 73-54 on 6/3/2006
2006 LEADERS STEELDOGS XPLORERS
PASSING Hawk: 309-165-6; 2074; 31 TDs Jones: 291-196-4; 2608; 55 TDs
RECEIVING Wright: 51-782; 13 TDs Higgins: 62-1008; 20 TDs
RUSHING Browden: 33-115; 6 TDs Jones: 39-181; 12 TDs
TACKLES Keyes: 46.5 Giddens: 68
SACKS Four with 3 Eggleston: 5
INTERCEPTIONS Keyes: 6 Giddens: 3
KICKING Walls: 38-52 PAT; 6-19 FG 56 PTS Azar: 63-76 PAT; 2-7 FG 69 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 43.2 PPG; 270.9 57.1 PPG; 290.4
TEAM DEFENSE 42.4 PPG; 237.4 39.1 PPG; 288.8



TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (2-8) AT BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLE WINGS (1-8)
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2006 - CenturyTel Center (12,500) 8:00 P.M. ET
The Vipers head to Bossier City, La. looking to snap their three-game losing streak against the Battle Wings. Tennessee Valley will have a new head coach on the bench this week in MILT THEODOSATOS. Theodosatos joined the Vipers in 2003 as the fullbacks/linebackers coach for former head coach Kevin Guy. During the 2004 Vipers season he served as the offensive/defensive line coach and moved on with Guy to the Rio Grande Valley Dorados in 2005. Overall, Tennessee Valley has a talented but very young team. The team's main playmakers are QB CHRIS GUNN and OS TORREY DAY. Gunn took command of the team in Week 9. He has thrown 14 touchdown passes on the season with five interceptions. Gunn also leads the team in rushing with 105 rushing yards. Day has been the team's most consistent receiver. He leads the Vipers with 57 catches for 677 and 12 touchdowns. TRAVIS BLANCHARD (42.5 tackles, 2 INTs) and HENRY FREEMAN are the team's top two defenders (30.5 tackles, 6 pass breakups). Tennessee Valley's most recent result was a 55-32 home loss to Bakersfield in Week 11. Bossier-Shreveport, like their opponents this week, has struggled this season to find a winning combination with its group of young players. The Battle Wings lone win in Week 10 was impressive, however, as they beat Midwest Division leader Oklahoma City, 53-50. In Week 11, however, they were humbled by Arkansas on the road, 55-29. The Battle Wings are led on offense by QB J.J. RATERINK. Raterink had his best game of the season against the Yard Dawgz with seven total touchdowns (5 passing, 2 rushing) and 296 yards passing. Unfortunately for Raterink, however, is that he's been on the run for much of the season. Bossier-Shreveport has allowed a league-high 37 sacks on the season in just nine games (4.1 allowed per game). As a result, the team's offensive performance has been lacking. The unit averages just 30.4 points per game, the lowest output per game in the league. K BRIAN HAZELWOOD is the team's leading scorer with 62 points on the season. He leads the league in field goals made (12) and attempted (26). WR/DB TERRELL SUTTON leads the defensive unit with 31.5 total tackles. This game will most likely come down to turnovers. Tennessee Valley has a league-high 37 turnovers so far in 2006, while Bossier-Shreveport has 26. This one is a tough call.

VIPERS BATTLE WINGS
SERIES LEADER Tennessee Valley leads 5-1
LAST MEETING Tennessee Valley Won 62-35 on 7/23/2004
LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 1-4
LAST GAME Lost vs. BAK 32-55 on 6/10/2006 Lost at ARK 29-55 on 6/3/2006
2006 LEADERS VIPERS BATTLE WINGS
PASSING Gunn: 117-67-5; 778; 14 TDs Raterink: 302-167-12; 1618; 22 TDs
RECEIVING Day: 57-677; 12 TDs Sutton: 32-266; 3 TDs
RUSHING Gunn: 26-105; 3 TDs Myles: 8-45; 0 TDs
TACKLES Blanchard: 42.5 Sutton: 31.5
SACKS Adelekan: 4 Reed: 2, Green: 2
INTERCEPTIONS Robinson: 3 Four tied with 1
KICKING Lee: 36-49 PAT; 4-21 FG 48 PTS Hazelwood: 23-31 PAT; 12-26 FG 62 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 39.4 PPG; 195.7 30.4 PPG; 185.8
TEAM DEFENSE 55.7 PPG; 273.6 56.1 PPG; 268.2

- MORE-



CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (6-4) AT AMARILLO DUSTERS (4-6)
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2006 - Amarillo Civic Center (4,870) 8:00 P.M. ET
The Coyotes head to Amarillo, Texas this Saturday to take on a depleted but dangerous Dusters team that is hungry for a win. Central Valley is coming off a 54-48 comeback win in Week 11 against new division rival Everett. The Coyotes have been keyed this season by the stellar play of rookie QB SCOTT RISLOV. Rislov is tied with Oklahoma City's Craig Stickland for the league lead with 65 touchdown passes. He's currently on pace to break the af2 single-season record of 99 touchdown passes in a season, set in 2005 by Matt Sauk. His go-to-guy amongst a talented receiving group is WR/DB LAMONTE JONES. Jones ranks sixth in the af2 in receiving touchdowns with 24. He's also a dangerous return man who has returned two kicks for scores and ranks seventh in the league in kick return yards (727). MAURICE TAYLOR (team-leading 41.0 tackles and 6 INTs) and DOUG LANGENFELD (6.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks) will key the defense charge. Central Valley leads the af2 in turnover margin at plus+15 and are tied with Florida for second overall in turnovers forced with 27 (12 fumble recoveries, 15 INTs). Right behind them at plus+12 in turnover margin is their opponent this week, Amarillo. The Dusters have relied heavily on their defense this season. That defense, although solid, hasn't been enough to offset Amarillo's offensive issues of late. The Dusters are currently in the midst of a three-game losing streak. Amarillo has been hurt especially by the loss of starting QB STEVE PANELLA in Week 9. Since then Amarillo has started WR/LB JARROD ROUANZOIN at quarterback. The Dusters may elect to start new addition BRIAN ZBYNIEWSKI this week. TERRELL MINGO leads the defensive backfield with 47.5 tackles and five interceptions. JARED WILLIAMS (5.5 sacks) and KERT TURNER (5.0 sacks) lead the charge up front. Amarillo ranks third in the league in sacks with 24 and are in the top ten in points per game allowed at 46.0. The offense averages just 42.8 points per game. Central Valley looks to have the edge in this affair, but Amarillo's defense will keep things close.

COYOTES DUSTERS
SERIES LEADER Amarillo leads 1-0
LAST MEETING Amarillo won 68-61 in OT on 5/21/2005
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 2-3
LAST GAME Won vs. EVE 54-48 on 6/10/2006 Lost at RGV 45-49 on 6/10/2006
2006 LEADERS COYOTES DUSTERS
PASSING Rislov: 333-219-7; 2663; 65 TDs Panella: 255-141-1; 1602; 25 TDs
RECEIVING Jones: 68-916; 24 TDs Jones: 27-343; 7 TDs
RUSHING Guardia: 22-85; 3 TDs McGinnis: 29-96; 4 TDs
TACKLES Taylor: 41 Mingo: 47
SACKS Langenfeld: 4, Booker: 4 Williams: 5.5
INTERCEPTIONS Taylor: 6 Mingo: 5
KICKING Gockman: 66-76 PAT; 6-15 FG 84 PTS Felton: 52-55 PAT; 8-24 FG 76 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 55.4 PPG; 275.2 42.8 PPG; 203.6
TEAM DEFENSE 49.0 PPG; 255.7 46.0 PPG; 245.6

EVERETT HAWKS (2-8) AT STOCKTON LIGHTNING (4-6)
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2006 - Stockton Arena (10,117) 10:30 P.M. ET
If the Stockton Lightning are going to keep their playoff hopes alive, they cannot allow a stumble at home against the Everett Hawks, in a National West Division battle. The Hawks have been playing better of late, winning two of their last three after starting the season 0-7. After winning two in a row, the Hawks could not win their third straight last weekend, falling 54-48 to the Central Valley Coyotes. Central Valley got on the board first, but on the ensuing kickoff, Everett's WR/DB HASSAN BROCKMAN went 50 yards for a kickoff return for a touchdown. After another Coyotes' score, the Hawks trailed 13-7 heading into the second quarter. QB BRIAN BAKER was able to knot up the score a couple minutes into the quarter, connecting with WR/LB TAVARIS DAVIS for a 4-yard touchdown. Both teams scored again, and Everett took their first lead of the game after WR/DB RASCHARD DODD-MASTERS intercepted a QB Scott Rislov pass and ran it in for a touchdown from 50 yards out, with 00:42 left in the half. But Central Valley tied the game at 27 with only seconds remaining in the half. The score remained tied going into the fourth quarter, 42-42. The Coyotes were able to take the lead with Rislov's seventh touchdown pass of the game. Baker answered right back, tossing his fifth touchdown of the game, a 29-yard connected with WR/DB MILTON MYERS, giving his squad a slim 48-47 lead. With 3:51 left on the clock, Rislov scored again, running it in from 1-yard out, for the eventual game-winning score. Everett started their last possession on Central Valley's 10-yard line, but Baker got sacked for a 5-yard loss, and the Hawks went 4-and-out, giving the win to the Coyotes. Stockton's game also went down to the wire, but unlike the Hawks, the Lighting came out on top. They beat the Green Bay Blizzard 68-62 in overtime. Stockton QB JOSH BLAKENSHIP threw three touchdowns in the first half, giving his team a 29-25 lead. Green Bay jumped ahead in the third quarter, with QB James MacPherson finding WR/LB Robert Garth for a 35-yard touchdown. But then Stockton came back with their only score of the third-quarter, a 14-yard pass from Blakenship to WR/DB KENYATTE MORGAN, taking the 36-32 lead entering the final period. The fourth quarter was a lot more eventual than the third, with both teams seemingly scoring at will. With 1:59 left in the game, Blakenship hit his favorite target, WR/LB PHIL GOODMAN for a 2-yard touchdown, giving the Lightning a 56-46 lead. Green Bay would come back, however, and with no time remaining on the clock, K Dallas Pelz made good on a 22-yard attempt to send the game into overtime. Both teams scored on their first possessions in overtime, with both teams failing to convert on the extra-point try. After another Goodman touchdown grab tied the game at 62, Stockton went for the onside kick. Stockton's WR/DB CLYDE SURRELL recovered the ball and ran it all the way for the touchdown, giving Stockton the win. Stockton hopes to use its momentum this week to dispose of the Hawks. Stockton beat Everett 50-40 in Week 6 at home.

HAWKS LIGHTNING
SERIES LEADER Series tied 1-1
LAST MEETING Everett Won 41-40 on 5/27/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 2-3
LAST GAME Lost at CVC 48-54 on 6/10/2006 Won at GBB 68-62 in OT on 6/10/2006
2006 LEADERS HAWKS LIGHTNING
PASSING Reese: 140-85-6; 933; 13 TDs Blankenship: 352-200-13; 2418; 52 TDs
RECEIVING Brockman: 54-492; 9 TDs Goodman: 59-754; 21 TDs
RUSHING Reese: 19-46; 10 TDs Harris: 6-41; 1 TD
TACKLES Butler: 38 Wallace: 45.5
SACKS Fields: 4 Dorisme: 5
INTERCEPTIONS Butler: 2 Goodman: 2, Newsom: 2
KICKING Hawley: 42-54 PAT; 3-10 FG 51 PTS Gockman: 42-54 PAT; 2-7 FG 48 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 41.9 PPG; 247.9 49.8 PPG; 262.1
TEAM DEFENSE 49.1 PPG; 264.3 52.3 PPG; 298.1

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