af2 arenafootball2

af2 Saturday night matchups

Published on July 7, 2006 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


FLORIDA FIRECATS (9-3) AT WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS (8-4)
SATURDAY, JULY 8, 2006 - Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza (7,950) 7:00 P.M. ET
This is another rematch from the playoffs last season as the two American Conference division leaders square off. Both Florida and W-B/Scranton are coming off losses to Green Bay. The Firecats (who won that playoff game last year, 59-45), lost to the Blizzard last week by one point, 48-47, after QB CHRIS WALLACE's 2-point conversion pass fell incomplete in the closing seconds. Wallace performed well overall despite the result, throwing for 256 yards and six touchdowns. Wallace has thrown at least five touchdown passes in every game this season. He spread the wealth last week as four different receivers caught touchdowns. Leading the attack was OS MAGIC BENTON with eight receptions for 106 yards and two scores. Benton has recently put together four consecutive 100-yd games, and is second in the af2 in receiving yards and third in touchdowns. WR/DB ETHENIC SANDS caught two touchdowns and also ran for a touchdown. DS CORY BAILEY took over the team lead in tackles with 10 against Green Bay. FB/LB CLENTON CROSSLEY leads the league in rushing yards, but did most of his damage on defense last week with 4.5 tackles and a fumble recovery. A quick glance at the statistics shows why Florida is one of the top teams in af2. The Firecats rank first in scoring offense and fourth in total offense, and are in the Top 10 in both points and yards allowed on defense. W-B/Scranton's last opponent was also Green Bay, but the Pioneers played the Blizzard on the road in Week 13. The end result was a 65-35 W-B/Scranton defeat. Pioneers rookie QB MIKE GRANIERI led the attack with both 2 rushing and throwing touchdowns, but also threw 2 costly interceptions. The team could not overcome a 17-point halftime deficit as their offensive strains continued throughout the contest. W-B/Scranton could only convert 5 of 12 3rd downs and failed on all 4 of their fourth down attempts. OS YARDO BRANTLEY caught 7 receptions for 112 yards and 1 TD, while WR/DB LEROY MCFADDEN grabbed 12 for 97 yards and a score as well. It will take a huge defensive effort from the Pioneers to win this game and stake their claim as the top team in the American Conference because they do not have the firepower to outscore the Firecats attack.

FIRECATS PIONEERS
SERIES LEADER Florida leads 3-0
LAST MEETING Florida Won 59-45 on 8/13/2005
LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 2-3
LAST GAME Lost vs. GBB 47-48 on 7/1/2006 Lost at GBB 35-65 on 6/24/2006
2006 LEADERS FIRECATS PIONEERS
PASSING Wallace: 391-241-10; 3108; 75 TDs Granieri: 445-226-16; 2704; 49 TDs
RECEIVING Benton: 91-1284; 33 TDs Brantley: 67-767; 14 TDs
RUSHING Crossley: 75-272; 14 TDs Granieri: 37-50; 10 TDs
TACKLES Bailey: 77.5 Hattley: 64.5
SACKS Fisher: 5 Harding: 5.5
INTERCEPTIONS Brown: 6 Forbes: 5
KICKING Kornblue: 57-85 PAT; 2-5 FG 63 PTS Davis: 65-76 PAT; 3-10 FG 74 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 59.8 PPG; 285.6 46.2 PPG; 234.2
TEAM DEFENSE 45.8 PPG; 252.9 46.1 PPG; 284.8

MEMPHIS XPLORERS (9-4) AT LOUISVILLE FIRE (7-5)
SATURDAY, JULY 8, 2006 - Freedom Hall (15,646) 7:00 P.M. ET
Louisville plays Memphis for the first time since the team's loss to the Xplorers in the ArenaCup title game last season. This is their first and only meeting this season. After starting the season 2-4, the Fire has turned the corner, winning five of their last six games. During that span, QB BRETT DIETZ and OS ROB MAGER have been arguably the two hottest performers in the af2. Mager leads af2 in receptions (117), yards (1,558) and touchdowns (44). Dietz is second in the league in touchdown passes (77) and number one in both passing efficiency (127.6) and completion percentage (71.1). In Louisville's most recent win at Manchester, Dietz threw for six scores (all six to Mager) and ran for one. WR/DB DENNIS FRYZEL caught a game-high 13 receptions for 100 yards, while contributing 5.0 tackles on defense. With the offense blazing, the Fire rank first in 3rd down conversions (60%), third in the league in scoring offense (57.1 ppg) and fifth in total offense (284.8 ypg). DS KABOTA SIYKALA had 8.5 tackles versus Manchester and ran back an interception for a score. Louisville will look for similar effort from him again this week. Memphis is coming into this week's contest off of a road loss to Macon, 38-33, in Week 14. One of the few bright spots was WR/DB TERRANCE QUATTLEBAUM, who was a factor on both sides of the ball. Quattlebaum won the US Army Ironman of the Week Award for his effort, totaling nine receptions for 101 yards and a score, 7.0 tackles and a 24-yard fumble return for a touchdown. QB BRIAN JONES, however, didn't have his best day, throwing just two touchdowns with two interceptions. He also rushed for another. He now has a rushing touchdown in every game he has attempted a rush. Jones is presently second in passing efficiency, completion percentage and rushing touchdowns, and third in passing yards. OS KENNY HIGGINS caught eight passes against Macon for 90 yards and one touchdown. Higgins is in the Top 10 in receiving yards and touchdowns. WR/DB DEON GIDDENS leads the af2 in tackles with 88.5. The Xplorers are third in total offense and first in scoring defense, but rank in the bottom half of the league in yards allowed. This should be an entertaining game between two teams that are likely headed to the playoffs. XPLORERS FIRE
SERIES LEADER Memphis leads 5-2
LAST MEETING Memphis Won 63-41 on 8/27/2005
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 4-1
LAST GAME Lost at MAC 33-38 on 6/30/2006 Won at MAN 59-49 on 6/23/2006
2006 LEADERS XPLORERS FIRE
PASSING Jones: 384-262-9; 3427; 70 TDs Dietz: 405-288-7; 3293; 77 TDs
RECEIVING Higgins: 82-1269; 23 TDs Mager: 117-1558; 44 TDs
RUSHING Jones: 51-245; 15 TDs Taylor: 22-44; 2 TDs
TACKLES Giddens: 88.5 Siykala: 62.5
SACKS Eggleston: 6 Connor: 4.5
INTERCEPTIONS Giddens: 3 Siykala: 6, Chandler: 6
KICKING Azar: 79-96 PAT; 2-8 FG 85 PTS Hendrix: 77-96 PAT; 6-9 FG 95 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 55.9 PPG; 293.2 57.1 PPG; 284.8
TEAM DEFENSE 40.4 PPG; 282.7 51.9 PPG; 291.2



MACON KNIGHTS (5-7) AT ALBANY CONQUEST (5-7)
SATURDAY, JULY 8, 2006 - Pepsi Arena (13,901) 8:00 P.M. ET
Macon travels to Albany, N.Y. this week to take on the Conquest for the second time in 2006. Albany is searching for the sweep after defeating Macon 54-25 the first time around. In that game, the Conquest shut the Knights out in the second half. Albany QB RYAN VENA had a monster game throwing for 336 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for two scores of his own. Macon WR/DB JOHN HARRIS had a fine game posting eight receptions for 107 yards and two scores, and WR/DB JAMES HICKENBOTHAM had five grabs for 64 yards and a touchdown. Also, WR/LB JAMAAL GARMAN added some stellar play in recovering two fumbles. The story of the game though, was the relentless pressure the Conquest gave to Macon QB CHAD ELLIOTT. They pressured Elliott into four sacks and picked him off four times in the process. WR/LB MELVIN PARRIS totaled seven tackles, one fumble recovery and two sacks, while DS SHAWN MURRAY and DS PETE MCBRIDE accounted for two interceptions each. Macon got back on track last week with their 38-33 victory over Memphis. OS CHAVIS MCCOLLISTER continued his marvelous performance with seven catches for 124 yards and five touchdowns. In only three games with the Knights, McCollister has averaged 10 receptions and 152.3 yards per game and totaled 11 touchdowns. DS MATT JACKSON led the defense with 10.5 tackles, two pass break ups and one interception. Playing the 22nd ranked scoring and total defense, Macon needs to have a good offensive performance to win and keep their playoff hopes alive. They are currently third to last in scoring offense and boast the worst red zone offense in the league (58% conversion rate). Albany lost two weeks ago to Spokane 49-46 after blowing a 30-14 halftime lead. Vena totaled five touchdowns and K VINNY CIRRINCIONE hit on two field goals. WR/DB THOMAS ANTHONY caught eight passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns. The offense ranks second in the af2 with 320.2 yards/game. DS SHAWN MURRAY played against the Shock with 9.5 tackles on the night. He has been one of the Conquest's better defenders all season with 35 tackles and five INTs in only eight games. With one team on the rise and the other in the middle of a slump, all signs point to a Knights victory, but don't count the Conquest out, especially at home. Both teams are still in the hunt for the playoffs.

KNIGHTS CONQUEST
SERIES LEADER Albany leads 3-1
LAST MEETING Albany Won 54-25 on 4/8/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 1-4
LAST GAME Won vs. Memphis 38-33 on 6/30/2006 Lost at SPO 46-49 on 6/24/2006
2006 LEADERS KNIGHTS CONQUEST
PASSING Elliott: 422-267-15; 2885; 44 TDs Vena: 436-276-14; 3535; 59 TDs
RECEIVING Hickenbotham: 91-1052; 19 TDs Talbert: 61-774; 12 TDs
RUSHING Lloyd: 47-144; 8 TDs Vena: 60-170; 19 TDs
TACKLES Jackson: 65 Tinson: 40
SACKS Wrangler: 8 Ward: 4
INTERCEPTIONS Fenceroy: 5, Jackson: 5 Murray: 5
KICKING Yoon: 42-65 PAT; 3-17 FG 51 PTS Cirrincione:74-85 PAT;9-12 FG 101PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 40.8 PPG; 277.0 55.6 PPG; 320.2
TEAM DEFENSE 48.7 PPG; 270.5 57.1 PPG; 294.7



BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLE WINGS (2-10) AT SOUTH GEORGIA WILDCATS (1-11)
SATURDAY, JULY 8, 2006 - Albany Civic Center (8,034) 7:30 P.M. ET
Bossier-Shreveport and South Georgia meet with little more than just pride on the line. This is the first meeting between the two squads and each team is looking to make a run and end the season on a high note. The Battle Wings could not overcome a 38-18 halftime deficit and were defeated by Rio Grande Valley in Week 14, 61-48. QB J.J. RATERINK threw for 317 yards and five touchdowns, but one of his two interceptions was run back for a touchdown. OS ANTHONY CHAMBERS had five receptions for 89 yards and two scores, and WR/DB VERNARD ABRAMS caught a touchdown after WR/DB BRANDON CAMPBELL's 51-yard kickoff return. DS ROBERT MASON recorded 10.5 tackles in the defeat. Bossier-Shreveport has showed some signs of recovering this season as they have won two of their last five contests, but they are still struggling to find a rhythm. The South Georgia Wildcats most recent result was a loss two weeks ago at Memphis, 81-53. In defeat, the offense put up the most points it had all season. QB JULIAN REESE threw five touchdowns and ran in another to lead the offense. He connected with OS CHRIS MCKINNEY ten times for 114 yards and four touchdowns. McKinney is currently in the Top 10 in all three of the major receiving categories. DS BLAKE SAUNDERS recorded 6.5 tackles and forced and recovered a fumble against Memphis. South Georgia is last in the league with a minus-19 turnover margin. Bossier-Shreveport is at minus-15. Expect a low scoring battle between South Georgia and the Battle Wings as they are the two lowest scoring teams in the league at 37.7 and 33.8, respectively.

BATTLE WINGS WILDCATS
SERIES LEADER First ever meeting
LAST MEETING First ever meeting
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 0-5
LAST GAME Lost vs. RGV 48-61 on 7/1/2006 Lost at MEM 53-81 on 6/24/2006
2006 LEADERS BATTLE WINGS WILDCATS
PASSING Raterink: 373-209-15; 2164; 32 TDs Reese: 288-167-8; 1778; 27 TDs
RECEIVING Chambers: 52-657; 9 TDs McKinney: 104-1215; 23 TDs
RUSHING Myles: 15-52; 0 TD Reese: 48-215; 6 TDs
TACKLES Sutton: 42 McCoy: 77
SACKS Reed: 7 Davis: 2, Null: 2
INTERCEPTIONS Geiggar: 3 Robinson: 2, Saunders: 2
KICKING Hazelwood: 32-45 PAT;15-34 FG 82 PTS Burnett: 33-48 PAT; 7-24 FG 54 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 33.8 PPG; 212.7 37.7 PPG; 223.2
TEAM DEFENSE 54.8 PPG; 275.6 53.4 PPG; 264.9



OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (9-3) AT TULSA TALONS (8-4)
SATURDAY, JULY 8, 2006 - Tulsa Convention Center (7,111) 8:00 P.M. ET
This Saturday the Yard Dawgz and Talons hook up for the third installment in the best-of-three season series between these two intense, in-state rivals. Oklahoma City is first in the Midwest Division and are a win away from a playoff spot. Tulsa is currently just a game behind the Yard Dawgz in the division standings. The Talons won the last meeting against Oklahoma, 59-58, on a Hail Mary touchdown with no time remaining. Tulsa QB MARK RADLINSKI and Oklahoma City QB CRAIG STRICKLAND both had fantastic games last time out. Strickland totaled 326 yards and seven TDs, while Radlinski threw for 314 yards and eight touchdowns, surpassing 300 yards in both games. Strickland threw for 10 touchdowns in the first match-up, which resulted in a Yard Dawgz win. Oklahoma City OS JARRAIL JACKSON caught nine passes for 138 yards and two TDs and WR/DB AL HUNT had six receptions for 79 yards and three TDs in the previous meeting. Jackson has totaled 16 receptions for 291 yards and four scores in the two games. Tulsa's receivers were just as spectacular in the game with OS ANDRE FORDE grabbing 14 receptions for 135 yards and five TDs and WR/DB DON MCGEE hauling in five passes for 56 yards and three scores. Forde combined for 23 catches for 274 yards and eight touchdowns in the two games against Oklahoma City. The two meetings have been dominated by scoring, especially with Oklahoma City putting up a whopping 90 points in the first meeting, but DS OLIVER FLETCHER for the Yard Dawgz has totaled 16.5 tackles and three pass break ups. Two weeks ago, Tulsa, behind an offensive onslaught, defeated Amarillo, 87-38. The Talons scored 53 consecutive points during a run en route to the victory. McGee had five receptions for 64 yards and two TDs, and also ran back a kickoff for a touchdown. Radlinski had six total touchdowns, and WR/DB CESAR MANNING, seeing his first action for Tulsa, had three receiving touchdowns. The Talons are currently in the Top 10 in scoring and yards on both offense and defense. Oklahoma City's most recent result was a 56-14 win two weeks ago over Rio Grande Valley. They held the Dorados scoreless in every quarter but the second. Strickland threw for six touchdowns. Hunt and Jackson, the only pair of receivers in the Top 10 in touchdown receptions, combined for 12 catches, 145 yards and four touchdowns. DS JON HOLLAND had 3.5 tackles, one tackle for loss and one interception as the defense had one of its best efforts of the year. K A.J. HAGLUND has been phenomenal this season, missing only five of his 94 PAT attempts. Oklahoma City holds the #2 scoring offense and the #5 scoring defense. With that, they have the largest point differential in the league at 15.8 ppg. It will be hard for this rivalry game to live up to the drama of the second match-up, but it has the potential to be the best of the three as each team is readying for a playoff run.

YARD DAWGZ TALONS
SERIES LEADER Tulsa leads 4-3
LAST MEETING Tulsa Won 59-58 on 6/10/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-2
LAST GAME Won at WBS 56-14 on 6/24/2006 Won at AMA 87-38 on 6/24/2006
2006 LEADERS YARD DAWGZ TALONS
PASSING Strickland: 381-228-4; 2968; 76 TDs Radlinski: 395-245-7; 2886; 60 TDs
RECEIVING Jackson: 89-1154; 29 TDs McGee: 65-714; 15 TDs
RUSHING Dingle: 12-88; 4 TDs Radlinski: 37-107; 10 TDs
TACKLES Fletcher: 80.5 Sadler: 49
SACKS Allen: 2.5 Murphy: 6
INTERCEPTIONS Three tied with 3 Sadler: 5
KICKING Haglund: 89-94 PAT; 6-26 FG 109 PTS Phillips: 67-87 PAT; 4-16 FG 79 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 58.9 PPG; 259.8 53.1 PPG; 279.0
TEAM DEFENSE 43.1 PPG; 275.2 45.9 PPG; 242.4



TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (2-10) AT QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (5-7)
SATURDAY, JULY 8, 2006 - The Mark of the Quad Cities (9,437) 8:15 P.M. ET
Two weeks ago the Vipers and Steamwheelers met and from the first play of the game, it was the TIM DODGE show for Quad City. Dodge's individual effort included seven catches for 149 yards and three touchdowns, a 2-yard touchdown run on offense, and 2.5 tackles with a fumble recovery in the end zone on defense. The end result was a 65-59 Steamwheeler road win. Now it's time for Round 2. The Vipers are playing for pride, as they've dropped their last five games and have a 2-10 record. Quad City, in difference, is still alive in the playoff hunt, sitting in a third-place tie in the East Division at 5-7. Both teams are coming off of bye weeks. Quad City will ride QB TIM HICK's arm as they have all season long. The veteran signal caller leads the af2 in passing with 3,558 passing yards. In their last meeting, Hicks hooked up with Dodge for a 45-yard touchdown on the first play of the game, jumping off to a quick 7-0 lead. Tennessee Valley answered, however, scoring 16 straight points. But as time expired in the first quarter, the Hicks-Dodge connection would strike again, this time from 42 yards out. On the Vipers' ensuing possession, QB CHRIS GUNN found WR/DB RON MONTEILH for an 8-yard touchdown to go up 23-14. Hicks came back with two more touchdown passes, a 40-yard pass to KRIS PETERS and a 24-yarder to Dodge, to get their first lead of the game at 28-23, but Gunn came back with his second rushing touchdown of the game. Quad City took a slim 31-30 lead going into halftime with K KIMO NAEHU booting a 21-yard field goal through the uprights. Hicks increased the lead with another touchdown to Peters, but Gunn then got a touchdown pass of his own to tie up the score at 37. With less than four minutes to go in the third quarter, Dodge once again scored, this time a rushing touchdown, and Quad City took a 44-37 lead going into the fourth quarter. Hicks got the first points of the fourth quarter with a 19-yard touchdown pass to WR/DB JACK WALKER, which was answered by Gunn's third rushing touchdown of the evening. Quad City then scored two touchdowns, the first on Dodge's fumble recovery, and the second on Hicks' seventh touchdown pass of the game. Gunn led a comeback with two touchdown passes to WR/DB TORREY DAY, a 4-yarder and a 49-yarder, but it was too little too late as Quad City went on to win. Hicks finished the game 17-of-27 for 357 yards and seven touchdowns. Despite the loss, Gunn had a very strong day to keep his team in the game. He finished 20-of-36 for 265 yards and five touchdowns through the air, with eight rushes for 42 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Saturday's meeting will be the twelfth between these two teams. Quad City leads the all-time series 8-3.

VIPERS STEAMWHEELERS
SERIES LEADER Quad City leads 7-3
LAST MEETING Tennessee Valley Won 48-41 on 7/10/2004
LAST FIVE GAMES 0-5 3-2
LAST GAME Lost vs. QCS 59-65 on 6/24/2006 Won at TVV 65-59 on 6/24/2006
2006 LEADERS VIPERS STEAMWHEELERS
PASSING Gunn: 189-107-7; 1340; 24 TDs Hicks: 442-286-12; 3558; 60 TDs
RECEIVING Day: 76-990; 18 TDs Walker Jr: 90-986; 16 TDs
RUSHING Gunn: 37-150; 6 TDs Hicks: 27-61; 6 TDs
TACKLES Blanchard: 42.5 Graham: 56
SACKS Adelekan: 7 Macrea: 2
INTERCEPTIONS Robinson: 3 Graham: 2, Walker Jr: 2
KICKING Lee: 44-58 PAT; 5-27 FG 59 PTS Naehu: 58-79 PAT; 5-14 FG 73 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 41.1 PPG; 210.1 56.2 PPG; 332.8
TEAM DEFENSE 55.4 PPG; 275.8 59.6 PPG; 299.2



BIRMINGHAM STEELDOGS (6-6) AT RIO GRANDE VALLEY DORADOS (6-7)
SATURDAY, JULY 8, 2006 - Dodge Arena (5,500) 8:30 P.M. ET
The Birmingham Steeldogs and Rio Grande Valley Dorados have only faced off twice before. Both games were decided by one point, with each team winning one. More of the same should be expected this weekend, as these two teams meet again, and neither team can afford a loss as the af2 season heads down the final stretch. Birmingham must recover from a disappointing 60-27 loss against the Florida Firecats back in Week 13. They're hoping their week off is just what they needed to make one final run at the playoffs. QB RYAN HAWK and the rest of the Steeldogs are trying to forget what happened the last time they took the field. Florida came out firing with the league's No. 1 offense, jumping out to a quick 14-0 lead. After a Hawk touchdown pass cutting the deficit to 14-7, the lead would just continue to grow for the Firecats. Hawk got pulled after the first half, after going 6-of-11 for 76 yards, one touchdown and one interception, with the Steeldogs trailing 34-7. His replacement, QB ROBERT KENT, didn't fare much better. He finished 9-of-19 for 119 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. After Kent led his team to a score on the opening possession of the half, Florida scored two straight touchdowns to blow the game wide open, leading 54-14 en route to the victory. Florida was able to light up the usually solid Birmingham defense, which ranks No. 6 in af2, allowing 43.8 points per game. Their opponent this week, the Dorados, pose less of an offensive threat. The Dorados are only averaging 41.5 points per game, but went for 61 in their 61-48 victory Saturday night at Bossier-Shreveport. They were led by QB JOSH KELLETT's return to the field after a thumb injury forced him out of the game in Week 7. He missed five games and watched his team go 1-4 during that stretch. Kellett had a very impressive performance, completing 20-of-28 passes for 336 yards and six touchdowns with two interceptions. WR/DB DWIGHT COUNTER was sure happy to have his quarterback back. He caught eight passes for 161 yards and four touchdowns. Rio Grande Valley scored first, with the Kellett-Counter connection hooking up for a 31-yard touchdown. The Dorados went on a 19-0 run at one point to take control of the game. Kellett tossed two touchdown passes in that stretch and WR/LB MEL LONG had a 49-yard interception return for a touchdown. Birmingham and Rio Grande Valley played each other back in Week 6, with the Dorados coming away with the 44-43 overtime victory. It was Kellett and Counter who stole the show. Kellett finished the game 26-of-52 for 263 yards and five touchdowns, with Counter catching 12 of those passes for 119 yards and two scores.

STEELDOGS DORADOS
SERIES LEADER Series tied 1-1
LAST MEETING Rio Grande Won 44-43 in OT on 4/14/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 2-3
LAST GAME Lost vs. FLA 27-60 on 6/24/2006 Won at BOS 61-48 on 7/1/2006
2006 LEADERS STEELDOGS DORADOS
PASSING Hawk: 357-196-7; 2381; 33 TDs Kellett: 289-162-8; 1893; 38 TDs
RECEIVING Wright: 53-801; 13 TDs Counter: 91-1064; 23 TDs
RUSHING Sanders: 34-126; 3 TDs Canty: 8-55; 2 TDs
TACKLES Keyes: 51 Withers: 52
SACKS Four tied with 3 Jeter: 4.5
INTERCEPTIONS Keyes: 7 Long: 4
KICKING Walls: 45-60 PAT; 9-25 FG 72 PTS Bell: 59-73 PAT; 4-17 FG 71 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 41.8 PPG; 264.0 41.5 PPG; 247.8
TEAM DEFENSE 43.8 PPG; 245.8 47.1 PPG; 216.2

AMARILLO DUSTERS (4-8) AT SPOKANE SHOCK (10-2)
SATURDAY, JULY 8, 2006 - Spokane Arena (9,909) 10:00 P.M. ET
Amarillo has a big challenge awaiting them this Saturday as they travel to Spokane to take on the No.1-ranked team in the af2. The Dusters are traveling in five vans more than 22 hours to this week's game against the Shock. Amarillo is expecting a better effort than the team had last time they took the field, which was an 87-38 loss at Tulsa in Week 13. The game could not have started off any better for the Dusters, as QB BRIAN ZBYDNIEWSKI hit WR/DB DONTA BRIGHT for a 45-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage to get the early 7-0 lead. Tulsa answered with a score on their first play of the game, but Amarillo came right back with another Zbydniewski touchdown pass, this time to FB/LB TITUS IVORY from 32-yards out. After another Talons' touchdown, Amarillo once again got the lead with 6:35 left in the first quarter. But Tulsa then went on an unprecedented scoring binge, scoring eight unanswered touchdowns. After that run, Tulsa was in front 67-20. Tulsa scored on 13 of its 15 possessions. Zbydniewski threw four touchdowns in the contest, but only completed 12-of-34 passes and had two interceptions. One bright note for the Dusters was WR/DB JOHN ROBERSON, who caught five passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. QB KYLE ROWLEY led the Shock to a 46-23 touchdown last week against the Arkansas Twisters in his first start for Spokane. He made the most of his opportunity, going 32-of-41 for 243 yards and six touchdowns, with no interceptions. His performance earned him Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors. It helped him having WR/DB CHARLES FREDERICK on his team. Frederick continued his stellar season catching 15 passes for 144 yards and five touchdowns. The ADT Defensive Player of the Game Award went to Spokane's WR/DB ROB KEEFE, who recorded three tackles and two interceptions. Keefe is now tied for the af2 lead with nine interceptions on the season. Spokane played a solid game all around, and was 3-for-3 on fourth down conversions. The Shock first took the lead with just over one minute left in the first quarter, after Frederick caught his first touchdown of the game, and Spokane went in front, 14-10. They never let go of the lead the rest of the game. Amarillo desperately needs its offense to step up this week to take down the Shock. They are scoring 42.6 points per game, No. 17 in af2, and compiling a league-worst 209.2 yards per game. Amarillo was able to score 62 points against the Shock back in Week 4, but they gave up 66 in the loss.

DUSTERS SHOCK
SERIES LEADER Spokane leads 1-0
LAST MEETING Spokane Won 66-62 on 4/22/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 4-1
LAST GAME Won at AMA 59-42 on 6/17/2006 Won at ARK 46-23 on 7/1/2006
2006 LEADERS DUSTERS SHOCK
PASSING Rislov: 359-233-8; 2873; 71 TDs Neist: 344-214-8; 2550; 44 TDs
RECEIVING Jones: 73-989; 26 TDs Savage: 67-777; 16 TDs
RUSHING Guardia: 23-90; 4 TDs Vijil: 26-53; 8 TDs
TACKLES Taylor: 41 Keefe: 60.5
SACKS Langenfeld: 6 Purvis: 3
INTERCEPTIONS Taylor: 6 Keefe: 9
KICKING Gockman: 74-84 PAT; 7-16 FG 95 PTS Koker: 57-78 PAT; 3-8 FG 66 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 55.7 PPG; 271.1 53.2 PPG; 268.2
TEAM DEFENSE 48.4 PPG; 249.2 49.4 PPG; 242.2

- MORE-

BAKERSFIELD BLITZ (7-5) AT EVERETT HAWKS (3-9)
SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2006 - Everett Events Center (8,300) 10:30 P.M. ET
The Everett Hawks are sitting at 3-9 and hoping to keep their dim playoff hopes alive by defeating division rival Bakersfield. The Blitz are third in the West Division despite being in the midst of a recent two-game losing streak. Bakersfield's most recent result was a 50-32 home loss to Arkansas. Turnovers killed the Blitz as QB BOBBY PESAVENTO threw three interceptions. Arkansas turned the three picks into 21 points. Pesavento finished with 267 yards and three touchdowns. OS RENNARD REYNOLDS caught eight passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns, and WR/DB DERONN FINLEY caught 10 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. Reynolds now has 31 receiving touchdowns on the year, fourth-best in the league. Bakersfield has the No. 4 scoring defense in af2, allowing 42.7 points per game. The Everett Hawks are also coming off a loss and a bye. Everett has been playing much better football of late, after starting the season 0-7.The Hawks have won three of their last five games, but fell short in Week 13 at home against the Coyotes, 61-42. QB BRIAN BAKER gave his team the lead on the first offensive play of the game, connecting with WR/DB MILTON MYERS for a 22-yard touchdown. Central Valley came back with a touchdown, and then Baker threw another touchdown to take back the lead at 14-7 heading into the second quarter. But the Hawks defense could not stop QB Scott Rislov, who completed 17-of-28 passes for 249 yards and seven touchdowns, including three touchdowns in the second quarter alone. The Hawks subbed in QB WES BESCHONER at the end of the first half after Baker went 10-of-16 for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Beschoner threw for 172 yards and two touchdowns but also threw two costly interceptions, including one at the Central Valley 2-yard line with seconds remaining in the half. The halftime score was 28-21 in favor of Central Valley. After Beschoner ran the ball in from 1-yard out early in the fourth quarter, Everett cut the lead to 40-35. But Central Valley came back with two consecutive touchdowns to put away the game. The Hawks' WR/DB HASSAN BROCKMAN led all receivers in the game, catching eight passes for 129 yards and a touchdown. Everett played Bakersfield in their first game in franchise history back in Week 1, and the Blitz came away with a 60-54 victory. Everett could not get the ball back after cutting the deficit to six with less than two minutes to go, and the Blitz held on for the victory.

BLITZ HAWKS
SERIES LEADER Bakersfield leads 1-0
LAST MEETING Bakersfield Won 60-54 on 3/30/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 3-2
LAST GAME Lost vs. ARK 32-50 on 6/25/2006 Lost vs. CVC 42-61 on 6/24/2006
2006 LEADERS BLITZ HAWKS
PASSING Wall: 276-160-8; 1787; 43 TDs Baker: 148-86-5; 986; 21 TDs
RECEIVING Reynolds: 83-1128; 31 TDs Brockman: 67-647; 12 TDs
RUSHING Onaindia: 14-63; 3 TDs Shine: 2-47; 0 TD
TACKLES Wallace: 34.5 Butler: 47
SACKS Turner: 12 Harrell: 5
INTERCEPTIONS Wallace: 9 Butler: 3
KICKING Johnson: 25-29 PAT; 3-7 FG 34 PTS Hawley: 53-67 PAT; 4-11 FG 65 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 48.4 PPG; 255.3 42.6 PPG; 255.2
TEAM DEFENSE 42.7 PPG; 198.3 49.4 PPG; 263.7

STOCKTON LIGHTNING (5-7) AT CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (8-4)
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2006 - Stockton Arena (10,117) 10:30 P.M. ET
The Stockton Lightning are in a must-win situation as they travel to Central Valley to battle the Coyotes in an important West Division affair. These two teams met in Week 7, and the game went down to the wire as Central Valley came away with a 63-61 win. The Lightning are looking for their second straight win after defeating the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings, 51-41, in Week 13. It was all WR/DB KENYATTE MORGAN for the Lightning, coming up with big play after big play. With Bossier-Shreveport in front, 9-7, Morgan took the kickoff 57 yards for a touchdown to put Stockton in front. The Lightning would not let go of the lead for the rest of the game. Morgan leads the af2 with four kickoff return touchdowns, and is also tops in the league in kickoff return yards (1,335) and tied for first in kickoff return average (25.2). Morgan also ran for a 4-yard touchdown and caught a 13-yard touchdown pass to go along with 50 yards receiving on the offensive side. He also had eight tackles and two pass break-ups. QB JOSH BLANKENSHIP also helped the Lightning to victory, doing a good job distributing the ball. He finished 17-of-29 for 274 yards and four touchdowns. Central Valley enters this week's action with their sights set on their fourth consecutive win. They are coming off a convincing 61-42 road win at Everett in Week 13. The team's impressive rookie QB SCOTT RISLOV threw for 249 yards and seven touchdowns in the win. Rislov leads the af2 with 78 touchdown passes. Three of his touchdown passes went to WR/DB LAMONTE JONES, who caught seven passes for 114 yards. Jones also had three tackles and a pass break-up to win the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game Award. Stockton must slow down Central Valley's high-scoring attack to keep things close. Central Valley is tied for fourth in the league with Quad City with 56.2 points per game. Defensively, Stockton is allowing 51.2 points per game, which is No. 17 in the league. Both teams had a bye last week.

LIGHTNING COYOTES
SERIES LEADER Central Valley leads 1-0
LAST MEETING Central Valley Won 63-61 on 5/13/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 4-1
LAST GAME Won vs. BOS 51-41 on 6/24/2006 Won at EVE 61-42 on 6/24/2006
2006 LEADERS LIGHTNING COYOTES
PASSING Blankenship: 412-234-16; 2895; 59 TDs Rislov: 387-250-8; 3122; 78 TDs
RECEIVING Goodman: 71-930; 21 TDs Jones: 81-1110; 30 TDs
RUSHING Harris: 11-42; 2 TDs Guardia: 26-101; 5 TD
TACKLES Wallace: 49.5 Taylor: 43
SACKS Dorisme: 7 Langenfeld: 6
INTERCEPTIONS Three tied with 2 Taylor: 6
KICKING Hickok: 51-66 PAT; 3-8 FG 60 PTS Gockman: 81-93 PAT;7-16 FG 102 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 49.2 PPG; 260.2 56.2 PPG; 273.0
TEAM DEFENSE 51.2 PPG; 285.7 47.8 PPG; 253.9

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arenafootball2 Stories from July 7, 2006


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