af2 arenafootball2

af2 Saturday/Sunday night matchups

Published on July 25, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


GREENSBORO PROWLERS (8-7) AT NORFOLK NIGHTHAWKS (8-7)
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2003-NORFOLK SCOPE ARENA (8,965) 7:00 P.M ET

The Greensboro Prowlers travel to Norfolk to take on the Nighthawks for a game with major American Conference playoff implications. Both teams sit at 8-7 and on the bubble for a playoff berth. Greensboro craves the win in order to tie with Macon for the sixth spot in the playoff picture if the Knights come up short while playing Tennessee Valley. The Prowlers hold the head to head advantage over Norfolk, so the Nighthawks must win and hope for a Florida or Macon loss in order to enter the playoff picture. The Nighthawks also wish for the Richmond Speed to run over the Charleston Swamp Foxes as the Swamp Foxes also hold the head to head advantage over Norfolk. Charleston, Norfolk, and Greensboro all rest at 8-7 in the American Conference Atlantic Division, and the Cape Fear Wildcats are only a game up on all three teams. The scenarios are endless, but both teams need to win. The Prowlers hosted Norfolk back on June 27th in which they defeated the Nighthawks 59-52. It was a competitive game and Norfolk pulled within seven points, but there was only 40 seconds left on the game clock as they did so. Greensboro's CALEB SLOVER played an excellent game as he went 15-for-22 for 280 yards and eight touchdowns. He threw no interceptions, and five of his touchdown passes went to offensive specialist BOBBY SIPPIO, who earned the honor of Offensive MVP. The Nighthawks also put on a strong offensive performance in this game as offensive specialist TRAVIS BURNS caught thirteen passes for 191 yards and four touchdowns while returning five kickoffs for 96 yards. This proves to be an extremely competitive, exciting game. With the stakes so high, the Prowlers and the Nighthawks will be at their best.

FLORIDA FIRECATS (9-6) AT COLUMBUS WARDOGS (4-11)
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2003 -COLUMBUS CIVIC CENTER (7,600) 7:00 P.M. ET

The Florida Firecats travel to Columbus to take on the Wardogs for a very important American Conference battle. Unfortunately, the Wardogs have been eliminated from the playoffs this season, but they sure do have the ability to shake up the picture. The Firecats task is simple: win and they're in. A Florida loss opens the door for teams like Norfolk and Greensboro. This is the second time that these teams are facing off this season. Columbus hosted the Firecats back on May 17th in which Florida came out on top by a score of 40-7. Quarterback KEN MASTROLE put forth some great effort in this game as he went 15-for-29 for 183 yards passing and five touchdowns. He earned the Game MVP honor. Ironman of the Game CAINON LAMB also put on a great performance as he rushed for four yards, caught six passes for 76 yards and two touchdowns, and recorded a tackle. Florida has really picked it up on offense, but the Wardogs offer a challenging defense as they average 209.3 defensive yards per game, which makes them first in the league. This season finale should be interesting, and the Wardogs would love to end the season on a good note.

TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (14-1) AT MACON KNIGHTS (9-6)
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2003 -MACON COLISEUM (7,182) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Tennessee Valley Vipers travel to Macon to take on the Knights for a vital American Conference battle. The Vipers lost its first game last week, but has a first round bye in the playoffs and home field advantage throughout the American Conference playoffs. Macon, on the other hand, is part of the tight mess in the American Conference Wild card picture. A win by Macon guarantees postseason play, but a loss may derail those plans. This is the second time that these teams are meeting this season. They met back on May 17th in which the Vipers defeated the Knights by a score of 56-36. Quarterback MATT SAUK starred in that game, going 15-for-28 for 243 yards and five touchdowns, and he earned the Offensive MVP of the Game award. Tennessee Valley is very strong on offense, ranking third in points per game with an average of 53.5. However, Macon is also impressive on offense as it averages 49.1 points per game, making them sixth in the league. The Vipers must look out for JACQUES RUMPH who caught eight passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns in their first meeting and returned five kickoffs for 87 yards. Rumph is among the top five scoring leaders in af2. Tennessee Valley was on its hot streak when it defeated the Knights the first time. Quad City handed the Vipers their first loss of the season last week, so it will be interesting to see if they can bounce back. The Knights, on the other hand, are coming off of a big victory against the Arkansas Twisters.

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS (6-9) AT ROCHESTER BRIGADE (2-13)
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2003 -BLUE CROSS ARENA AT THE WAR MEMORIAL (10,598) 7:30 P.M. ET

Playoff hopes have faded for both the Rochester Brigade and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers, but both teams want to end on a positive and carry the momentum into next season. This is the third meeting this season. They met back in Week 5 of the season in which the Pioneers prevailed 58-35. Offensive MVP of the Game CHRIS BODEN played a great game as he went 23-for-35 for 246 yards and five touchdowns. Despite the loss, Rochester truly put up a fight which can be seen in Ironman of the Game DEREK BAKER who returned a kickoff 50 yards for a touchdown and recorded 4.0 solo tackles, an interception, and two pass deflections. Baker also caught two touchdown passes. The teams faced off again on June 20th in which the Pioneers barely edged the Brigade 54-53. Rochester could have easily won the game as JASON VISCONTI connected with MARTINO THEUS at the buzzer to pull within one point. The Brigade was crushed as kicker JASON EGER's PAT giving the win to the Pioneers. Despite the lack of playoff implications, these two Northeast rivals always play to win.

MEMPHIS XPLORERS (6-9) AT CAPE FEAR WILDCATS (9-6)
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2003 -CUMBERLAND COUNTY CROWN COLISEUM (8,920) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Memphis Xplorers travel to Cape Fear to take on the Wildcats for the teams' first meeting this season. Memphis' playoff chances ended last week, but many American Conference clubs will be rooting for the Xplorers to prevail, including the Prowlers. Greensboro can steal the division title from the Wildcats if the 'Cat's fall. Both Cape Fear and Memphis are coming off solid victories last week, each putting up 48 points in the wins. Memphis has been quite strong on defense this season, allowing 40 points per game, which makes it third in the league. Defensive specialist KEVIN COBB has been impressive all season, and he leads the team in tackles with 75.0 and he has broken up 35 passes this year. Cape Fear has been extremely strong on offense this season. Its 50.9 average points per game makes it fourth in the league, and offensive specialist WILMONT PERRY has been unstoppable as he ranks first in the league in rushing. A win for Cape Fear seals the Atlantic Division title but a loss could potentially eliminate the 'Cats from the postseason, while Memphis can build great momentum for 2004 with a win.

RICHMOND SPEED (6-8) AT CHARLESTON SWAMP FOXES (8-7)
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2003 -NORTH CHARLESTON COLISEUM (10,150) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Richmond Speed travels to Charleston to take on the Swamp Foxes for the second time this season. Both teams have been eliminated from the postseason, but the rivalry between these teams promises to keep this game interesting. Last time these teams met, the Swamp Foxes defeated Richmond 52-29 back in Week 12. Charleston quarterback JOHN TURMAN put on a great performance in this game as he went 20-for-38 for 325 yards and five touchdowns. He threw no interceptions as he connected with three different receivers for touchdowns. Swamp Fox defensive specialist JOE JUDGE also played a great game as he recorded eight solo tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. However, Speed defensive specialist DENNIS DASHANE also performed well as he recorded 6.0 tackles and three pass deflections. Despite the chance to go 9-7 and enter any number of tiebreaker situations for the final Wild Card spot, the Swamp Foxes can't come out on top in any scenario. They do, however, affect other teams chances in multiple team tiebreakers.

MOHEGAN WOLVES (10-5) AT ALBANY CONQUEST (12-3)
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2003 -PEPSI ARENA (13,901) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Albany Conquest hosts the Mohegan Wolves for the teams' third meeting this season and in a possible preview of an upcoming semi-final playoff game. The teams met for the first time this season on April 18th. In this battle the Conquest came up just short as Mohegan defeated it 52-45. Offensive specialist MEL LONG put on great performance in this game as he caught four passes for 60 yards and three touchdowns. The Conquest got revenge on the Wolves when it exploded on June 28th for a 60-36 victory. Game MVP RYAN VENA put forth great effort in this game as he rushed for 17 yards and went 20-for-30 for 300 yards passing and 7 touchdowns. Vena has one of the league's best all season for the Conquest, and he has helped them rank first in the league in offensive yards per game and second in the league in offensive points per game. Albany has captured the American Conference Northeast Division title and its 12-3 record has earned it a first round bye in the playoffs. Mohegan has also clinched a playoff spot as it sits just below Albany in the Northeast Division and currently occupies the fourth spot in the playoff picture. The Wolves need a win to hold the right for a first round home game. If they lose, Florida or Macon could steal home field advantage.

QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (13-2) AT PEORIA PIRATES (5-10)
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2003-PEORIA CIVIC CENTER (9,772) 8:00 P.M. ET

While last year's ArenaCup champions have been eliminated from the postseason, Peoria Pirates still have one last chance to have an impact on the playoff field. Facing division rival Quad City, the Pirates could put a kink in the Steamwheelers plans to have home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Both teams are coming off exciting victories last week, with the Pirates barely edging the Swarm and the Steamwheelers ending Tennessee Valley's undefeated streak. Quad City faced Peoria on May 2nd this season and the Steamwheelers just edged the Pirates 55-52. Game MVP IRA GOOCH caught 11 passes for 181 yards and four touchdowns. He also returned four kickoffs for 75 yards. The Pirates made a fourth quarter comeback in this game, but they ran out of time and were unable to defeat the Steamwheelers. This game will be very exciting as Peoria looks for revenge and to end its season on a good note. It will be difficult to stop the Steamwheelers as they are coming off that thrilling victory and want to enter the playoffs with positive momentum.

CINCINNATI SWARM (6-9) AT WICHITA STEALTH (8-6-1)
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2003 -KANSAS COLISEUM (9,686) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Cincinnati Swarm ends its inaugural season in the af2 as it travels to Wichita to take on the Stealth. This is the first time that these teams are meeting this season and it proves to be an exciting game as the Stealth wishes for positive momentum entering the playoffs while the Swarm wants to end its season on a positive note. Wichita has clinched a playoff berth as it holds the fourth spot in the National Conference. The Stealth has been very strong on offense lately, ranking eighth in the league with its 47.1 average offensive points per game. It has succeeded on offense due to the play of quarterback ANTHONY BUICH who ranks among the top ten quarterbacks in the league in many categories. The Swarm has been successful on defense lately as it averages 223.3 defensive yards per game, making it sixth in the league. Cincinnati is coming off of a tough loss while the Stealth is trying to re-focus after last week's tragic events in Wichita. Cincinnati wants to end its season on a positive note, while Wichita wants to build some positive momentum as they enter the playoffs.

ARKANSAS TWISTERS (8-7) AT BIRMINGHAM STEELDOGS (7-8)
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2003 -BIRMINGHAM JEFFERSON CIVIC CENTER (15,000) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Arkansas Twisters travel to Birmingham to take on the Steeldogs for the teams' second meeting this season. They met on July 5th in which the Steeldogs barely edged the Twisters 55-54. Birmingham kicker RHETT GALLEGO hit a 37-yard field goal at the buzzer to lift the Steeldogs over the Twisters. Unfortunately, the Steeldogs' efforts were not enough to earn them a playoff spot this season. The Twisters, on the other hand, have clinched a playoff spot as their 8-7 record gives them the fifth playoff spot in the National Conference. Birmingham has been playing well on defense, especially with the play of defensive specialist WILLIAM MAYES who is sixth in the league in sacks with 8.0. However, the Arkansas has also found its star on defense in KAHLIL CARTER who is among the league leaders in interceptions. Both teams are coming off tough losses, but the Twisters are looking for revenge and for positive momentum entering the playoffs. Arkansas could possibly jump to the fourth seed and earn a home field game in the first round with a win and a Wichita loss.

BAKSERSFIELD BLITZ (7-7-1) AT HAWAIIAN ISLANDERS (10-5)
SUNDAY, JULY 27, 2003 -NEAL BLAISDELL ARENA (6,443) 12:00 A.M. (6:00 P.M LOCAL) ET

The Bakersfield Blitz travels to Hawaii to take on the Islanders in a very important National Conference battle. Hawaii has captured the West Division title while the Blitz has clinched a playoff berth as it holds the sixth and final spot in the National Conference. Both teams wish to win in order to carry positive momentum as the 2003 playoffs are just around the corner and the Blitz need to win in order to have a shot at a home game in the first round. The teams previously met in Week 7 of the season in which the Islanders barely edged the Blitz 50-48. Bakersfield had an intense fourth quarter comeback, but it came up just short as points after touchdowns by quarterback CHAD ELLIOTT failed. Hawaii is coming off an impressive victory at San Diego last week, while the Blitz is still mourning the loss of teammate JULIAN YEARWOOD. It'll be interesting to see how this game plays out as these teams are slated to meet in the first round of the playoffs the following week and might not want to reveal all their secrets.

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