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af2 Southwest Division preview

March 26, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


CHICAGO - The af2's ninth season kicks off this Friday night (March 28) with an 11-game first week schedule. This week a special team-by-team preview is being presented for each division. The following is a profile for the National Conference's Southwest Division, which includes five teams: Austin, Bossier-Shreveport, Corpus Christi, Rio Grande Valley and Texas.

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

Austin Wranglers (2007: 4-12 - AFL)

Home Field: Frank Erwin Center (14,866)

Head Coach: Ben Bennett, first year in Austin, 51-29 career regular season record

Key Players Lost: NA

Key New Faces: FB/LB Kamau Jackson, DB Travis Pugh, OL/DL Estus Hood, OL/DL Kika Kaululaau, WR Jovon Russell, WR/DB Byron Hughey, DB Terrell Mingo

Key Returners: NA

Burning Questions: Can Head Coach Ben Bennett continue his winning ways with his third af2 team? How quickly will rookie QBs Matt Schneider and Princeton grad Jeff Terrell pick up the Arena game? How strong will Austin's defense be?

Last Game: Lost at Tampa Bay, 51-55, on June 23

Comments: After four seasons in the Arena Football League, the Austin Wranglers begin anew in the af2 in 2008. The team will be led by Arena Football League Hall-of-Fame quarterback turned af2 coach Ben Bennett, now in his sixth season overall (first with Austin). Bennett currently ranks third in league history in career coaching victories with 56 overall (including playoffs). He hopes to continue his winning ways at the third stop in his af2 coaching career. Bennett directed Florida to an ArenaCup title in 2004 and led Manchester to three straight playoff appearances from 2005-07. Bennett has two rookie signal callers in camp, Matt Schneider from Mid-America Nazarene and Jeff Terrell from Princeton. Whichever young QB gets the nod to start the team's season opener at home on Saturday night against Corpus Christi, they will have the benefit of having a solid receiving corps at their disposal. The group is led by veterans Mel Long, Torrey Prather and John Roberson. Rookie Jovon Russell (6-5, 240, Bethune-Cookman), who spent time in camp with the Tampa Bay Storm earlier this year, is a big target to keep an eye on as well. As good as Bennett is from an offensive standpoint, his offseason recruiting work done to bolster the Wranglers defense has been just as impressive. His top two additions are 2007 All-af2 First Team members DL Estus Hood and LB Kamau Jackson. Hood led the expansion Corpus Christi Sharks with 12.0 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks a year ago while Jackson recorded 23.0 tackles and 5.0 tackles for loss for Cincinnati. If former Amarillo Dusters DB Terrell Mingo joins the team (currently on refused to report), the secondary could be a strong suit as well. A Mingo (11 INTs in last two years with Dusters, Second Team All-af2 in '06) pairing with with second-year player Travis Pugh (57.5 tackles, 4 iNTs, 2 FF with Manchester in 2007) and three-year league veteran Bryon Hughey (64.0 tackles, 4 INTs, 16 PBUs with Arkansas in 2006) has the makings of a formidable back line. Austin's offensive/defensive line will be aided by experienced players like Kika Kaululaau, James Cardeuas, Colby Clark, Barrett Dallmeyer and Derik Stotland. Kaululaau played with Quad City last season while Cardeuas, Clark, Dallmeyer and Stotland all saw action with Arkansas in 2007. If one of Bennett's young guns can step in and make sound decisions, the Wranglers could steer their way into playoff position in 2008.

Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings (2007: 11-5; 2-1 playoffs)

Home Field: CenturyTel Center (12,500)

Head Coach: Jon Norris, 2nd year in Bossier-Shreveport (13-6, including playoffs), 20-12 career regular season record

Key Players Lost: DL Elex Reed, QB Quincy Carter, WR Jamaal Perry, WR/DB Kendrick Walker, WR/LB Marc Bacote

Key New Faces: WR Chavis McCollister, QB Steve Panella, WR/KR Terrence Jefferson, WR/DB Derek Watson

Key Returners: FB/LB Jason Schule, WR/DB Phillip Geiggar, DB Chris Ibezim, WR/LB Manwell Talbert

Burning Questions: Can Jon Norris build on his stellar 2007 season with Bossier-Shreveport? Who will take over as the BattleWings' starting QB? Will the team's pass rush be as potent with the departure of Elex Reed?

Last Game: Lost at Tulsa, 47-67, in National Conference Championship

Comments: BattleWings Head Coach Jon Norris looks to have his team loaded up for another successful run in 2008. Last year he took a Bossier-Shreveport team that never qualified for the postseason and guided them to within one game of reaching the ArenaCup. Thanks to the BattleWings success in 2007, a number of notable players are back on board for 2008. One familiar face is FB/LB Jason Schule. Schule, who was recently released by the AFL's Tampa Storm, enjoyed a breakout season for Bossier-Shreveport in 2007, earning First Team All-af2 honors. The third-year player from Louisiana-Monroe led the league in rushing with 351 yards and ranked second in rushing touchdowns with 20. The BattleWings also return their three top tacklers from a year ago, Phillip Geiggar, Chris Ibezim and Kenneth Williams. Williams led the team with 94.0 stops while Geiggar's nine interceptions were a team-high. Together again for another season, this trio should only improve in 2008. Despite a strong group of key contributors back in the mix, the BattleWings did have some holes to fill in the offseason. Probably the biggest loss was DL Elex Reed, last year's Russell Athletic Lineman of the Year. Reed earned an AFL contract with the Cleveland Gladiators after leading the league in tackles for loss (25) and ranking second in sacks (17.5). Returnee Marvin Byrdsong ranked second on the club in sacks behind Reed with 6.0. Other impact players who won't be back with Bossier-Shreveport in 2008 are QB Quincy Carter and WR Jamaal Perry. Norris scored strong replacements for the missing pieces in QB Steve Panella and WR Chavis McCollister. Panella, who spent the last two seasons in Amarillo, is coming off a solid 2007 season where he accounted for 80 total touchdowns. He completed 315-of-593 passes for 3,530 yards and 58 touchdowns through the air and scored a league-best 22 rushing touchdowns. Last year's backup QB Gary Cooper will also compete hard for the starting role. McCollister was named First Team All-af2 in 2007 after ranking among the league's best pass catchers in receptions (4th - 139) and receiving yards (4th - 1,738). He also finished seventh in the league in scoring with 234 points. With a group of experienced veterans on the field and Norris back at the controls, Bossier-Shreveport fans should be excited about this team's potential to make its second straight playoff appearance in 2008.

Corpus Christi Sharks (2007: 6-10)

Home Field: American Bank Center (7,498)

Head Coach: Michael Trigg, second year in Corpus Christi, 6-10 career regular season record

Key Players Lost: K Chris Onorato

Key New Faces: OL/DL Raymond James, WR Jonathan Graham

Key Returners: WR/DB Brandon Hussey, WR/DB Ivory McCann, FB/LB Tyrell McCrea, QB Fran Johnson

Burning Questions: Will QB Fran Johnson emerge as the team's top signal caller? Has master builder Mike Trigg assembled enough talent and experience for the Sharks to make a run at the playoffs? Who will take over for Estus Hood as the team's top pass rush threat?

Last Game: Won at Stockton, 57-50, on July 28

Comments: Former AFL head coach turned af2 head coach Mike Trigg enters his second season leading the Corpus Christi Sharks. Trigg's team had a tough debut for most of 2007 until the squad had a strong run of four straight wins to end the season. Trigg hopes to build on that late season progress with the Sharks in 2008. The team returns four key players from 2007 in WR/DB Brandon Hussey, WR/DB Ivory McCann, FB/LB Tyrell McCrea and QB Fran Johnson. Hussey led the team with 119 catches for 1,245 yards with 18 touchdowns. He also ranked second on the squad in rushing (65 yards, 2 TDs) and scoring (120 points). McCann tied for the league lead in kick return TDs (3) and missed field goal return TDs (2). The second-year player from Texas Tech also ranked among the league leaders in kick return yards (6th - 1,273) and missed field goal return yards (4th - 227). In addition to catching 21 passes for 266 yards and five scores on offense, McCann was also a playmaker on defense with 51.0 tackles, two interceptions, 12 pass breakups and three forced fumbles. McCrea played in the Sharks final five games of 2007, recording 11.5 total tackles, one sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and earned Defensive Player of the Game honors twice. Johnson, who saw action in two games for Corpus Christi in 2007, will compete with rookie Cory Miles for the starting job at quarterback. Two new additions to this year's group that should make an instant impact are OL/DL Raymond James and WR Jonathan Graham. James, a center, played the last three seasons with Florida and earned All-af2 recognition in 2006 (First Team) and 2007 (Second Team). Graham played in 10 games a year ago with Fort Wayne and ranked third on the team with 37 catches for 447 yards and eight TDs. The Sharks roster looks to be upgraded from a year ago with a number of young and improving players in the mix. With solid quarterback play and Trigg leading the way, the Sharks could make some waves.

Rio Grande Valley Dorados (2007: 15-1; 1-1 playoffs)

Home Field: Dodge Arena (5,500)

Head Coach: Marty Hammond, third year in Rio Grande Valley (23-11, including playoffs)

Key Players Lost: QB Ryan Kellett, WR George Williams, WR/DB/KR Coco Blalock

Key New Faces: QB Travis Cole, WR/DB Anthony Chambers, DB Pierre Thomas

Key Returners: DL Quinton Staton, OL/DL Tony McClain, WR Jermaine Carpenter, FB/LB Alvertis Gatlin

Burning Questions: Will the Dorados be as dominant on defense as they were in 2007? Will Jermaine Carpenter emerge as the team's top offensive threat? Can QB Travis Cole be as successful under center as his predecessor Josh Kellett was?

Last Game: Lost to Bossier-Shreveport, 45-50, in the second round of the ArenaCup playoffs

Comments: The Dorados should be dangerous again in 2008, but equaling their efforts from a year ago will be a tough task. Rio Grande Valley enjoyed a stellar 2007 season that saw the team win its final 13 games to finish with a league-best 15-1 mark. As the top seed in the National Conference playoffs, the Dorados won a first round battle over Alabama before bowing out with a tough 50-45 loss to Bossier-Shreveport. A number of the team's top offensive players from last year won't be back in 2008 - QB Josh Kellett, WR George Williams and WR/DB Coco Blalock. Kellett threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 86 TDs while Williams caught 99 passes for 1,534 yards and 42 TDs. Both players look to be taking some time off as neither are currently on an af2 roster. Blalock, who led the Dorados with 2,274 all-purpose yards and ranked second in scoring (134 points), has taken his services to ArenaCup runner-up Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Despite the losses, Rio Grande Valley's roster does include six strong returnees from 2007. The returning players are defensive linemen Tony McClain and Quinton Staton, OL Roy Stroud, WR Jermaine Carpenter and linebackers Robert Towns and Alvertis Gatlin. McClain and Staton were key elements of last season's No. 1-ranked defense which set the af2 record for sacks (57) in one season. Carpenter could step to the forefront as the team's top pass catcher based on his potential shown in 2007. Last year he caught 63 passes for 795 yards with 11 scores in just nine games played. Notable additions include QB Travis Cole, who is expected to start the season opener, and receiver Anthony Chambers. Cole spent the past four seasons in the AFL as a backup with the Utah Blaze and Arizona Rattlers. Chambers led Bossier-Shreveport in 2006 with 79 receptions, 958 yards and 13 TDs. If Cole plays well, the Dorados should be among the division's stronger squads.

Texas Copperheads (2007: 2-14)

Home Field: Berry Center (8,231)

Head Coach: Ollie Guidry, first year in Texas

Key Players Lost: WR/KR Jarod Fuller, WR Obrey Minor, DB Randy Chappell, DB Greg Yeldell

Key New Faces: FB/LB Marcus Bacon, QB Rudy Carlton

Key Returner: K Nick Gatto

Burning Questions: Can new coach Ollie Guidry bring Texas into respectability in year two? With a roster laden with rookies, who will emerge as the team's top overall talent? Will K Nick Gatto have another impressive season?

Last Game: Lost to Rio Grande Valley, 19-40, on July 28

Comments: The Copperheads enter their second season in the af2 with a rookie-heavy roster and a lot of unknowns, a position very near the one the team faced prior to the start of 2007. The team struggled in their first year in the league under similar circumstances. New Head Coach Ollie Guidry is an experienced leader who spent last season as an assistant with the AFL's Austin Wranglers. He has totally gutted the roster and brought in a brand new cast. His training camp roster features only two active players with af2 experience. One newcomer to watch is Houston native and former Missouri Tiger Marcus Bacon. Bacon, a linebacker, was an AP 1st-Team All-Big 12 selection in 2006 after leading the team with 103 tackles. He also recorded five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions. The one holdover from last year's Copperheads team is kicker Nick Gatto. Gatto was a bright spot for Texas in 2007, earning First Team All-af2 honors after connecting on a league-high 20 field goals. The questions regarding Texas' talent will be answered early as the Copperheads start their season by hosting the defending Southwest Division Champion Rio Grande Valley Dorados this Sunday, March 30 and then the South Division Champion Florida Firecats on April 6.

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