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af2 week 16 Friday night matchup

July 13, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS (8-5) AT MANCHESTER WOLVES (6-7)
FRIDAY, July 14, 2006 - Verizon Wireless Arena (9,650) 7:30 P.M. ET
The Pioneers and Wolves meet this week in Manchester looking for a win to improve their chances at reaching the playoffs. This is the third of three regular season meetings between these two teams in 2006. They've split the previous two affairs with each team winning away from home. The Wolves have struggled at home this season, winning just twice in six outings. Last time W-B/Scranton played Manchester was at home in Week 9. The Wolves won that one, 48-28, behind QB D. BRYANT's performance (287 yards, 7 TD passes). He hooked up with OS STEVE GONZALEZ for nine receptions for 129 yards and five touchdowns. Gonzalez has been tough to handle for the Pioneers, totaling 22 receptions for 281 yards and nine scores in the two meetings. DS WILLIAM HAITH shut down the Pioneer offensive attack the last time out with two interceptions and three pass breakups. Rookie QB MIKE GRANIERI, who played collegiately at UNH, struggled for W-B/Scranton, throwing three interceptions in all with no touchdowns. He did, however, rush for two scores. It was the first time in team history that the Pioneers did not throw a single touchdown pass in a game. Manchester's most recent result was a 62-58 road win against Green Bay to improve to 4-3 on the road. The Wolves scored 21 consecutive points to close out the contest and won on a Gonzalez TD reception with 40 seconds remaining. Gonzalez caught eight passes for 117 yards and four touchdowns. He totaled 252 all-purpose yards for the night, and is currently second in af2 in receptions and TDs. WR/LB WENDELL WILLIAMS, who has taken on a larger role the past few weeks, had eight receptions for 129 yards and three scores. Williams has 10 receiving touchdowns in the past four games. The offense is fourth in the league in yards per game, and didn't miss a beat last week when Ohio State alum STEVE BELLISARI made his first start at quarterback. The rookie was outstanding, throwing for 327 yards and eight touchdowns. FB/LB MARK KIMENER contributed a solid performance (24 rushing yards, 3 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 FF, 1 sack) in the win. The defense needs to find a way to get to the quarterback more often as they are second to last in the league with 10 sacks. W-B/Scranton is coming off a tough home loss to Florida. Pressure form the Florida front forced Granieri into two interceptions while tacking two sacks as well. While the passing game couldn't find a rhythm, the Pioneers rushed for five scores, all by different players. WR/LB LEROY MCFADDEN was one of the few bright spots with nine receptions for 104 yards and two scores. McFadden has only played in the last three games with the Pioneers, but he has already compiled 30 receptions for 363 yards and seven touchdowns. DS JAIME HATTLEY led the defense (3.5 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 INT) that put up a solid effort against the league's No.1 scoring attack. This should be a battle as both teams have a lot to play for.

PIONEERS WOLVES
SERIES LEADER W-B/Scranton leads 7-4
LAST MEETING Manchester Won 48-28 on 5/27/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 2-3
LAST GAME Lost vs. FLA 51-56 on 7/8/2006 Won at GBB 62-58 on 7/8/2006
2006 LEADERS PIONEERS WOLVES
PASSING Granieri: 483-250-13; 2985; 51 TDs Bryant: 339-221-7; 2424; 59 TDs
RECEIVING Brantley: 71-824; 14 TDs Gonzalez: 115-1328; 43 TDs
RUSHING Granieri: 39-54; 11 TDs Kimener: 47-225; 6 TDs
TACKLES Hattley: 68 Haith: 55.5
SACKS Harding: 5.5 Forney: 2.5
INTERCEPTIONS Forbes: 5 Haith: 5
KICKING Davis: 71-82 PAT; 4-11 FG 83 PTS Pohlman: 21-23 PAT; 1-2 FG 24 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 46.5 PPG; 238.5 52.5 PPG; 291.2
TEAM DEFENSE 46.8 PPG; 277.5 50.2 PPG; 263.0



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