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af2 Week 16 notebook

Published on July 13, 2005 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


BOSSIER DREAMIN': As of the start of Week 16, 18 of 20 (90%) af2 teams are mathematically alive for the 2005 ArenaCup Playoffs. No team in the National Conference has clinched a playoff spot yet. Only one team, Florida, has clinched a division championship.

MULTIPLE RECORDS IN DANGER: The 2005 af2 season is proving the old adage true that records were meant to be broken with several players nearing individual league records this season. The individual marks for rushing touchdowns, passing touchdowns and receiving touchdowns in a season could all fall this season.

GO GO GONZALEZ: San Diego's STEVE GONZALEZ has returned a kickoff for a touchdown in three straight games. Against the Fire last week he returned a kickoff 56 yards for a fourth quarter touchdown. He returned a kickoff 57 yards for a score against the Dorados in Week 13. In Week 12 against Tulsa he returned a first quarter kick 55 yards for a touchdown. If this isn't enough, Gonzalez totaled 267 kickoff return yards in Week 13, one shy of the af2 record for kick return yards in a game.

LITERALLY AS TOUGH AS NAILS: If you thought professional football players were tough, check out "George the Giant." At halftime of the Battle Wings-Blitz game in Bakersfield on Friday, George will making a bid for the Guinness Book of World Records mark for the most weight smashed on the chest of someone lying on a bed of nails.

LOCKE LOCKED UP: Former Albany Conquest offensive specialist TONY LOCKE has signed a two-year contract extension with the AFL's Las Angeles Avengers. In 2005 Locke led the Avengers in receiving yardage (1,182), touchdowns (27) and all-purpose yards per game (111.5). He caught 82 passes (second on the team) and averaged 14.4 yards per reception, this after joining the Avengers in their fourth game. Locke had a record-breaking season with the Albany Conquest in 2004. He established a single-season Conquest record, scoring 43 touchdowns (39 receiving, three kickoff returns, one rushing) and was ranked second in the league in scoring. Locke was also among the af2 leaders in receiving with 79 receptions for 1,497 yards. He was second in the league with a total of 2,868 all-purpose yards.

WHEELERS GIVE BACK: Following the Quad City Steamwheelers' game last Saturday night the team raised $8,595 dollars for Genesis Health System by auctioning off the commemorative "Spirit of America" jerseys that the team wore for the first time on the field that night. Last season's U.S. Army Ironman of the Year TIM DODGE brought in the highest bid, with his jersey going for 550 dollars. JEFF HEWITT and COREY BROWN saw their jerseys won on 500 dollar bids. This was the third straight season the team had auctioned off their special uniforms, which featured stars, stripes and a yellow ribbon as well as other symbols of Americana, with the proceeds this year going to Genesis to help in its ongoing fight to provide local residents with the best patient care in the region.

WHERE HAVE ALL THE MISSED FIELD GOAL RETURNS GONE?: For the second consecutive season the individual leader in missed field goal return yardage may total under 200 yards. Macon's MATT JACKSON currently leads the league in missed field goal return yards with 137. He is on pace for 168 yards. This would be the lowest output for a season leader in af2 history. The decrease in field goal returns is most likely due to kickers improving, field goal coverage improving and a change in strategy among af2 coaches. On long field goal attempts many teams are using the "pooch" technique where the kicker doesn't try to make the field goal instead he tries to pooch it to where his team could recover or squib it downfield making it the return more difficult for the opposition.

PLAYOFF SPOTS AVAILABLE IN WEEK 16:

American Conference:

Manchester can clinch the East Division with a win OR a loss by Louisville

Macon can clinch a playoff berth with a win

National Conference:

Memphis can clinch the Midwest Division with a win OR losses by Oklahoma City AND Amarillo

Memphis can clinch a playoff berth with a win OR a loss by Quad City OR Central Valley

Rio Grande Valley can clinch a playoff berth with a win AND a loss by Quad City OR Central Valley

Tulsa can clinch a playoff berth with a win AND a loss by Quad City OR Central Valley

AND THE WINNER IS...: With three weeks remaining in the regular season till the ArenaCup Playoffs it is time to start thinking about the end of the season awards. Look below for potential candidates for each award and their credentials. Candidates are listed in no particular order and are not the official nominees.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

J.J. McKelvey - OS - MAN - Leads the league in receptions (112), second in receiving touchdowns (39).

Jake Eaton QB - MAN - Leads the league in passer rating (126.9) and completion percentage (71.8). Has thrown for 71 touchdowns and 3,318 yards.

Julian Reese - QB - AMR - Currently has 25 rushing touchdowns and has the record for rushing touchdowns in a season in his sights.

Donovan Morgan - OS - TUL - On pace to set scoring and receiving touchdowns in a season record. Currently has 41 receiving touchdowns.

Brian Jones - QB - MEM - Has 19 rushing touchdowns to go with his 55 passing touchdowns and only six interceptions.

Jarrial Jackson - OS - OKC - Second in the league in receptions (104) and receiving yards (1,324). Averages a league best 25.9 yards per kickoff return.

Matt Sauk - QB - LOU - On pace to set records for completions, passing yards and touchdown passes in a season.

Kevin Prentiss - OS - MEM - Third in af2 in scoring (210 points), second in the league in all-purpose yards (2,469).

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

Khreem Smith - OL/DL - MEM - Leads the league in sacks with 14.0. Has forced three fumbles, blocked two kicks and recorded one safety.

Dahnel Singfield - DS - MEM - Leads the league with 41 passes defended and tied for the league lead in interceptions with nine.

William Haith - DS - MAN - On pace to set the record for tackles in a season, currently leads the league with 104.0. Tied for third in the league in passes defended.

Ryan Bowers - DS - GBB - Tied for the league lead in interceptions (9) and fifth in the league in tackles (82.0).

Matt Forbes - DS - QUA - Has taken three of eight picks back for touchdowns. Sixth in the league in tackles (76.5).

Alex Wallace - DS - BAK - Second in the league in passes defended (33); tied for the league lead in interceptions (nine).

Asi Faoa - OL/DL - SAN - Second in the league in sacks (10.0). Has registered a stat in every defensive category but interceptions.

Jamie Hattley - DS - WBS - Second in the league in tackles (87.5), three tackles for a loss, 21 pass break ups, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

U.S. ARMY IRONMAN OF THE YEAR:

Matt Jackson - WR/DB - MAC - Leads the team in interceptions with eight and second in tackles with 56.0. On special teams, five field goal returns for 137 yards and one touchdown and 35 kickoff returns for 742 yards and three touchdowns.

Marquis Floyd - WR/DB - RGV - Leads the team in receiving with 80 receptions for 1,071 yards and 21 touchdowns. Also has two rushing touchdowns. The Dorados' second leading tackler (40.5), leads the team in interceptions with nine.

Chris Robinson - FB/LB - RGV - Leads team in sacks (4.0), third on team in tackles (30.5). On offense, 199 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.

Terrell Adams - WR/DB - MEM - Two sacks, three interceptions and ten passes broken up to go with 25.5 tackles. Memphis' second leading receiver with 49 receptions for 691 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Nian Taylor - WR/DB - SAN - Leads the team in receiving with 80 receptions for 871 yards and 24 touchdowns. Second on team in interceptions (three), and second in tackles (33.5).

B.J. Barre - WR/DB - OKC - 13 receiving touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. Leads team in interceptions (five), passes broken up (13). Also has two fumble recoveries and 2.5 tackles for loss.

Jack Walker Jr. - WR/LB - QUA - Two interceptions, four fumble recoveries (tied for league high) and 27.0 tackles on defense. On offense, 75 receptions for 711 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Manwell Talbert - WR/DB - ALB - 79 receptions for 1,125 yards and 23 touchdowns on offense. Two sacks, an interception and two fumbles recovered on defense with 25.0 tackles.

KICKER OF THE YEAR:

Eric Houle - RGV - League leading 16 made field goals. 58-of-69 (84.1%) on extra points. Made game winning field goal against Tulsa, made field goal with under a minute to play against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Brian Hazelwood - BOS - Second in the league in made field goals with 12. 60-of-75 (80.0%) on extra points and 11 touchbacks. 9-of-13 on two-point extra point attempts.

John Gockman - CEN - The rookie is 10-of-18 on field goals and has made 65-of-78 (83.3) extra points.

Danny Kight - LOU - Made a 61-yard field goal at Albany and game winning field goal against South Georgia. Eight field goals made. 73-of-92 (79.3%) on extra points.

Kimo Naehu - SAN - Eight made field goals and 59-of-74 (79.7%) on extra points. Made a 37-yard field goal to beat Birmingham 58-57 with no time remaining.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:

Donovan Morgan - OS - TUL - Leads the league in touchdown receptions and scoring and on pace to break both records.

Julian Reese - QB - AMR - Has thrown for 3,004 yards and 57 touchdowns with just seven interceptions to go with his 25 rushing touchdowns.

Khreem Smith - OL/DL - MEM - League leading 14.0 sacks along with three forced fumbles, two blocked kicks and one safety.

Josh Blankenship - QB - TUL - Has adjusted quickly to the arena game with 3,008 passing yards and 71 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.

Matt Jackson - WR/DB - MAC - The former Florida Gator has made contributions on offense, defense and special teams.

Rob Mager - OS - LOU - Leads the Fire in receiving with 92 catches for 1,103 yards and 29 touchdowns despite playing in only 10 games.

Chavis McCollister - OS - AMR - His 91 catches for 1,394 yards (league high) and 29 touchdowns lead the Dusters. All while playing in only 11 games.

Asi Faoa - OL/DL - SAN - From UCLA, is second in the league in sacks (10.0). 23.0 tackles and five tackles for a loss.

LINEMAN OF THE YEAR:

Khreem Smith - MEM - Leads the league with 14.0 sacks. Has also registered four hits on the quarterbacks, three forced fumbles and one safety.

Asi Faoa - SAN - Second in the league in sacks with 10.0. Has also forced and recovered a fumble, blocked a kick and scored a safety.

Shawn King - BAK - Tied for third in the league in sacks with 5.5. Also has forced and recovered a fumble and broken up three passes.

C.J. McClain - ARK - Tied for second in the league in tackles for a loss with 6.5. Has registered 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two recovered fumbles.

Oby Arah - ALB - Leads the team with 4.0 sacks. Has 17.0 tackles (14UA-6AT), five hits on the quarterback and two safeties.

John Culp - QUA - Has 12 hits on the quarterback to go with 1.5 sacks. One of the league leaders in forced fumbles with three.

Ja'Dae McGurie - LOU - Has totaled 18.0 tackles, one sack, one recovered fumble and two block kicks. Part of an offensive line that has given up a league best five sacks this season.

Joe Peters - GBB - Team has given up eight sacks this season (second in the league). Has totaled two sacks, four passes broken up, one interception and one blocked kick.

INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

Allistair Sebastien -DS - MAN - Dominican Republic - Leads team in interceptions with six. Second on the team in tackles with 67.0.

Khreem Smith - OL/DL - MEM - Jamaica - Leads the league in sacks with 14.0. Has forced three fumbles, blocked two kicks and recorded one safety.

Henrik Juul-Nielsen - K - GBB - Denmark - Is 6-of-12 in field goals of 20-to-39 yards in length. Has registered 25 touchbacks on kickoffs. 71-of-83 on extra points.

Steve Panella - QB - AMR - Canada - Backup for most of the season in Amarillo. Threw for three touchdowns and ran for three touchdowns in his victorious lone game as a starter.

J.R. Davies - QB - RGV - Canada - Second string quarterback for Rio Grande Valley most of the season. In his one start he threw for 263 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Dorados to a win.

Jason Cedeno - OL/DL - QUA - Trinidad - Has played 12 games this season for the 'Wheelers, has totaled six solo tackles, four hits on the quarterback and one pass broken up.

COACH OF THE YEAR:

Bob Landsee - GBB - Has guided Green Bay to their first playoff berth in franchise history.

Ben Bennett - MAN - Turned a 5-11 team last season into an ArenaCup favorite.

Kevin Bouis - FLO - Has the Firecats thinking back-to-back championships.

Danton Barto - MEM - The Xplorers have improved each season under his guidance.

Kevin Guy - RGV - Has the Dorados in position for a division championship in just their second season.

ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR:

Rickey Foggie - AMR - Offensive Coordinator - The former AFL quarterback guides the highest scoring offense (59.4 ppg) in the league.

Mitch Allner - TUL - Offensive Coordinator/Director of Player Personnel - Went from player to coach to guide the league's second highest scoring offense (56.9 ppg). Main offensive threats (Blankenship and Morgan) are both rookies.

Adam Shackleford - LOU - Offensive Coordinator - Has the Fire gunning for an ArenaCup appearance and has quarterback Matt Sauk on track to break several passing records.

Keith Easley - MAN - Defensive Coordinator/Director of Football Operations - Has his defense giving up only 38.1 points per game, second best in the league. Has been involved with af2 since its inaugural season.

IF THE SEASON ENDED TODAY: In 2005 six teams from each the American and National Conference qualify for the playoffs. The six qualifying teams in each conference consist of the two division champions and four Wild Cards, determined by best overall record. Seeding in each conference is based on overall record, with the top two seeds in each conference reserved for the division champions, regardless of record. In the First Round (August 5-7), the two division winners in each conference receive a bye. The top-seeded Wild Card team hosts the lowest-seeded Wild Card team, while the No. 2 seeded Wild Card team hosts the No. 3 seeded Wild Card team. In the Second Round (August 12-14), the division winners who had byes in the First Round host the winners from the First Round. The top seeded division champion plays the lowest seeded team advancing from the First Round, while the second-seeded division winner plays the other winner from the First Round. The winners of the Second Round will meet for the Conference Championships on the weekend of August 19-21. For this round seeding no longer matters, meaning the team with the better overall record hosts the Conference Championship game. The winners of the Conference Championships face off in the 2005 ArenaCup on August 27 at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City, Louisiana televised on FOX Sports Net.

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