af2 week 18 Saturday night matchups

Published on July 29, 2006 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release

ALBANY CONQUEST (5-10) AT WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS (8-7)
SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2006 - Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza (7,950) 7:00 P.M. ET
The Pioneers enter the last week of the season needing a win to secure a playoff berth. Albany beat W-B/Scranton 73-70 the last time they hooked up. Albany K VINNY CIRRINCIONE kicked a game-winning FG with one second remaining. Both QB MIKE GRANIERI and QB RYAN VENA threw for over 300 yards as the two offenses moved the ball at will. Granieri threw eight touchdown passes, while Vena threw seven and ran in another score. The Pioneers' tandem of OS YARDON BRANTLEY (9 receptions for 92 yards and 3 touchdowns) and WR/DB J.R. THOMAS (10 receptions for 192 yards and 4 scores) were nearly unstoppable, while Albany's OS THOMAS ANTHONY (10 catches 172 yards and 6 TDs) and WR/DB JIM JONES (274 all-purpose yards) could not be contained either. W-B/Scranton DS JAMIE HATTLEY stood out with eight tackles and a fumble recovery, after recording nine and a half tackles in the first meeting. Granieri has thrown 14 touchdown passes in the previous two meetings with Albany. The Conquest were unable to play spoiler last week losing 51-50 to Manchester. Vena (#1 in passing yards) rushed for three touchdowns, but struggled in the air, only completing 26 of his 51 attempts. He threw for 253 yards and three TDs, but also threw two interceptions. WR/DB MANWEL TALBERT caught six passes for 47 yards and a score in his first game back from injury. WR/DB PETER MCBRIDE made his impact on defense with four tackles and an INT. The defense is second to last in both points per game and yards per game, and ranks last in sacks. Cirrincione hit on two field goals last week and in the only qualified kicker to hit on 50% or more of his FG attempts (64.7%). W-B/Scranton lost 55-34 at Quad City. In a surprise move, QB KELVIN ROBINSON replaced Granieri at quarterback, throwing for 206 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. OS Yardon Brantley still shined with five receptions for 140 yards and two TDs. Granieri will get the start again this week. The offense cannot afford to miss a beat this week as they desperately need to win. The defense was led by Hattley with nine tackles and OL/DL EDWARD GREENE had two sacks and forced a fumble. Albany is aiming for a victory this week to take the season series and knock W-B/Scranton out of the playoffs.

CONQUEST PIONEERS
SERIES LEADER Series tied 7-7
LAST MEETING Albany Won 73-70 on 6/10/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 0-5 1-4
LAST GAME Lost vs. MAN 50-51 on 7/22/2006 Lost at QCS 34-55 on 7/22/2006
2006 LEADERS CONQUEST PIONEERS
PASSING Vena: 564-364-18; 4430; 71 TDs Granieri: 518-263-19; 3096; 52 TDs
RECEIVING Talbert: 67-821; 13 TDs Brantley: 81-1010; 16 TDs
RUSHING Vena: 79-237; 25 TDs Granieri: 40-56; 11 TDs
TACKLES Tinson: 51.5 Hattley: 82
SACKS Ward: 4 Harding: 5.5
INTERCEPTIONS Murray: 5 Forbes: 5
KICKING Cirrincione: 94-105 PAT;11-17 FG 127 PTS Davis: 77-89 PAT; 4-14 FG 89 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 54.7 PPG; 322.4 43.5 PPG; 231.8
TEAM DEFENSE 56.9 PPG; 287.0 47.3 PPG; 275.5

FLORIDA FIRECATS (12-3) AT SOUTH GEORGIA WILDCATS (3-12)
SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2006 - Albany Civic Center (8,034) 7:30 P.M. ET
Florida can sit back and relax this week against South Georgia with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs already secured after their 62-56 victory over Louisville last week. FB/LB CLENTON CROSSLEY rushed for 42 yards and two touchdowns. QB CHRIS WALLACE, who threw five TDs in the win, leads the league's highest-scoring offense. OS MAGIC BENTON and WR/DB ETHENIC SANDS each caught two touchdowns. The defense was solid against one of the better offensive squads, with DS CORY BAILEY (10 tackles), DS LEVY BROWN (9.5 tackles, 1 INT, 2 pass break ups), and WR/DB QUINCY SORRELL (8 tackles, .5 TFL, 1 FF) all playing large roles. The Firecats' plus+21 turnover margin is an indication of their ability to force turnovers and not play reckless with the ball. South Georgia, who was riding a two-game winning streak, lost last week at Rio Grande, 52-46. QB JULIAN REESE, one of the best dual-threat options in the league, threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns, and ran in two more scores. However, it was his two costly interceptions, one of which was run back 47 yards for a TD, which did the Wildcats in. Reese has been playing well, leading af2 in yards per carry at 4.9 yards, and completing over 60% of his passes in the last three games. OS CHRIS MCKINNEY grabbed two touchdowns in the loss. The last time these two teams squared off, Florida pounced South Georgia 64-28. Reese ran for two scores, while Chris Wallace threw for 234 yards and six touchdowns. McKinney (8 receptions for 142 yards and a score) and Benton (7 catches for 99 yards and three touchdowns) each led their respective clubs. Sorrell tallied a solid game with nine tackles and a break up, while Crossley put up an Ironman of the Week-type effort with two rushing touchdowns on offense and two TFLs, one forced fumble and one sack on defense.

FIRECATS WILDCATS
SERIES LEADER Florida leads 5-3
LAST MEETING Florida Won 64-28 on 5/27/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 2-3
LAST GAME Won vs. LOU 62-56 on 7/22/2006 Lost at RGV 46-52 on 7/22/2006
2006 LEADERS FIRECATS WILDCATS
PASSING Wallace: 462-279-12; 3621; 93 TDs Reese: 384-230-10; 2599; 45 TDs
RECEIVING Benton: 105-1539; 38 TDs McKinney: 124-1443; 31 TDs
RUSHING Crossley: 95-376; 18 TD Reese: 65-321; 9 TDs
TACKLES Bailey: 108 McCoy: 93
SACKS Fisher: 5 Davis: 3
INTERCEPTIONS Brown: 8 Robinson: 4
KICKING Kornblue: 76-107 PAT; 3-7 FG 85 PTS Burnett: 52-71 PAT; 9-26 FG 79 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 60.1 PPG; 270.5 42.1 PPG; 242.3
TEAM DEFENSE 47.5 PPG; 265.5 50.1 PPG; 264.7

MACON KNIGHTS (8-7) AT ARKANSAS TWISTERS (9-6)
SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2006 - ALLTEL Arena (16,058) 8:00 P.M. ET
The Macon Knights and Arkansas Twisters play Saturday night at ALLTEL Arena with playoff implications written all over this game. Arkansas has already clinched, but they are looking to get the best possible seed and host a Wildcard game, while Macon needs some help to get in, win or lose. The last time these two teams battled, Macon DS MATT JACKSON dominated the game with a 47-yd FG return and 18-yd INT return for touchdowns. He also added 8.5 tackles on defense. Macon rushed for four touchdowns, with QB CHAD ELLIOTT rushing for two of them. Elliot threw for 244 yards and three touchdowns, but also threw two INTs that night. OS CHAVIS MCCOLLISTER came through with a TD on the ground, in addition to 9 receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Arkansas QB WALTER CHURCH (235 yards passing and 4 TDs) and OS ROBERT KILOW (8 receptions 84 yards 2 scores) led the Twister offensive attack. Macon OL/DL ED WRANGLER recorded one and a half sacks, while Arkansas WR/DB PIERRE THOMAS compiled 7.5 tackles and an interception. Macon was victorious last week over Tennessee Valley 81-28. WR/DB D.J. HUMPHRIES returned two recovered fumbles for touchdowns as Macon forced five turnovers. Elliott threw for 289 yards and eight touchdowns, and even backup QB CECIL LESTER got in on the action going 3-4 for 34 yards and a passing TD. McCollister was a force once again, hauling in nine balls for 158 yards and six touchdowns. The Knights' boast the worst red-zone offense in the league, converting on only 63.9% of their opportunities. The defense was spectacular, topped off with Ed Wrangler winning ADT Defensive Player of the Week for his performance. He had three sacks and forced two fumbles in the win. DS DARYON BRUTLEY had a nose for the ball, intercepting two passes and recovering a fumble for a touchdown. The defense has 10 returns (6 fumbles and 4 interceptions) for touchdowns this year. Arkansas picked up a humongous victory last week over Tulsa, 61-40. Pierre Thomas rushed for 25 yards and two touchdowns. Church threw six touchdown passes with WR/DB KEVIN WILLIAMS (6 receptions 91 yards and 2 TDs) and OS JON SCHOONOVER (3 receptions for 71 yards and 3 scores) totaling up the points. The defense was tenacious, intercepting Tulsa seven times, led by DS DELENELL REID with his 7.5 tackles and two picks. DS BYRON MITCHELL-HUGHEY (6.5 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 2 pass break ups) and FB/LB STEVE WATSON (.5 sack, 1 INT) contributed to the defense's brilliant performance. Arkansas has totaled 48 sacks on the season, four behind Carolina's record from 2001. A gritty performance from both squads should be warranted as they juggle for playoff positioning, or in Macon's likelihood, a playoff spot.

KINGHTS TWISTERS
SERIES LEADER Macon leads 5-0
LAST MEETING Macon Won 62-35 on 6/10/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 3-2
LAST GAME Won vs. TVV 81-28 on 7/22/2006 Won vs. TUL 61-40 on 7/22/2006
2006 LEADERS KNIGHTS TWISTERS
PASSING Elliott: 517-333-16; 3747; 64 TDs Church: 518-281-23; 3421; 76 TDs
RECEIVING Hickenbotham: 97-1127; 21 TDs Kilow: 80-904; 22 TDs
RUSHING Lloyd: 51-174; 10 TDs Watson: 18-40; 6 TDs
TACKLES Jackson: 79.5 Reid: 92.5
SACKS Wrangler: 13 Watson: 16
INTERCEPTIONS Jackson: 6 Williams: 6, Reid: 6
KICKING Yoon: 58-92 PAT; 5-19 FG 73 PTS Carlton: 62-80 PAT; 7-30 FG 83 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 44.9 PPG; 284.9 47.4 PPG; 230.5
TEAM DEFENSE 47.1 PPG; 279.2 45.3 PPG; 241.0

AMARILLO DUSTERS (4-11) AT TULSA TALONS (10-5)
SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2006 - Tulsa Convention Center (7,111) 8:00 P.M. ET
If the Tulsa Talons are able to pull out a win in their season finale this Saturday, they'll get next week off before they make their quest to ArenaCup7. At 10-5 and owning the head-to-head tiebreaker over National Midwest Division rival Oklahoma City, Tulsa is currently slotted in the No. 2-seed in the National Conference. The only team stopping them from having a first-round bye are the Amarillo Dusters. It's been a season of streaks for the Dusters. They started off the season losing their first three games, and they then went on a four-game losing streak. But their season then took a downward spiral, losing eight straight games. A win this week would be something positive to look back on heading into the off-season. Amarillo lost to the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings 46-34 at home last Saturday. Amarillo scored on a 45-yard touchdown pass from QB JARROD ROUANZOIN to WR/LB JOHN KING on the opening possession and played a tight first-half with the Battle Wings. They were down 26-21 heading into the break, but re-took the lead on the first possession of the second-half, on a Rouanzoin 3-yard touchdown run. But Bossier came back with 17 straight points to take control of the game. Rouanzoin threw another 45-yard touchdown with 10:20 left in the game, this time to WR/DB CRAIG FULTON, but those would be the last points Amarillo would score. Despite the two long touchdown passes, Rouanzoin had a difficult time against the Bossier defense. He completed only 9-of-32 passes for 154 yards with three interceptions. Tulsa also suffered a loss last week. They were on the road in Arkansas and lost 61-40 to the playoff-bound Twisters. The story of the game was the Arkansas defense, which picked off QB MARK RADLINSKI seven times. The seven interceptions were an af2 record for most thrown in a game. The game was the worst in an otherwise strong season for Radlinski. He came into the game with only eight interceptions and 74 touchdown passes. But he only threw for two touchdowns against the Twisters No. 6 scoring defense (45.3 ppg). Radlinski finished the game 22-of-54 for 261 yards. Arkansas also sacked Radlinski once, giving them a league-best 48 for the season. After WR/DB DON MCGEE'S 4-yard touchdown run tied the game at seven early in the first quarter, Arkansas scored 27 straight points to take control of the game and leave Tulsa with no hope for a comeback. WR/DB CESARE MANNING led Tulsa in receiving, catching six passes for 83 yards. Tulsa's defense, No. 4 in af2 giving up 45.0 points per game, allowed Arkansas QB Walter Church to throw for six touchdown passes. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Talons. Tulsa leads the all-time series with Amarillo 2-1 after scoring 87 points in their 87-38 Week 13 win. The 87 points were the most in team history and the second-most in an af2 game this season. Oklahoma City put up 90 on Tulsa back in Week 6. Radlinski totaled six touchdowns in the win over Amarillo, and he earned the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game Award.

DUSTERS TALONS
SERIES LEADER Tulsa leads 2-1
LAST MEETING Tulsa Won 87-38 on 6/24/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 0-5 3-2
LAST GAME Lost vs. BOS 34-46 on 7/22/2006 Lost at ARK 40-61 on 7/22/2006
2006 LEADERS DUSTERS TALONS
PASSING Panella: 255-141-1; 1602; 25 TDs Radlinski: 501-301-14; 3525; 74 TDs
RECEIVING Roberson: 41-592; 9 TDs Forde: 83-923; 25 TDs
RUSHING McGinnis: 39-114; 6 TDs Radlinski: 43-121; 13 TDs
TACKLES Mingo: 61 Sadler: 64.5
SACKS Turner: 6 Murray: 8, Ruffin: 8
INTERCEPTIONS Mingo: 6 Sadler: 7
KICKING Felton: 63-70 PAT; 10-30 FG 93 PTS Phillips: 86-110 PAT; 5-19 FG 101 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 38.7 PPG; 204.7 53.4 PPG; 273.7
TEAM DEFENSE 52.8 PPG; 245.8 45.0 PPG; 240.7

BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLE WINGS (3-12) AT OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (10-5)
SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2006 - Ford Center (17,884) 8:00 P.M. ET
Oklahoma City has a chance to win the National Midwest Division outright and receive a first-round bye, with a win over the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings and a loss by the Tulsa Talons. Oklahoma City QB CRAIG STRICKLAND also attempts to etch his name into af2 history, by hitting the 100-touchdown mark for the first-time ever. Strickland comes into the game with 90 touchdown passes. 10 touchdown passes would break QB Matt Sauk's record of 99 set last year for Louisville. He will try to do it against the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings, who have allowed 78 passing touchdowns this season, third most in af2. The Yard Dawgz enter the game with the No. 3 scoring offense, putting up 57.5 points per game. The Battle Wings, on the other hand, have the lowest-scoring offense in the league, averaging only 32.5 points per game. They were, however, able to pick up their third win of the season last weekend against the Amarillo Dusters, 46-34. QB J.J. RATERINK was the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game, completing 20-of-29 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for another. FB/LB CHARLIE MYLES was a big contributor as well, rushing for 22 yards and a touchdown, and also recorded three tackles, and forced a fumble, which he recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. He was named the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game. Bossier also picked off Amarillo QB Jarrod Rouanzoin three times. K BRIAN HAZELWOOD chipped in with four field goals, giving him a league-leading 20 on the year. Oklahoma City suffered a costly loss last week, a 60-42 defeat to the Central Valley Coyotes. Strickland did not play one of his best games of the season. He threw for 226 yards and four touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions. Three of those touchdowns went to OS JARRAIL JACKSON, which gave him 35 receiving touchdowns for the year, fifth-most in af2. He ranks third overall in the league with 118 receptions. Jackson also returned seven kickoffs for 133 yards. But Central Valley's offense was too much for Oklahoma City. The Yard Dawgz only give up 44.9 points a game, but let QB Scott Rislov lead the Coyotes' attack and light up Oklahoma City's defense for 60 points. Rislov, the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game and eventual Schutt Offensive Player of the Game, threw for 355 yards and eight touchdowns. Oklahoma City K A.J. HAGLUND was 4-of-5 from extra points, and he has now made 107-of-114 on the year. His 93.9 accuracy is the highest in a single season. He is also the most accurate extra point kicker in af2 history, successfully converting on 141-of-115 tries (91%). The Yard Dawgz are trying to make up for the upset loss the Coyotes handed them back in Week 9. Bossier won 53-50 led by the Schutt Offensive Player of the Week, Raterink, who threw for 296 yards and five touchdowns. The win gives Bossier-Shreveport the 2-1 all-time series lead.

BATTLE WINGS YARD DAWGZ
SERIES LEADER Bossier leads 2-1
LAST MEETING Bossier Won 53-50 on 5/27/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 3-2
LAST GAME Won at AMA 46-34 on 7/22/2006 Lost at CVC 42-60 on 7/22/2006
2006 LEADERS BATLLE WINGS YARD DAWGZ
PASSING Raterink: 465-262-15; 2628; 37 TDs Strickland: 490-289-9; 3742; 90 TDs
RECEIVING Chambers: 71-871; 11 TDs Jackson: 118-1452; 35 TDs
RUSHING Myles: 28-98; 2 TDs Dingle: 14-89; 4 TDs
TACKLES Sutton: 51 Fletcher: 83.5
SACKS Reed: 8 Allen: 4.5
INTERCEPTIONS Geiggar: 4 Holland: 4
KICKING Hazelwood:39-55 PAT;20-45 FG104 PTS Haglund: 107-114 PAT;9-31FG136 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 32.5 PPG; 206.5 57.5 PPG; 258.3
TEAM DEFENSE 53.0 PPG; 272.5 44.9 PPG; 272.7

SPOKANE SHOCK (13-2) AT RIO GRANDE VALLEY DORADOS (7-8)
SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2006 - Dodge Arena (5,500) 8:30 P.M. ET
The Spokane Shock have already clinched the top spot in the National Conference playoffs, earning a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the af2 playoffs until ArenCup7. They're af2's No. 1-ranked team in their expansion season, after going 13-2. They're hoping to pick up their 14th win of the season against the Rio Grande Valley Dorados on Saturday. Spokane won their fifth straight game last week, hard-fought 69-68 win over the Everett Hawks. The win gave head coach CHRIS SIEGFRIED 53 career af2 wins, the most in af2 history. It surpassed former Rio Grande and Tennessee Valley head coach Kevin Guy's 52 wins. The contest went back-and-forth all game long, with 11 lead changes and six ties, and had a crazy ending. QB KYLE ROWLEY, 5-0 as a starter for the Shock, completed 25-of-38 passes for 288 yards and eight touchdown passes. Rowley has been sensational in his five starts. His passer efficiency rating of 128.7 would be tops in af2 if he had enough pass attempts to qualify. He's 111-of-154 on the season, with 27 touchdowns and only one interception. WR/DB CHARLES FREDERICK had another solid game for the Shock. He caught eight passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed one time for a 10-yard touchdown. Frederick is poised to break the 1,000-yard mark for receiving yards on the season. He has 954. WR/DB KEVIN BEARD hauled in five passes for 74 yards and four touchdowns against the Hawks. He also had 34 kickoff return yards and was named the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game. With 2:20 left in the game and the score tied at 62, Frederick ran in for a touchdown and gave his team the 69-62 lead. Baker threw a touchdown pass to D. Johnson with 00:10 left, and with nothing to lose, Everett went for the 2-point conversion and the win. The pass attempt failed but offsetting penalties made them run the play over. This time, however, they elected to kick the extra point. The kick was good, but a hold on Everett negated the point and pushed them back to the 12-yard line. They went for two points this time, but DS LEO FENCEROY batted the pass away, giving Spokane the win. Everett was called for holding on the try anyways, so the conversion would not have been successful even if Everett caught the ball. Rio Grande also came away with a win last weekend, a 52-46 home win over the South Georgia Wildcats. OS DWIGHT COUNTER was the star for the Dorados, catching 11 passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns, including a 31-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter, which earned the Cutters Catch of Week award. Counter has 108 receptions for 1,322 receiving yards on the season. His 108 receptions is a team record. QB JOSH KELLETT went 22-of-31 for 230 yards and five touchdowns. He also threw two interceptions. With 14:01 left in the game, South Georgia QB Julian Reese had a 1-yard touchdown run, putting the Wildcats in front 38-36. Kellett answered with his own touchdown run from 3-yards out. On the ensuing possession, South Georgia was primed to re-take the lead with a first-and-goal from the 4-yard line, but FB/LB R.J. LUKE intercepted Reese and took it 47-yards for the game-clinching touchdown. Luke also had 19 rushing yards and five receiving yards and was named the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game. Despite the win, the Dorados are eliminated from playoff contention. Saturday night's game will be the first-ever meeting between the Shock and the Dorados.

SHOCK DORADOS
SERIES LEADER First ever meeting
LAST MEETING First ever meeting
LAST FIVE GAMES 5-0 2-3
LAST GAME Won vs. EVE 69-68 on 7/22/2006 Won vs. SGW 52-46 on 7/22/2006
2006 LEADERS SHOCK DORADOS
PASSING Neist: 344-214-8; 2550; 44 TDs Kellett: 362-209-12; 2427; 49 TDs
RECEIVING Frederick: 83-954; 22 TDs Counter: 108-1322; 29 TDs
RUSHING Vijil: 30-68; 10 TDs Canty: 10-66; 2 TDs
TACKLES Keefe: 80 Withers: 64.5
SACKS Purvis: 3 Jeter: 4.5
INTERCEPTIONS Keefe: 9 Long: 4
KICKING Koker: 83-106 PAT; 4-9 FG 95 PTS Bell: 65-83 PAT; 6-21 FG 83 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 55.9 PPG; 263.3 42.5 PPG; 255.5
TEAM DEFENSE 48.6 PPG; 260.1 49.5 PPG; 224.1

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TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (2-13) AT BIRMINGHAM STEELDOGS (7-8)
SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2006 - Birmingham Jefferson Civic Complex (16,000) 8:00 P.M. ET
The Tennessee Valley Vipers ride into the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Complex to meet the Steeldogs. Birmingham was mathematically eliminated from the playoffs last week with their 56-52 home loss to Memphis. QB ROBERT KENT threw for five touchdown passes. The Steeldogs were able to move the ball on the ground as WR/DB THEO SANDERS totaled 59 rushing yards and Kent ran in two scores. OS ALLYN SHEFFIELD led the receiving corps with 8 catches for 112 yards and two TDs. Birmingham is ranked fourth in the league in turnover margin at +10. DS KEON MAINOR headed the defense with eight solo tackles. Tennessee Valley held their own early on against Macon, but that effort was all for nothing as they were shutout in the second half to complete the rout. The Knights ran three fumble recoveries back for TDs against the Vipers. QB CHRIS GUNN rushed for 40 yards and threw four touchdown passes. WR/DB TRAVIS BLANCHARD caught two touchdown receptions to lead the offense. Tennessee Valley boasts the worst defense in the league, allowing 59.1 ppg. As well as that, they combined to rank last with their minus-28 turnover margin. Tennessee Valley defeated Birmingham in a low-scoring affair the last time they met. Neither team seemed as if they wanted to win the game as Birmingham was unable to throw a TD pass and Tennessee turned the ball over five times. Gunn, who went five for six for 50 yards, threw what turned out to be the game-winning TD pass early in the fourth quarter. DS BOBBY KEYES (7 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 INTs, 1 break up) and OL/DL KAMAU JACKSON (2 TFL, 1 sack) led the Steeldogs defense. Even though each team's season is over, expect both teams to come out and play hard and try to end the season with one last victory.

VIPERS STEELDOGS
SERIES LEADER Tennessee Valley leads 10-2
LAST MEETING Tennessee Valley Won 21-17 on 5/20/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 0-5 2-3
LAST GAME Lost at MAC 28-81 on 7/22/2006 Lost vs. MEM 52-56 on 7/22/2006
2006 LEADERS VIPERS STEELDOGS
PASSING Gunn: 284-159-9; 1996; 35 TDs Hawk: 362-198-7; 2395; 34 TDs
RECEIVING Day: 98-1313; 21 TDs Story: 54-681; 11 TDs
RUSHING Gunn: 51-211; 6 TDs Sanders: 52-216; 7 TDs
TACKLES Blanchard: 46 Keyes: 62.5
SACKS Adelekan: 7 Daniel: 4
INTERCEPTIONS Robinson: 3 Keyes: 8
KICKING Lee: 52-66 PAT; 5-30 FG 67 PTS Walls: 64-83 PAT; 11-27 FG 97 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 38.6 PPG; 224.7 45.7 PPG; 275.3
TEAM DEFENSE 59.1 PPG; 281.4 45.3 PPG; 258.5

EVERETT HAWKS (4-11) AT BAKERSFIELD BLITZ (8-7)
SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2006 - Rabobank Arena (9,000) 10:00 P.M. ET
The Bakersfield Blitz are playoff bound, securing the sixth-seed with a 72-51 win over the Stockton Lightning last Saturday. This weekend they have their final tune-up before the playoffs commence against the Everett Hawks. Bakersfield's had a very up-and-down year, but they've found ways to overcome their setbacks and make it into the post-season. A four-game winning streak brought them to 5-1 early in the season. They then lost two straight games and won two straight games. A four-game losing streak after that almost cost them a playoff berth. But they won when they had to last week. QB ALEX NEIST got his first win with the Blitz since joining the team two weeks ago. Neist recovered nicely after a three-interception game the previous week against Central Valley. This game Neist went 14-of-22 for 188 yards and three touchdowns. Schutt Offensive Player of the Game WR/DB DERONN FINLEY eased the offensive load for Neist, catching four passes for 44 yards and a touchdown, and running for two more scores. FB/LB NICK ONAINDIA also ran in for two touchdowns, and OS RENNARD REYNOLDS caught two touchdowns, to go along with 79 yards receiving. Usually it's Bakersfield's No. 5 scoring defense that anchors the Blitz, but this game it was the offense, scoring a season-high 72 points. Bakersfield did get a fumble recovery in the endzone by WR/LB ERIC MAHANKE. OL/DL JERRY TURNER recorded two sacks, giving him 14 sacks for the season, two behind Arkansas' FB/LB Steve Watson. The Everett Hawks are lucky that they're out of playoff contention, or else last week's 69-68 loss to the Spokane Shock would have been heart-breaking in every way imaginable. QB BRIAN BAKER had a career-game, completing 26-of-36 passes for a season-high 392 yards and 10 touchdowns. That came after he threw for 353 yards and eight touchdowns the previous week, and 206 yards and six touchdowns two weeks ago. With 2:20 left in the game, Baker and the Hawks got the ball back down 69-62. Baker led his team on a four-play, 45-yard drive, which ended with a 9-yard touchdown pass to WR/LB D. JOHNSON with 00:10 left on the clock. This is when chaos ensured. Everett went for two points and the win, but Baker's pass was incomplete. However, offsetting penalties negated the play, and Everett had new life. This time, they went for the extra point K CRAIG HAWLEY'S kick sailed through the uprights, but a holding penalty made the kick not count, and Everett now had the ball at the 12-yard line. It was back to the two-point try for the Hawks, but Baker's pass was deflected by DS Leo FenceRoy and fell to the ground. Even had the conversion been successful, it wouldn't have counted though, because Everett was whistled for holding again. A win by the Hawks would be a positive way to end their first af2 season. They started out 0-7, but played much better football inn the second-half, picking up four wins along the way. This will be the third meeting of the season between the Hawks and the Blitz. Bakersfield won 60-54 in Week 1, and Everett won round 2 in Week 15, 63-34.

HAWKS BLITZ
SERIES LEADER Series tied 1-1
LAST MEETING Everett Won 63-34 on 7/8/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 1-4
LAST GAME Lost at SPO 68-69 on 7/22/2006 Won vs. STK 72-51 on 7/22/2006
2006 LEADERS HAWKS BLITZ
PASSING Baker: 252-151-5; 1937; 45 TDs Wall: 276-168-8; 1787; 43 TDs
RECEIVING Brockman: 76-755; 17 TDs Reynolds: 96-1296; 34 TDs
RUSHING Shine: 2-47; 0 TD Onaindia: 23-90; 5 TDs
TACKLES Butler: 52 Wallace: 51
SACKS Harrell: 7 Turner: 14
INTERCEPTIONS Butler: 4 Wallace: 9
KICKING Hawley: 71-92 PAT; 5-14 FG 86 PTS Johnson: 43-49 PAT; 4-12 FG 55 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 46.3 PPG; 266.1 48.3 PPG; 248.5
TEAM DEFENSE 50.1 PPG; 268.3 45.1 PPG; 216.6

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CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (10-4) AT STOCKTON LIGHTNING (10-4)
SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2006 - Stockton Arena (10,117) 10:30 P.M. ET
The last regular-season game of the year features the Central Valley Coyotes and the Stockton Lightning. Central Valley has clinched the No. 3-seed in the National Conference playoffs, and will also play their first game at home. With the Lightning out of playoff contention and Central Valley's position locked, the outcome of the game might not have any implications, but there is Arena Football League (AFL and af2) history on the line. Central Valley QB SCOTT RISLOV has 98 touchdown passes on the year. One more will tie him with QB Matt Sauk, who threw 99 touchdown passes for Louisville last year, setting an af2 record. If Rislov can get to 100, the af2 record will be his. He also is in reach of Clint Dolezel's record-105 touchdown passes for the Dallas Desperados of the AFL this season. Rislov was named the Schutt Offensive Player of the Week for leading the Coyotes to a 60-42 victory over the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz last weekend. He completed 29-of-45 passes for 355 yards and eight touchdowns. It was Rislov's sixth 300-yard game of the season. He's third in the league with 4,105 passing yards. WR/RB LAMONTE JONES had a terrific game, catching 10 passes for 126 yards and four touchdowns. Jones is third in the league with total touchdowns, with 43. He is also eighth in the league in all-purpose yards per game, with 151.9. MARVIN BROWN caught five passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. Central Valley is poised to make a deep run into the playoffs with a well-balanced attack. They're scoring 56.2 points per game, sixth in af2, and allowing 46.6 points per game, eighth in af2. Stockton, on the other hand, is looking for positives as their first af2 season comes to a close. They never won two consecutive games in the season, and are currently on a three-game losing streak. The Bakersfield Blitz handed them a 72-51 loss last weekend. It was, however, one of QB JOSH BLANKENSHIP'S best games of the season. He went 19-of-37 for 332 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. He ranks sixth in the league in yards per game, with 256.1. The Stockton defense could not contain Bakersfield. Bakersfield scored points on all but three possessions. The Lighting did have two players reach 100-yards receiving. ATNAS MAEKO racked up a season-high 189 yards, and Phil Goodman had 111 yards and five touchdown grabs. KENYATTE MORGAN piled up 97 kickoff return yards, giving him 1,622 for the season. Macon's Matt Jackson is next with 1,249. Central Valley won the first two meetings this season, by respective scores of 63-61 (Week 7) and 58-46 (Week 16). Rislov combined for 631 yards and 14 touchdown passes in those two games.

COYOTES LIGHTNING
SERIES LEADER Central Valley leads 2-0
LAST MEETING Central Valley Won 58-46 on 7/8/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 5-0 1-4
LAST GAME Won vs. OKC 60-42 on 7/22/2006 Lost at BAK 51-72 on 7/22/2006
2006 LEADERS COYOTES COYOTES
PASSING Rislov: 531-341-11; 4105; 98 TDs Blankenship: 526-295-19;3842;75 TDs
RECEIVING Jones: 107-1419; 40 TDs Goodman: 90-1219; 30 TDs
RUSHING Guardia: 31-113; 5 TDs Harris: 14-44; 3 TDs
TACKLES Taylor: 56.5 Wallace: 55
SACKS Langenfeld: 6 Dorisme: 7
INTERCEPTIONS Taylor: 6 Surrell: 3
KICKING Gockman:100-115 PAT;9-20 FG127 PTS Hickok: 63-83 PAT; 6-13 FG 81 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 46.2 PPG; 288.2 48.7 PPG; 271.3
TEAM DEFENSE 46.6 PPG; 252.1 53.8 PPG; 282.8

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