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af2 Week 9: Quick Hitters

May 24, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


GAMES ON - af2/B2 FEATURED GAMES IN WEEK 9: The arenafootball2 league (af2) has established a new, extensive online network to provide the league's passionate fan base an opportunity to view a vast number of games through the internet. Thanks to a new league partnership with industry leader B2 Networks, fans across the globe are now be able to bring all the action of af2 football right to their home computer or laptop. To tune into the action, fans can log on to www.af2.com and click on the special advertisement located at the top right-hand corner of the page. Viewers looking to enjoy the games via B2 will only need a high-speed internet connection and Windows Media Player 9 or higher. Games will be available for the normal B2 rate of just $6. This week there are eight (8) af2 games available though B2. The Week 9 online broadcast schedule is detailed below. All times listed are Eastern.

Week 9

Friday, May 25, 2007

Albany at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 7:00 p.m.

Louisville at Quad City 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Alabama at Cincinnati 7:30 p.m.

Central Valley at Spokane 8:00 p.m.

Laredo at Lubbock 8:05 p.m.

Stockton at Boise 9:00 p.m.

Texas at Tri-Cities 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Bakersfield at Everett 6:00 p.m.

OFF THE NET/week 9: The arenafootball2 league (af2) online radio show, "Off the Net," the only internet radio show devoted solely to af2, will air its ninth show of the season today, Thursday, May 24, on www.af2.com. This week's show features special interviews with Tulsa Head Coach MITCH ALLNER and Boise Burn Assistant General Manager/Radio Play-by-Play voice SCOTT CONKLIN. The program will also include news and notes from around the af2 as the league enters the ninth week of the 2007 season. Fans can easily access the program by clicking on a special "Off the Net" advertisement located at the lower right hand corner of af2.com. The show will be available online late this afternoon. "Off the Net," now in its second season, airs every Thursday throughout the regular season and continues all the way until an ArenaCup Champion is crowned in late August. The show is designed to bring af2 fans even closer to their favorite game with in-depth news, interesting interviews and fun feature stories. Veteran broadcaster Dean Jackson serves as host.

PIONEERS TOP COACHES POLL FOR FIFTH STRAIGHT WEEK: The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers have maintained the No. 1 ranking of the Weekly Coaches Poll for the fifth straight week, the arenafootball2 (af2) league office announced today. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton collected 458 of a possible 464 points and 23-of-30 first place votes in securing the top position. The Pioneers, who are off to their best start in team history at 7-0, scored a 34-30 road win in Week 8 at Tennessee Valley. The Tulsa Talons (7-0, 424 points, 7 first place votes) held firm at the No. 2 spot on the strength of a 53-38 road win Saturday at Amarillo. Rio Grande Valley (6-1, 369 points) and Bossier-Shreveport (6-1, 369 points) enter Week 9 tied at No. 3 overall. The Dorados won at Laredo, 48-21, while the Battle Wings defeated Manchester at home, 62-52, despite being without the services of QB Quincy Carter and DB Kendrick "Boss" Walker. Rounding out the Top-5 this week is South Georgia (5-2, 348 points). The Wildcats improved one spot from No. 6 to No. 5 after earning a 40-37 road win at Arkansas. The Twisters, who entered Week 8 at No. 3, slipped to No. 6.

WALKER, RICHEY, MILLER, WINSTON EARN WEEK 8 HONORS: Quad City wide receiver/linebacker JACK WALKER, JR., Everett wide receiver JOSH RICHEY and Central Valley defensive back AARON MILLER have been named the U.S. Army Ironman, Schutt Offensive Player and ADT Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for Week 8 of the 2007 season. In addition to these three awards, the af2 is also highlighting the player who makes the best catch of the week. The Cutters Catch of the Week Award for Week 8 goes to Bossier-Shreveport wide receiver/defensive back P.J. WINSTON.

Walker (6-4, 195, Kent State), in his fifth af2 season, had an impressive all-around effort for Quad City in the team's 63-54 home win against Everett in Week 8. The veteran from Kent State was an impact player on offense, catching nine passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Walker also made his presence felt on defense with a fumble recovery for a touchdown and two pass breakups. This is Walker's first weekly league award of his af2 career. He ranks second on the Steamwheelers in total touchdowns (13), receiving touchdowns (10) and receiving yards (505) and is third on the squad in receptions with 49. Walker, in his third year with Quad City, earned American Conference All-af2 Second Team honors in 2006. Richey (6-3, 195, Northeastern State) had an impressive individual showing on Saturday night for Everett in the team's 63-54 road loss at Quad City. The Hawks playmaker, in his second af2 season, set new team single-game records for receptions (18) and receiving yards (236) and had five receiving touchdowns, a total which tied an Everett single-game best. Richey's 236 receiving yards set an af2 single game standard for 2007 and also ranks as the fourth-highest single game total in league history. His 18 receptions tied him with three others for the third-highest single-game total in af2 annals. He currently leads the Hawks in receptions (59), receiving yards (667), receiving touchdowns (14) and scoring (88 points). Miller (6-2, 205, Oklahoma), in his second af2 season, was an impact player on defense in Week 8 for Central Valley as the Coyotes scored a 76-55 road win at West Division rival Stockton. The former Sooner harassed the Lightning all night, bolting for two defensive touchdowns and registering 5.5 total tackles (4 UA, 3 A). Miller had three interceptions, including a 14-yard interception return for a touchdown. He also had one fumble recovery for a touchdown. This is the first weekly af2 award of Miller's career. He is the third Central Valley player to be honored by the league in 2007, joining QB Clay Groefsema (Off. Player of the Week - WK7) and WR/LB Wes Borba (Ironman of the Week - WK2). He currently leads the Coyotes in interceptions (5) and in pass breakups (16). He also ranks second on the squad in tackles with 20.5. Winston (6-0, 197, New Mexico State), who is in his second season in the af2, earned the Cutters Catch of the Week Award for his leaping, 35-yard touchdown in the third quarter of a 62-52 home win against the Wolves. The former New Mexico State alum went up high up against the boards near the 20-yard line, came down untouched and outran the Manchester defense into the end zone. Winston finished the night with four catches for 73 yards and one touchdown. He currently leads the Battle Wings and ranks third in the af2 in yards per reception (16.7). Winston also ranks second on the squad in receptions (32), receiving yards (535) and touchdowns (11).

INGOLD TURNS 50: W-B/Scranton Head Coach RICH INGOLD became just the fourth coach in league history to hit the 50-win plateau this past weekend. Ingold earned career win No. 50 on Saturday night at Tennessee Valley as his Pioneers overcame a game Vipers squad, 34-30. He joins all-time coaching wins leader CHRIS SIEGFRIED (57), KEVIN GUY (52) and BOBBY HUMPHREY (51) as the only coaches in af2 history with 50 or career wins. Ingold is currently the winningest active coach in the league. Right behind Ingold is Manchester's BEN BENNETT with 49 career wins. Bennett can claim win number 50 this Friday, but the Wolves face a tough test at East Division foe Mahoning Valley. Louisville's TOMMY JOHNSON hit a milestone in Week 6 by notching his 40th career af2 win. Johnson, currently with 42 victories, is just the tenth coach in league history to hit the 40-win plateau.

TOP ALL-TIME COACHING VICTORIES

NAME, WINS

1. Chris Siegfried, 57

2. Kevin Guy, 52

3. Bobby Humphrey, 51

4. Rich Ingold*, 50

5. Danton Barto, 49

5. Ben Bennett*, 49

* denotes active coaches

DOWN TO TWO: Entering Week 9 of the season, there are only two teams that remain undefeated. They are the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (7-0) and Tulsa Talons (7-0). The Pioneers are currently ranked No. 1 in the Weekly Coaches Poll. This is Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's fifth straight week atop the chart. The Talons are ranked No. 2 overall. The Pioneers and Talons are off to their best starts in team history. This Friday night Wilkes-Barre/Scranton hosts Albany (2-4), while Tulsa hosts No. 6 Arkansas (5-2). The Pioneers and Talons are currently tied for the third-best start in league history.

The best starts in af2 history:

TEAM, START, SEASON

Quad City, 16-0, 2000

Tennessee Valley, 14-0, 2003

Augusta, 7-0, 2002

Richmond, 7-0, 2002

Tulsa*, 7-0, 2007

W-B/Scranton*, 7-0, 2007

* denotes active steaks

VENA HITS 250: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton veteran signal caller RYAN VENA threw two touchdowns in a 34-30 Week 8 win at Tennessee Valley to hit the 250-touchdown pass milestone. The four-year league standout moved past KANE CLAUNCH (249) and into fifth place on the af2's all-time touchdown pass list. Vena currently has 251 career touchdown passes. The former Colgate standout accounted for three touchdowns against the Vipers last Saturday (2 TD passes, 1 TD rush), but also threw three interceptions, his first throwing mistakes of the season. Vena currently leads the af2 in passer rating (126.0). He also ranks among the league's elite in completion percentage (2nd - 69.1) and total touchdowns (4th - 45; 38 passing, 7 rushing).

TOUGHEST SCHEDULES TO DATE: The Laredo Lobos may be the only winless team in the af2 at 0-7, but the first-year team has also had to play the league's toughest schedule to date. The Lobos opponents have a combined win percentage of .735 (36-13). Amarillo (1-6), another team which has also struggled to earn wins in the first half of the season, has had the second most difficult schedule so far with the Dusters opponents sporting a combined .673 win percentage (33-16). South Georgia, currently ranked fifth at 5-2, has had the third toughest schedule as the Wildcats opponents have a combined win percentage of .660 (33-17). Conversely, the team with the easiest schedule so far in 2007 has been the Tulsa Talons. Tulsa, currently undefeated (7-0) and ranked No. 2, has taken advantage of its soft slate. The Talons' opponents sport a combined .265 win percentage (13-36). The Rio Grande Valley Dorados have had the second easiest schedule so far with their opponents having a combined 14-35 overall record (.286 win percentage). The following is a quick look at the five most difficult and five least difficult schedules in the af2 this year.

TOUGHEST SCHEDULES TO DATE - 2007

TEAM, OPP. COMBINED RECORD, WIN PCT.

Laredo (0-7), 36-13, 0.735

Amarillo (1-6), 33-16, 0.673

South Georgia (5-2), 33-17, 0.660

Manchester (3-4), 31-17, 0.646

Corpus Christi (1-6), 31-18, 0.633

EASIEST SCHEDULES TO DATE - 2007

TEAM, OPP. COMBINED RECORD, WIN PCT.

Tulsa (7-0), 13-36, 0.265

Rio Grande Valley (6-1), 14-35, 0.286

Central Valley (4-3), 18-31, 0.367

Texas (1-6), 19-31, 0.380

Bossier-Shreveport (6-1), 19-30, 0.388

CAREER INTERCEPTION LEADERBOARD GETTING CROWDED: Veteran DB MATT FORBES of the Louisville Fire began the year tied for first on the all-time regular season interceptions list with 27. He moved into first place outright on the all-time list in Week 1 when he recorded his 28th career interception. Since overtaking the top spot, two other league veterans have moved up in the all-time ranks, namely Manchester DB ALLISTAIR SEBASTIEN and Florida WR/DB BRENT BURNSIDE. Currently Forbes stands in first with 29 career picks. Sebastien is tied for second with 27 while Burnside is fifth overall with 24.

ALL-TIME REGULAR SEASON

INTERCEPTION LEADERS

NAME, WINS

1. Matt Forbes*, 29

2. Allistair Sebastien*, 27

2. Arkee Thompson, 27

4. Michael Brown, 25

5. Brent Burnside*, 24

* denotes active players

COUNTRY LOVIN'?: According to a published report in the National Enquirer, former Tennessee Valley Vipers OL/DL WES STEPHENS has developed a close friendship with country music star Gretchen Wilson. The news appeared in the most recent edition of the popular tabloid magazine, dated May 28, 2007. Stephens was an impact player for the Vipers in 2002 and 2003 (American Conference All-af2 First Team) before earning an AFL promotion in 2004. He played for three teams in three AFL seasons (Carolina - 2004, Nashville - 2005, San Jose - 2006) and is currently the property of the Nashville Kats after being acquired in a trade on May 1. Stephens has not played, however, in 2007. The Enquirer stated that Wilson met Stephens at the popular Tin Roof Saloon in Nashville, where Stephens is the manager. Stephens reportedly made his first public appearance with Wilson when he escorted her to the recent Country Music Television awards show.

ANOTHER AMAZING af2 FINISH: On Saturday night in Lubbock, another exciting finish occurred between the visiting Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz and the host Lubbock Renegades. Trailing by 10 points, 61-51, with just over five minutes to play,

Oklahoma City didn't give in. With the Yard Dawgz facing a 4th down-and-15 situation on their next possession, QB STAN HILL found WR/DB RYAN CLIFT on a 24-yard touchdown reception with 1:56 to play in the game. With the deficit trimmed to three, 61-58, Oklahoma City successfully recovered an onside kick by K KEITH TOOGOOD, who played with the Renegades earlier in the season. With 1:26 left on the clock, Hill directed the offense down the field. On a 2nd-and-10 play from the Lubbock 22-yard line with just six seconds to play, Hill saw WR/DB AL HUNT come open on a crossing route and hit him in stride for the game-winner as time expired. Oklahoma City won, 64-61.

MAGICAL CAREER FOR PROLIFIC BENTON: Florida WR MAGIC BENTON became the first player in af2 history to score 900 points in a Week 6 win at Albany. The veteran, who entered the contest with 898 points, scored three touchdowns against the Conquest to increase his career total to 916 points. Benton, in his seventh season, is currently the league's all-time scoring leader with 930 points. His next closest competitor is Arkansas veteran WR/LB KEVIN WILLIAMS (886). Manchester WR JARRAIL JACKSON is next in line of the league's all-time top scorers. Jackson is closing in on the impressive 800-point plateau with 790 points. Quad City WR/LB Jack Walker, jr. and Oklahoma City WR/DB AL HUNT both reached the 700-point plateau in Week 7 with three scores apiece in their respective games. Walker and Hunt, in the midst of their fifth af2 seasons, also scored three times in Week 8 to increase their career totals to 730 career points. Benton also holds a number of other af2 all-time records, including receptions (526), receiving yards (6,910) and receiving touchdowns (152). Below is a breakdown of the leading scorers in af2 history:

MOST POINTS SCORED, NON-KICKING, CAREER

PTS, PLAYER, YEARS PLAYED

930, Magic Benton*, 2001-present

886, Kevin Williams*, 2001-present

790, Jarrail Jackson*, 2000-01, 2005-present

780, Mitch Allner, 2000-04

758, George Williams*, 2001, 2003-present

756, Cainon Lamb, 2002-05

738, Kevin Prentiss, 2003-2006

730, Jack Walker, Jr.*, 2002-03, 2005-present

730, Al Hunt*, 2003-present

* denotes active players

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