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April 27, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


MACON KNIGHTS (1-2) AT MEMPHIS XPLORERS (3-1)
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2006 - DeSoto Civic Center (8,444) 8:00 P.M. ET
In the first of two head-to-head meetings in 2006, the Macon Knights head to Southaven, Miss. this week to take a Memphis Xplorers team that is coming off its first loss of the season. The Knights tasted victory for the first time in 2006 last Saturday on the road at Tennessee Valley, 58-55, thanks to the offensive combination of FB/LB DERRICK LLOYD (10 carries, 44 yards, 4 TDs) and WR/DB JAMES HICKENBOTHAM (12 catches, 177 yards, 3 TDs). Their play was a big reason why the Knights won the closely contested affair. Tennessee Valley led at one point in the first half, 28-10, and held an 11-point halftime edge (35-24). Macon, however, outscored the home team 20-7 in the third period to enter the fourth quarter with their first lead, 44-42. The final period of play was back-and-forth all the way up until Hickenbotham's 18-yard game-winning touchdown catch with just 15 seconds left in the game. Hickenbotham earned Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors. JAMAAL GARMAN intercepted Tennessee Valley QB Roger Linn in the final seconds to preserve the win. The Macon offense, which entered the game averaging just 32.5 points per game, finally seemed to get on track. QB CHAD ELLIOTT has been a bit inconsistent in the early going, but the veteran signal caller should only improve with each game as he continues to develop chemistry with his teammates. So far he's thrown for 13 touchdowns on the season with eight interceptions. His main target this year has been Hickenbotham, who's quickly developed into of the most dangerous playmakers in the af2. Defensively, veteran DS HOSEA LANEY is back in action this week. Despite missing last week's game due to a death in the family, Laney leads the team with 19.0 total tackles. The Xplorers enter this week a little upset after losing their first game of 2006, 60-55, on the road at Florida last Saturday night. The Firecats were down at one point 26-0, before coming all the way back for the win. Memphis, the defending ArenaCup champions, had won their previous nine contests (including the playoffs) before last week. Veteran OL/DL CHRIS EGGLESTON earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors for the Xplorers with 2.0 tackles, one sack, and an interception return for a touchdown. WR/DB TERRANCE QUATTLEBAUM (9 catches, 97 yards, 4 TDs, 40-yard mfg return TD, 5.5 tackles) was named U.S. Army Ironman of the Game for his impressive two-way play. QB BRIAN JONES leads a potent Xplorers offensive attack that is currently tied for first in the league in scoring, averaging 59.0 points per game. Jones ranks second in the league in total offensive touchdowns (30 - 24 passing, 6 rushing), second in passing touchdowns (24) and second in pass efficiency (128.5 rating). Rookie OS KENNY HIGGINS leads a talented group of pass catchers with 28 receptions for 482 yards (league-high) and seven touchdowns. DS DEON GIDDENS leads the league in tackles with 32.0.

KNIGHTS XPLORERS
SERIES LEADER Memphis leads 1-0
LAST MEETING MEMPHIS won 37-12 on 7/24/2004
LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 4-1
LAST GAME Won at TVV 58-55 on 4/22/2006 Lost vs FLA 55-60 on 4/22/2006
2006 LEADERS KNIGHTS XPLORERS
PASSING Elliott: 121-74-8; 841; 13 TDs Jones: 120-81-2; 1081; 24 TDs
RECEIVING Hickenbotham: 24-337; 7 TDs Higgins: 28-482; 7 TDs
RUSHING Lloyd: 14-54; 4 TDs Jones: 22-75; 6 TDs
TACKLES Laney: 19 Giddens: 32
SACKS Blatcher: 1 Crear: 3, Eggleston: 3
INTERCEPTIONS Fenceroy: 2, Garman: 2 Cunningham: 2
KICKING Yoon: 10-16 PAT; 1-3 FG 13 PTS Azar: 26-32 PAT; 0-1 FG 26 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 41.0 PPG; 291.7 59.0 PPG; 295.2
TEAM DEFENSE 54.0 PPG; 287.0 38.0 PPG; 256.8

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