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af2 week four Saturday night matchups

April 21, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


MEMPHIS XPLORERS (3-0) AT FLORIDA FIRECATS (1-1)
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2006 - Germain Arena (7,128) 7:30 P.M. ET
For the second time in three weeks, the Florida Firecats are taking on the defending ArenaCup Champion Memphis Xplorers. Their last meeting on April 8 was a convincing, 78-46, victory at home for the Xplorers. Florida is battling for its second straight win after posting a 53-40 victory last week at Macon, while Memphis seeks to further its nine-game win streak extending from last season. The Xplorers (No. 1 in the latest Coaches Poll) are coming off another impressive outing. Last week Memphis shut out Tennessee Valley 28-0 in the first half en route to a 56-21 win. Two Memphis players reached franchise career milestones in the game. QB BRIAN JONES surpassed Tim Lester as the team's all-time passing yards leader. His 244 yards for the game gave him 5,780, two more than Lester. Jones finished 17-of-26 for 244 yards and six scores (including a pair of rushing touchdowns). OL/DL JOSEPH CREAR also put himself on top in the team's record books. His 1.5 sacks upped his career total to 17.5, surpassing Khreem Smith, whose 17 sacks last season set the previous franchise mark. WR/DB TERRELL ADAMS led the Xplorers in receiving with six catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Adams was also a factor in a number of other areas of the game. He amassed 233 all-purpose yards (12 rushing, 98 receiving, 52 kick returns, 71 field goal returns) and had 2.5 tackles and one interception on defense. Florida also played a well-rounded game in their road win at Macon. Veteran QB CHRIS WALLACE threw for 344 yards and six touchdowns with only one interception. He also scored a rushing touchdown as well. Wallace's favorite target was OS MAGIC BENTON, who hauled in 11 catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Florida's ground attack was also effective. Rookie CLENTON CROSSLEY led the team with 28 yards rushing and one touchdown. DS QUINCY SORRELL stood out as the top performer for the Florida defensive unit, which caused four total turnovers (two interceptions and two fumble recoveries). Sorrell posted a game-high 9.0 tackles and one interception.

XPLORERS FIRECATS
SERIES LEADER Florida leads 5-3
LAST MEETING Memphis won 78-46 on 4/8/2006
LAST FIVE GAMES 5-0 3-2
LAST GAME Won vs. TVV 56-21 on 4/15/2006 Won at MAC 53-40 on 4/15/2006
2006 LEADERS XPLORERS FIRECATS
PASSING Jones: 88-61-1; 818; 19 TDs Wallace: 72-49-1; 595; 13 TDs
RECEIVING Higgins: 23-405; 7 TDs Benton: 21-300; 6 TDs
RUSHING Jones: 18-53; 5 TDs Crossley: 8-60; 1 TDs
TACKLES Giddens: 25.5 Sorrell: 12.5
SACKS Crear: 3 Fisher: 1
INTERCEPTIONS Cunningham: 2 Sorrell: 1Burnside: 1
KICKING Azar: 23-26 PAT; 0-1 FG 23 PTS Kornblue: 7-12 PAT; 0-1 FG 7 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 60.3 PPG; 300.0 49.5 PPG; 338.5
TEAM DEFENSE 30.7 PPG; 239.0 59.0 PPG; 323.5


ALBANY CONQUEST (2-1) AT MANCHESTER WOLVES (1-1)
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2006 - Verizon Wireless Arena (9,650) 7:30 P.M. ET
After a tough, 55-48, overtime loss last Friday to W-B/Scranton, the Albany Conquest are looking to post their third road and overall victory of the season against their longtime rivals, the Manchester Wolves. The game ended on an overtime interception thrown by Conquest QB RYAN VENA. Albany had a chance to secure the victory in the final moments but missed a last second field goal from 35 yards out. The Conquest even led by as many as 20 points at one time in the contest, 27-7. Vena had 364 yards passing and a role in all seven Conquest touchdowns on the night, but also threw a game-high three interceptions. WR/LB MANWELL TALBERT had five catches for 89 yards to go along with 0.5 sacks. Albany's early season success has been due two factors - the return of Vena and a solid secondary and overall defense. Vena leads the league in total offense (908 yards) and ranks second in rushing touchdowns with seven. He also leads the league in interceptions with seven. Only one statistic counts where Vena is concerned, however, and that's wins and losses. In 20 career starts (including playoffs) for the Conquest, the former Colgate star is 15-5. Albany's defense is tied for the league lead in interceptions (7) and is second in total turnovers forced (13). As a result, the Conquest have allowed an average of just 40.0 points per game through their first three contests. The Wolves are home again after finding their first win of the season last week on the road at Louisville, 39-34. Defense was the name of the game for Manchester, as the team stopped Louisville seven times en route to the victory. After falling behind early, The Wolves defense, led by veteran DS ALLISTAIR SEBASTIEN, forced a pair of field goals, fumbles and interceptions. The Conquest will need to keep an eye on Sebastien, who has 22 career picks, the fourth-highest total in league history. He needs five interceptions to match the all-time af2 record of 27. WR/LB MARC BACOTE had a career-high four touchdown grabs (6 total catches, 39 yards) against the Fire. FB/LB MARK KIMENER had a solid defensive outing in addition to a 12-yard rushing touchdown on offense. Wolves QB KYLE ROWLEY finished with 187 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in his first game as the Wolves starter. Manchester WR/DB DAVID BAILEY led all receivers with 12 receptions for 85 yards. The Wolves defense will keep the game close. The outcome will likely come down to how well each quarterback performs.

CONQUEST WOLVES
SERIES LEADER Series tied 6-6
LAST MEETING Manchester won 45-30 on 7/29/2005
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 2-3
LAST GAME Lost vs. WBS 55-48 on 4/14/2006 Won at LOU 39-34 on 4/14/2006
2006 LEADERS CONQUEST WOLVES
PASSING Vena: 107-65-7; 883; 11 TDs Rowley: 44-24-3; 199; 4 TDs
RECEIVING Talbert: 19-236; 1 TDs Gonzalez: 13-159; 3 TDs
RUSHING Vena: 18-25; 7 TDs Kimener: 4-19; 1 TD
TACKLES Parris: 11.5Murray: 11.5 Haith: 10.5
SACKS Parris: 2, Ward: 2 NA
INTERCEPTIONS Murray: 4 Sebastien: 2
KICKING Cirrincione: 18-22; 0-2 FG 18 PTS Russell: 7-11 PAT; 0-2 FG 7 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 50.0 PPG; 302.3 36.5 PPG; 238.5
TEAM DEFENSE 40.0 PPG; 257.0 41.0 PPG; 203.0


SPOKANE SHOCK (3-0) AT AMARILLO DUSTERS (0-2)
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2006 - Amarillo Civic Center (4,870) 8:00 P.M. ET
The No. 5-ranked Spokane Shock look to preserve their undefeated record when they visit the winless Amarillo Dusters on Saturday. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams. The Shock earned another come-from-behind victory last week, 44-41, at home against the Everett Hawks. WR/DB RAUL VIJIL spearheaded the Shock's offensive attack. Vijil caught eight passes for 121 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winner on a 30-yard reception from QB ALEX NEIST. The rookie also had one rushing score. On the defensive side of the ball, DS ROB KEEFE notched 8.0 total tackles and two interceptions. CHARLES FREDERICK had solid all-around play with three receptions, 26 yards, 50 kick return yards, and 2.5 tackles. The Shock defense withstood a stern challenge by the high-powered offense of the Hawks, but Everett's efforts were not enough to win. Amarillo suffered a home defeat last week, 61-44, to Midwest Division rival Oklahoma City. Yard Dawgz WR/DB Jarrail Jackson was the team's top playmaker, finishing the night with four touchdowns and 106 yards receiving. The game was closely contested throughout the first three quarters until Jackson scored three times during a crucial 21-6 run in the final quarter. OS JOSH RICHEY paced the Dusters in defeat with seven catches for 103 yards and two receiving scores. STEVE PANNELLA went 16-of-40 passing for 211 yards and no touchdowns. JARROD ROUANZOIN led Amarillo (0-2) with 4.5 tackles. The Dusters' defense is allowing nearly 60 points per game this season. Amarillo won't go quietly, however, and neither will their fans, who are always loud and proud at "The Cellar."

SHOCK DUSTERS
SERIES LEADER First Meeting
LAST MEETING NA
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-0 1-4
LAST GAME Won vs EVE 44-41 on 4/15/2006 Lost vs. OKC 61-44 on 4/15/2006
2006 LEADERS SHOCK DUSTERS
PASSING Neist: 106-62-4; 725; 10 TDs Panella: 85-39-0; 446; 6 TDs
RECEIVING Savage: 17-262; 2 TDs Richey: 15-209; 3 TD
RUSHING Neist: 7-12; 0 TDs McGinnis: 4-38; 2 TDs
TACKLES Keefe: 17, Lamar: 17 Mingo: 8
SACKS Purvis: 2 NA
INTERCEPTIONS Keefe: 4 Mingo: 1, Rouanzoin: 1
KICKING Koker: 14-17 PAT; 2-3 FG 20 PTS Felton: 7-8 PAT; 1-2 FG 10 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 44.7 PPG; 252.0 32.0 PPG; 247.0
TEAM DEFENSE 42.0 PPG; 215.7 59.5 PPG; 316.5


BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLE WINGS (0-2) AT TULSA TALONS (1-1)
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2006 - Tulsa Convention Center (7,111) 8:00 P.M. ET
The Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings head to Tulsa this week in their first road trip of 2006. The Battle Wings are looking to find a little better luck on the road than they found in their first two games at home. Head Coach JOHN FOURCADE has a young team that continues to learn. Last week they fell behind early against the Arkansas Twisters and weren't able to make up the difference in the second half, losing 55-35. Bossier-Shreveport were especially hurt by its mistakes, which included three interceptions and 15 penalties. One of the bright spots for the Battle Wings was WR/DB TERRELL SUTTON (game-high 8 catches, 85 yards, 1 TD, 1 rushing TD, 3.0 tackles, 1 TFL). Rookie QB J.J. RATERINK threw for 242 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. If it's a close game, Fourcade has confidence in K BRIAN HAZELWOOD, who last week connected on a 45-yard field goal and a 49-yard field goal against the Twisters. His 49-yarder is the longest field goal made in the af2 this year. The Tulsa Talons entertain the Battle Wings this week in their first home game of the season. The Talons evened their record last week on the strength of a 46-24 win at South Georgia. Tulsa's defensive line was a big factor in the win, totaling five sacks against the Wildcats. OL/DL CHAZ MURPHY was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game for his effort, which included two tackles and two sacks. WR/DB STEPHEN BATTLE added five catches for 55 yards and one score and also registered one tackle and one fumble recovery on defense to garner U.S. Army Ironman of the Game honors. On offense, rookie QB MARK RADLINSKI completed 25-of-38 passes for 228 yards and four touchdowns. OS DON MCGEE caught nine passes for 99 yards and one touchdown. Radlinski has been effective early in the season, completing 61.6 percent of his passes (45-of-73) with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. In their Week 2 loss at Rio Grande Valley, the Talons defense allowed 75 points and didn't force a single sack or interception.

BATTLE WINGS TALONS
SERIES LEADER Tulsa leads 6-1
LAST MEETING Tulsa won at Bossier 59-51 on 4/9/2005
LAST FIVE GAMES 0-5 2-3
LAST GAME Lost vs. ARK 55-35 on 4/15/2006 Won at SGW 46-24 on 4/15/2006
2006 LEADERS BATTLE WINGS TALONS
PASSING Raterink: 69-40-4; 396; 6 TDs Radlinski: 73-45-2; 492; 10 TDs
RECEIVING Rozier: 11-126; 2 TDs McGee: 15-159; 3 TDs
RUSHING Raterink: 5-10; 1 TDs Brown: 5-14; 0 TDs
TACKLES Franklin: 10, Patterson: 10 Shack: 9.5
SACKS Green: 1, Reed: 1 Murphy: 2
INTERCEPTIONS Johnson: 1 Murphy: 2
KICKING Hazelwood: 8-9 PAT; 2-7 FG 15 PTS Phillips: 8-13 PAT; 0-3 FG 8 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 34.5 PPG; 183.5 43.0 PPG; 256.0
TEAM DEFENSE 59.0 PPG; 330.0 49.5 PPG; 220.0


STOCKTON LIGHTNING (0-2) AT QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (0-2)
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2006 - The Mark of the Quad Cities (9,437) 8:15 P.M. ET
The expansion Stockton Lightning are approaching their third straight road game to start the season with a positive mindset despite their 0-2 start. Veteran Head Coach RICHARD DAVIS has had the benefit of a bye week to give his Lightning the spark they need to succeed against the Steamwheelers. Stockton's most recent result was a 60-50 defeat at Oklahoma City. Lightning QB JOSH BLANKENSHIP (af2 season-high 386 yards passing) and WR/DB GEORGE WILLIAMS (af2 season-high 202 receiving yards, five TDs) both had huge efforts in the loss. Oklahoma City's defense was able to slow the Lightning down enough to force stops on four possessions and that was the difference. Both of Stockton's losses have come against teams that are still undefeated (Spokane: 3-0, Oklahoma City: 2-0). The Lightning hope another high-powered performance from Blankenship and Williams will lead the team to their first victory in team history. The Steamwheelers are another team looking for their first victory of 2006. Last week in their first home game of the year, Quad City ran into a buzz saw in the Green Bay Blizzard. Former Steamwheeler signal caller QB Ronnie Gordon threw five touchdowns and ran for two more in Green Bay's convincing, 57-34, win. The Blizzard applied constant defensive pressure to Quad City QB TIM HICKS, forcing the veteran into a sub par showing of 244 passing yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. He was also sacked four times. JACK WALKER JR. led the Steamwheelers with 122 yards and one touchdown on nine catches. Defensively, TROY GRAHAM and SIDNEY LEWIS, who went out in the second quarter with an injury and later returned, both finished with 4.5 tackles. The Steamwheelers can point to two factors in the team's slow start - turnovers and pass protection. Currently Quad City is near the bottom of the league in turnover margin (-4) and sacks allowed (10). OS BO SMITH is the Steamwheelers leading receiver with 17 catches for 223 yards and five touchdowns.

LIGHTNING STEAMWHEELERS
SERIES LEADER First Meeting
LAST MEETING NA
LAST FIVE GAMES 0-2 1-4
LAST GAME Lost at OKC 50-60 on 4/8/2006 Lost vs. GBB 34-57 on 4/15/2006
2006 LEADERS LIGHTNING STEAMWHEELERS
PASSING Blankenship: 89-49-3; 582; 11 TDs Hicks: 80-51-3; 609; 11 TDs
RECEIVING Williams: 16-239; 6 TDs Smith: 20-251; 5 TDs
RUSHING Bowers: 2-8; 0 TD Dodge: 2-4; 1 TD
TACKLES Dennis: 8.5 Lewis: 10
SACKS Griffin: 1, Bolden: 1 Lobendahn: 0.5, Wilson: 0.5
INTERCEPTIONS Newson: 1 Horne: 1
KICKING Groshelle: 9-13 PAT; 1-3 FG 12 PTS Naehu: 6-10 PAT; 0-2 FG 6 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 45.0 PPG; 300.5 46.0 PPG; 303.0
TEAM DEFENSE 50.5 PPG; 222.5 62.5 PPG; 267.5




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MACON KNIGHTS (0-2) AT TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (1-2)
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2006 - Von Braun Center (6,642) 8:30 P.M. ET
The Macon Knights head to Huntsville, Ala. this week to face an old foe - the Tennessee Valley Vipers. Both teams are looking to gain some momentum in the ultra-competitive South Division. Macon's two losses to start the season have both come at home. The Knights most recent result was a 53-40 loss to the Florida Firecats last Saturday. The game was a back-and-forth affair until the Firecats forced Macon into several costly second-half turnovers. The Knights offense was keyed by the performance of U.S. Army Ironman of the Game, JAMES HICKENBOTHAM. Hickenbotham caught seven passes for 96 yards and three touchdowns. The Knights trailed by only six points entering the fourth quarter, 40-34, until QB CHAD ELLIOTT threw interceptions on the team's first two possessions of the final quarter. He finished with 340 yards passing and five touchdowns. The Knights defense faired well overall, but was unable to come up with the big turnover late in the game to bring the team back. DAMIAN PURSE led the way with 10.5 tackles. Purse will have to continue his strong play this week to offset the loss of veteran DS LEO FENCEROY, who was placed on league suspension on Thursday. Elliott and need to keep Macon's offense moving this week to earn a win in "The Snake Pit."
The Vipers enter this week's game a lot happier with the Memphis Xplorers not facing them on the other side of the ball. Tennessee Valley's return to the af2 in 2006 began with two of the team's first three games coming against the defending ArenaCup champions. Last week they fell victim to the Xplorers for the second time, 56-21. Tennessee Valley QB ROGER LINN struggled along with the rest of the Vipers offense, completing just 10-of-26 passes for 157 yards, one interception and no touchdowns. TORREY DAY led the Vipers receiving corps with six catches for 110 yards. The Tennessee Valley defense is led by rookie RASHAD GIBBS, who won the ADT Defensive Player of the Week Award two weeks ago. He currently leads the team with 3.0 sacks. TRAVIS BLANCHARD leads the squad with 16.0 stops on the season. Despite their losses to Memphis, the Vipers have tasted early season success with a Week 2 win (58-50) at South Georgia. With a rowdy home crowd and a solid effort on both sides of the ball, Tennessee Valley hopes to regain that winning form against Macon.

KNIGHTS VIPERS
SERIES LEADER Macon leads 4-3
LAST MEETING Tennessee Valley won 40-37 on 7/17/2004
LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 1-2
LAST GAME Lost vs FLA 53-40 on 4/15/2006 Lost at MEM 56-21 on 4/15/2006
2006 LEADERS KNIGHTS VIPERS
PASSING Elliott: 77-49-6; 577; 9 TDs Linn: 96-58-3; 606; 6 TDs
RECEIVING Hickenbotham: 12-160; 4 TDs Day: 18-188; 1 TD
RUSHING Lloyd: 4-10; 0 TDs Linn: 8-8; 0 TD
TACKLES Laney: 15 Blanchard: 16
SACKS Blatcher: 1 Gibbs: 3
INTERCEPTIONS Fenceroy: 2 Robinson: 2
KICKING Yoon: 3-8 PAT; 0-1 FG 3 PTS Lee: 8-14 PAT; 0-7 FG 8 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 32.5 PPG; 286.0 34.7 PPG; 213.3
TEAM DEFENSE 53.5 PPG; 355.5 51.0 PPG; 260.7



ARKANSAS TWISTERS (3-0) AT RIO GRANDE VALLEY DORADOS (2-1)
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2006 - Dodge Arena (5,500) 8:30 P.M. ET
In likely their toughest game of the season, the undefeated Arkansas Twisters (No. 2 in Coaches Poll) head deep into the heart of Texas to face the Rio Grande Valley Dorados. The Twisters' 3-0 start is their best in the team's seven-year history. Last week Arkansas rolled to a 55-35 victory at Bossier-Shreveport behind the performance of veteran LENNIE JOHNSON. The Arkansas State product intercepted two passes, caught two touchdown passes and ran for another earning his af2 record seventh U.S. Army Ironman of the Week award. Johnson, who returned to the field this season after playing one game in the last two seasons, leads the Twisters in receiving yards (254), rushing yards (31) and interceptions (2). Defensively, Arkansas has recorded a league-leading 11 sacks. Former AFL lineman C.J. MCCLAIN leads the team with 3.5 but not far behind is STEVE WATSON with 3.0. After losing their first contest of the season the Dorados have won twice and currently rank eleventh in the af2 Coaches' Poll. Last week the Dorados won on the road, defeating Birmingham in overtime. The Steeldogs went for the two-point conversion and the win in the extra session, but the Dorados defense held strong and came away with a hard fought road victory. Like the Twisters, the Dorados are a veteran team. JOSH KELLETT's three main receivers are all af2 veterans in DWIGHT COUNTER, MEL LONG and TRAVIS MCALPINE. All three are already in double digits for receptions on the young season. On defense, second year defensive specialist BRENT WITHERS ranks second in the league and first on the Dorados in tackles with 23.5. He has controlled the secondary for a defense that has given up an average of 41.5 points in their last two games. While the Dorados and Twisters are both experienced teams on the field, the Twisters' JOHN GREGORY has the edge in head coaching experience over first year head coach MARTY HAMMOND. Gregory, who was named Twisters head coach in the middle of last season, owns a career 73-57 AFL head coaching record including earning AFL Coach of the Year honors twice. Hammond worked under former Dorados head coach and current San Jose SaberCats (AFL) offensive coordinator KEVIN GUY. A win by Hammond and the Dorados would make an early statement while a Twisters victory would make them early favorites in the competitive Midwest Division.

TWISTERS DORADOS
SERIES LEADER Arkansas leads 1-0
LAST MEETING Arkansas won at Rio Grande 42-28 on 7/24/2004
LAST FIVE GAMES 5-0 3-2
LAST GAME Lost at BIR 36-41 on 4/8/2006 Won vs. STO 41-40 on 3/30/2006
2006 LEADERS TWISTERS DORADOS
PASSING Church: 89-59-4; 811; 22 TDs Kellett: 125-72-5; 779; 16 TDs
RECEIVING Kilow: 17-242; 7 TDs Counter: 22-257; 4 TDs
RUSHING Alford: 4-31; 1 TD Brody: 4-14; 0 TDs
TACKLES Mitchell-Hughey: 17, Alford: 17 Withers: 23.5
SACKS McClain: 3.5 Jeter: 1
INTERCEPTIONS Johnson: 2 Long: 1, Thomas: 1
KICKING Pohlman: 10-18 PAT; 0-0 FG 10 PTS Bell: 16-21 PAT; 1-4 FG 19 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 60.3 PPG; 288.3 51.0 PPG; 271.3
TEAM DEFENSE 37.7 PPG; 269.3 49.3 PPG; 222.7

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