af2 arenafootball2

af2 week four Saturday night matchups

April 20, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


GREEN BAY BLIZZARD (1-1) AT ALBANY CONQUEST (0-2)

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2007 - Times Union Center (13,901) 7:00 P.M. ET

* Broadcast via B2 Networks

The Albany Conquest (0-2) look to bounce back after a Week 3 loss as they return to the friendly confines of the Times Union Center to face the Green Bay Blizzard (1-1). The Blizzard hope they have found their man at quarterback after ZEKE DIXON threw three touchdowns and rushed for 21 yards and a score last week in a 35-32 victory over Manchester. DANNY DONALDSON and SCOTT BURNOSKI both have three touchdown receptions for the Blizzard on the season. On the defensive side of the ball rookie STEPHEN CASON leads the team in tackles with 14.5 (14UA). The former member of the William & Mary Tribe also has an interception for Green Bay this season. Albany is still looking for their first win of the season but have reason to hope due to the play of QB RYAN HART. The quarterback position is the most difficult position to learn in Arena Football and the rookie from Rutgers has shown some promise throwing for 594 yards and 13 scores in two games. He has found veteran receiver ANTWUN WILLIAMS 14 times for 151 yards and five scores. On defense the Conquest have three players with two tackles for a loss, including RICK JONES and his two sacks. Albany and Green Bay are former division rivals and have six previous meetings, splitting the contests 3-3. They played one of the most memorable games in league history in 2005 when the teams combined for an af2-record 170 points in Albany's 88-82 overtime victory.

BLIZZARD CONQUEST SERIES LEADER Tied 3-3

LAST MEETING Green Bay won 56-51 on 5/27/2006

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 0-5

LAST GAME Won 35-32 vs. Manchester on 4/13 Lost 43-52 at WB/Scranton on 4/14

2007 LEADERS BLIZZARD CONQUEST PASSING Dixon: 27-16-1; 213; 4 TDs Hart: 75-47-1; 594; 13 TDs

RECEIVING Donaldson: 11-139; 3 TDs Williams: 14-151; 5 TDs

RUSHING Ficklin: 11-29; 1 TD Hart: 3-8; 0 TD

TACKLES Cason: 14.5 Washington: 11.0

SACKS Hardee and May: 1 Jones: 2

INTERCEPTIONS Amadi and Cason: 1 Washington: 1

KICKING Forstrom: 2-5 PAT; 1-3 FG; 5 PTs Glas: 10-13 PAT; 2-3 FG; 16 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 199.0 YPG; 31.5 PPG 296.0 YPG; 51.0 PPG

TEAM DEFENSE 190.0 YPG; 34.0 PPG 263.5 YPG; 58.0 PPG

CINCINNATI JUNGLE KATS (0-2) AT MAHONING VALLEY THUNDER (2-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2007 - Chevrolet Centre (6,100) 7:05 P.M. ET

* Broadcast via B2 Networks

Starting their first season with a 2-0 record, Mahoning Valley comes off their bye week to host 0-2 Cincinnati in Youngstown, Ohio for these expansion teams' first-ever matchup. The Jungle Kats still look for their first win after losing a close one last week at Louisville, 61-54. QB EDDIE EVISTON led Cincinnati's offense through the first two contests, completing 42 passes for 544 yards and nine touchdowns, but KELVIN ROBINSON is expected to get his first start this week for Cincinnati due to Eviston's recent departure. DB DESMOND WASHINGTON leads the defense with 17.0 tackles. Mahoning Valley, ranked No. 8 in the lastest Coaches Poll, is led by veteran QB GLEN GAUNTT. Gauntt hopes to perform just as well this week as he did in Week 2's win at Albany, where he completed 23 passes for 247 yards and eight touchdowns. Gauntt's main target on the young season has been WR KENNY JOHNSON. Johnson leads the team in receiving with 17 catches for 123 yards and three touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, WR/DB MARIO BUTLER keeps the Thunder tough with 15.5 tackles while ANTON CEASER and BRANDON BROWN have recorded 2.0 sacks apiece. The Jungle Kats will need a steady game from Robinson and company to make noise against the Thunder.

JUNGLE KATS THUNDER SERIES LEADER First meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 0-2 2-0

LAST GAME Lost 54-61 at Louisville on 4/13 Won 64-59 at Albany on 4/6

2007 LEADERS JUNGLE KATS THUNDER PASSING Eviston: 65-42-2; 544; 9 TDs Gauntt: 74-43-4; 451; 12 TDs

RECEIVING Graham: 16-161; 4 TDs Johnson: 17-123; 3 TDs

RUSHING Lewis: 4-2; 0 TD Frost: 6-15; 2 TDs

TACKLES Washington: 17.0 Butler: 15.5

SACKS Jackson: 2.0 Ceaser and Brown: 2.0

INTERCEPTIONS N/A Taylor and Majors: 1

KICKING Obert: 6-6 PAT; 1-3 FG; 9 PTs Schorejs: 13-16 PAT; 1-4 FG; 16 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 37.5 PPG; 273.0 YPG 56.0 PPG; 221.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 71.0 PPG; 295.5 YPG 49.5 PPG; 309.5 YPG

FORT WAYNE FUSION (2-1) AT MANCHESTER WOLVES (0-2)

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2007 - Verizon Wireless Arena (9,650) 7:05 P.M. ET

* Broadcast via B2 Networks

After opening the season on the road the Manchester Wolves (0-2) return to New Hampshire for their home opener against the Fort Wayne Fusion (2-1) at the Verizon Wireless Arena. The Fusion have started their expansion season strong defeating both 2006 Conference Champions. In Week 1 they took down Green Bay and last week the Fusion outlasted the Spokane Shock in a game which featured four touchdowns, including two kickoff returns for scores in the final minute of the game. Even with all this action the game still came down to a red zone stand by the Fusion defense to hold on for the 63-56 victory. The winning Fusion score was a 42-yard touchdown pass to af2 veteran CESARE MANNING on a third down play. Manning provides the experience in the Fusion receiving corps while JERMAINE JACKSON provides the excitement. Jackson leads the Fusion in receiving with 24 catches for 246 yards and four touchdowns. Manning and Jackson could be getting the ball more but R.J. HARVEY is a constant threat returning kickoffs. On the season Harvey has returned 16 kicks for 427 yards and two touchdowns. Both are league highs. As exciting as Fort Wayne has been on offense, Manchester has a one-two punch of their own in JARRAIL JACKSON and ARI CONFESOR. Jackson, the former Oklahoma City Yard Dawg, leads the team in receptions with 18. Confessor is second on the squad with 13 receptions but Confessor has turned his 13 chances into a team leading 220 yards and four touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball the Wolves have a rookie from Clemson, MAURICE FOUNTAIN, making some noise on the line. The former Tiger has recorded two sacks to lead the team. If Manchester defeats Fort Wayne it would be their first victory in a home opener for the Wolves since their move to New Hampshire in 2004.

FUSION WOLVES SERIES LEADER First meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 2-1 2-3

LAST GAME Won 63-56 vs. Spokane on 4/15 Lost 32-35 at Green Bay on 4/13

2007 LEADERS FUSION WOLVES PASSING Hodges: 98-55-3; 608; 13 TDs Zbydiewski: 86-46-4; 556; 9 TDs

RECEIVING Jackson: 24-246; 4 TDs Jackson: 18-144; 3 TDs

RUSHING Hodges: 19-104; 7 TDs Fichter: 6-9; 0 TD

TACKLES Williams: 25.5 Pugh: 10.5

SACKS Four Players: 1 N/A

INTERCEPTIONS Maxwell and Williams: 1 Bailey: 1

KICKING Weller: 5-8 PAT; 1-3 FG; 8 PTs Pohlman: 4-7 PAT; 0-3 FG; 4 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 241.7 YPG; 50.3 PPG 285.5 YPG; 34.0 PPG

TEAM DEFENSE 271.7 YPG; 50.3 PPG 228.5 YPG; 42.5 PPG

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS (2-0) AT FLORIDA FIRECATS (3-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2007 - Germain Arena (7,128) 8:30 P.M. ET

* Broadcast via B2 Networks

The af2 Coaches Poll says the game of the week is in Estero, Florida as the No. 1 ranked Florida Firecats (3-0) host the No. 4 ranked Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (2-0) at Germain Arena. The Firecats are off to their usual hot start, winning their first three games by an average of 33 points. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is hitting the road for the first time this season after defeating division foes Manchester and Albany at home to start their campaign. The game will feature two of af2's veteran quarterbacks in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's RYAN VENA and Florida's CHRIS WALLACE. Vena has played three previous seasons in af2, making a name for himself as a member of the Albany Conquest. In 2007 Vena joined the rival Pioneers and has quickly acclimated himself to his new surroundings throwing for 493 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season. Most importantly Vena has yet to throw an interception. Wallace is as steady as they come in af2. He is second in the league with 746 passing yards and is tied for the league lead with 20 touchdowns. Wallace's staple of dependable receivers in Florida only improved this offseason with the addition of af2 veteran CHRIS MCKINNEY. McKinney has 10 catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns on the season. Those aren't typical McKinney numbers but with arguably af2's best receiver of all time in MAGIC BENTON on the roster, McKinney has found other ways to contribute to the Firecats. He has returned five kickoffs for 139 yards and one touchdown and returned a fumble 23 yards for a touchdown. He even tied the league record for longest rush from scrimmage with his 49-yard touchdown run against Texas in Week 2. The Firecats have never lost to the Pioneers, including playoffs wins in both 2004 and 2005.

PIONEERS FIRECATS SERIES LEADER Florida leads 4-0

LAST MEETING Florida won 56-51 on 7/5/2006

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 4-1

LAST GAME Won 52-43 vs. Albany on 4/14 Won 54-13 at Texas on 4/6

2007 LEADERS PIONEERS FIRECATS PASSING Vena: 73-48-0; 493; 12 TDs Wallace: 99-61-2; 746; 20 TDs

RECEIVING Saviour: 18-206; 4 TDs Benton: 21-229; 5 TDs

RUSHING Glover: 3-19; 1 TD McKinney: 3-48-1 TD

TACKLES Royal: 15.5 Brown: 24.0

SACKS Harding: 1 Drayton: 2.5

INTERCEPTIONS Hollister and Kendrick: 1 Brown: 4

KICKING Davis: 12-14 PAT; 2-3 FG; 18 PTs Eminger: 18-23 PAT; 0-2 FG; 18 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 51.0 PPG; 262.0 YPG 56.7 PPG; 270.3 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 39.5 PPG; 288.0 YPG 23.0 PPG; 179.0 YPG

TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (1-1) AT SOUTH GEORGIA WILDCATS (2-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2007 - Albany Civic Center (8,034) 7:30 P.M. ET

South Georgia (2-1) hosts Tennessee Valley (1-1) in Albany, Georgia where they both take the field after suffering losses in Week 3. The Vipers look to bounce back after a home loss to No.1-ranked Florida. DL ANTHONY ANDRIANO leads the Viper defense with three sacks on the season. Tennessee Valley is one up in the series, 2-1, against the Wildcats and hope to make it 3-1 with QB TONY COLSTON in command. He will likely get the start again under center, but may give way to recent addition CHRIS GUNN, who started for the Vipers in 2006. Colston has completed 34 passes for five touchdowns through two games. South Georgia will have to look out for Viper WR/DB TRAVIS BLANCHARD who leads the league in kick returns. He had a 56-yard kickoff return TD against the Firecats last week. Wildcats QB D. BRYANT leads the league in passing yards (786) and passer rating (130.3). He is also tied for the league lead in touchdown passes with 20 touchdowns so far in 2007. Bryant found WR JAMES ROBINSON five times for 125 yards and two scores touchdowns last week. He is currently third in the league for receiving yards with 346. Defensively, DB ROLAND COLA leads the team in tackles with 16.5 while DL ED WANGLER has a team-high 2.0 sacks. This should be a interesting affair featuring two teams who are out to get back in the win column.

VIPERS WILDCATS SERIES LEADER Tennessee Valley leads 2-1

LAST MEETING South Georgia won 82-37 on 7/15/2006

LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 2-3

LAST GAME Lost 34-61 vs. Florida on 4/13 Lost 54-57 at Alabama on 4/12

2007 LEADERS VIPERS WILDCATS PASSING Colston: 61-34-4; 278; 5 TDs Bryant: 83-59-2; 786; 20 TDs

RECEIVING Freeman: 10-76; 2 TDs Robinson: 16-346; 7 TDs

RUSHING Freeman: 2-19; 0 TD Lloyd: 11-26; 3 TDs

TACKLES Burrell: 9.5 Cola: 16.5

SACKS Andriano: 3.0 Wangler: 2.0

INTERCEPTIONS Three Players: 1 Golden: 2

KICKING Lee: 4-10 PAT; 0-5 FG; 4 PTs Yoon: 14-26 PAT; 0-0 FG; 14 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 39.0 PPG; 141.0 YPG 59.3 PPG; 317.7 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 44.0 PPG; 200.5 YPG 47.0 PPG; 318.0 YPG

LUBBOCK RENEGADES (0-2) AT SPOKANE SHOCK (1-2)

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2007 - Spokane Arena (9,909) 8:00 P.M. ET

* Broadcast via B2 Networks

The Shock return home after a loss last week at Fort Wayne to face the expansion Lubbock Renegades at Spokane Arena. Lubbock came up just short in their home opener last week against Arkansas, losing 51-48 to the Twisters. For the Renegades to find success they will need more consistent play from young quarterback JUSTIN MIDGETT. He has shown some flashes but has struggled to avoid turning the ball over with six interceptions on the season. The Renegades have found success on the ground with VICTOR MANN. The former Kansas State Wildcat has rushed seven times for 34 yards and two touchdowns. After going 14-2 during the regular season last year the Shock find themselves in the middle of their first back-to-back losses in franchise history. Looking to turn the Shock's fortunes around will be the one-two punch of receivers ANTWONE SAVAGE and RAUL VIJIL. Savage is tied for the league lead in scoring with 54 points and is tied for second in the league in receptions with 28. Savage is only out done by Vijil, who has grabbed 30 catches on the season to lead all of af2. If a positive can be found in last week's loss at Fort Wayne, it may be that the Shock have settled on a quarterback. After coming into the season trying to decide between ANDRICO HINES and MATT GUTIERREZ, Hines made a big statement last week throwing for 321 yards and five touchdowns on 31-of-39 passing with no interceptions. The Shock will need to be on the lookout for former South Georgia standout JAMES MCCOY. The WR/DB from North Carolina A&T has returned 19 kickoffs for 191 yards and one touchdown. On defense McCoy leads the team in tackles with 11.0 (8UA). He has also picked off a pass and assisted on a tackle for a loss. Lubbock is still searching for its first af2 win. It may be a tall order for the Renegades this week as they face what is sure to be an angry Shock team and a raucous Spokane crowd.

RENEGADES SHOCK SERIES LEADER First meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 0-2 3-2

LAST GAME Lost 48-51 vs. Arkansas Lost 56-63 at Fort Wayne

2007 LEADERS RENEGADES SHOCK PASSING Midgett: 77-35-6; 483; 6 TDs Hines: 97-71-5; 729; 11 TDs

RECEIVING Hawkins: 13-144; 2 TDs Vijil: 30-356; 5 TDs

RUSHING Mann: 7-34; 1 TD Brown: 12-29; 4 TDs

TACKLES McCoy: 11.0 Teems and Rogers: 14.0

SACKS Scott: 1.0 Three Players: 1.0

INTERCEPTIONS Walker and McCoy: 1 Keefe: 2

KICKING Toogood: 6-10 PAT; 0-4 FG; 6 PTs Koker: 17-20 PAT; 1-3 FG; 20 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 37.0 PPG; 257.5 YPG 50.7 PPG; 307.7 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 56.0 PPG; 231.0 YPG 52.7 PPG; 270.0 YPG

LOUISVILLE FIRE (1-2) AT ALABAMA STEELDOGS (1-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2007 - Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Complex (16,000) 8:00 P.M. ET

The Steeldogs host Louisville this week in Birmingham with both teams attempting to win their second game in a row. Louisville's veteran QB MATT SAUK, one of the af2's all-time greatest quarterbacks, has begun the season with 52 completions for 589 yards and eleven touchdowns. Rookie WR TIGER JONES leads the squad with 340 yards receiving and four scores. He has had three straight 100-yard receiving games to start the year. K DAVE HENDRIX has booted three field goals so far and racked up 22 points. DB RUSTY MIDLAM (11.5 tackles - 11UA) and FB/LB DEMETRIUS FORNEY (2.0 sacks) keep the fire defense running hot. Alabama is out to break the current 4-4 series tie and pull ahead with the help of QB ROBERT KENT. Kent has completed 32 passes for two touchdowns. He also leads the team is rushing with 55 yards and three scores. Alabama's defense stands strong with DB ERIC OLIVER taking names with 13 tackles. The Steeldogs will have to shut down Sauk if they want to win their second straight game in front of their home crowd.

FIRE STEELDOGS SERIES LEADER Tied 4-4

LAST MEETING Alabama won 63-60 on 5/5/2006

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 1-4

LAST GAME Won 61-54 vs. Cincinnati on 4/13 Won 57-54 vs. South Georgia on 4/12

2007 LEADERS FIRE STEELDOGS PASSING Sauk: 86-52-1; 589; 11 TDs Kent: 64-32-2; 288; 2 TDs

RECEIVING Jones: 28-340; 4 TDs Cooper: 13-146; 0 TD

RUSHING Forney: 18-48; 5 TDs Kent: 9-55; 3 TDs

TACKLES Midlam: 11.5 Oliver: 13.0

SACKS Forney: 2.0 Deboise: 1.0

INTERCEPTIONS Forbes: 1 N/A

KICKING Hendrix: 13-19 PAT; 3-4 FG; 22 PTs Hayes: 9-12 PAT; 1-4 FG; 6 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 55.3 PPG; 287.3 YPG 42 PPG; 228.5 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 62.7 PPG; 266.7 YPG 49 PPG; 237.5 YPG

TULSA TALONS (2-0) AT LAREDO LOBOS (0-2)

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2007 - Laredo Entertainment Center (8,067) 8:05 P.M. ET

The No.3-ranked Tulsa Talons head to Laredo this Saturday for their first-ever meeting with the expansion Laredo Lobos. The Talons have looked strong to start the 2007 campaign, recording their two wins in convincing fashion. Tulsa's most recent result was a 77-44 home win in Week 3 against the Amarillo Dusters. QB JOSH BLANKENSHIP directs a potent offense that is averaging 69.0 points per game. The Talons are loaded at receiver with veterans like ANDRE FORDE and DONOVAN MORGAN in the mix. Forde leads the team in receiving with 11 catches for 148 yards and six touchdowns through two contests. Defensively, veteran DB DELENELL REID keys Tulsa's strong secondary with a team-high 15.5 tackles. Laredo is glad to be home after suffering a 72-49 road loss at Rio Grande Valley last week. In that contest, the Lobos hung tough for two quarters before being outscored 32-13 in the second half. Laredo is led on offense by QB DANIEL FORREST. The team's top receiver is WR SHAWN ROCHON (12 catches, 138 yards, 3 TDs). DB LARON RAGSDALE and WR/DB EDDIE GIDDINGS are two players to watch for on defense. The Lobos need a win, but it might be a tall order to clip the Talons this week.

TALONS LOBOS SERIES LEADER First meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meetings

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 0-2

LAST GAME Won 77-44 vs. Amarillo on 4/14 Lost 49-72 at Rio Grande on 4/14

2007 LEADERS TALONS LOBOS PASSING Blankenship: 48-30-2; 371; 13 TDs Forrest: 37-23-2; 207; 5 TDs

RECEIVING Forde: 11-148; 6 TDs Rochon: 12-138; 3 TDs

RUSHING Shack: 3-8; 1 TD Chilsom: 2-19; 0 TD

TACKLES Reid: 15..5 Scifres: 2.0

SACKS Ransom and Jones: 1.0 Bentz: 1.0

INTERCEPTIONS Reid and Hughley: 1 Ragsdale and Giddings: 1

KICKING Phillips: 18-18 PAT; 2-2 FG; 24 PTs Scifres: 5-5 PAT; 1-3 FG; 8 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 69.0 PPG; 200.5 YPG 47.5 PPG; 539.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 37.0 PPG; 251.0 YPG 62.0 PPG; 549.0 YPG

QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (3-0) AT OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (1-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2007 - Ford Center (17,884) 8:05 P.M. ET

* Broadcast via B2 Networks

The unbeaten Steamwheelers (No. 2 in latest Coaches Poll) visit Oklahoma City this week for a battle with the Yard Dawgz, who are fresh off their first win of the season in Week 3. Quad City has been hard to handle so far in 2007 thanks to a potent offense which is averaging 68.7 points per game. QB J.J. RATERINK is the trigger man of the unit. In three games, he's tossed 14 touchdowns against just two interceptions. He's near the top of the league leaderboard in a host of passing categories. His main target is WR KRIS PETERS, who ranks second in the af2 in receiving yards (348) and is tied for the top spot in receiving scores with eight. FB/LB JERMAINE PETTY has also been a force on both sides of the ball, leading the team in rushing yards (50), rushing touchdowns (6-2nd in af2), and sacks (3.0). DB KEVIN ADAMS is tied for the af2 lead in interceptions with four. Oklahoma City, ranked No. 12 in the latest Coaches Poll, is in good spirits after a strong Week 3 road win at Corpus Christi, 76-42. QB STAN HILL shook off a tough start to the season with an impressive showing last Saturday. Hill earned the Schutt Offensive Player of the Week Award on Tuesday with af2 season highs in passing yards (402) and touchdowns (10) in the team's win against the Sharks. WR DANNY HOWARD leads the team in receiving with 17 catches for 211 yards and five TDs. Veteran DB JON HOLLAND leads the defense with 15.0 total tackles. This is the home opener for the Yard Dawgz, so expect the team to be fired up, especially in light of their highly-ranked opponent. Despite Oklahoma City's emotional start, expect Quad City to keep steamin' ahead.

STEAMWHEELERS YARD DAWGZ SERIES LEADER Tied 1-1

LAST MEETING Oklahoma City won 56-49 on 5/28/2005

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 2-3

LAST GAME Won 65-38 vs. Boise on 4/13 Won 76-42 at Corpus Christi on 4/14

2007 LEADERS STEAMWHEELERS YARD DAWGZ PASSING Raterink: 88-59-2; 695; 14 TDs Hill: 53-37-2; 489; 11 TDs

RECEIVING Peters: 23-348; 8 TDs Howard: 17-211; 5 TDs

RUSHING Petty: 16-50; 6 TDs Howard: 1-16; 0 TD

TACKLES Adams: 21.5 Holland: 15.0

SACKS Petty: 3.0 Three Players: 1.0

INTERCEPTIONS Adams: 4 Priestley: 1

KICKING Naehu: 22-29 PAT; 0-1 FG; 22 PTs Belmonte: 12-14 PAT; 0-3 FG; 6 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 68.7 PPG; 295.7 YPG 49.0 PPG; 339.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 34.7 PPG; 300.0 YPG 48.5 PPG; 230.0 YPG

BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLE WINGS (2-0) AT RIO GRANDE VALLEY DORADOS (2-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2007 - Dodge Arena (5,500) 8:00 P.M. ET

In one of the best matchups of Week 4, the unbeaten Battle Wings head to Hidalgo, Texas to tackle the undefeated Dorados. This is Bossier-Shreveport's first road game of the season after opening up with two straight home games. The Battle Wings are off to a fast start thanks to former Cowboys QB QUINCY CARTER directing the offense and DE ELEX REED and DB KENDRICK "BOSS" WALKER menacing the opposition on defense. Bossier-Shreveport are coming off a 52-0 win against Texas in Week 3 in what was only the second shutout in af2 history. The defense, led by Reed's af2-record 6.0 sacks, was suffocating. They group tied an af2 single-game record with 11 sacks overall. Through two contests, Carter has been as good as expected, throwing 11 touchdowns with just one interception and completing 38-of-59 passes for 459 yards. His top target thus far has been WR/KR JAMAAL PERRY. Perry has posted a team-high 17 catches for 226 yards and four scores. Walker has a team-high three interceptions in 2007. The Battle Wings are currently ranked No. 5 in the Coaches Poll, the highest ranking the club has ever had. Rio Grande Valley enters the week ranked No. 7 overall after convincing wins the past two weekends. The Dorados most recent result was a 72-49 home win against Laredo. WR GEORGE WILLIAMS was a one-man against the Lobos, posting af2-season highs in points (36), receiving yards (196) and receiving scores (6). QB JOSH KELLETT is the veteran in charge of the offense. He's thrown 10 touchdowns in the early season with just one interception. Defensively, the team is led by LB ANDRE BURNS (team-high 9.0 tackles, 1 sack) and DB TORRY JOUBERT (7.0 tackles, 1 INT). This week Rio Grande Valley welcomes back WR/DB CHRIS CANTY. Canty is a veteran who has played in the NFL, AFL and was one of the Dorados' top playmakers in 2006. This should be a tightly-contested affair featuring two of the top-tier teams in the league.

BATTLE WINGS DORADOS SERIES LEADER Rio Grande Valley leads 3-2

LAST MEETING Rio Grande Valley won 61-48 on 7/1/2006

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-2

LAST GAME Won 52-0 vs. Texas on 4/14 Won 72-49 vs. Laredo on 4/14

2007 LEADERS BATTLE WINGS DORADOS PASSING Carter: 59-38-1; 459; 11 TDs Kellett: 50-30-1; 426; 10 TDs

RECEIVING Perry: 17-226; 4 TDs Williams: 16-273; 8 TDs

RUSHING Schule: 9-75; 3 TDs Gatlin: 10-68; 2 TDs

TACKLES Reed: 11.0 Burns: 9.0

SACKS Reed: 6.5 Staton: 2.0

INTERCEPTIONS Walker: 3 Joubert and Williams: 1

KICKING Hazelwood: 14-16 PAT; 1-2 FG; 17 PTs Broadwell: 11-19 PAT; 1-1 FG; 14 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 59.5 PPG; 278.0 YPG 69.0 PPG; 274.5 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 52.0 PPG; 194.0 YPG 38.5 PPG; 174.5 YPG

CORPUS CHRISTI SHARKS (0-2) AT TEXAS COPPERHEADS (0-2)

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2007 - Berry Center (8,231) 8:30 P.M. ET

Two new Texas af2 teams lock up in Week 4 as Corpus Christi travels to Houston to take on the Copperheads. The bad news is both teams are still searching for their first league victory. The good news is one will get it on Saturday. The Sharks, who hit the road for the first time, will likely start rookie QB JOHN DE LOS SANTOS for the second straight week. Despite Corpus Christi's most recent 76-42 loss in Week 3, De Los Santos completed 23-of-32 passes for 206 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception. WR BRANDON HUSSEY caught 17 (af2 season high) of his throws for 117 yards and three scores. He leads the team with 181 yards receiving on the season and five TDs. DB DONTE KING leads the team in tackles with 10.5 tackles. Texas is happy to be home again after suffering through a 52-0 setback at Bossier-Shreveport in Week 3. Head Coach BRYAN BLAKE made some roster moves this week, however, and feels the team is ready to turn the corner. WR JAROD FULLER leads the squad with nine catches for 91 yards and one touchdown. FB PATRICK NORTON has a team-best 27 yards rushing and one score. DB VICTOR MALONE has posted a team-high 7.5 tackles on the year. The Copperheads, however, haven't struggled against bad teams, they've played two of the best in the af2, including the top-ranked Florida Firecats in Week 1. Corpus-Christi may have a slight edge this week, however, as their offense has been more productive early on.

SHARKS COPPERHEADS SERIES LEADER First meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 0-2 0-2

LAST GAME Lost 42-76 vs. Oklahoma City on 4/14 Lost 0-52 vs. Bossier-Shrev. On 4/14

2007 LEADERS SHARKS COPPERHEADS PASSING De Los Santos: 42-27-2; 267; 7 TDs Eckert: 51-25-5; 224; 1 TD

RECEIVING Hussey: 22-181; 5 TDs Fuller: 9-91; 1 TD

RUSHING Hussey: 1-7; 0 TD Norton: 14-27; 1 TD

TACKLES King: 10.5 Malone: 7.5

SACKS N/A Highshaw: 1.0

INTERCEPTIONS Robinson: 1 Abii: 1

KICKING Onorato: 7-9 PAT; 1-4 FG; 10 PTs Gatto: 1-2 PAT; 0-7 FG; 1 PT

TEAM OFFENSE 35.0 PPG; 157.5 YPG 13.0 PPG; 117.5 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 71.0 PPG; 346.0 YPG 53.0 PPG; 294.5 YPG

EVERETT HAWKS (0-2) AT BOISE BURN (1-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2007 - Qwest Arena (5,006) 9:00 P.M. ET

* Broadcast via B2 Networks

The Hawks are still searching for their first win and fly to Boise this week to tackle the expansion Burn at Qwest Arena. The game will be broadcast on the internet via B2 Networks. Everett has hurt themselves early in 2007 with turnovers, lots of them. In two games, the Hawks have committed 11 turnovers (9 fumbles, 2 INTs), six at Tulsa and five at Central Valley. They currently rank at the bottom in the af2 in turnover margin at -8. After recovering with a bye in Week 3, the team remains confident that with fewer mistakes, their talent will make a difference. Leading the group under center again this week will be QB BEN BOWLING. Bowling has completed just 17-of-41 passes through two games for three scores and one interception. His top target is WR/DB LAMONTE JONES, the reigning af2 Ironman of the Year. Jones has 19 catches for 190 yards and three TDs on the season. FB VAI NOTOA leads the squad in rushing with 37 yards and three scores. DB CHARLES EALY leads the defensive group with 9.0 tackles, one interception and five pass breakups. Despite their most recent result at Quad City (65-38, WK3), the Burn should be excited as they prepare to entertain their new fans for the first time ever. Boise has a lot of familiar faces to area football fans. One is QB BART HENDRICKS, former Boise State signal caller. Hendricks has thrown six touchdowns through two games with two interceptions. One of his go-to-guys on offense is WR/DB LEE MARKS, another Boise St. alum. Marks has recorded two receiving touchdowns on offense and 8.0 tackles on defense. WR CASEY ALLEN is the team's top receiver with 17 catches for 200 yards and three scores. DB BRANDON HAZENBURG has a team-best two interceptions. Boise fans should get an action-packed contest in their first taste of Arena Football.

HAWKS BURN SERIES LEADER First meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 0-5 1-1

LAST GAME Lost 31-74 at Central Valley on 4/7 Lost 38-65 at Quad City on 4/13

2007 LEADERS HAWKS BURN PASSING Bowling: 41-17-1; 204; 3 TDs Hendricks: 57-35-2; 373; 6 TDs

RECEIVING Jones: 19-190; 3 TDs Allen: 17-200; 3 TDs

RUSHING Notoa: 11-37; 3 TDs Beardall: 7-21; 2 TDs

TACKLES Ealy: 9.0 Bruhn: 11.0

SACKS Pratt: 1.0 N/A

INTERCEPTIONS Ealy and Dunklin: 1 Hazenburg: 2

KICKING Yliniemi: 1-3 PAT; 0-3 FG; 1 PT Beardall: 8-11 PAT; 3-3 FG; 17 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 30.5 PPG; 216.0 YPG 47.5 PPG; 218.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 67.5 PPG; 168.5 YPG 58.5 PPG; 258.0 YPG

STOCKTON LIGHTNING (1-1) AT BAKERSFIELD BLITZ (2-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2007 - Rabobank Arena (9,000) 10:00 P.M. ET

* Broadcast via B2 Networks

The Lightning lock up with West Division foe Bakersfield in a featured game broadcast via B2 Networks. Stockton is in good spirits after an uplifting last-second win last week against Central Valley. K ALEX WALLS drilled a 39-yard field goal as time expired to propel the Lightning. QB DERRICK CRUDUP had a solid showing in the win with 241 yards passing and four touchdowns. SALE' KEY (24 catches, 269 yards) and KENYATTE MORGAN (12 catches, 146 yards) are the team's top playmakers with four touchdown receptions each. DB TRAVIS SEATON leads the team with 14.5 tackles and six pass breakups. The Blitz enter this week's game at 2-0, but have had to earn their two wins. Both victories, Week 1 at Laredo and Week 3 at Tri-Cities, came down to the final moments. The Blitz, however, are a veteran group and will be ready to go in their home opener. Bakersfield (No. 6 in latest Coaches Poll) is led offensively by WR/DB DERONN FINLEY (6 TDs - 3 rushing, 3 receiving) and WR REYNARD RENNOLDS (3 receiving TDs). On the defensive side, WR/DB NATHAN MUNSON (9.0 tackles, 3 INTs, 1 INT return TD, 1 kick return TD, 1 receiving TD) and LB BEN MCCOMBS (3.0 sacks) are two players to watch. Stockton is much improved over a year ago, and should give the Blitz another close call.

LIGHTNING BLITZ SERIES LEADER Bakersfield leads 2-1

LAST MEETING Bakersfield won 72-51 on 7/22/2006

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 4-1

LAST GAME 50-47 vs. Central Valley on 4/14 Won 48-45 at Tri-Cities on 4/14

2007 LEADERS LIGHTNING BLITZ PASSING Crudup: 72-46-2; 496; 9 TDs Elliott: 58-32-5; 365; 7 TDs

RECEIVING Key: 24-269; 4 TDs Mahanke: 17-162; 1 TD

RUSHING Crudup: 10-48; 0 TD Onaindia: 8-22; 1 TD

TACKLES Seaton: 14.5 Munson: 9.0

SACKS Hawkins: 1.0 McCombs: 3.0

INTERCEPTIONS Johnson: 1 Munson: 3

KICKING Walls: 11-11 PAT; 2-2 FG; 17 PTs Baker: 10-15 PAT; 2-3 FG; 16 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 42.5 PPG; 279.5 YPG 53.0 PPG; 285.5 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 49.0 PPG; 255.0 YPG 48.5 PPG; 270.0 YPG

TRI-CITIES FEVER (0-2) AT CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (1-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2007 - Selland Arena (5,006) 10:00 P.M. ET

The Fever travel to Fresno, Calif. looking for their first af2 win against West Division foe Central Valley. Tri-Cities is coming off a close loss in Week 3 at home against Bakersfield, 48-45. WR/LB ROBERT GARTH (5 catches, 97 yards, 2 TDs, had a good overall game, but saw a potential game-winning TD catch slip through his hands. QB BRIAN BAKER threw for 332 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. DB Muhammad Shamsid-Deen had 5.5 tackles and two interceptions, including one 30-yard INT return TD. Tri-Cities has a strong secondary featuring Shamsid-Deen(10.0 tackles), JAMIE HATTLEY (12.5 tackles, 1 INT) and RUSCHARD DODD-MASTERS (12.5 tackles, 1 INT). DL VICHAEL FOXX leads the folks up front with 2.0 sacks. WRs J.R. THOMAS (18 receptions, 211 yards, 6 TDs) and LEROY MCFADDEN (13 receptions, 196 yards, 2 TDs) are the team's top pass catchers. Central Valley returns home in Week 4 after losing a heartbreaker to Stockton a week ago, 50-47, on a last-second field goal. The Coyotes (No. 10 in latest Coaches Poll) won their home opener in Week 2 against Everett, 74-31. The offense is keyed by rookie signal caller CLAY GROEFSEMA (446 yards, 11 TDs, 1 INT). WR JASON BARNES leads the team in receiving with 16 catches for 149 yards and six TDs. Veteran WR/LB WEB BORBA (9 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD, 1 rush TD, 1 pass TD, 4.0 tackles, 1 FR) has also been a force in the early season on both sides of the ball. Defensively, the team boasts two of the league's top pass rushers in DL DOUG LANGENFELD and OL/DL DONYELL BOOKER. Both players are tied for second in the af2 with 3.0 sacks apiece. This should be a back-and-forth affair between two solid clubs. The Coyotes might be a slight favorite in light of playing on their home turf despite the Fever being hot for a win.

FEVER COYOTES SERIES LEADER First meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 0-2 3-2

LAST GAME Lost 45-48 vs. Bakersfield on 4/14 Lost 47-50 at Stockton on 4/14

2007 LEADERS FEVER COYOTES PASSING Baker: 79-45-3; 618; 11 TDs Groefsema: 67-43-1; 446; 11 TDs

RECEIVING Thomas: 10-211; 6 TDs Barnes: 16-149; 6 TDs

RUSHING Garth: 3-2; 0 TD Groefsema: 5-34; 1 TD

TACKLES Hattley and Dodd-Masters: 12.5 Corbett: 12.5

SACKS Foxx: 2.0 Langenfeld and Booker: 3.0

INTERCEPTIONS Shamsid-Deen: 2 N/A

KICKING Thomas: 7-12 PAT; 0-1 FG; 7 PTs Kuehn: 11-16 PAT; 0-1 FG; 17 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 42.5 PPG; 295.5 YPG 40.5 PPG; 258.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 48.0 PPG; 229.0 YPG 40.5 PPG; 247.0 YPG



arenafootball2 Stories from April 20, 2007


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