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April 6, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


ARENACUP BOSSIER BOUND: The first neutral site ArenaCup in league history is going to be played at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City, LA on August 26, 27 or 28, depending on television. An announcement regarding ticket information is coming soon.

DUSTERS SHINE IN DEBUT: With a 24-point fourth quarter rally, including a last-second 24-yard touchdown pass and catch, the expansion Amarillo Dusters exploded onto the af2 scene last Friday night with a 62-55 win over perennial powerhouse Tulsa. Duster's QB JULIAN REESE earned league recognition for his five passing and three rushing touchdown performance by being named Offensive Player of the Week. He completed 21-of-31 passes for 296 yards, hit four different receivers for touchdowns and did not throw an interception.

A LEG UP: Memphis kicker STEVEN AZAR is among the early season scoring leaders after putting on a clinic in Bossier on Sunday afternoon. The rookie out of Northern Illinois connected on 7-of-7 extra points and went 4-of-4 on field goals, including two from 32 yards, one from 29 yards and a long of 33 yards. With 19 points, he is currently third in the league in scoring.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, ACT II: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers receiver J.R. THOMAS (2004 af2 Rookie of the Year) picked up where he left off in 2004 by hauling in five touchdown receptions in the Pioneers opening night win over Oklahoma City Friday night. Catching 10 balls for 172 yards, Thomas led the league in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns for Week 1.

BENNETT FACES FORMER SQUAD: On Friday night many of the key members of Florida's 2004 championship team will be on the field as the Firecats take on the Manchester Wolves. The first 500-yard rusher in af2 history, STEVE GORRIE, returns for the Firecats. Receiver MAGIC BENTON returns as well. Head coach BEN BENNETT will be in the arena too, just on the other sideline. During the offseason Bennett moved on from Florida up the coast to Manchester. Against his old team and current af2 champions, Bennett coaches his first game for the Wolves Friday night.

THIS GUY IS GOOD: Head coach KEVIN GUY makes his debut on the Rio Grande Valley sideline Saturday night when the Dorados host the Louisville Fire. Guy, who is second in wins among active af2 coaches with 39 (fourth all-time), is a perfect 3-0 on opening nights.

FIFTY IS NIFTY: Birmingham head coach BOBBY HUMPHREY begins his sixth season at the helm for the Steeldogs on Saturday night as his team hosts the San Diego Riptide. Should the Steeldogs win, Humphrey will become the first af2 coach in history to record 50 wins. Including playoff games, Humphrey has a career record of 49-36 and he is af2's all-time leader in coaching victories.

STRICKLY-BUSINESS: In his fifth af2 season, Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz QB CRAIG STRICKLAND continues to leave his mark in the records books. After a Week 1 outing in which he threw four touchdowns, Strickland has become the first player in af2 history to toss 300 touchdowns. He now has 301 for his career. He is also only 304 yards shy of becoming the first player in af2 history to eclipse 15,000 yards passing.

PICK MASTER: af2's all-time leader in interceptions, ARKEE THOMPSON, is back for another stint with the Louisville Fire. Entering his fourth season in af2, Thompson has 27 career picks including 10 during the 2003 season when he last played in af2.

af2 IN THE AFL: Former Arkansas Twisters defensive specialist and 2003 af2 ADT Defensive Player of the Year KAHIL CARTER is making an impact for the Nashville Kats. His 25 tackles ranks second on the team and his three interceptions ties him for the team lead. An interception in the fourth quarter against Grand Rapids last week keyed 40-27 comeback victory ... The Los Angeles Avengers are finding out what the Albany Conquest already knew, TONY LOCKE is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Against Orlando Locke grabbed six passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns while returning five kickoffs for 76 yards. On the season Locke has 37 receptions for 478 yards and ten touchdowns ... EDDIE MOTEN, who starred last season with the Rio Grande Valley Dorados, had his third consecutive solid game for the AFL's Philadelphia Soul. Moten earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors last week for his eight solo tackles and third interception on the season against Columbus. With the Soul he has three interceptions and 40 (30 solo) tackles. His 15 passes defended ties him for fourth in the league.

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