af2 arenafootball2

af2 week two Saturday night matchups

Published on April 4, 2008 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


MANCHESTER WOLVES (0-0) AT MAHONING VALLEY THUNDER (1-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 - Chevrolet Centre (6,100) 7:05 P.M. ET

The Wolves start their season on the road with a Saturday night East Division battle against Mahoning Valley. Manchester enters 2008 with almost an entirely new team from their 2007 edition that finished 10-6 and reached the postseason for the third year in a row. Head Coach Ben Bennett moved on to Austin, making way for veteran coach Danton Barto's return to the af2. Barto, who coached the Memphis Xplorers for five years from 2001-06, has 49 career af2 wins (including playoffs). He spent 2007 as the head coach of the AFL's Las Vegas Gladiators. Barto won an ArenaCup Championship with Memphis in 2005 and earned af2 Coach of the Year honors that season as well. This year he's brought in two impact players from his title team of three years ago, OL/DL Joe Crear and DB Dahnel Singfield. Crear also played in Memphis in 2006 and led the team in tackles for loss (9.5) and sacks (7.5). Singfield earned af2 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2005 before spending the past two seasons in the AFL. He was an AFL All-Rookie Team performer in 2006 with New York. The team is also high on the potential of rookie LB Adrian Wilson from Alcorn State, who has had an impressive camp. The Wolves new-look defense also got a boost this week with the addition of University of Virginia product Keenan Carter and Oklahoma State DE Larry Brown. Barto expects both to make their presence felt right away. Manchester's offense is brand new this year as well. Second-year QB Justin Rummell, acquired in recent trade with Spokane, will start for the Wolves. Rummell completed 69.2 percent of his passes (45-of-65) in four games for the Shock, throwing 13 touchdowns and just one interception in a reserve role. Bradley Chavez (95 catches, 1,094 yards, 20 TDs with Alabama in 2007) and rookie Steven Savoy (Utah) will likely be Rummell's top targets. Manchester is ranked No.16 in the latest af2 coaches poll. The Thunder enter Week 2 ranked No. 12 overall in the latest coaches poll on the strength of a 59-33 home win against Albany. Mahoning Valley rookie QB Josh Swogger passed for 157 yards and four TDs in his first outing. WR DeMarcus Mathes caught five passes for 109 yards and a pair of TDs for the Thunder. WR/LB John Tackmann earned the af2 Ironman of the Week honor for his strong two-way play which included three rushing TDs and a game-high 6.5 tackles on defense. Anthony Jackson came up with a momentum changing interception as well when he picked off a third quarter pass. The Thunder defense limited Albany to just a touchdown in the final 30 minutes, recording five straight stops to close out the contest. The Wolves lead the head-to-head series with Mahoning Valley, 2-0. This game looks too close to call.

WOLVES THUNDER SERIES LEADER Manchester leads 2-0

LAST MEETING Manchester won at Mah. Valley, 50-40, on 5/25/07

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 3-2

LAST GAME Lost 41-42 vs. Cen. Valley on 8/3/07 Won 59-33 vs. Albany on 3/29/08

2007/08 LEADERS 2007 WOLVES THUNDER PASSING Radlinski: 222-366-14; 2423; 52 TDs Swogger: 10-24-0; 157; 4 TDs

RECEIVING Confessor: 107-1290; 30 TDs Mathes: 5-109; 2 TDs

RUSHING Jackson: 3-79; 0 TDs Tackman: 5-25; 3 TDs

TACKLES Sebastien: 88.5 Tackman: 6.5

SACKS Fountain: 13.0 Driscoll: 1

INTERCEPTIONS Sebastien: 7 Jackson: 1

KICKING McCormick: 32-38 PAT; 5-8 FG 47 PTs Ziska: 6-8 PAT; 1-2 FG; 9 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 50.4 PPG; 258.4 YPG 59.0 PPG; 195.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 48.5 PPG; 278.0 YPG 33.0 PPG; 276.0 YPG

PEORIA PIRATES (0-0) AT LEXINGTON HORSEMEN (1-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 - Rupp Arena (23,000) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Pirates begin their second run in the af2 on Saturday night at Lexington in a new Midwest Division matchup against the Horsemen, a first-year af2 member. Peoria has been reborn after a three-year hiatus from league play. Leading the team this year will be Bruce Cowdrey. Cowdrey also coached the Pirates from 2002-04, guiding the club to an ArenaCup title in 2002. This year's Pirates team features a roster heavy with talented first-year players. Peoria's starting quarterback will be former James Madison standout Justin Rascati, who led the Dukes to the Div. I-AA national championship in 2004 and finished his career at JMU as the most successful signal caller in school history. He'll have receivers both big and physical and small and fast to throw to. One of the big guys is rookie Daniel Rumley (6-5, 230, Murray State). PHIL BROCK, JR. is a 6-foot, former college running back who should play a major role in the passing game. The defensive secondary is another area the Pirates feel is a strong suit as well. Notable names in the defensive backfield include James Thornton and Joseph Sturdivant. Thornton has NFL and NFL Europe experience while Sturdivant was a tackling machine from the safety spot while at Southern Methodist. Cowdrey is one of the best coaches in the game, and with his knowledge, the youthful Pirates should be in good shape in 2008. Lexington is approaching its second af2 game on a high note after defeating Daytona Beach, 48-12, in Week 1. QB Eddie Eviston threw five TD passes and ran for another to lead the Horsemen. The game marked the first for both teams as a member of arenafootball2. Eviston completed 17-of-31 passes for 148 yards. Former University of Kentucky standout Craig Yeast, playing in his first game in a Lexington uniform, finished with seven catches for 51 yards with a touchdown, while fellow receiver Chad Spencer caught three passes for 42 yards with two scores. The Horsemen benefited from a strong defensive effort as well. J.T. Haskins led Lexington with 6.5 tackles, while Connie Brown and Willie Smith each recorded five stops. Smith also had three pass breakups in the game. Peoria has an experienced coach, but Lexington has game experience. Whoever protects the football will likely come out ahead in this intriguing Week 2 affair.

PIRATES HORSEMEN SERIES LEADER First time these teams are meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 1-0

LAST GAME Lost 30-33 vs. Green Bay on 7/31/04 Won 48-12 vs. Daytona Beach on 3/29/08

LEADERS PIRATES HORSEMEN PASSING Souza: 165-76-7; 882; 15 TDs Eviston: 17-31-0; 148; 5 TDs

RECEIVING Matthews: 64-789; 10 TDs Yeast: 7-51; 1 TD

RUSHING Urlacher: 84-289; 15 TDs Eviston: 5-6; 1 TD

TACKLES West: 59.5 Haskins: 6.5

SACKS Smith: 5.5 Martin: 1

INTERCEPTIONS West: 8 None

KICKING Aguiar: 34-43 PAT; 8-30 FG 58 PTs Daniel: 6-6 PAT; 0-2 FG; 6 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 35.0 PPG; 200.0 YPG 48.0 PPG; 157.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 37.5 PPG; 225.3 YPG 12.0 PPG; 190.0 YPG

LOUISVILLE FIRE (1-0) AT SOUTH GEORGIA WILDCATS (1-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 - Albany Civic Center (8,034) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Fire hope to stay hot as they take their first road trip of 2008 and take on South Georgia Saturday night. Louisville, ranked No. 7 in the latest league coaches poll, defeated Iowa in Week 1, 58-28. The Fire defense helped the cause by forcing four turnovers in the contest. Rookie QB Matt Bassuener had two TD passes and two TD runs in the first half and AARON MARSHALL threw for three scores in the second half. LONNELL DEWALT led the Louisville receiving corps with catches for 46 yards and two TDs. Rookie WR/LB Zach Babington-Johnson (ADT Defensive Player of the Game) finished with 3.5 tackles, two sacks and a safety. The Wildcats, ranked No. 8 in the latest coaches poll, are coming off a wild,59-55, road win last week at Tennessee Valley. On the final play, which started with five seconds left, South Georgia QB Cecil Lester completed a pass to Alvin Ray Jackson. Jackson then lateraled back to Lester to finish the 10-yard touchdown for the winning points. Lester completed 27-of-45 passes for seven touchdowns and 375 yards with one interception. Lester deservedly earned the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game Award. He was also named the Schutt Offensive Player of the Week by the af2 on Tuesday. WR/DB P.J. Berry earned U.S. Army Strong Ironman of the Game honors with eight catches for 154 yards and three scores, 280 all-purpose yards (126 kick return yards) and 1.5 tackles. Sough Georgia's defense came up big in the second half with two interceptions and a fumble recovery. DB Roland Cola, in his second af2 season, had a solid first game with 7.5 tackles, one interception and two pass breakups. South Georgia hopes to get more pressure on the quarterback this week after not registering a sack against the Vipers. The Wildcats were 6-2 at home in 2007 while the Fire were 3-5 on the road. Expect steady quarterback play to be the deciding factor between these two seemingly evenly-matched teams.

FIRE WILDCATS SERIES LEADER South Georgia leads 2-1

LAST MEETING So. Georgia won, 77-53 on 4/7/07

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 2-3

LAST GAME Won 58-28 vs. Iowa on 3/29/08 Won 59-55 at Ten. Valley on 3/29/08

LEADERS FIRE WILDCATS PASSING Bassuener: 13-20-1; 131; 2 TDs Lester: 27-45-1; 375; 7 TDs

RECEIVING Dewalt: 10-146; 2 TDs Berry: 8-154; 3 TDs

RUSHING Bassuener: 7-37; 2 TDs Lester: 3-12; 0 TDs

TACKLES Forbes: 5.0 Cola: 7.5

SACKS Babington: 2 None

INTERCEPTIONS Register: 2 Bailey: 1

KICKING Kight: 8-8 PAT; 0-0 FG 8 PTs Hode: 6-7 PAT;1-2 FG; 9 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 58.0 PPG; 296.0 YPG 59.0 PPG; 389.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 28.0 PPG; 166.0 YPG 55.0 PPG; 232.0 YPG

LUBBOCK RENEGADES (0-0) AT AUSTIN WRANGLERS (0-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 - Frank Erwin Center (14,866) 8:00 P.M. ET

The Renegades kick off their 2008 season this week on the road in Austin, Tx. against the Wranglers. Lubbock enters its second season with renewed optimism after a solid first year in 2007 that saw the squad go 7-6 after QB Robert Kent was acquired in an early season trade with Alabama. Kent, who threw for 81 touchdowns and ran for 11 more, is back on board for Lubbock. With the versatile veteran back under center, the Renegades are always a threat on offense. Last season they averaged nearly 54 points per game (53.6). As strong as the team was offensively, however, they struggled to stop teams on defense, ranking near the bottom of the league in points per game allowed (26th - 54.4). The Renegades look to be improved in that area heading into 2008 with the return of linemen Pierre Colin and Shalom Tuimalealiifano. The secondary should be better this year as well with returning DB Marcus Walker (27 tackles, 3 INTs) and impact addition Kendrick "Boss" Walker. Walker was a true difference maker with Bossier-Shreveport last season with 31.5 tackles and five interceptions before suffering an injury that forced him to miss a significant amount of game action. Lubbock's receivers look to be young but athletic and talented. The Renegades are high on the potential of Lorenzo Hoffman (6-6, 210), a rookie from Alabama State, and Marquis Belton, a first-year player from Division II Johnson C. Smith. The unit also got a boost when last year's leading receiver Alvance Robinson (64 catches, 1,085 yards, 22 TDs) committed to return to Lubbock. If the defense is improved as expected, the Renegades could be a surprise playoff pick in the National Conference. Austin heads into their second home game in as many weeks on the heels of a 61-48 loss to Corpus Christi. The Sharks outscored the Wranglers 34-0 in the third quarter to turn a 28-13 deficit into a 47-28 advantage going into the fourth quarter en route to the win. One of Austin's only bright spots was veteran WR/LB Mel Long, who had two interception returns for touchdowns. Long, who caught three passes for 26 yards on offense, was named US Army Ironman of the Game. If last week's loss wasn't tough enough, the team got more bad news this week after receiving word that rookie QB Jeff Terrell had left the team. Starting in his place against the Renegades will be another rookie, MATT SCHNEIDER. Austin's fortunes on Saturday night will likely be tied to how Schneider responds in his first af2 start.

LUBBOCK WRANGLERS SERIES LEADER First time these teams are meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 0-1

LAST GAME Won 76-79 at Oklahoma on 7/28/07 Lost 61-48 vs. Corpus Christi on 3/29/08

LEADERS LUBBOCK WRANGLERS PASSING Kent: 240-427-14; 3535; 81 Terrell: 17-34-0; 213; 4 TDs

RECEIVING Robinson: 64-1085; 22 TDs Roberson: 6-87; 3 TDs

RUSHING Mann: 73-301; 12 TDs Krapinski: 5-8; 1 TD

TACKLES Hartfield: 78.0 Williams: 8.0

SACKS Colin: 4.0 None

INTERCEPTIONS McCoy: 3 Long: 2

KICKING Blaseiro: 87-95 PAT; 5-16 FG 102 PTs Naehu: 4-4 PAT; 0-2 FG; 4 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 53.60 PPG; 288.4 YPG 48.0 PPG; 211.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 54.4 PPG; 254.6 YPG 61.0 PPG; 227.0 YPG

STOCKTON LIGHTNING (1-0) AT SPOKANE SHOCK (1-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 - Spokane Arena (10,653) 8:00 P.M. ET

The Lightning travel to Washington this weekend to take on West Division rival Spokane on Saturday night. Stockton is coming off a 46-32 road win last week at Tri-Cities. The win was the team's first season opening victory in three years in the af2. Stockton's last two season-opening losses came at the hands of, guess who, the Shock. Leading the Lightning last week was Stockton QB Chad Elliott. Elliott earned Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors with 168 yards passing and six touchdowns with just one interception. WR Thyron Lewis finished with three TD receptions and 84 yards receiving. FB Peter Tuialuuluu was also a spark for the Lightning on the ground with 10 carries for 25 yards and one touchdown. LB JASON HUNT led the defense with two sacks. DB Daniel Jones also impressed with 5.0 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble. Stockton enters the week ranked 14th in the league coaches poll. The Shock opened up their season with a win for the third consecutive year, defeating Green Bay, 64-48, on Sunday. Spokane dealt the Blizzard their first home loss since July 7, 2006, a span of 11 straight wins. WR RAUL VIJIL led the Shock offensively with three total touchdowns (1 receiving, 1 rushing, 1 MFG return TD). QB JASON MURIETTA, in his first af2 start, showed signs of his potential with four TD passes. The rookie signal caller, however, also showed his inexperience with three interceptions. Defensively, the Shock came up with six turnovers - four interceptions and two fumble recoveries - that proved to be the difference in the game. DB Sergio Gilliam - who was selected as the Defensive Player of the Game - tied the Shock record for most interceptions in a single game with three. He was also named the af2 Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday. Fellow rookie LB Kevin McCullough helped seal the victory for the Shock in the fourth quarter came with a 34-yard return for a touchdown. DL Devon Parks also had an outstanding game with a forced fumble and a sack. These two teams came into the af2 together in 2006 and have played four times overall. Spokane leads the head-to-head series, 4-0. The Shock are 13-3 in regular season play all-time at Spokane Arena. The Lightning look to be an improved bunch overall, but getting a road win at Spokane in their home opener is a tall order.

LIGHTNING SHOCK SERIES LEADER Spokane leads 4-0

LAST MEETING Spokane won at Stockton, 58-55, on 4/28/07

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 4-1

LAST GAME Won 46-32 at Tri-Cities on 3/28/08 Won 64-48 at Green Bay on 3/30/08

LEADERS LIGHTNING SHOCK PASSING Elliot: 19-28-1; 168; 6 TDs Murietta: 21-37-3; 170; 4 TDs

RECEIVING Thomas: 9-38; 2 TDs Vigil: 8-56; 1 TD

RUSHING Tuialuuluu: 10-25; 1 TD Dickens: 3-9; 1 TD

TACKLES Huddleston: 5.5 Rogers: 5.5

SACKS Hunt: 2.0 McCollough: 1.5

INTERCEPTIONS Jones: 1 Gilliam: 3

KICKING Walls: 4-7 PAT; 0-1 FG 4 PTs Jackson: 7-8 PAT; 1-2 FG; 10 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 46.0 PPG; 193.0 YPG 64.0 PPG; 190.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 32.0 PPG; 257.0 YPG 48.0 PPG; 190.0 YPG

BOISE BURN (0-0) AT TULSA TALONS (1-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 - Tulsa Convention Center (7,111) 8:00 P.M. ET

The Burn begin their second season in the af2 by traveling to Tulsa, Okla. to take on the defending ArenaCup Champion Tulsa Talons. This will be the first meeting between these two teams. Boise finished their first season at 8-8 on the strength of four straight wins to close out 2007. Head Coach Lee Leslie has a number of young returnees back from 2007 that should only improve in 2008. Leading the cast coming back to Boise include the team's two top playmakers from a year ago, WR/LB Casey Allen and WR/DB Ahmad Harris. Allen led all Burn pass catchers with 101 receptions for 1,116 yards and 31 TDs. Harris was second on the squad with 68 catches for 1,133 yards and 21 scores. The duo will be bolstered by the arrival of league veteran DeRonn Finley, a two-way dynamo who last played with Bakersfield in 2007. Finley amassed 1,253 all-purpose yards for the Blitz in 2007 with 14 total touchdowns (10 receiving, 3 rushing, 1 kick return). He also registered 19.5 tackles and two interceptions on defense. Boise also recently added veteran scoring machine WR GEORGE WILLIAMS to the roster. Williams led the af2 in scoring in 2007 with 276 points (46 TDs). He also ranks third on the all-time list with 944 points. The team's quarterback will either be returnee B.J. Rhode (Boise State) or rookie Royal Gill (Eagle HS grad, New Mexico State). Defensively, the Burn are led by FB/LB Levi Madarieta. Madarieta won an ArenaCup title in 2006 as a member of the Spokane Shock and fired up Boise fans in 2007 with his all-around effort and drive. Madarieta notched 27.0 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss in his first season with the Burn. DL Travis Tofi will also be a factor up front for the Burn in 2008. Last year, in just seven games played, the second-year player from USC recorded 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. Lineman Brandon Leyritz, who played in nine games last season with Spokane before spending time in camp with the AFL's Cleveland Gladiators, should bolster the Burn offensive line. If the team doesn't get burned by inconsistent QB play and focuses on limiting its mistakes, Boise will be firmly in the playoff conversation all year long. In Week 1 Tulsa (No. 1 in latest af2 coaches poll) picked up where the team left off in 2007, with another win - this time defeating the Amarillo Dusters, 69-13. QB JUSTIN ALLGOOD paced the team offensively with six touchdown passes, four to WR KELLEN ALLEN (6-60-4) and two to WR/KR JEFF HUGHLEY (7-115-2). Allgood earned Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors for his effort. Defensively, Tulsa made a statement with five turnovers (3 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions). DL TERRANCE CARTER (3.5 sacks, 1 FF, 2 PBUs) and DB DELENELL REID (6 tackles, 2 INTs, 3 PBUs) were the two top playmakers for the Talons individually. This will be a good early season test for both teams.

BURN TALONS SERIES LEADER First time these teams are meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 5-0

LAST GAME Won 52-42 at Tri-Cities on 7/28/07 Won 69-13 vs. Amarillo on 3/29/08

LEADERS BURN TALONS PASSING Hendricks: 186-343-15; 2202; 47 TDs Allgood: 18-27-1; 216; 6 TDs

RECEIVING Allen: 101-1116; 31 TDs Hughley: 7-115; 2 TDs

RUSHING Hendricks: 26-89; 8 TDs Shack: 1-9; 1 TD

TACKLES Beard: 91.5 Holland: 6.5

SACKS Tofi: 5.0 Carter: 3.5

INTERCEPTIONS Beard: 2 Reid: 2

KICKING Beardall: 61-89 PAT; 8-13 FG 85 PTs Phillips: 9-10 PAT; 0-3 FG; 9 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 49.8 PPG; 243.6 YPG 69.0 PPG; 249.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 51.2 PPG; 295.1 YPG 13.0 PPG; 144.0 YPG

ARKANSAS TWISTERS (0-0) AT OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (0-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 - Ford Center (17,884) 8:05 P.M. ET

The Twisters and Yard Dawgz both get underway this Saturday when they go head-to-head at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. Arkansas fans might not recognize this new bunch of Twisters right away. Gone from last year's team are familiar faces like Brian Villanueva, Kevin Williams, Robert Kilow and Jason Simpson, just to name a few. A number of other impact players won't be back in Arkansas as well. Even head coach John Gregory, the man who guided the Twisters to two straight playoff appearances, has returned home to coach the Iowa Barnstormers. All is certainly not lost, however, in Arkansas, as the Twisters management brought in one of the af2's best coaches of all time to lead the squad in 2008 - Chris Siegfried. Just two years ago he guided the expansion Spokane Shock to an ArenaCup Championship victory and overall, his 57 career wins rank second on the league's all-time list. Arkansas' new offense will be keyed by veteran QB KYLE ROWLEY. Rowley was Siegfried's signal caller during Spokane's title run two years ago. Rowley's receiving corps is led by Robert Garth and Patrick Rouzard. Garth, a six-year af2 veteran, earned the af2 Playmaker of the Year Award in 2007 for his superb play on both sides of the ball with the expansion Tri-Cities Fever. On offense, the man nicknamed "Superman" scored 27 touchdowns (25 receiving, 2 rushing) and even threw for a touchdown. He also ranked second on the Fever in receiving with 72 catches for 910 yards. Defensively, Garth led Tri-Cities in tackles for loss (6) and sacks (3.5) and contributed 20.5 total tackles overall. Rouzard comes to the Twisters after an impressive rookie season with Manchester in 2007 where he led the team with 31 TD receptions and ranked second on the squad in receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,169). Defensively, the Twisters needed to replace their entire secondary which accounted for a league-best 33 INTs. Leading the new-look defensive backfield will be DBs Maurice Taylor and Muhammed Shamsid-Deen. Taylor led the expansion Mahoning Valley Thunder with seven INTs and 81 tackles while Shamsid-Deen accounted for 51.0 tackles and two INTs with Tri-Cities in 2007. Arkansas is ranked No. 9 in the latest af2 coaches poll. The Yard Dawgz looked to be on their way to their fourth straight winning season in 2007 with a 6-3 record through nine games, but it proved to be a real struggle down the stretch for first-year head coach John Fitzgerald and Oklahoma City. The Yard Dawgz fell flat, dropping six of their last seven contests to finish at 7-9. The one consolation to the team's season was that they were able to sneak into the playoffs again for their fourth straight postseason appearance (zero postseason wins). This year optimism is renewed again despite losses on both sides of the ball. For the third year in a row the team has a new head coach, although Gary Reasons can't be called a rookie on any level. The former NFL standout linebacker is actually set to begin his second stint as the leader of the Yard Dawgz. He coached Oklahoma City through its first af2 season in 2004, earning a regular season mark of 10-6, 10-7 overall (including playoffs). One of the players that was on his inaugural team returns for his fifth season, WR/DB Al Hunt. Hunt has earned five straight All-af2 selections, the most of any current league athlete. He earned First Team accolades in 2007 and in 2004 while earning All-af2 Second Team recognition in 2003 (Tulsa), 2005 and 2006. Last year Hunt led the Yard Dawgz with 111 catches for 1,426 yards and 25 TDs. Another returning receiver who will be a factor in 2008 is Danny Howard. Howard caught 80 passes for 1,106 yards and 22 scores in 12 games with the team. Another wideout to keep an eye on is veteran Chris Archie. Archie spent the 2007 season with the expansion Mahoning Valley Thunder and ranked second on the team in receiving (89 catches, 1,010 yards, 22 TDs). Pulling the trigger on the Oklahoma City offense will be second-year signal caller Evan Gray. Gray threw for 76 TDs and nearly 3,600 yards for the Stockton Lighting in 2007. The Yard Dawgz defense took a hit in the offseason due to the losses of linemen Barrett Allen and Aaron Chavers. The duo combined for 15.5 sacks in 2007. A number of newcomers will have to step up up front to take some of the pressure off Hunt and WR/DB Fred Shaw (29 tackles, 2 INTs) in the secondary. This Central Division contest should be a fun one to watch on af2TV.

TWISTERS YARD DAWGZ SERIES LEADER Oklahoma City leads 4-3

LAST MEETING Arkansas won at Ok. City, 58-28, on 7/21/07

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 1-4

LAST GAME Lost 40-62 vs. Bossier-Shrev. on 8/4/07 Lost 27-65 at Tulsa on 8/4/07

LEADERS TWISTERS YARD DAWGZ PASSING Villanueva: 210-359-17; 2632; 56 TDs Hill: 367-590-22; 4490; 73 TDs

RECEIVING Kilow: 95-1128; 26 TDs Hunt: 111-1426; 25 TDs

RUSHING Freeney: 59-332; 9 TDs Jackson: 19-101; 5 TDs

TACKLES Simpson: 142.0 LeBlanc: 73.0

SACKS Cooley: 7.5 Chavers: 9.0

INTERCEPTIONS Thomas: 9 LeBlanc: 4

KICKING Carlton: 78-109 PAT; 7-26 FG 99 PTs Toogood: 31-49 PAT; 2-3 FG; 37 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 50.7.0 PPG; 256.8 YPG 52.1 PPG; 310.9 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 39.8.0 PPG; 271.4 YPG 54.7 PPG; 272.7 YPG

CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (1-0) AT AMARILLO DUSTERS (0-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 - Amarillo Civic Center (4,870) 8:10 P.M. ET

The Coyotes head to Amarillo for a Saturday night showdown against the Dusters. Central Valley, ranked No. 3 in the latest coaches poll, enjoyed a 55-54 Week 1 win at Bossier-Shreveport. The Coyotes were led by second-year WR Tonae Martin, who caught three passes for 47 yards, all of which resulted in touchdowns. Rookie QB JOE AYOOB was also impressive in his af2 debut with 175 yards passing and five touchdowns for Central Valley. He also added two rushing touchdowns. DB Maurice Holmes forced three fumbles and had two pass breakups as he led the Coyotes' fourth quarter shutout of the BattleWings. OL/DL Donyell Booker also sacked BattleWings QB Gary Cooper on the final drive. Central Valley's defense stepped up in the second half to force four turnovers. The Dusters are hoping their first home game of 2008 will be more successful than their season opener was a week ago in Tulsa. Last Saturday Amarillo got overpowered by Tulsa, 69-13. DB AARON WILLIAMS was one of Amarillo's lone bright spots with 4.5 tackles, 1 INT and a 49-yard missed field goal return TD. The humbling defeat hurt the Dusters pride and their roster. The most notable loss was to QB JOEL STEELE. Steele is out indefinitely with a broken wrist. Luckily for Amarillo and its head coach CHRIS MACKEOWN, the team has a capable backup to step up this week in JULIAN REESE. Reese was the starting QB for the Dusters during the team's inaugural af2 season of 2005. Coincidentally, that is the only season Amarillo has qualified for the playoffs. The Dusters are also excited to have last year's leading receiver STEVE BERGESKI (121 catches, 1,478 yards, 33 TDs) back on board. Bergeski returned to the team earlier this week. If Amarillo can start strong and limit turnovers (5 - 3 fumbles, 2 INTs in WK1), the hometown team has a chance to keep things close with the Coyotes.

COYOTES DUSTERS SERIES LEADER Series tied 1-1

LAST MEETING Cen. Valley won at Amarillo, 59-42, on 6/17/07

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 0-5

LAST GAME Won 55-54 at Bossier on 3/29/08 Lost 69-13 at Tulsa on 3/29/08

LEADERS COYOTES DUSTERS PASSING Ayoob: 17-31-1; 175; 5 TDs Steele: 18-43-2; 167; 1 TD

RECEIVING Barnes: 7-76; 1 TD Fulton: 8-60; 0 TDs

RUSHING Ayoob: 7-28; 2 TDs House: 2-5; 0 TDs

TACKLES Borba: 4.5 Williams: 4.5

SACKS Booker: 1 Stinson: 1

INTERCEPTIONS Borba: 1 Williams: 1

KICKING Bjork: 7-8 PAT; 0-1 FG 7 PTs Felton: 1-2 PAT; 0-3 FG; 1 PT

TEAM OFFENSE 55.0 PPG; 207.0 YPG 13.0 PPG; 144.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 54.0 PPG; 292.0 YPG 69.0 PPG; 249.0 YPG

GREEN BAY BLIZZARD (0-1) AT TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (0-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2008 - Von Braun Center (6,642) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Blizzard travel to Huntsville, Ala. in Week 2 for a out of conference confrontation with the Tennessee Valley Vipers. Green Bay, ranked No. 15 in the latest league coaches poll, suffered a 64-48 setback last week at home to Spokane. The home loss for Green Bay snapped an 11-game winning streak for the Blizzard at the Resch Center, dating back to 2006. Green Bay's last home defeat was on July 7, 2006 when the Manchester Wolves got the better of the Blizzard with a 62-58 win. Rookie Anthony Crissinger-Hill stood out for Green Bay in defeat with two touchdown catches on offense and 7.0 tackles on defense to take home U.S. Army Ironman of the Game honors. The quarterback combo of rookie MATT BOHNET and SHANE ADLER struggled to find consistency against the Shock. Each signal caller threw two interceptions. Green Bay's loss was due in large part to the team's six turnovers (4 INTs, 2 fumbles). The Vipers of Tennessee Valley are coming off a heartbreaking loss to South Georgia in Week 1, 59-55. The Wildcats won on the final play from scrimmage which ended in a touchdown by QB CECIL LESTER. With five seconds left, Lester completed a pass to Alvin Ray Jackson. Jackson, as he was about to be tackled to end the game, lateraled the ball back to Lester to finish the 10-yard touchdown for the winning points. Vipers rookie QB ANDY HALL had a solid showing overall with 315 yards passing and four touchdowns. The former Delaware standout also had two costly interceptions in the second half that led to two touchdowns by South Georgia. Tennessee Valley's defense was paced by DB Demetrius Derico who was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game with a game-high 10.5 tackles and one interception. Offensively, rookie receiver AGIM SHABAJ and former AFL player MAURICE BROWN impressed in Week 1 as each had over 100 yards receiving and one touchdown. Just as they did for each squad last week, turnovers will tell the story in this contest. Expect this game to be tight throughout.

BLIZZARD VIPERS SERIES LEADER Tennessee Valley leads 1-0

LAST MEETING Tenn. Valley won 26-21 on 5/4/07 26

LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 2-3

LAST GAME Lost 64-48 vs. Spokane on 3/30/08 Lost 59-55 vs. South Georgia on 3/29/08

LEADERS BLIZZARD VIPERS PASSING Bohnet: 12-22-2; 100; 3 TDs Hall: 23-40-2; 315; 4 TDs

RECEIVING Burnoski: 7-78; 1 TD Shabaj: 9-109; 1 TD

RUSHING Adler: 3-14; 2 TDs Ancar: 1-3; 0 TDs

TACKLES Green: 9.0 Derico: 10.5

SACKS None: 1 Reece and Scott: 1

INTERCEPTIONS Midlam: 2 Derico: 1

KICKING Forstrom: 3-4 PAT; 1-2 FG 6 PTs Hayes: 7-8 PAT; 0-1 FG; 7 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 48.0 PPG; 190.0 YPG 55.0 PPG; 323.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 64.0 PPG; 190.0 YPG 59.0 PPG; 389.0 YPG

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