AFL Must-See Matchups
April 24, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK OS MIKE FURREY vs. TAMPA BAY OS FREDDIE SOLOMON
NEW YORK - Two of the AFL's top offensive specialists will battle this Sunday on NBC (3 p.m. ET) when the Tampa Bay Storm visits Long Island to face the New York Dragons.
League-leading scorer, New York OS MIKE FURREY (6-0, 185, Northern Iowa) continues to demonstrate each week why he is among the top contenders for this season's Offensive Player of the Year award. His role as a kick returner may have been handed off to Dragons DS/KR DONVETIS FRANKLIN, but with 276 points to his credit, his nearest scoring competitor is almost 60 points away. In 12 games, the former Panther has pulled in 104 receptions for 1,525 yards and 44 touchdowns â all AFL-bests to date in 2003. Furrey, who is averaging at least three scoring catches each week, needs just three more touchdown receptions this Sunday to claim the season record (46 â MIKE HORACEK, 2000).
Storming into Nassau Coliseum this week is Tampa Bay OS FREDDIE SOLOMON (5-11, 185, South Carolina State). Like lightning on turf, Solomon has sped his way near the top of the AFL leader list for all-purpose yards with 2,142 (No. 3 overall). As the Storm's top receiver and scorer, the former Bulldog has proven versatility â not only capable of reigning in passes from QB JOHN KALEO (79 receptions for 1,148 yards and 18 touchdowns), but also in running the ball for four scores, one of only six receivers to rush for at least four this season. Solomon averages 18.0 yards on kickoff returns, racking up 828 yards and one touchdown in the process.
DALLAS WR/LB ANDY MCCULLOUGH vs. LOS ANGELES WR/LB GREG HOPKINS
One of the toughest positions in Arena Football is wide receiver/linebacker. Two of the League's bests â Los Angeles' GREG HOPKINS (6-2, 205, Slippery Rock) and Dallas' ANDY MCCULLOUGH (6-4, 210, Tennessee) â will put on a clinic this Sunday when the Avengers travel to Reunion Arena to play the Desperados on NBC at 3 p.m. ET.
Hopkins, who is the 2002 Ironman of the Year, is a reliable target with great hands. The eight-year veteran has been doing his part to help the Avengers stay in front in the race for the top seed in the Drive to ArenaBowl XVII. He is tied for the all-time lead in interception return touchdowns (9, tied with KENNY MCENTYRE). He is on pace to record with 83 receptions, 1,188 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns.
McCullough, who is in his second AFL season, is an emerging star in one of the best offenses in the League. The former Volunteer leads the Desperados in touchdowns (19), while tallying 75 receptions for 973 yards and is among the League leaders with a 72-percent catch-percentage.
GRAND RAPIDS DS MARK RICKS vs. CHICAGO OS ANTONIO CHATMAN
One of the most exciting matchups to watch is when a dangerous offensive specialist lines up against a great defensive specialist for 60 minutes during an intense divisional game. That is what fans at Allstate Arena will witness when Chicago OS ANTONIO CHATMAN (5-9, 180, Cincinnati) tries to find the end zone with Grand Rapids DS MARK RICKS (5-10, 175, Western Michigan) patrolling the defensive backfield on NBC this Sunday at 3 p.m.
Chatman is on pace to record 3,479 all-purpose yards, which would be the highest total in League history (3,459 yards by LAMONT COOPER in 2001). Last week against Dallas, he recorded 335 yards â the second-best all-purpose total of his career. The former BearCat is also among the league leaders in 13 other categories, including scoring, receptions and kick return touchdowns.
Ricks has played in only four games for the Rampage, but has already recorded four interceptions (tied with CECIL DOGGETTE for team lead), 18 tackles, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery. The former Bronco was named co-MVP in his very first game with the Rampage â which came against the Rush â by recording a game-high six tackles and two interceptions.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 24, 2003
- J.J. Washington playing role well with L.A. Avengers - Los Angeles Avengers
- AFL Must-See Matchups - AFL I
- 'Birds Return to New York to Face Destroyers - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Maddox, Warner Join NBC Broadcast Team - AFL I
- AFL Quick Hitters - AFL I
- Gladiator Girls to teach halftime routine for Sunday's Game - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Cobras Sign WR/DB Aundrae Harris - Carolina Cobras
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