AFL Must-See Matchups
May 1, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
LOS ANGELES WR/LB GREG HOPKINS vs. ARIZONA WR/LB HUNKIE COOPER
NEW YORK - Two players and three Ironman of the Year awards between them. The battle between two division rivals will shine an individual spotlight on two of the League's best wide receiver/linebackers this Sunday at America West Arena when Los Angeles' GREG HOPKINS and Arizona's HUNKIE COOPER square-off on NBC at 3 p.m. ET.
Hopkins (6-2, 205, Slippery Rock), 2002 Ironman of the Year, has been looking to make his case for a repeat by helping the Avengers in their quest for securing the top seed in the Drive to ArenaBowl XVII. The All-Arena performer currently has 72 receptions for 973 yards and 24 touchdowns and is the all-time leader in interceptions returned for touchdowns (9, tied with Orlando's KENNY MCENTYRE.) Hopkins is known for his pass-catching ability and his defensive instincts from the linebacker position.
Cooper (5-9, 190, UNLV), Ironman of the Year in 1999 and 2000, has been a key part of the Rattlers recent success as Arizona went 4-0 in April. The former Running Rebel currently has 59 receptions for 763 yards and nine touchdowns. Cooper has added seven rushing touchdowns and 33.5 tackles. He is one of only two players (San Jose's BARRY WAGNER) to win both the Ironman and Offensive Player (formerly known as MVP, 1993) during a career. Cooper is known for his great hands, physical play and his will to win.
TAMPA BAY WR/LB LAWRENCE SAMUELS vs. DALLAS WR/LB ANDY MCCULLOUGH
Two teams battle to secure first-round byes and two Ironman of the Year candidates look to showcase their talents. Current No. 1 seed Tampa Bay, led by WR/LB LAWRENCE SAMUELS, travels to Reunion Arena to play No. 7 Dallas and WR/LB ANDY MCCULLOUGH in an effort to secure a first-round bye this Sunday on NBC at 3 p.m.
Samuels (6-2, 200, Livingston), a 10-year AFL veteran, provides the spark for the Storm (10-3) on both offense and defense. The former All-Arena performer has 70 receptions for 940 yards and 16 touchdowns while tallying 27.5 tackles and three interceptions. Samuels is one of the best possession receivers in the AFL, has the great playmaking abilities and also provides a solid defensive presence from the linebacker spot.
McCullough (6-4, 210, Tennessee), a 2002 All-Rookie Team selection, continues to strike fear in defensive backs. The former Volunteer has 83 receptions for 1,050 yards and 21 touchdowns. McCullough has the size, leaping ability and great hands to help the Desperados (8-5) vertical passing game, especially close to the goal line.
GEORGIA WR/LB DARRYL HAMMOND vs. INDIANA WR/LB EDDIE BROWN
Two of the AFL's all-time bests will battle inside Conseco Fieldhouse this Sunday on NBC (3 p.m. ET) when the Indiana Firebirds host the Georgia Force.
A five-time scoring champion, Indiana WR/LB âTouchdown' EDDIE BROWN (5-11, 192, Louisiana Tech) is the AFL's all-time leader in receiving touchdowns (301), receptions (935), and receiving yards (12,520). This season, he eclipsed the 2,000-point career milestone and became the only player in League history to record more than 300 career touchdown receptions. This season, Brown has 15 scoring catches to his credit and is second on the Firebirds in scoring (90 points). A career offensive specialist with the Firebirds, Brown made the transition to the wide receiver/linebacker slot for the first time in his nine-year career at the 2003 midseason mark. He has recorded 12.5 tackles to date.
Georgia FB/LB DARRYL HAMMOND (6-3, 220, Virginia), now in his record-setting 13th season, is one of the League's top Ironmen of all-time. Sitting at No. 2 with 559.0 career tackles, Hammond is also in the Top 15 in career scoring (862 points) and the Top 10 in career receptions (657). With 68 receptions this season, the former Cavalier has now recorded 50-or-more receptions in eight seasons. He is the Force's top receiver and currently leads the team in scoring (104 points).
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 1, 2003
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- Time Runs Out On Buffalo - Detroit Fury
- AFL Quick Hitters - AFL I
- San Jose's Wagner Tabbed Ironman of the Month - San Jose SaberCats
- AFL Must-See Matchups - AFL I
- Las Vegas Gladiators Sign OL/DL Hardy Mitchell - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Firebirds and Dura Builders to Honor Local Scholarship Winners - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Rush Named Arena Football League's Kicker of the Month - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Firebirds' Fabulous Flames to Visit Troops at Fort Hood - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Gladiators Playoff Tickets on Sale May 3 - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Carolina Cobras Game Notes - Carolina Cobras
- AFL Names Players of the Month - AFL I
- Desperados Pettis Named AFL Rookie of the Month for April - Dallas Desperados
- Storm to Face off with Dallas - AFL I
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