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AFL On NBC Week Six, New York at Tampa Bay

March 13, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Laredo Law News Release


LAREDO, Texas – The 2004 Arena Football League season on NBC television moves into its sixth week. The game available in the Laredo market on Pro8News KGNS features the New York Dragons at the Tampa Bay Storm this Sunday at 11 a.m. The Laredo Law’s 2004 arenafootball2 season begins April 3rd with the home opener set for April 23rd at the Laredo Entertainment Center. Call the Law ticket office at (956)-726-GAME (4263) or log onto www.laredolaw.com.

NEW YORK DRAGONS (2-3) AT TAMPA BAY STORM (2-3)

SUNDAY, MARCH 14th, AT 11 A.M. CT

The Tampa Bay Storm host the New York Dragons in an important early season game this Sunday at St. Pete Times Forum. With 11 games remaining in the season, SundayÂ’s game between the Dragons (2-3) and Storm (2-3) may not have immediate playoff implications, but a loss by either team could make their post-season aspirations a bit tougher to obtain. New York is coming off its biggest win of the season last week against San Jose, while the Storm dropped a 55-43 decision at New Orleans.

Tampa Bay head coach Tim Marcum is not happy with his team. QB Shane Stafford has been benched indefinitely and Marcum plans to make even more line-up changes before kickoff. Last week at New Orleans, Stafford completed 11-of-19 passes for 105 yards and a TD, but threw three costly INTs – all of which were returned for touchdowns. Veteran back-up QB Pat O’Hara (13-of-20 for 158 yards and two TDs) replaced Stafford in the third quarter and will get his first start of the season this week against New York. OS Freddie Solomon (29 catches for 358 yards and 14 TDs) is Tampa Bay’s best offensive weapon and leads the league with 96 total points.

New York made waves last week with an impressive 64-50 win over previously undefeated San Jose. Dragons QB Aaron Garcia completed 19-of- 21 passes for 285 yards and nine TDs with an INT in the win. Garcia completed touchdowns to five different players, including WR/DB William Holder (five catches for 114 yards and three TDs). Holder (28 catches for 436 yards and 12 TDs) has emerged as GarciaÂ’s go-to receiver, while rookie OS Richmond Flowers and WR/DB Lincoln Dupree stepped up to grab two TDs each last week. On the season, Garcia has passed for 1,221 yards and 30 TDs.

New York has to avoid a letdown this week against a hungry Storm team. Tampa Bay should be fine offensively with OÂ’Hara at the controls but must do a better job up front. The offensive-defensive line will need to play well this week - protecting OÂ’Hara and putting pressure on Garcia. Tampa Bay won the last meeting between these two clubs, 59-45, last season at New York

KEY MATCHUP

NEW YORK OS WILL HOLDER vs. TAMPA BAY OS FREDDIE SOLOMON

Two of the AFL’s hottest offensive specialists – New York’s WILL HOLDER and Tampa Bay’s FREDDIE SOLOMON – go head-to-head when the New York Dragons (2-3) battle the Tampa Bay Storm (2-3) this Sunday at Noon ET on NBC.

Solomon (5-11, 185, South Carolina State) enters Week 6 has the AFLÂ’s leading scorer (96 points). The speedy second-year standout is known for his ability to get open in crunch time. He has totaled 29 catches for 358 yards and 16 TDs, giving him nearly one touchdown reception for every two catches. This week, Solomon will be on the receiving end of passes from ArenaBowl XVII hero QB PAT OÂ’HARA (6-3, 200, USC), who takes over for SHANE STAFFORD (6-3, 220, Connecticut) as the starter.

Holder (6-0, 192, Monmouth), who is right on SolomonÂ’s heels as the AFLÂ’s No. 2 scorer (tied, 78 points) with 13 touchdowns (12 receiving and one rushing), is an emerging star and continues to flourish with AARON GARCIA (6-1, 195, Sacramento State) as his quarterback. Holder, who is known for his ability to make the tough catch, leads the team with 28 receptions for 436 yards, both ranking him near the top of League leaders. Holder was named the AFLÂ’s U.S. Army Ironman of the Week during the opening weekend of the season and tallied five receptions for 144 yards and three touchdowns in last weekÂ’s 64-50 victory over the previously-undefeated San Jose SaberCats

In four short seasons the af2 has doubled in size from 15 teams to nearly 30. arenafootball2 promotes a fan friendly attitude with autograph sessions on the field for the home team after each game. The af2 and the AFL strictly adhere to a Fans Bill of Rights which is unique to any major sport. The Fans Bill of Rights includes: every fan is entitled to a wholesome environment for guests and family members, free of violence, profane gestures and language or rude and invasive behavior that could in any way interfere with a first-class entertainment experience; every fan demands that we maintain absolute respect for the game of Arena Football and maintain the integrity of the finest of fair competition at all times; every Fan deserves our very best effort on a consistent basis, on every play on the field, every action in the stands, every call to our office, and every involvement in our community.

For ticket information contact the Laredo Law at (956) 726-GAME (4263) or visit www.laredolaw.com. The Law website also contains info about af2 rules.

(956)-726-GAME (4263)

www.laredolaw.com

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