Amarillo Dusters game notes
July 21, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Amarillo Venom News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Amarillo Dusters (8-6) at Tulsa Talons (10-4)
Date: Saturday, July 23rd, 2005
Kickoff: 7:00 pm CST
Site: Dodge Field, Tulsa Convention Center
Officials:
Referee: Tony Maranto
Umpire: Allen Roulette
Head Linesman: Marc Bovos
Line Judge: Lee Ross
Back Judge: Derrick Rhone-Dunn
Radio: KPUR 1440 AM & internet broadcast at
www.dustersfootball.com
Donny Hooper Play by Play
Warren McCarty Color Commentary
Ray Boring Sideline Reporter
Tyler Hooper Field Mic
Series Record: 2nd Meeting (Dusters lead 1-0)
Streaks: Dusters L2, Talons W2
Coaches: David Alexander, Tulsa Talons
Steve Perdue, Amarillo Dusters
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dusters: Warren McCarty
Office (806) 322-7277
Cell (806) 584-5674
Talons: Allison Webb
Office (918) 294-1000
THE STAKES: The Dusters desperately need a win for playoff positioning, while the Talons have clinched a first-round bye. The Talons are seeking revenge, as the Dusters pulled off a huge upset in the opening week of the 2005 season, defeating the Talons in Amarillo 62-55. The Dusters are slumping, having lost 3 of their last 5 games, and 2 in a row. Several scenarios are feasible, but the Dusters can clinch a playoff spot with a win in Tulsa.
COACH PERDUE'S THOUGHTS ON TULSA:
"We have backed ourselves into a corner, and it's up to us to fight our way out. We don't want to enter the playoffs going into a tailspin, and that's where we are at right now. On the flipside, Tulsa is playing great right now. They've had back-to-back wins against very good teams in Memphis and Rio Grande Valley. Obviously, we can't let Donovan Morgan go wild against us. Josh Blankenship has matured a lot as a quarterback, and he understands the game better. We have to put serious heat on him and not let him get comfortable. We know how hostile the crowd will be, and we know that they will be looking for revenge against us. Nobody in the league thought we could beat Tulsa in week one, and we got it done. They haven't forgotten that. Neither have we. "
DUSTERS HEAD COACH STEVE PERDUE
JOE MASSEY PUSHING FOR IRON MAN HONORS:
Looks can certainly be deceiving, especially when it comes to a player like Dusters lineman Joe Massey. He stands 6'2, with a chiseled 265 lb frame, wears glasses and has a degree in accounting from Bucknell University. The Brooklyn, NY native is a quiet presence off the field. On the field, he has been wreaking havoc all season long for the Dusters. He has started all 14 games for the Dusters this season, and has racked up 4 sacks, 7 QB hurries, 2 batted balls, 1 forced fumble, and has blocked an af2 record 8 kicks. He has also caught 5 passes for 37 yards and a touchdown. He has excelled in all three phases of the game, making him a true IronMan for the Amarillo Dusters.
DUSTERS INTERNET RADIO BROADCAST A HUGE SUCCESS
The Amarillo Dusters are developing a huge fan base nationwide, as the number of listeners for the game broadcast over the website has doubled since the season opener. "We have lots of players' families listening in across the country, and we've received dozens of e-mails from fans nationwide who are just interested in the Dusters and curious about us as an expansion team, " said Dusters play by play broadcaster Donny Hooper. "We have a unique broadcast for this level of football, in that we have a 15-year veteran football official as our sideline reporter (Ray Boring). He offers tremendous insight as to what is actually happening on the field. Tyler Hooper runs the parabolic field mic, so much like an NFL radio broadcast, our listeners can actually hear the quarterback bark the snap count, and try to draw the opponent offsides. Warren McCarty brings so much knowledge of the arena game to the broadcast, and helps the listener âsee' the routes and visualize the play itself. And mixed in with all of that, we have a great time and cut-up as much as we can. We have so much fun, and I think it makes our broadcast fun to listen to." The broadcast can be heard locally on 1440 AM The Score, Amarillo's ESPN Radio affiliate. Fans can also tune in via the Dusters website at www.dustersfootball.com.
KEY MATCHUP: OFFENSIVE SPECIALISTS VS. DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS
Four of the hottest players in af2 will be in the spotlight on Saturday night in Tulsa. Offensive Specialist Donovan Morgan set the af2 record for touchdowns in a season (46) last week in the Talons victory over Rio Grande Valley. Morgan enters the game with 103 receptions for 1,441 yards, which is an average of 14 yards per reception. He will be matched up with Dusters defensive specialist Charles Davis. Davis has started every game this season for the Dusters at corner, but will play the Middle DS position this week against Morgan. Davis had an interception last week against Quad City, and now has 5 interceptions on the season, to go with 13 pass break-ups, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 43 tackles. Dusters Offensive Specialist Chavis McCollister has had a remarkable season despite missing the first two contests of the year. Coming off a 12-catch, 213-yard performance against Quad City, McCollister looks to continue his tremendous success against Tulsa. In 12 games this season, McCollister has 103 receptions for 1,607 yards (leads af2) and 31 TD's. McCollister will be matched up with Talons Defensive Specialist and former NFL cornerback Chris Canty. Canty earned af2 Defensive Player of the Week Honors two weeks ago against Memphis. Thus far this season, Canty has 46 tackles, 27 pass break-ups, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries.
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