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Austin Wranglers game notes

March 9, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Austin Wranglers News Release


AUSTIN WRANGLERS (3-1) vs. INDIANA FIREBIRDS (0-5)

SUNDAY, MARCH 14, 2004, 2 P.M., FRANK ERWIN CENTER

WRANGLERS RADIO

All Austin Wranglers football games can be heard on Z102, 102.3 FM. This week, Wranglers assistant general manager and NFL veteran Glyn Milburn handling the color commentary with a veteran broadcaster calling the play-by-play as the Wranglers take on the Indiana Firebirds in their third home game of the season.

Head Coach Skip Foster will analyze Sunday's game and take phone calls on The Zone 1300 AM with Bucky Godbolt Wednesday, March 10 from 7-8 p.m.

WRANGLERS DAY OUT

Every Tuesday you can find the Wranglers out in the Austin community. This past Tuesday the players were out at the Children's Hospital of Austin. Both the players and the children enjoyed the experience and the Wranglers are excited to get back out into the community this season.

On Tuesday, March 23, players will be reading at an Austin Independent School District elementary school. For information on covering Wranglers Day Out, contact the Wranglers Media Relations Department.

HEAD COACHES

Skip Foster

Austin Wranglers

Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator

Skip Foster is making his AFL head coaching debut with the Austin Wranglers this season. Foster, deemed the second most winning coach in arenafootball2 history, will also act as the Wranglers offensive coordinator.

Prior to joining the Wranglers, Foster served as the head coach for the 2003 af2 Champion Tulsa Talons. Foster lead the team to a 13-3 regular season record while accumulating 3,995 yards in total offense, 3,679 yards passing and 316 yards rushing. This offensive effort also concluded with Tulsa outscoring their opponents 823-690 in regular season play. The Talons totaled 745 yards in offense and outscored their postseason opponents 179-130 on their way to winning the 2003 ArenaCup. During his three years with Tulsa, Foster made history when he led his team to the National Conference Central Division Championship for two straight seasons and won the ArenaCup in 2003. Foster was the only af2 coach to go undefeated at home over three consecutive regular seasons.

Foster compiled a record of 82-39-2 at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas before moving to the Talons. Foster played for six Conference Championships during his 12 seasons as the head coach of the Red Ravens. In 1990, Foster led Coffeyville to a National Championship and an undefeated season. He was selected as Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Coach of the Year in both 1990 and 1991.

After serving as an assistant to his father, Dick Foster, for four seasons at Coffeyville, Skip took over the head coaching duties where Dick won a National Championship in 1983. They are the only father/son pair in the National Junior College Athletic Association to win a national championship at the same school. Skip played football for his father from 1979-1980 at Coffeyville. A graduate of Missouri Western State College, Foster earned a Bachelor of Science in Education.

Steve DeBerg

Indiana Firebirds

Head Coach

DeBerg begins his first season as Head Coach of the Indiana Firebirds. DeBerg joins the Firebirds after playing eighteen seasons as a quarterback in the National Football League. Following his illustrious playing career, DeBerg served as the quarterback's coach for the New York Giants (1996) and Atlanta Falcons (1999). Since 2001, DeBerg has run a camp for some of the top college quarterbacks in Tampa, FL. His clients have included Quincy Carter (Dallas Cowboys), Byron Leftwich (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Rex Grossman (Chicago Bears).

DeBerg was a tenth-round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys in 1977. He would later play for six different teams throughout his career, including stops with the San Francisco 49ers (1977-1980), Denver Broncos (1981-1983), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1984-1987), Kansas City Chiefs (1988-1991), Miami Dolphins (1993) and Atlanta Falcons (1998).

During his career, DeBerg had the privilege of playing under legendary coaches Bill Walsh, Dan Reeves, Don Shula and Marty Schottenheimer.

DeBerg compiled some of the most impressive passing statistics in NFL history. In 207 career games, he completed 2874-of-5024 pass attempts (57.2%) for 34,241 yards and 196 touchdowns. He currently ranks among the NFL's all-time top 15 in pass attempts (14th), completions (T-12th) and passing yards (15th). DeBerg is also tied for 27th all-time in passing touchdowns.

LAST WEEK

AUSTIN -- In one of the most thrilling finishes possible in the Arena Football League, the Austin Wranglers pulled out a victory over the Carolina Cobras by successfully completing a 3 yard out rout to OS Skinny Culver on the final play of the game.

In their second home game in the early history of the franchise, the game was much like the first shootout in the Frank Erwin Center. For four quarters, the teams went back and forth as Austin led throughout much of the first half. The score was all knotted up at 21 by halftime. The Cobras had the biggest lead during the middle of the third quarter when the score was 34- 21. Austin seemed to rally under the pressure and they quickly responded to tie the game up with two consecutive scores.

In a penalty ridden game, the offenses for both teams seemed to be struggling until big calls would result in automatic first downs. Carolina and Austin combined for 27 penalties in what was a physical game. Wranglers WR/DB Charlie Davidson caught 12 balls for 135 yards and three touchdowns, as well as intercepting a pass from Carolina QB Matt Nagy. Each quarterback threw for six scores a piece and it was only fitting that the last team that had possession of the ball would win the game. Head Coach Skip Foster decided that overtime was not an option, and decided to go for the win. His call worked according to plan as the Wranglers capitalized on a game winning drive led by Baby Ruth Big Deal Offensive Player of the Game, QB John Kaleo.

Indiana Firebirds fell to the Orlando Predators, 50-38.

FIREBIRDS TO WATCH

OS MIKE HORACEK – A six-year veteran, this offensive player is having an outstanding 2004 season. In Week Five he led the Firebirds in receptions with eight catches for 141 yards and three touchdowns. This ranks him at number nine in the league for leading yardage leaders with 29 receptions for 409 yards and seven touchdowns. He has registered two 100-yard receiving games so far this season.

DS DELVIN HUGHLEY – In his second AFL year, this defender is making an impact for the Firebirds this 2004 season and remains a threat in the their secondary. In Week Five he registered 5.5 tackles, five solo, and one interception in the second quarter for seven yards. This brings his season total to 22 tackles, 19 solo, one interception and three pass breakups. In 2003, he recorded a team-high 71.5 tackles while playing with the Colorado Crush.

QB ADRIAN MCPHERSON – This AFL rookie is fresh out of college, but don't let that mislead you, he is performing like a vet this 2004 season. In Week Five he rushed for 14 yards and one touchdown, which puts him at number three in the league for leading rushers with 20 attempts for 92 yards and four touchdowns after only three games played. He also completed 22 of 37 passes for 261 yards and five touchdowns in Week Five, which ranks him at number 14 for leading passers with a total of 51 completions out of 87 attempts for 669 yards and 11 touchdowns.

WRANGLERS TO WATCH

DS BRENT BROWNER – After spending four weeks on the Wranglers' injured reserve list, this young player opened his first game of the 2004 season with an impressive showing. He came onto the field in full force, leading the team in total tackles with seven against Carolina in Week Five. In 2003, he spent time with the Detroit Fury where he registered 21 tackles, eight passes defended and one interception. The Wranglers expect great things from Browner this season after an excellent game in Week Five.

WR/DB CHARLIE DAVIDSON – This two-way player continues to have an excellent 2004 season. In Week Five, he led the team in receptions with 12 for 135 yards and three touchdowns. He also nabbed an interception in the third quarter, which helped him earn ADT Defensive Player of the Game and Army Ironman of the Game honors for the game. This brings his offensive season totals to 32 receptions for 363 yards and six touchdowns, putting him at number 14 in the league for receiving yard leaders and tied for number six for leaders in receptions.

WR/DB TACOMA FONTAINE – This AFL rookie suited for his first game for the 2004 season in Week Five, as he had been inactive for the Wranglers' first three contests. He played an outstanding game and was the second leading scorer for the Wranglers with two touchdowns. He also registered 3 receptions for at total of 39 yards. He started his career in the af2 in 2003 with the Tulsa Talons where he led the team in receiving, catching 93 passes for 1,229 yards and 30 touchdowns.

WRANGLERS ROSTER NOTES

KEEPING ON— The Wranglers victory against the Carolina Cobras was Head Coach Skip Foster's 26th-straight home win since he has been a head coach in arena football.

YOUNG BLOOD—Many key players in the Wranglers victory over Carolina had not played a down of football in 2004. WR/DB Tacoma Fontaine who scored on two of his three catches in the game had been on the 24-man roster, but was activated in his first game last Sunday. DS Brent Browner had been on the Wranglers injured reserve list since the beginning of the season before being placed back on the 24-man roster midweek leading up to Sunday's contest. Browner led the defense in tackles with seven solo stops in his debut performance as a Wrangler. Utility player Brandon Daniels proved to be just as versatile in the AFL as he had been at the University of Oklahoma. Listed as a DS, Daniels was moved to wide receiver/linebacker for the Carolina game. He made one tackle and had two assists on defense and caught five passes for 57 yards and a touchdown on offense.

MAKING IT HAPPEN—The Wranglers have proven to be hot in the second half. Of the 196 points scored by the Wranglers in their first four games, 129 of them have come after the second quarter. The Wranglers have been trailing at the half in three contests and have come up with the win in two of those.

RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME—WR/DB Charlie Davidson has picked up two opponents fumbles and made the Wranglers' first interception of the season against Carolina.

FIELD POSITION—The Wranglers continue to control their opponents by giving them a long field to work with after a kickoff. Of 31 kickoffs, Tony Dodson has hit 15 touchbacks, which brings the ball back to the opponent's five-yard line. The coverage team has held the opponent within their own 10-yard line 21 times, limiting them to an average start on their own eight-yard line.

PAPER OR PLASTIC?—OL/DL Tom Briggs is tied for second in the AFL in sacks with 3.0 on the season. Briggs' had registered one sack per contest leading up to Carolina.

GRACE UNDER PRESSURE—The Wranglers offense gets the job done on third and fourth down. Kaleo is the number one third-down passer in the AFL, completing 18 of 25 attempts, with six touchdowns. The Wranglers offense has also converted on nine of eleven fourth-down attempts on the season. Austin has the most effective offense in the red-zone, scoring a touchdown 18 of the 19 times they have been inside the 10-yard line.

APPLYING PRESSURE—The Wranglers defense is ranked second in the AFL in the red zone. The unit has stopped their opponents from scoring a touchdown 60 percent of the time inside the 10-yard line. In 20 different times the defense has been backed into the red zone, their opponents have only scored three field goals and only 12 touchdowns.

2004 AUSTIN WRANGLERS SCHEDULE

Week Date Opponent Time/Results
1 BYE
2 Friday, February 13 @ Orlando Predators W 49-48
3 Sunday, February 22 TAMPA BAY STORM W 56-48
4 Friday, February 27 @ Colorado Crush L 37-35
5 Sunday, March 7 CAROLINA COBRAS W 56-55
6 Sunday, March 14 INDIANA FIREBIRDS 2:00 p.m.
7 Thursday, March 18 @ Detroit Fury 6:30 p.m.
8 Sunday, March 28 PHILADELPHIA SOUL 2:00 p.m.
9 Saturday, April 3 @ Los Angeles Avengers 9:30 p.m.
10 Sunday, April 11 GEORGIA FORCE 2:00 p.m.
11 Sunday, April 18 @ Tampa Bay Storm 2:00 p.m.
12 Sunday, April 25 NEW ORLEANS VOODOO 2:00 p.m.
13 Saturday, May 1 @ Grand Rapids Rampage 6:30 p.m.
14 Sunday, May 9 DALLAS DESPERADOS 2:00 p.m.
15 Sunday, May 16 ORLANDO PREDATORS 2:00 p.m.
16 Sunday, May 23 @ Georgia Force 2:00 p.m.
17 Sunday, May 30 @ New Orleans Voodoo 3:00 p.m.

GAMES IN ALL CAPS ARE HOME GAMES PLAYED AT THE FRANK ERWIN CENTER

All game times and locations are subject to change

AUSTIN WRANGLERS SINGLE-GAME AND SEASON TICKETS

The Austin Wranglers have released single-game tickets for the team's 2004 inaugural season. Tickets are available for as little as $8 through Texas Box Office by calling 477.6060, logging on to www.texasboxoffice.com, visiting the Frank Erwin Center's Red River box office Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., or visiting any HEB grocery store.

Season tickets and group tickets are still available through the Wranglers ticket office by calling 233.7800. All fans that purchased a season ticket package after that date can pick their tickets up at the Erwin Center Red River box office with photo identification.

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