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Austin Wranglers game notes

April 1, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Austin Wranglers News Release


AUSTIN WRANGLERS (5-2) vs. LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (4-3)
SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 2004, 9:30 P.M. CENTRAL, STAPLES CENTER

WRANGLERS RADIO


All Austin Wranglers football games can be heard on Z102, 102.3 FM, with veteran sports radio announcer Bill Schoening calling the play-by-play and Wranglers assistant general manager and NFL veteran Glyn Milburn handling the color announcing.

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

WRANGLERS DAY OUT

Every Tuesday you can find the Wranglers out in the Austin community. Today, Brent Browner, Tacoma Fontaine, Dane Krager, and Gladston Taylor spent the afternoon visiting with patients at the Children's Hospital of Austin. In addition to their regular hospital visits, players have read to students at elementary schools in the Austin Independent School District.

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.

Ed Hodgkiss
Los Angeles Avengers
Head Coach

Ed Hodgkiss is in his third season as the head coach of the Los Angeles Avengers. In his first two seasons at the helm, he directed the Avengers to a 19-11 record. No head coach in AFL history has won more games in his first two seasons than Hodgkiss, who was the runner-up for the 2003 AFL "Coach of the Year" award.

Last season, the Avengers won a franchise-best 11 games and earned a first-round bye in the AFL Playoffs. Hodgkiss oversaw the league's most efficient offense, which scored 122 touchdowns (most in the AFL) on only 619 total plays (least in the AFL). Particularly lethal through the air, the 2003 Avengers averaged a league-leading 13.8 yards per reception.

In 2002, Hodgkiss led the Avengers into the postseason for the first time in franchise history. In the final 2002 league statistics, the Avengers ranked at No. 2 in passing efficiency (115.0), No. 4 in total offense (275.6), No. 4 in rushing yards (20.8) and No. 5 in scoring (52.2).

Prior to joining the Avengers, Hodgkiss had been with the Indiana Firebirds since 1997. He was the team's offensive coordinator for three seasons (1999-2001). During the 1997 and 1998 seasons, Hodgkiss served as the wide receiver and special teams coach for the Firebirds. His troops led the league in kick returns with 1,723 yards and five touchdowns and finished second in missed field goal returns with an average of 20.4 yards per return.

In previous offseasons (1997-2000), Hodgkiss served as the offensive coordinator at Randolph-Macon College (Ashland, Va.). Other coaching duties have included being a wide receiver coach at Morehead State University (Morehead, Ky.) in 1995-96, and the offensive coordinator at Montgomery-Rockville Junior College (Rockville, Md.) in 1994.

Hodgkiss is a native of Laurel, Md., and graduated from Fairmont State College (Fairmont, W.V.) in 1992 with a degree in physical education and health (he later added a Master's degree in those same disciplines from Morehead State in 1995). He also was a wide receiver for the Falcons and later began his coaching career at his alma mater.

LAST WEEK

Austin, TX—It was only fitting that a shootout take place in the state of Texas. Behind seven touchdown passes from quarterback John Kaleo, Austin moved to 5-2 on the season after outlasting the Philadelphia Soul, 65-60.

Last week's AFL Baby Ruth Big Deal Offensive Player of the Week OS Tacoma Fontaine had another stellar performance as he and Kaleo hooked up for four of the Wranglers nine touchdowns. Soul QB Todd Hammel threw six touchdowns along with two interceptions. One of those errant throws was picked off and taken in for six points by defensive player of the game and former Baltimore Raven DS DeRon Jenkins. Philadelphia's miscues were their downfall as Austin seized the opportunities in scoring touchdowns on each of the Souls three turnovers. Austin looks to extend its winning streak to three as it makes the trip to take on the Los Angeles Avengers while Philadelphia plays host to the Dallas Desperados.

Box Score 1 2 3 4 Final
Austin 20 14 10 21 65
Philadelphia 6 26 7 21 60

The Los Angeles Avengers fell to San Jose, 55-52.

2004 STATISTICAL COMPARISON

AUS PHI
First Downs 139 130
Total Yards Gained 2,002 1,811
Average per Game 286.0 258.7
Net Rushing Yards 148 102
Average per Game 21.1 14.6
Net Passing Yards 1,854 1,709
Average per Game 264.9 244.1
Kickoff Returns 39 38
Average per Game 16.3 16.5
Time of Possession 29:46 30:09
Touchdowns 53 51
Points Scored 372 380

THE WRANGLERS ARE...
Record
3 -1 At home
2-1 On the road

2-0 In Eastern Division
1-2 In Central Division
2-0 In Southern Division

2-1 With a spread of 7 or more points
2-1 With a spread of 3 or fewer points

5-0 When Kaleo throws one or fewer INTs
0-2 When Kaleo throws two or more INTs


WRANGLERS TO WATCH

DS DeRON JENKINS – A seasoned defensive back, Jenkins played an outstanding game in Week Eight, racking up 5.5 total tackles, five solo, one pass break up, and two interceptions for 21 yards, which earned him ADT Defensive Player of the Game honor. He also holds the single game high record for the Wranglers for most interceptions in a game with two, as well as most interception return yards in a game with 21 yards. This record also puts him tied at number eight in the league for most interceptions. On the season, he has recorded 30.5 total tackles, 26 solo, seven passes defensed and two interceptions for 21 yards.

WR/DB CHARLIE DAVIDSON – The veteran player is a threat in every aspect of the game. He leads the Wranglers in receptions with 46 catches for 487 yards and eight touchdowns. He is the only Wranglers receiver that has played in all seven games this season. He is third on the team in tackles following closely behind defensive specialists DeRon Jenkins and Cedric Walker. Finally, he is leading the team in kickoff returns, averaging 19 yards per return in 21 returns for 399 yards.

WR/LB DARRIN CHIAVERINI – This newly-acquired AFL rookie has performed outstandingly for the Wranglers this season. In Week Eight he connected with quarterback John Kaleo for five catches for 46 yards and two touchdowns, doubling his season record. On season he now has recorded 10 receptions for 90 yards and three touchdowns in only three games with the Wranglers. He has had at least one reception in every game played with the Wranglers in 2004.

AVENGERS TO WATCH

OS CHRIS JACKSON –As one of their main offensive weapons, Jackson will be the receiver to keep an eye on. He is currently ranked at number 15 in the league for most receiving yards with 42 catches for 534 yards and 13 touchdowns on season. In Week Eight, he led his team in receptions, nabbing eight passes for 97 yards and one touchdown. He has scored a touchdown in all but one Avenger game in 2004. In his career with Los Angeles, he has scored 129 touchdowns for 774 points from the 2000 season to the current 2004 season.

WR/DB KEVIN INGRAM – One of the Avengers' most solid two-way players has continued to make an impact on both offense and defense. In Week Eight he registered four receptions for 43 yards and two touchdowns, as well as six kickoff returns for 128 yards. On the season offensively, he has grabbed 32 passes for 434 yards and 12 touchdowns. Defensively in Week Eight, Ingram led his team in tackles with four and one pass breakup, bringing his season total to 29 tackles, three interceptions and five pass breakups. Ingram is also in the Top 25 for kickoff return leaders in the league with 26 returns for 442 yards.

DS DAMEN WHEELER – In his second AFL season, this young player has contributed greatly to the Avengers' defense. In Week Eight he was second in tackles with three, three solo, and one pass breakup. He is currently tied for eighth in the league for most interceptions with two for 21 yards. His defensive efforts earned him AFL All-Rookie Performer for the Avengers in 2003, leading the team with five interceptions and 15 pass breakups on season.

ATTAINABLE MILESTONES


OL/DL TOM BRIGGS
· 3 sacks from 35 total career
· 100th AFL contest this week against Los Angeles
· 24.5 tackles from 175 career tackles

OS SHANNON "SKINNY" CULVER
· 884 yards from 4,000 career receiving yards
· 20 catches from 250 career receptions
· 15 receiving touchdowns from 75 career receiving touchdowns

WR/DB CHARLIE DAVIDSON
· 55 receptions from 400 career receptions
· 11 receiving touchdowns from 100 career receiving touchdowns
· 1 tackles from 300 career total tackles
· 7 receptions from 50 receptions on the season
· 13 yards from 500 receiving yards on the season



WR/DB TACOMA FONTAINE
· 7 touchdowns from 20 career receiving touchdowns
· 24 yards from 500 career receiving yards
· 25 receptions from 50 career receptions

QB JOHN KALEO
· 46 passing yards from 24,000 career yards
· 31 completions from 2,000 career completions
· 14 touchdown passes from 400 career touchdowns
· 97 pass attempts from 3,400 career attempts
· 9 touchdowns from 50 touchdown passes this season

DS CEDRIC WALKER
· 21.5 tackles from 525 career tackles
· 5 games from 100th regular-season career AFL contest
· 5 pass breakups from 80 career breakups
· 1 interceptions from 25 career interceptions
· 6.5 tackles from 40 tackles on the season


WRANGLERS ROSTER NOTES

UP FOR GRABS— For the second consecutive week, the Wranglers were able to capitalize on four of their opponents turnovers. Two of the turnovers were immediately run into the endzone for a Wranglers score. DS DeRon Jenkins snagged two interceptions from the Soul offense, running one back for the Wranglers first touchdown on an INT return. Adding to Jenkins' efforts, TE/DE Aaron Humphrey recovered a Soul fumble and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown. K Tony Dodson picked up a fumbled kickoff return that he then converted with a 45-yard field goal on the ensuing drive.


DEFENSIVE MOVEMENT— A menace to opposing quarterbacks, OL/DL Tom Briggs is ranked third in the AFL with four sacks on the season. Briggs did not make a sack versus the Soul, however, he helped lead the Wranglers defense and special teams in one of their best performances of the year. Briggs forced two Soul fumbles, one on special teams that was recovered by Wranglers kicker Tony Dodson. With four Soul turnovers, the Wranglers were able to accumulate 36 yards on turnovers and tackles for losses.


INVARIABLE PRODUCTION—The Austin Wranglers offensive unit is leading the AFL's National Conference in total offense and ranks third in the AFL. Led by QB John Kaleo's 1,897 yards passing with a 65.4 percent completion rate this season, the Wranglers have accumulated 2,002 yards in total offense, averaging 286 yards per game in 2004. The unit ranks in the top five of three other categories, ranking fourth in net passing yards per game with 264.9, fifth in first downs per game with 130 total, and fifth in points per game with an average of 53.2 offensive points scored per game. Wranglers Kaleo once again leads the league in third down conversions completing 34 of 48, 70.8 percent, of his third-down passes, 13 of which resulted in a touchdown.


MIXING THINGS UP—After scoring a season-high three rushing touchdowns with a strong goal line attack in Detroit, the Wranglers offensive unit emphasized the aerial attack when scoring versus the Soul. All seven of the Wranglers offensive touchdowns were scored off of a QB John Kaleo pass.


POINT OF REFERENCE —The Wranglers special teams units are dominating opponents, as they rank first in the AFL in their kickoff efforts. The kicking team controls field position, containing 39 returns of 60 Tony Dodson's kickoffs inside the 10-yard line, leaving opponents with an average start on the 9.3-yard line. Dodson has launched 24 of those kickoffs over the nets, leading the AFL in touchbacks. With WR/DB Charlie Davidson leading the team in kickoff returns with an average of 19.0 yards per return, the Wranglers kickoff return team also poses a threat to field position when receiving the ball.

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.


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 L 64-41
7 Thursday, March 18 @ Detroit Fury W 70-58
8 Sunday, March 28 PHILADELPHIA SOUL W 60-65
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

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 1, 2004


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