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Austin Wranglers game notes

April 28, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Austin Wranglers News Release


AUSTIN WRANGLERS (6-5) vs. GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE (1-10)
SATURDAY, MAY 1, 2004, 6:30 P.M. CENTRAL, VAN ANDEL ARENA

WRANGLERS RADIO

All Austin Wranglers football games can be heard on Z102, 102.3 FM, with veteran sports radio announcer Dave Garrett 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.

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.



Rick Frazier
Grand Rapids Rampage
Interim Director of Football Operations/Head Coach

Earlier this week, Rick Frazier was promoted to interim head coach and director of football operations for the remainder of the 2004 Arena Football League season. Frazier takes over for Bob Cortese, who stepped down Monday following the team's 1-10 start.

Prior to joining the Rampage as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, Frazier spent seven seasons with the AFL's Milwaukee Mustangs (1995-2001), including four seasons as the team's head coach. Under Frazier's direction in 1996, Milwaukee had the top-ranked defense in Arena Football, leading the league in total defense, pass defense, and sacks. During his next two seasons (1997 and 1998), the Mustangs finished fifth in total defense.

When the Mustangs were contracted prior to the 2002 season, Frazier moved on to the Toronto Phantoms where he served as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. In 2003, Frazier became the head coach of the af2's Norfolk Nighthawks, guiding the team to record of 8-8.

In addition to his Arena Football experience, Frazier spent eleven years at Cisco College where he won a conference championship in 1985 as head coach. His 43-25-2 record at Cisco is the best record of any coach in school history.

Frazier has three children: son Donnie Joe, and twin daughters, Jolenna and Brianna. A graduate of East Texas State, where he earned a Bachelors of Science and Masters in Physical Education, Frazier was one of the youngest head coaches in the state of Texas and complied a 33-25-2 record winning three district championships in four seasons at Cumby High School.

LAST WEEK

Austin, TX—Fans seemed comfortable hitting the exits of the Frank Erwin center with a little over a minute to go and the Austin Wranglers leading by 11. Only the New Orleans VooDoo proved why they and San Jose own the league's best records at 9-2. New Orleans scored an improbable 15 points within the last minute of the game to win 63-59 in come from behind fashion.

Austin opened the game with a turnover as Wrangler QB John Kaleo was stripped of the ball on their first play from scrimmage. VooDoo FB/LB Dan Curran began the high-scoring affair with a two yard run to give New Orleans one of their few leads of the game. The rest of Kaleo's day was spectacular as he threw five touchdowns and surpassed 25,000 passing yards on his career. John Fitzgerald was equally impressive game, if not better, as he threw for seven touchdowns and no interceptions. A key goaline stand by the VooDoo at the end of the half kept them within seven. The game went back and forth in the third and early fourth quarters until the Wranglers grabbed a fortuitous bounce off the upright, giving them a two possession lead. With just over a minute remaining in the game, Austin had their largest margin of the game at 59-48. Fitzgerald found kick return specialist and offensive standout WR Aaron Bailey for his second touchdown on the day. Their two point conversion attempt was good as Fitzgerald ran it in. On the ensuing kickoff, DS Monty Montgomery recovered the onside kick giving the VooDoo one last chance at the improbable comeback. Indeed, they did as Fitzgerald found WR Calvin Spears for the go ahead score. Austin's last chance fell short as Kaleo threw a prayer in the end zone that was intercepted by Montgomery.

Box Score 1 2 3 4 Final
Austin 14 21 7 17 59
New Orleans 14 14 13 22 63

2004 STATISTICAL COMPARISON

AUS GRA
First Downs 230 180
Total Yards Gained 3,302 2,471
Average per Game 300.2 224.6
Net Rushing Yards 251 261
Average per Game 22.8 23.7
Net Passing Yards 3,051 2,210
Average per Game 280.8 198.9
Kickoff Returns 59 67
Average Yards per Return 15.9 22
Time of Possession 32:06 30:21
Touchdowns 84 57
Points Scored 595 406

THE WRANGLERS ARE...
Record
4-2 At home
2-3 On the road

2-0 Against Eastern Division
1-2 Against Central Division
3-2 Against Southern Division
0-1 Against Western Division

3-2 With a spread of seven or more points
3-3 With a spread of six or fewer points

6-3 When Kaleo throws one or fewer INTs
0-2 When Kaleo throws two or more INTs

WRANGLERS TO WATCH

FB/LB JEREMY BEUTLER – Playing on both sides of the line, he has become a solid force for the Wranglers. Offensively in Week 12 he was second on the team in rushing with four carries for a net gain of seven yards and one touchdown. On defense, he assisted on two tackles and hurried the quarterback once. Beutler is always looking to be where the play is defensively and is an offensive impact in the red zone when charging in for the endzone. He has racked up 33 carries for 91 yards and four touchdowns, as well as five receptions for 45 yards and one touchdown in addition to being a forceful blocker on for QB John Kaleo.

WR/LB DARRIN CHIAVERINI – In his six games with the Wranglers, he has proven to be a go-to receiver, able to get open in a clutch and has had a solid impact on defense. Offensively in Week 12, he grabbed five passes for 76 yards, which brings him to 35 receptions for 395 yards and eight touchdowns. After racking up three more tackles against New Orleans, he now has 12 total tackles, seven solo. Coming to the team at a point when receivers were shifting as a result of injuries, Chiaverini has stepped up as a player on which the Wranglers can depend.

WR/DB CHARLIE DAVIDSON – This player continues to make plays in all aspects of the game. In Week 12 he led the team in receptions with six catches for 82 yards and three touchdowns, which earned him Army Ironman of the Game for the fourth time this season. He also fielded three kick returns for 68 yards, as he leads the Wranglers in receptions and kickoff returns this season. Defensively he has registered 31 total tackles, 26 solo, four pass breakups and three interceptions. He is a dangerous weapon for the Wranglers on all sides of the ball.

RAMPAGE TO WATCH

FB/LB CHRIS AVERY – In his fourth season with the Rampage, he has made great contributions on offense and defense. In Week 12 he was the lead rusher for the Rampage with seven carries for 36 yards and one touchdown and leads the team in overall rushing. As one of the top scorers with eight touchdowns on season, he is one of their go-to guys to in the red zone. He ranks sixth in the league in rushing with 31 attempts for 141 yards and five touchdowns. At 4.5 average yards per carry, he is first in the league for yards per rush.
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WR/DB JOSH BUSH – This AFL rookie has become a solid addition for the Rampage on both sides of the line. In the absence of the leading receiver in the past few weeks, he has stepped up to the challenge. In Week 12 he registered seven catches for 45 yards and accumulated 2.5 tackles, two solo, on defense. On the season, he has 41 catches for 544 yards and eight touchdowns. He now ranks among the AFL's top 50 all-purpose yardage leaders with 615 total, 544 receiving, 58 on kickoff returns and13 rushing. Defensively he is third on the team with a total of 25.5 tackles, 17 solo, and four pass breakups.

DS CECIL DOGGETTE – Now in his tenth AFL season, this staple of their secondary is a solid wall opponents must force through. For the past six seasons he has led every team he played for in tackles, as he continues to do in 2004 in Grand Rapids. In Week 12 he racked up four solo tackles, 4.5 total, and one pass defensed. Adding another pass breakup in Week 12 put him in the AFL's number-one slot for leaders in passes defensed with 19 total on the season. He is also currently ranked in the top-25 in the league for most combined tackles with 44 total, 29 solo and 30 assisted

ATTAINABLE MILESTONES
* Denotes Rookie



OL/DL TOM BRIGGS
· 2 sacks from 35 total career
· 2.5 tackles from 160 total career

WR/LB DARRYL HAMMOND
· 4 receptions from 715 career receptions
· 332 yards from 8,000 career receiving yards
· 9 receiving touchdowns from 120 career receiving touchdowns
· 2 receptions from 35 receptions on the season
· 37 yards from 350 receiving yards on the season
· 5 touchdowns from 15 touchdowns on the season
· 23.5 tackles from 600 career tackles

WR/DB TACOMA FONTAINE*
· 5 touchdowns from 25 career receiving touchdowns
· 90 yards from 1,000 career receiving yards
· 4 catches from 60 career receptions




QB JOHN KALEO
· 340 passing yards from 25,500 career yards
· 27 completions from 2,100 career completions
· 18 touchdown passes from 425 career touchdowns
· 8 touchdowns from 70 touchdown passes this season
· 8 completions from 260 completions on the season
· 66 yards from 3,100 passing yards this season
DS CEDRIC WALKER
· 9 tackles from 525 career tackles
· 2 games from 100th regular-season career AFL contest
· 6 pass breakups from 80 career breakups
· 3 interceptions from 25 career interceptions
· 4 tackles from 50 tackles on the season

WRANGLERS ROSTER NOTES

AS THE AFL TURNS—The departure of Bob Cortese marks the second time an opposing coach has stepped down the week leading to a Wranglers match-up. Steve DeBerg was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Indiana Firebirds the week leading to the Wranglers Week Six contest.

HOT START—After struggling with the quarterback position and ultimately an offensive rhythm for the majority of the season, the Grand Rapids Rampage posted 23 points in the first half during their 69-30 loss to the Colorado Crush last Friday. Their quick start in the game slowed considerably, as they were held to only one touchdown in the second half in Denver. The Rampage has started four different quarterbacks in the 2004 season, with QB Michael Bishop reeling in the team's only win against Detroit in Week 10.

SPLITTING IT UP—The Wranglers scored a franchise-high 35 points in the first half of their Week 12 match-up against New Orleans. So far in the 2004 for season, Austin has scored an average of 23.2 points in the first half and has averaged 30.8 points in the second.

STOPPING THE STREAK— Still tied for the fifth-best winning percentage in the AFL, the Wranglers loss to the New Orleans VooDoo in Austin last Sunday marked the first time the team has lost two games back-to-back. The Wranglers were able to rebound from their last home loss against the Indiana Firebirds posting a franchise-high 70 points at Detroit in Week Seven.

RELENTLESS—The Wranglers offense is the most productive in the AFL and third-ranked in scoring after their Week 12 performance. QB John Kaleo's third-down passing rating remains key to the success, as he maintains the AFL's second-best passer rating, 123.4, and a the best completion rate at 67.6 percent in third down situations. Three of his favorite third-down targets rank among the AFL's top-25 third-down receivers. Kaleo has found WR/DB Charlie Davidson (fourth in the AFL) 15 times on third down, twice on touchdown passes, WR/LB Darrin Chiaverini (13th) 10 times for four touchdowns, and OS Tacoma Fontaine (23rd) eight times for four touchdowns.

THE SCOOP—Two Wranglers players scooped up fumbles in Week 12, increasing the total to 16 Wranglers players recovering fumbles so far this season. As a team, the Wranglers have recovered 15 defensive and four offensive fumbles. In their defensive labors, three Wranglers players rank in the top-ten in the AFL for forced fumbles. OL/DL Tom Briggs is responsible for three forced fumbles, tying him for third in the AFL while TE/DE Aaron Humphrey and FB/LB Dane Krager have each forced two fumbles, ranking seventh in the league.

DECLARING CANDIDACY—In a campaign worthy of Ironman of the Year, Wranglers three-way threat WR/DB Charlie Davidson continues to produce in every aspect of the game. Davidson caught three touchdown passes in Week 12 bringing his season total to 14. He leads the Wranglers, and is currently 12th in the AFL, in all-purpose yards with 1,355, 689 receiving, 568 on kickoff returns, 10 on interception returns and nine rushing. His defensive efforts finish the package as he is leading the Wranglers in fumble recoveries and interceptions with three each. He only trails Austin's defensive specialists DeRon Jenkins and Cedric Walker in tackles with 31 total on the season.

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 65-60
9 Saturday, April 3 @ Los Angeles Avengers L 81-70
10 Sunday, April 11 GEORGIA FORCE W 42-26
11 Sunday, April 18 @ Tampa Bay Storm L 58-52
12 Sunday, April 25 NEW ORLEANS VOODOO L 63-59
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



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 28, 2004


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