Austin Wranglers game notes
May 5, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Austin Wranglers News Release
AUSTIN WRANGLERS (7-5) vs. DALLAS DESPERADOS (6-6)
SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2004, 2 P.M. CENTRAL, FRANK ERWIN CENTER
WRANGLERS RADIO
All Austin Wranglers football games can be heard on Z102, 102.3 FM, with veteran sports radio announcer Craig Way calling the play-byplay 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.
Will McClay
Dallas Desperados
Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
Will McClay was named Head Coach of the Dallas Desperados on Feb. 5 following the resignation of Joe Avezzano.
McClay will continue to serve as the team's defensive coordinator, a position he has held since the team's inception in 2002. He also works in the Dallas Cowboys Player Personnel Department. Prior to coming to Dallas, he was the Assistant Director of Pro Scouting for the Jacksonville Jaguars (2001) and the player personnel director of the XFL's Orlando Rage (2001). He was the Grand Rapids Rampage's defensive coordinator/director of player personnel (1998-99) after serving in the same capacity for the Anaheim Piranhas (1997). He was defensive coordinator for the Florida Bobcats (1996) and the Milwaukee Mustangs (1995) after beginning his coaching career with the Detroit Drive (1993). He was a WR/DB for the Drive from 1989-92, helping them win three ArenaBowl titles in four trips.
McClay's first two seasons leading Dallas' defensive charge have been riddled with injuries and personnel movement, forcing him to piece together new defensive units on a regular basis. He is looking for more stability this spring as the team looks to move closer to its ultimate goal - the ArenaBowl. In addition to his work with the Desperados, McClay also works in the Dallas Cowboys scouting department grading players on other NFL teams. Prior to joining the Desperados, McClay was the Assistant Director of Pro Scouting for the Jacksonville Jaguars. In his one season with the team (2001), he was charged with scouting NFL teams Jacksonville did not play and advance scouting work.
Prior to moving into the personnel side of professional football, McClay spent 11 seasons in the AFL as a player and coach. His served as defensive coordinator and director of player personnel for the Grand Rapids Rampage in 1998. He added the title of assistant head coach in 1999, when the Rampage improved to an 8-6 record after posting a 3-11 campaign the previous season. In 1997, he was the defensive coordinator and director of player personnel for the Anaheim Piranhas after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Milwaukee Mustangs in 1995 and the Florida Bobcats in 1996. McClay was the secondary and special teams coach of the Detroit Drive in 1993, helping the team reach the ArenaBowl. From 1989-92, he was a wide receiver/defensive back for the Drive, helping lead them to three ArenaBowl titles in four appearances. McClay was a four-year letterman and team captain as a defensive back at Rice (1985-88), starting every game of his collegiate career. He graduated in 1990 with a degree in political science.
LAST WEEK
The Austin Wranglers snapped their first-ever two-game losing streak and left Grand Rapids with a much-needed win over the Rampage, 40-27. The Wranglers offense only scored 40 points and posted 263 yards in their victory, but the defense dominated holding Grand Rapids to only 12 first downs and 27 points, with only one touchdown scored in the second half.
Both teams started hot trading touchdown scores in the 30 minutes of play. The Wranglers got their first defensive stop in a six-play drive at the end of the first half when the defense pressured Grand Rapids QB Anthony Buich, who only completed one of his last four pass attempts on the drive. Lead by OL/DL Tom Briggs, the Wranglers line applied tremendous pressure and was able to force the Rampage to turn the ball over on downs. Kicker Tony Dodson took the field with three seconds left in the half to score a 44-yard field goal and extend the Wranglers lead going into intermission, 26-20. In the first drive of the second half the Wranglers offense stalled, but the defense stepped with OL/DL Ramon Richardson forcing a fumble that was recovered by WR/LB Darrin Chiaverini. A 46-yard field goal attempt by Tony Dodson was blocked, but the Wranglers defense locked down and held the Rampage to a field goal attempt that sailed wide left. After a scoreless third quarter, the Wranglers offense heated up, scoring two touchdowns in the final period and successfully burned the clock when the defense forced the Rampage to turn the ball over on downs and the Wranglers took over with a minute and a half remaining.
2004 STATISTICAL COMPARISON
AUS DAL
First Downs 251 218
Total Yards Gained 3,565 3,256
Average per Game 297.1 271.3
Net Rushing Yards 282 189
Average per Game 23.5 15.8
Net Passing Yards 3,283 3,067
Average per Game 273.6 255.6
Kickoff Returns 64 84
Average Yards per Return 16.5 20
Time of Possession 32:21 29:27
Touchdowns 89 84
Points Scored 635 592
2004 PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Baby Ruth Big Deal ADT Defensive Army Ironman
Offensive Player of the Game Player of the Game Player of the Game
Wranglers at Orlando WR/DB Cory Fleming (ORL) OL/DL Tom Briggs (AUS) WR/DB Charlie Davidson (AUS)
Wranglers vs. Tampa Bay QB John Kaleo (AUS) DS Cedric Walker (AUS) WR/LB Darryl Hammond (AUS)
Wranglers at Colorado QB John Dutton (COL) DS Rashad Floyd (COL) WR/LB Kevin McKenzie (COL)
Wranglers vs. Carolina QB John Kaleo (AUS) WR/DB Charlie Davidson (AUS) WR/DB Charlie Davidson (AUS)
Wranglers vs. Indiana QB Adrian McPherson (IND) TE/DE Bill Duff (IND) WR/DB Evan Hlavacek (IND)
Wranglers at Detroit OS Tacoma Fontaine (AUS) OL/DL Tom Briggs (AUS) WR/DB Carl Bond (DET)
Wranglers vs. Philadelphia OS Tacoma Fontaine (AUS) DS DeRon Jenkins (AUS) WR/DB Charlie Davidson (AUS)
Wranglers at Los Angeles OS Chris Jackson (LAA) WR/LB Greg Hopkins (LAA) WR/DB Henry Douglas (LAA)
Wranglers vs. Georgia WR/LB Darrin Chiaverini (AUS) OL/DL Tom Briggs (AUS) FB/LB Dane Krager (AUS)
Wranglers at Tampa Bay QB John Kaleo (AUS) WR/LB Lawrence Samuels (TAM) WR/DB T.T. Toliver (TAM)
Wranglers vs. New Orleans QB John Fitzgerald (NOV) DS Monty Montgomery (NOV) WR/LB Charlie Davidson (AUS)
Wranglers at Grand Rapids QB John Kaleo (AUS) DS Cecil Doggette (GR) WR/LB Darrin Chiaverini (AUS)
THE WRANGLERS ARE...
Record
4-2 At home
3-3 On the road
2-0 Against Eastern Division
2-2 Against Central Division
3-2 Against Southern Division
0-1 Against Western Division
4-2 With a spread of seven or more points
3-3 With a spread of six or fewer points
7-3 When Kaleo throws one or fewer INTs
0-2 When Kaleo throws two or more INTs
WRANGLERS STOPS
Stops on 4th down 7
Stops in Red Zone 10
Interceptions 5
Fumble recoveries 16
Field Goals 6
MFG 7
End of Half Stops 6
Total Stops on the Season 58
Average Stops/Game 4.8
WRANGLERS OFFENSE vs. AFL
2004 2004 AFL Week 13 AFL
Stat Average Rank Current Rank
Total yards per game 297.1 1.4 2
Passing yards per game 273.6 2 2t
First downs per game 20.9 4.8 3t
Third down efficiency 47/91 4.6 5
Fourth down efficiency 20/31 4.6 5
Points per game 52.9 6.4 5
WRANGLERS SCORING
Touchdowns No. # of players
Total Touchdowns 89 20
Receiving touchdowns 68 12
Rushing touchdowns 18 8
Return touchdowns 3 3
Miscellaneous scoring
Field Goals 6/14 1
K-PATs 70/80 1
Two-point Attempts 6/9 4
ATTAINABLE MILESTONES
* Denotes Rookie
WR/DB CHARLIE DAVIDSON
⢠17 receptions from 400 career receptions
⢠9 receiving touchdowns from 100 career receiving touchdowns
⢠1 receptions from 75 receptions on the season
⢠5 touchdowns from 20 touchdowns on the season
⢠2.5 tackles from 310 career tackles
⢠5 interception from 25 career interceptions
⢠5 tackles from 35 tackles on the season
WR/DB TACOMA FONTAINE*
⢠4 touchdowns from 25 career receiving touchdowns
⢠22 yards from 1,000 career receiving yards
⢠3 catches from 65 career receptions
WR/LB DARRYL HAMMOND
⢠5 receptions from 720 career receptions
⢠295 yards from 8,000 career receiving yards
⢠8 receiving touchdowns from 120 career receiving touchdowns
⢠3 receptions from 40 receptions on the season
⢠10 yards from 350 receiving yards on the season
⢠4 touchdowns from 15 touchdowns on the season
⢠21.5 tackles from 600 career tackles
QB JOHN KALEO
⢠100 passing yards from 25,500 career yards
⢠2 completions from 2,100 career completions
⢠14 touchdown passes from 425 career touchdowns
⢠4 touchdowns from 70 touchdown passes this season
⢠23 completions from 300 completions on the season
⢠226 yards from 3,500 passing yards this season
RAMPAGE TO WATCH
WR/LB Jason Shelley â In his third AFL season he has become a receiving leader for the Desperado offense. In 2004 he has already achieved four 100-yard receiving games and has caught 17 touchdowns. In Week Thirteen alone, he accumulated 122 yards on 11 catches to lead the team in receptions. This go-to guy has racked up 83 catches which ranks him eighth in the league for most receptions. His 1,012 yards put him in the top ten in the league for receiving yardage leaders. He is second on the team in scoring and number 11 in the league with a total of 22 touchdowns. Shelley has proved his capability and become a leader to the Desperados.
WR/DB Will Pettis â In only his second year in the AFL, this twoway player is not only leading the Desperados, but also dominating the league. He has put up impressive numbers on both sides of the ball. In Week Thirteen he led the team in allpurpose yards with six kickoff returns for 102 yards, six catches for 43 yards, and one missed field goal return for 25 yards. He currently sits in the top slot for all-purpose yards in the league with 2,411 total yards. On defense, he is in the top 50 in the league for combined tackles, solo tackles and passes defensed. In Week Thirteen he was second on the team with four total tackles and two pass breakups. He is a danger to opponents' both offensively and defensively.
DS Jermaine Jones â In the midst of his second AFL season, he has become instrumental to the Desperados' defense. In Week Thirteen, he led the team in tackles with nine hits, and recorded an interception. This interception tied him for eighth in the league for leaders in interceptions with a total of three for five yards. He also sits in the top 15 in the league for most combined tackles with 55 total and in the top ten league leaders in solo tackles with 52. His intensity has helped him to make an impact on the league in a very short time.
WRANGLERS TO WATCH
DS Cedric Walker â This nine year AFL veteran has been fired up his defensive performance as of lately. He made a huge impact in Week Thirteen when he totaled 6.5 tackles, 6 solo, and two were tackles for loss. Walker is now tied for sixth in the league for most combined tackles for loss in 2004. He also registered one forced fumble in Week Thirteen, which the Wranglers were able to convert to a touchdown. This ties him for ninth in the league for most forced fumbles.
WR/LB Darrin Chiaverini â He continues to perform with strength and makes an impact on both sides of the ball. On offense in Week Thirteen he nabbed seven passes for 60 yards and one touchdown. He is now in the top 50 in the league for leaders in receptions and receiving yardage leaders with 42 catches for 455 yards and nine touchdowns. In Week Thirteen on defense he registered two total tackles and one fumble recovery.
OL/DL Tom Briggs â This brick wall has been productive on both sides of the line this season. He is one of the prominent figures who intimidates the opponents on the field. He has racked up eight quarterback hurries this season, as well as 5.5 sacks and six passes defensed. With those numbers he is now ranked fourth in the league for most sacks in 2004, just 1.5 away from becoming the leader. In Week Thirteen he accumulated two tackles, one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry. He is also an impressive receiver for his size accumulating five catches for 64 yards and a touchdown in the twelve games he has played for the Wranglers. Well into his ninth season, he knows how to put the pressure on opponents on both sides of the ball.
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 W 40-27
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.
WRANGLERS ROSTER NOTES
THEY MEET AGAINâThe Austin Wranglers traveled to Dallas during the preseason to scrimmage the Desperados during the second week of training camp. The five practices were intense but the Wranglers left Dallas with the team's first taste of AFL competition which prepared them for their first two games of the season, a victory over the Orlando Predators and another win over reigning ArenaBowl Champions, the Tampa Bay Storm.
WHAT'S IN STOREâThe Dallas Desperados are in the midst of a three-game losing streak. After only posting 20 points against New York last week, a franchise-low, the team looks to rebound in Austin. However, the Desperados will have to overcome frivolous penalties, turnovers and instability at the quarterback position. After back up quarterback Walter Church came in for Glen Gauntt in the second half who left the game with an elbow contusion, the team gave up three interceptions and only scored one touchdown. Although their defense still can force plays, inconsistency has marred the team in their last five defeats which have averaged a differential of 18.8 points.
ENFORCEMENTâThe Wranglers defense was instrumental in the team's Week 13 victory over the Grand Rapids Rampage, holding their opponents scoreless in the third quarter and limiting them to only one touchdown in the second half. Led by nineyear veteran defensive specialist Cedric Walker who racked up 6.5 tackles, two for a total loss of seven yards, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble, the Wranglers have a variety of personnel contributing to that effort. In the backfield, DS Brent Browner had a fumble recovery in his 4.5 tackle performance, WR/LB Darrin Chiaverini posted two total tackles, one solo and two assists, and a fumble recovery, seven linemen and mack linebackers combined for three solo stops and 14 assists.
PICKING UP THE SLACKâThe Wranglers offense was able to capitalize on two Rampage turnovers. Forced fumbles by OL/DL Ramon Richardson and DS Cedric Walker brought the team's season total to 12. Five Wranglers are leading the AFL in forced fumbles this year, OL/DL Tom Briggs is tied for third in the league with three and four other Wranglers, TE/DE Aaron Humphrey, FB/LB Dane Krager, OL/DL Ramon Richardson and DS Cedric Walker, have forced two fumbles each and are tied for ninth in the league. WR/LB Darrin Chiaverini's fumble recovery against Grand Rapids extends the team's league-leading mark to 18 defensive fumble recoveries in the 2004 season.
ALL-WAY THREATâWR/DB Charlie Davidson's 2004 campaign is proving to be his most productive in his nine-year AFL career. Posting more playing time than any Wrangler, Davidson's impact is evident with his team-leading three interceptions on defense, 74 catches advancing him to 1,491 all-purpose yards for a total of 94 points, 15 touchdowns and two two-point conversions. Davidson has fought for 50 total first downs for the Wranglers, 17 of them on converting on third down.
ROOKIE SENSATIONâAlthough he didn't play until the Wranglers third game and registered his first AFL start the week following, OS Tacoma Fontaine has made the most of his breakout rookie season. Not only is his contribution to the team's offensive and special teams production considerable, but it translates into an overall outstanding rookie performance. As one of the league's top rookie performers, Fontaine ranks among the AFL leaders in receptions (21st with 62), receiving yards (11th with 987), yards from scrimmage (11th with 987), all-purpose yards (18th with 1,307), kickoff returns (26th with 20 for 299 yards), first downs (18th with 46), and scoring (nonkickers) (13th with 128 points).
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