'Birds Seek Back-to-Back Road Victories to Open Season
Published on February 7, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
By: Curt Hunter - www.firebirds.com
INDIANAPOLIS - After an impressive week one victory over the Detroit Fury on Sunday, the Indiana Firebirds will travel to New York to face the Dragons this Sunday, February 9th at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Firebirds (1-0) will be making their first-ever trip to New York and bring an unblemished 2-0 mark in the all-time series with the Dragons. For the first time in franchise history, the 'Birds will be looking to open the season with back-to-back road victories. The Firebirds have begun the season 2-0 four times in franchise history ('94, '97, '98, '00) and have gone on to win the Division Title three of the four years ('94, '98, '00).
The game can be heard on ESPN Radio 950 AM and WPZZ 95.9 FM "The Point" with kickoff scheduled for 1 pm (EST). Veteran broadcaster Ari Wolfe will handle play-by-play duties and Rob Blackman will provide color commentating for Sunday's contest.
The Firebirds are coming off of a week one victory over the Fury where the team, especially the offense, seemed to be hitting on all cylinders. The 'Birds lived up to the high-scoring, fast-paced billing of Arena Football, posting ten touchdowns and 66 total points. Firebirds' quarterback Raymond Philyaw was on target Sunday afternoon, completing 18-of-29 pass attempts for 220 yards and four scores without throwing a single interception. "Touchdown" Eddie Brown got off to a quick start once again after recording nine catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns in last weeks win in Detroit. The 'Birds 66 point outburst led all teams in week one of the regular season, meaning the Firebirds have the number one ranked scoring offense heading into week two.
The Firebirds' secondary had an impressive showing last week in Detroit against an improved offensive unit and will without question once again have their hands full this Sunday in New York. Quarterback Aaron Garcia, who is arguably one of the best quarterbacks ever to play in the Arena Football League, leads New York's offensive attack. Garcia, an eight-year AFL veteran, currently ranks fourth in League history in pass attempts (2,868), completions (1,760), passing yards (22,825), and ranks second in passing touchdowns (452).
New York (0-1) is coming off a four-point loss at the hands of Dallas after a somewhat controversial call late in the fourth quarter. Trailing 50-53 late in the game, Dragon's offensive specialist Steve Papin returned a kickoff 37 yards into Dallas territory setting up a game-tying field goal attempt. Dragon's kicker Jimmy Kibble, who has been recently released, seemingly connected on his only field goal attempt of the game; however the officials did not see the football hit the netting and ruled that the kick was no-good. The field goal would have tied the game at 53.
Garcia's primary target last season was rookie WR/DB Mike Furrey. Furrey was a standout performer in his rookie season, leading New York in receiving pulling in 74 balls for 1,055 yards and 27 touchdowns. Defensively, he was second on the team in tackles (42.0) and interceptions (5-16) on his way to being named Second-Team All-Arena and to the AFL's All-Ironman Team. Last week, Furrey showed no signs of a sophomore slump as he recorded seven catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns. The Firebirds will also have to contend with New York's OS Steve Papin, who is currently fifth in League history with 14,501 all-purpose yards gained. As a return specialist, Papin led the AFL in 2002 with 3,147 all-purpose yards (third best single-season mark) and set League records with 95 kickoff returns and 2,086 kickoff return yards gained (22.0 yards per return). Last week Papin continued his success on special teams, returning five kickoffs for 108 yards.
The Firebirds have improved their special teams play in 2003 with the emergence of Evan Hlavacek and addition of rookie Terrence Blackwell. Both should prove to be valuable assets for the 'Birds this season. Last week in Detroit, Hlavacek returned four kickoffs 87 yards including one for a touchdown. Blackwell returned his only chance of the game 53 yards to the Detroit 3-yard line, setting up a quick score for the 'Birds. With three explosive return men participating in Sunday's contest in the form of Hlavacek, Blackwell, and New York's Steve Papin, starting field position could prove to vital in the outcome of this weekend's game.
Sunday will mark the first time that current Firebirds kicker Clay Rush will face his former team. Rush began his Arena Football career with the New York Dragons (formerly Iowa Barnstormers) franchise in 1999. In 2000, Rush led all AFL kickers with 147 points scored and PATs made (99) on his way to being named the AFL's Kicker of the Year. He went on to set an AFL record the following season when he connected on 110 PATs, leading the League for the second year in a row. Rush signed with the Firebirds as an unrestricted Free Agent in November after spending four seasons with Iowa/New York.
A win Sunday would give the Firebirds their best start since the 2000 season, which is the last time the team won a division title. A victory would also give the 'Birds their 100th win in the team's fourteen-year history.
The Firebirds return to Conseco Fieldhouse next Sunday, February 16th to battle their Central Division rivals the Chicago Rush in the team's home opener. This game will be the first test of a three-game home stand. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 pm and will be televised live on NBC Sports. The game will also be broadcast on ESPN Radio 950 AM and WPZZ 95.9 FM "The Point". For more information please visit www.firebirds.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 7, 2003
- Gladiators Make Four Roster Moves - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Brown Approaches 2,000 Point Mark - AFL I
- Destroyers Host Carolina On Sunday - Buffalo Destroyers
- 'Birds Seek Back-to-Back Road Victories to Open Season - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
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