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Brigade Engage In a Nail Biter, Coming Out On Top

May 24, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rochester Brigade News Release


Rochester, N.Y. (AP)- The Rochester Brigade (5-3) defeated the Greensboro Prowlers (2-6) 42 to 37 with a come from behind fourth quarter victory in front of 6,549 fans at the Blue Cross Arena.

The two teams were tied at the end of the first quarter at seven, but soon after Greensboro took the lead as QB Travis Pender connected with WR/DB Tom Stark from ten yards. Brigade FB/LB Anthony Cleary responded to the Prowlers' threat as he rushed in a score from three yards out.

The Brigade was led by OS Martino Theus' record-breaking performance. Theus tallied 13 catches on the night to bring his league-leading total to 88 receptions on the season and break WR/DB Derek Baker's previous mark of 80. Theus was named game MVP on the night, registering 13 catches for 100 yards and one touchdown.

Baker also made his presence known, earning his second straight game IRONMAN award. He caught ten passes for 83 yards, including the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Baker registered his first career interception and three key passes defended, including a game saving fourth down deflection that gave the Brigade possession of the ball and secured the victory.

The Brigade trailed at halftime 23-21 and fell deeper into a hole after QB Travis Pender rushed in his second touchdown of the night from one yard to place the Brigade at 30-21 early in the third quarter. The Brigade answered with a WR/DB Aaron Fix two-yard rush and a successful two-point conversion to move to within one. Despite such efforts, the Prowlers took a 37-29 lead into the fourth quarter, but could not keep pace as the Brigade shut them out in the final quarter.

Quarterback Matt D'Orazio contributed to the team's success, completing 27 of 37 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns. D'Orazio also carried the ball seven times on the night for 26 yards.

Fix eclipsed the century mark for tackles in his career early in the first quarter. On the night he racked up six total tackles to give him 104.5 in just 22 games. He also registered two passes defended, caught two passes for twelve yards and rushed in two touchdowns off four carries.

The ADT Defensive player of the game went to Brigade OL/DL Antonio Dingle, who registered two tackles on the night, a half sack, one pass defended and a quarterback hurry; most of which came in the fourth quarter.

Leading the way for the Prowlers was Pender, who completed 16 passes for 188 yards, registered three touchdowns and rushed in two additional touchdown from one and six yards out. His top receiver was WR Tom Stark, who caught seven passes for 60 yards and two scores. The top defensive player for the Prowlers was their leading tackler DS Jermaine Toney, who registered 16.5 tackles (twelve solo) and one pass defended.

Rochester (5-3) maintains their second place position in the Northeast Division with the victory, and heads on the road next week to face the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Pioneers (1-6). The Prowlers (2-6) head to Norfolk (1-5).



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