Brigade Game Notes

April 23, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rochester Brigade News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Rochester Brigade (1-2) vs. Albany Conquest (3-0)
Date: April 27, 2002
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Pepsi Arena (13,901)
National Anthem: TBD
Coin Toss: TBD
Officials: Ed Ardito, Referee
Wayne Mackie, Umpire
James Czajkowski, Head Linesman
James DeBell, Line Judge
James Quirk, Back Judge
Radio: WYSL 1040 AM
JC DeLass, play-by-play commentator
Series Record: 0-1
Last Meeting: Albany 42 @ Rochester 36
Streaks: Rochester is on a two-game losing streak
Albany is on three-game winning streak
Coaches: Mark Saunders (5-14, 2nd)
Ron Selesky(3-0, 1st)

THE STAKES:
This is the second of three meetings between the interstate rivals, as they will be competing for the NYS Lottery af2 Cup for the second time this season. The cup will be awarded to the winner of each game and to the overall winner at the end of the 2002 season. Currently, Albany is atop the Northeast Division; nonetheless, the Brigade is currently in third place in the division. The Brigade is looking to rebound from a tough loss earlier this season and bring the NYS Lottery af2 Cup to Rochester.

HEAD COACHES:
In just his second season with the Brigade, Head Coach Mark Saunders has a 5-14 record. Saunders is currently 1-2 this season and on a two-game losing streak after a disappointing loss last weekend. This season, Saunders looks to improve upon that record, and make a mark in the newly formed Northeast division.

This year, Albany's Ron Selesky began his first season as head coach for the Conquest, and is off to good start with a 3-0 record. Prior to coaching for the Conquest, he was the head coach of the Louisville Fire during the 2001 season, where he led them to a 6-10 record.

THE IFs:
If the Brigade defeats the Conquest, it would ...
· Give the Brigade a 2-2 record on the season
· Give the Brigade a 1-1 series record
· Give Mark Saunders a 6-14 all-time record
· Give the Brigade a 1-0 record o n the Road
· Give the Brigade the NYS Lottery af2 Cup for the first time

THE SERIES:
The Albany Conquest currently has a 1-0 series lead after taking the first win of the three-game series between the two clubs. On home turf, Rochester was leading the game 16-9 at halftime, but a change in quarterbacks for the Conquest seemed to spark them. Ryan Vena came off of the bench throwing three touchdown passes and rushing one in to give the Conquest the victory 42-36.

SERIES NOTABLES:
In their first meeting, the Brigade was led by OS Martino Theus, who returned one missed field goal for 16 yards, caught eight passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns. In that same game, QB Matt D'Orazio set the Brigade's rushing record, as he carried the ball seven times and rushed for 38 yards (team record) and one touchdown. D'Orazio also completed 15 of 32 passes for 149 yards and three touchdowns on the night. The Brigade's defense was led by DS Vonkeith Spencer, registering seven tackles (five solo) in the first game. Spencer also had one forced fumble, one interception and two passes defended. For the Conquest backup QB Ryan Vena entered the game in the second half and stole the show, completing 12 of 18 passes for 108 yards and three touchdowns. Vena also rushed one in from three yards out earning game MVP honors. OS Corey Hill caught nine passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Hill also returned one missed field goal for 37 yards and two kickoffs for 43 yards. Defensively, the Conquest was led by DS Brandon Tinson, who registered eight tackles (six solo) on the night and one pass defended.

MILESTONES:
· April 19, 2002- WR/DB Aaron Fix set club record against the Mohegan Wolves with a 55 yard missed field goal return for a touchdown.
· April 13, 2002- QB Matt D'Orazio set the team rushing record against the Albany Conquest, rushing the ball seven times for 38 yards. He also registered one touchdown on the night.
· April 6, 2002- Brigade set the team's individual game high for most points in a contest with 61 against the New Haven Ninjas.
· April 6, 2002- marked first time in franchise history the Brigade led an entire game from start to finish.

FAMILIAR FACES:
Former Hobart Statesmen alumni, DS Tyrea Simmons for Rochester and OL/DL Rich Barlette for Albany will battle against each other for the second time this season. The two players were never teammates as Simmons' final season was in 1997 and Barlette launched his career as a Statesman in 1998.

LAST SERIES MEETING:
On April 13, 2002, the Conquest defeated the Brigade 42-36 at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, NY to claim the first ever "NYS Lottery af2 Cup." The Brigade led the Conquest 16-9 at halftime, and the teams were tied at 22 following the third quarter. Albany took the lead 29-28 early in the fourth quarter, and extended their lead to 42-28 in the final minute of play. The Brigade didn't let up and continued to drive late in the game, but were unable to capitalize on their efforts. The game MVP was QB Ryan Vena (Albany), IRONMAN was WR/DB Adriel Linyear (Albany) and the ADT Defensive Player of the Game was DS Henry Baker (Albany).

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:
Quarterback, Matt D'Orazio, On Albany: "We have to take advantage of playing at home...last week was a step in the right direction, and with another victory we will take the early lead in the division."

Head Coach Mark Saunders, This Week: " We need to be consistent, minimize our mistakes and cut down on the penalties...we have to improve weekly to move forward and be successful throughout the season."

Head Coach Mark Saunders, Albany: "This is a very important game to set the edge... It's important to be consistent and distance ourselves between our opponents."

DROPBACK:
Last week, the Brigade lost their second consecutive game of the 2002 season, falling to 1-2 on the season. The Brigade's loss (54-45) allowed the Mohegan Wolves to tally a two-game winning streak and claim second place in the Northeast Division. Wolves' QB Cable Davis had a record setting performance as he earned game MVP honors, completing 22 of 38 passes for 357 yards and five touchdowns. His go to guy on the night, WR/DB Brent Burnside, also had an outstanding night. Burnside threw a 12-yard strike in the game and caught nine balls for 172 yards and three scores. For the Brigade, Aaron Fix earned the game IRONMAN award and set a Brigade record as he returned a 55 yard missed field goal return for a touchdown. Fix also rushed in a score from 14 yards out and caught a 25- yard touchdown strike on the night.

FORWARD MOTION:
This Saturday, the Brigade will be heading out on the road for the first time this season, and will return home on May 3, to face the New Haven Ninjas (0-3) for the second time this season. In the First meeting between the Brigade and the Ninjas, the Brigade dominated the game, held the lead for the entirety of the game and came away with a 61-34 victory to open the season. The Brigade will look to repeat their performance, as these divisional games are very crucial during the season.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

Penalties, Penalties, Penalties:
On the season, the Brigade has managed to accumulate 32 penalties for 211 yards and average 70.3 per game, ranking the team 30th in the league. Last week the team racked up ten more penalties for 70 yards. In opponent penalties the team currently ranks 13th, allowing 24 for 112 yards at an average of 37.3 a game.

Money in the Red Zone:
The Brigade is currently ranked 8th in the league in Red Zone efficiency at 83.3 percent. In the first three games of the season, the team is 10 for 12 in the Red Zone with ten touchdowns, of which eight are rushing and two are passing.

Sacks vs. Sack Prevention:
One of Coach Saunders' biggest off- season adjustments was to improve the Offensive and Defensive line, which proved to be beneficial thus far this season. The team is currently ranked 8th in the league with seven sacks on the season, and is 4th in sacks against with two. Leading the way for the Brigade is OL/DL Antonio Dingle, who leads the team with three sacks on the season.

Rushing it in:
The Brigade is currently ranked fifth in the league in Rushing offense with 47.0 yards per game average, as the team continues to demonstrate how well they can rush the ball this season. They have gained 141 yards off of 44 attempts and tallied a league high of nine touchdowns. The main ingredients on the rush this season are QB Matt D'Orazio who is the team rushing leader, WR/Db Aaron Fix and FB/LB Anthony Cleary.

Fix Nearing the Century Mark:
WR/DB Aaron Fix is closing in on a milestone, and looks to accumulate 100 tackles in his career. As the team's defensive specialist last season, he led the team with 77 tackles. This season, he currently has eight (seven solo) to give him 85 for his career in just 17 games played

Player GP Tackles Solo
Aaron Fix 16 85 54

PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

Brigade WR/DB Aaron Fix:
Fix is the Brigade's go to guy on offense this season, as he has demonstrated that he's capable of doing it all. Fix is currently ranked first in field goal returns with one for a 55 yard touchdown, first in kick returns with seven for 171 yards, first in all purpose yards with 335 and has an average of 111.7 per game. In rushing he is ranked third on the team with six rushes for 29 yards and three touchdowns. He also ranked second on the team in receiving with eight catches for 80 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, he has eight tackles on the season (seven solo).

Conquest DS Henry Baker:
Baker will look to control the Brigade's top receivers, as he currently leads the league with four interceptions on the season. For the Conquest he has registered 9.5 tackles (seven solo), four passes defended and four interceptions on the season in three games.

Conquest OS Corey Hill:
The Conquest's go to guy on offense is OS Corey Hill, who is the team leader in all purpose yards with 498 total yards and averages 166 per game. Hill is currently the league leader with 29 receptions this season and is fifth in the league in receiving yards per game with 99.7. He has 29 receptions for 299 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Conquest.

Brigade QB Matt D'Orazio:
D'Orazio is currently the team leader in rushing, and is ranked sixth in the league with 55 yards and three touchdowns off 17 attempts. D'Orazio is averaging 18.3 yards per game. In passing he has completed 49 of 86 passes for 492 yards and nine touchdowns with a long pass of 34 yards on the season.

KEY DATES IN TEAM/LEAGUE HISTORY:

· April 20- the Tennessee Valley Vipers were once again victorious on the road, extending their team consecutive road victories mark to nine; the longest streak in the af2.

· April 20- the Richmond Speed tallied yet another victory, a 14-game home unbeaten streak since the inception of Head Coach Richard Davis.



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