Brigade Game Notes

Published on May 7, 2002 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Rochester Brigade News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Rochester Brigade (2-3) vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (0-5)
Date: Friday, May 10, 2002
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Blue Cross Arena (11,200)
National Anthem: TBD
Coin Toss: Joe Calabrese
Officials: Mike Perry, Referee
Howard Brechtel, Umpire
Mike Roberts, Head Linesman
George Santoro, Line Judge
Paul Wzontek, Back Judge
Radio: WASB 1590 AM, WRSB 1310 AM, WMJQ 105.5 FM
JC DeLass, play-by-play commentator
John DiTullio, color commentator
Series Record: First Meeting
Last Meeting: Pre-Season Scrimmage
Streaks: Rochester- lost one
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton- lost five
Coaches: Mark Saunders (6-15, 2nd)
Terry Karg (0-5, 1st)

THE STAKES:

In a tight second place battle in the division, the Rochester Brigade needs a victory to stay on pace with the Mohegan Wolves and the New Haven Ninjas. All three teams are currently tied with a 2-3 mark. The Pioneers are looking for their first victory in franchise history, as they are currently stuck in the Northeast Division basement with a 0-5 mark on the season.

HEAD COACHES:

In his second season as the Brigade's Head Coach and first season as the team's General Manager, Mark Saunders has a 6-15 record. This season, Saunders looks to improve upon that record and make a mark in the newly formed Northeast Division. Prior to arenafootball2, Saunders spent eight seasons in college football with the North Carolina A&T Aggies

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Head Coach Terry Karg enters his first season with the expansion Pioneers. Karg comes to the Pioneers from the Los Angeles Avengers, where he was the offensive coordinator in 2000 and was the Personnel Director for the Avengers in 2001. He currently has a 0-5 record.

THE IFs:

If the Brigade defeats the Pioneers, it would ...
· Give the Brigade a 1-0 series lead
· Give the Brigade a 3-3 record on the season
· Give Mark Saunders a 7-15 all-time record
· Give the Brigade a 2-3 home record in 2002
Keep the Brigade in second place in the Division

THE SERIES:

This is the first of three meetings between the Brigade and the Pioneers this season. Friday, May 10, is the first of two meetings between these two clubs at the Blue Cross Arena. The second of the two meetings in Rochester will be on June 29, the Brigade's final home game of the regular season. Rochester will travel to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on June 1. These are vital games for the Brigade, as they will be battling for one of the two playoff-spots in the division.

SERIES NOTABLES:

Leading the way for the Brigade this season is OS Martino Theus, who is currently ranked first in the league with 49 receptions for 612 yards and first in the league with 122.4 receiving yards per game. He also has nine touchdown receptions on the year. WR/DB Aaron Fix will also be a player to watch for, as he is second on the team in All-Purpose yards with 531 total yards an average of 106.2 yards per game. Fix is also second on the team in receiving with eleven catches for 102 yards and one touchdown. Fix leads the team with four rushing touchdowns and also returned a missed field goal for a 55 yard score. Defensively for the Brigade watch out for DS Vonkeith Spencer, who is currently the team leader with 16 tackles (12 solo) and leads the team with three interceptions. OL/DL Antonio Dingle is the backbone of the line this season with 5.5 tackles (five solo) and four sacks for 27 yards. He also has two forced fumbles.

The Pioneers leaders include WR Terrence Tillman, who is second on the Pioneers in All-Purpose yards with 362 yards. Tillman is the third leading receiver on the team with 13 catches for 170 yards and three scores. He also returned a 50-yard kickoff for a score. QB Tyler Tomich has completed 67 of 126 passes for 773 yards, ten touchdowns and four picks. Defensively, the Pioneers are led by DS Rodrick Prayer, who is currently ranked eighth in the league with 29.5 tackles (25 solo) and has three tackles for a loss of 20 yards.

ROCHESTER BRIGADE INJURY REPORT:

Pos. Name Injury Status
FB/LB Andrew Howard Left Knee Long Term IR
OL/DL Andy Mattoon Ankle Short Term IR

FAMILIAR FACES:

The North Carolina A&T Connection and team Ironman WR/DB Rodney Bush will continue a second season with Head Coach Mark Saunders. The two will be joined by former North Carolina A&T teammate WR/DB Vonkeith Spencer. Brigade FB/LB Anthony Cleary will be re-united with Pioneers OL/DL Tim Argiriadi. The two played together at Penn State in 1996 and 1997 for head coach Joe Paterno

LAST SERIES MEETING:

The Brigade and the Pioneers met in a pre-season scrimmage at the Blue Cross Arena, where the teams battled for a tie after running a series of plays from various spots on the field. The Pioneers edged out the Brigade in the kicking portion of the scrimmage to claim the so-called "victory." This is the first meeting between the two teams that will have any significant impact on the season. If the Pioneers win, it will be their first in franchise history. If the Brigade wins, they will move to .500 and stay in second place.

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Head Coach Mark Saunders, Last Week: "One of the most bitter experiences since coaching here... the players were lifeless and had no desire. We dropped three touchdowns and the tackles were lacksadazyckle out there."

Head Coach Mark Saunders, This Week: "At this point, we need to correct things, get back in the right frame of mind and focus on getting our team mentally prepared...we need to have a big week."

Head Coach Mark Saunders, Kicking : "We're not very good at kicking, and we need to find ways to correct that so we can add on points after TDs and allow our defense better field position to hold the oppositions offense... it's a big thing this week to get corrected."

MILESTONES-

· April 27,2002: Rochester Brigade won their first ever "NYS Lottery af2 Cup," defeating the Albany Conquest on the road 32-24 to give the Conquest their first loss on the season.

· April 27,2002: Rochester Brigade Quarterback Matt D'Orazio threw for the most yards in a single game with 313

· April 27,2002: Rochester Brigade took a franchise high, 17 penalties in a single game and a league record 168 yards penalized.

· April 27,2002: Rochester Brigade set a franchise record for fewest points allowed in a game with 24.

· May 3, 2002: Rochester Brigade Offensive Specialist Martino Theus set a franchise record for most catches in a game with 14 and most yards receiving with 195.

DROPBACK:

Last week, the Brigade fell to the New Haven Ninjas 46-28 in the second meeting between the two teams this season. With the loss, the Brigade moves into a three-way tie for second place between Mohegan and New Haven; all 2-3 on the season. OS Martino Theus continued his excellence with 14 catches for 195 yards and two scores, but his effort wasn't enough as game MVP QB Jarrod Rouanzoin completed 17 passes for 243 yards and five touchdowns for the Ninjas, leading them to their second consecutive victory.

FORWARD MOTION:

Next week, the Brigade will head on the road for the second time this season. The team will travel to Connecticut to face the Mohegan Wolves for the second time this season. In the first game, the Wolves defeated the Brigade 54-45 on their home turf; however, the Brigade looks to even the series as these two team will battle for second place.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

Penalties, Penalties, Penalties:
Last week, the Brigade showed some improvement by only taking four penalties for 30 yards, a season low; nonetheless, they are still ranked 33 in the league after taking 53 penalties for 409 yards and averaging 81.8 per game. Sacks vs. Sack Prevention:
One of Coach Saunders' biggest adjustments in the off- season was to improve the Offensive and Defensive line, which has proven to be beneficial this season. The team is currently tied for fifth in the league with eleven sacks on the season, and six in sacks against with four for 21 yards. Leading the way for the Brigade is OL/DL Antonio Dingle, who leads the team with four sacks on the season.

Red Zone Defense:
The Brigade has struggled against their opposition in the red zone this season, allowing teams to go a perfect 20 for 20 deep in the Brigade territory. The Brigade is currently ranked dead last in this category, allowing their opposition to tally 16 touchdowns and four field goals.

Kicking Foes:
Currently the Brigade is ranked dead last in Point After Attempts, kicking eight out of 24 at 33%. Additionally, the team is ranked 21 in Field Goals, connecting on two of ten for 20%, and is also ranked 30 in scoring by kick with 14 points on the season.

Fix Nearing the Century Mark:
WR/DB Aaron Fix is closing in on a tackle milestone, as he looks to accumulate 100 tackles in his career. After playing last season as defensive specialist, he led the team with 77 tackles. This season he currently has 11.5 (ten solo) to give him 87 for his career in 18 games played.

Player GP Tackles Solo
Aaron Fix 18 88.5 57

PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

Brigade OS Martino Theus:
Theus, is currently ranked first in the league in receptions with 49 for 612 yards, nine touchdowns and an average of 12.5 yards per catch. He is also ranked first in the league in receiving yards per game, averaging 122.4. Last week Theus set Brigade records for receptions in a single game with 14, and receiving yards with 195. Theus added a bit more glitz as he caught two touchdowns from 20 and 6 yards.

Brigade OL/DL Antonio Dingle:
Dingle is currently tied for fifth in the league with four sacks, tied for third in the league with two forced fumbles, and is tied for fifth in the league with three tackles for a loss of yardage. Dingle currently has 5.5 tackles (five solo) on the season.

Pioneers WR Terrence Tillman:
Tillman is the team's leading scorer with four touchdowns for 24 points. He is second on the team in all purpose yards with 362 and average of 90.5 a game. He is the team leader in kickoff returns with 7 for 176 yards including a 50 yard touchdown return and is third on the team with 13 catches for 170 yards and three touchdowns.

Pioneers DS Rodrick Prayer:
Prayer is currently eighth in the league and the team leader with 29.5 tackles (25 solo) with five passes defended and one interception. He also has three tackles for a loss of 20 yards.

KEY DATES IN TEAM/LEAGUE HISTORY:

· Saturday, April 27, The New Haven Ninjas won their first game in franchise history, defeating the Mohegan Wolves 51-38.

· Saturday, April 27, Rochester Brigade won first road game of the 2002 season defeating the Albany Conquest 32-24 and taking home the "NYS Lottery af2 Cup."

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