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Brigade Snaps Four Game Losing Streak

June 29, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rochester Brigade News Release


Rochester, NY (AP)- The Rochester Brigade (6-7) defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (4-9) 55 to 38 in front of 7,137 fans at the Blue Cross Arena to snap a four game losing streak and close the season at home with a four and four record.

The Brigade came out on fire, as QB Matt D'Orazio rushed in two of his five rushing touchdowns from 7 and 2 yards out to take an early 14 to 0 lead. D'Orazio, who was named game MVP, rushed the ball 12 times for 41 yards and tied a league record with 5 rushing touchdowns. He also completed 15 of 22 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns.

The Brigade went into halftime with a 34 to 17 lead, as D'Orazio rushed in his third touchdown from 10 yards out and connected with WR/DB Derek Baker for one of his two passing scores from 5 yards. For the Pioneers, QB Bryan Snyder completed two passing touchdowns with the first going to OS John Knust from 4 yards and the second going to WR/DB Aman Abye from 7 yards. Snyder finished the night 19 of 36 with 159 yards and four touchdowns. Kicker Jimmy Kibble added a 35-yard field goal at the end of the half.

The Pioneers' offense struggled, as the Brigade was able to come up with five defensive stops that later led to Brigade scores. Leading the way on defense for the Brigade was newcomer DS Mark Herron, who registered 7 tackles (4 solo) and one pass break-up. The ADT Defensive player of the game was granted to Brigade OL/DL Ahmad Whitehead, who recovered an onside kick that preserved the Brigade victory. He also registered an assisted tackle and a quarterback hurry.

Kicker Charles Eger had a strong leg in the Brigade victory, connecting on 7 of 8 extra points to secure a team record. Eger also put a kickoff through the scoreboard to cause a 15-minute delay for cleanup.

Baker was named Game IRONMAN after missing the last three games due to a concussion he suffered the last time these teams met. On the night he caught 4 passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns, registered 3 solo tackles and rushed the ball 2 times for 8 yards and one score.

With the Brigade having such dominant field position all night, OS Martino Theus only caught 4 passes for 44 yards. Theus still needs 14 catches to break the league record of 148 in a season.

The two teams exchanged a series of scores in the second half, as D'Orazio rushed in his fourth and fifth touchdowns of the night from 1 yard out and connected with Baker from 14 yards. For the Pioneers, Snyder threw 2 more touchdowns to Knust from 19 yards and FB/LB Rich Butcofski from 6 yards. Abye also rushed in a score from 2 yards.

Next week the Brigade heads on the road to face the Atlantic Division Roanoke Steam (6-7) on Saturday, July 6, for a 7:30 kickoff. You can catch all the action with JC DeLass on WASB 1590 AM, WRSB 1310 AM and WMJQ 105.5 FM.

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