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Brigade Weekly Release

February 15, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


Another Large Crowd Expected this Week:

The Kansas City Brigade has sold nearly 12,000 tickets for this Sunday's game against the Columbus Destroyers at 1 p.m. at Kemper Arena. Season ticket sales are approaching 9,000 and the flex plan (four-game deal) and seven-game package (available through Friday) continue to garner strong interest. Good single-game seats are also still available for the remaining home schedule via TicketMaster. There will be tickets available for walk-up fans at Kemper Arena on Sunday.

Brigade Fans Stock up on Merchandise:

The first widespread release of Brigade apparel and memorabilia for the home opener last Sunday at Kemper Arena caused some long lines on the concourse, but that did not discourage fans from stockpiling. The team officially sold over $76,000 in merchandise on game day and fans can still purchase merchandise at the Kansas City Store.

Television Ratings Surpass all Expectations:

The Brigade home opener, which was broadcast live on the WB Kansas City, drew a 3.2 rating on Sunday, beating every sport but the Olympics.

Upcoming Game:

Kansas City Brigade (0-3) vs. Columbus Destroyers (1-2) Sunday, February 19, 1 p.m. at Kemper Arena

TV: The WB Kansas City and Metro Sports (Duke Frye, Jayice Pearson and Danni Boatwright)

Radio: 97.3 MAX FM (Chris Gervino and Stan Weber)

Game notes can be found at www.kcbrigade.com

The game will also be webcast (radio) on www.810whb.com and a video stream of the game (TV broadcast) will be shown on www.arenafootball.com.

The Brigade has another chance to get its first win in front of the home crowd. The team has lost its last two games by only a combined 11 points and has had a chance to win or tie on the final play of each game. Columbus comes to Kemper on a two game losing streak, including a 53-38 setback at home to division opponent Dallas. The defeat dropped the Destroyers into last place in the Eastern Division.

In terms of matchups, the Brigade's continually improving defense should be able to handle the Destroyers' offense. And while the teams are evenly matched in total defense, the Brigade does have a decided advantage when Andy Kelly airs it out against the Destroyers' secondary.

Last week the Brigade played in front of a sellout crowd of 16,532 in its inaugural home opener but could not change its fortunes in a 37-33 loss to Austin. A defensive struggle turned into a thriller at the end of the game as the Brigade was poised to play hero to the home fans. The defense stone-walled the Wranglers on fourth-and-goal from the three yard line to end a 14-play drive that consumed eight minutes of the fourth quarter. Andy Kelly led the offense across midfield and down to the two yard line on a pass to Offensive Player of the Game Jerel Myers, who totaled 10 catches for 116 yards with two touchdowns. But multiple penalties on both teams and the tight quarters kept the Brigade out of the end zone.

Roster and Injury Information

FB/LB Jeremy Beutler was activated from the injured reserve in time for last week's game against Austin. OL/DL Fred Ray was released last week after being activated from the injured reserve. Seven players remain on injured reserve and five are eligible to come off in time for Sunday's game against Columbus.

Stats and Tidbits

- Congratulations go out to two couples in the organization who became parents on Monday. OL/DL Lucas Yarnell's wife Kelly gave birth to a healthy girl named Kendall Jean and Assistant General Manager Jake Dancy's wife Marci gave birth to a healthy girl named Mason.

- Jerel Myers was named the Offensive Player of the Game against Austin last week, the first Brigade player to receive such an honor. He had 10 receptions for 116 yards with two touchdowns. Myers' consecutive 10-catch games put him third in the league with 29 receptions.

- Andy Kelly had success against the Destroyers as a member of the New Orleans VooDoo. When the teams met least season Kelly earned Offensive Player of Game honors, completing 19 of 27 passes for 229 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions.

- Dawan Moss is fifth in the league in rushing with 34 yards and his 5.9 yards per carry is second (minimum five attempts).

- Denario Smalls' 17 solo tackles is tied for 10th in the league and his 10 solo tackles last week versus Austin was a career high.

- Columbus offensive coordinator Ken Matous attended Hutchinson High School in Hutchinson, Kan., where he lettered in football, basketball and track. Matous played quarterback at Hutchinson Community College under his father for two years and became one of his assistants in 1978. OL/DL John Culp played for Terry Allen at the University of Kansas and won a letter in 2000 when he appeared in 10 games, starting one.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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