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April 12, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


The Brigade played its best game of the year last week against the Los Angeles Avengers. The team looked like a well-oiled machine in all facets, setting a slew of single-game franchise records. Sanders and the offense looked completely comfortable and the defense stepped up and made a number of key plays when the team needed it. Kansas City must repeat its outstanding performance this week against a very tough opponent in the defending ArenaBowl champion Colorado Crush.

The difference in the game against LA was the play of the Brigade offensive and defensive lines, and this week hopes to be no different. Chris Sanders had plenty of time to roam the pocket and wait for his receivers to break coverage. A stout Crush defensive line will make it a long day for Sanders if he does not have good protection. Aaron Boone, Jerel Myers and James Jordan aspire to get open in the Crush secondary and could have another record-setting day if Sanders has time to find them.

The rotation of defensive lineman kept Avengers quarterback Sonny Cumbie on his back most of the game. It will be critical for the Brigade defensive line to get the same kind of pressure on Crush quarterback John Dutton. He will throw wherever and whenever he wants if he has enough time. The Brigade secondary will be concerned primarily with offensive specialist Damien Harrell (who has caught at least one touchdown in an amazing 60 straight games and is on pace to break the AFL scoring record this season), but their job will be much easier if BJ Cohen, Gillis Wilson, Cyron Brown and Bryan Henderson can wreak havoc in the Crush backfield.

The task this week is a formidable one. The Crush is an extremely talented, veteran team with arguably one of the best coaches in the league. The Brigade defense will have to first stop the prolific Crush and then take advantage of every opportunity when it has the ball. Colorado can clinch a playoff spot with a win at Kemper.

Usually the players take the pre-game spotlight because they go head-to-head on the field each week. Sunday's game against the Colorado Crush is different because a co-owner of the Brigade and one of the Crush are former NFL players who were both rivals and teammates. Brigade Vice President Neil Smith and Crush CEO John Elway have put away their jerseys and pads and will face off from the sidelines as their teams battle on the field. Incidentally, Smith has sacked Elway more times than any other player (14).

NEWS, NOTES, AND LEAGUE RANKINGS

- The Friday, April 21 game at the Nashville Kats will most likely be moved to Saturday, April 22 due to a conflict with the Nashville Predators' NHL playoffs schedule. Currently the Predators hold a four point lead for the fourth seed with three games to play and need just one point to clinch a home playoff series.

- There must be something about Kemper Arena and providence. Congratulations to 810 WHB personality Dave Borchardt and his wife, the proud parents of a new baby. Dave got the call Sunday morning just as he was set to interview head coach Kevin Porter. Congratulations also go out to James Jordan and his wife, who celebrated the birth of their son last week on team picture day. Finally, best wishes to beat writer Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star who married his fiancée last Friday. OL/DL Lucas Yarnell and Brigade employees Reggie Harris and Jake Dancy have had babies born the day before or day of Brigade home games.

- Aaron Boone, in only his second game with the Brigade, set franchise single-game records for receptions (13), yards (157) and touchdowns (5). In two games he has 24 receptions for seven touchdowns and an Offensive Player of the Game award.

- For the third game in a row, Chris Sanders accounted for all of the Brigade offense. He set a team record with seven touchdown passes, and for the fourth straight game he scored on a rush. Sanders also made the pitch on Myers' rushing touchdown. His completion percentage of 81.3 easily set a team record and helped him crack the league's top 10 in the category.

- Jerel Myers is tied for fifth in the league with 81 receptions. With three touchdowns against LA, he has scored at least one in nine of the team's eleven games.

- Calvin Spears, playing for the first time this season at defensive specialist, had three pass breakups last game.

- The Brigade set a team record with 62 total points, besting its 59-point against Tampa Bay in Week 6. The team also set a record with 34 first-half points.

- For all of the close games the Brigade has played this season, last week against LA was the team's first come-from-behind victory. The Brigade was down 35-34 with 7:30 left in the third quarter. The team outscored the Avengers 28-10 the rest of the way.

- The Brigade scored on all but one possession, including on three drives after LA turnovers. The offense was also perfect inside the red zone, scoring touchdowns on all eight chances.

- With such a complete victory over LA came a compliment of awards. The Brigade earned all three player of the game honors, a first this season. James Jordan earned his second U.S. Army Ironman of the Game award. Jordan also re-signed with the Brigade through 2008.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

- Habitat for Humanity in Kansas City enjoyed the help of Brigade players and staff Monday at a site on Tracy in east Kansas City. More than 20 players dedicated their day off to building a home for the less fortunate. Players were scheduled to work in one-hour blocks but declined to leave and stayed all afternoon.

- Neil Smith and a number of players on Tuesday visited Operation Breakthrough, a center that helps children in poverty develop to their fullest potential in a safe, loving and educational environment.

- Autographed Brigade merchandise auctioned off at an event last Friday in Pleasant Valley garnered over $1,000 for the Northland Early Education Center, an accredited nonprofit organization that helps special needs children and their families. Chris Morant and Byron Douzart attended to take pictures and sign autographs for a small donation to the NEEC.

- Chris Morant, Calvin Spears, and Denario Smalls will appear at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum on April 17 for "Reading around the Bases," a program for school groups.

- In conjunction with the American Red Cross, the Brigade will sponsor a blood drive on April 24. The Red Cross will raffle off tickets to anyone who donates for the home finale on May 6 against the Orlando Predators. Players and cheerleaders will be there to sign autographs.

- The Kansas City Brigade has implemented a brand new program called "Reading for the Future," which requires students to read for 15 minutes four nights a week, and a parent or guardian must sign off each day's entry. If 14 nights of reading is completed, each student will receive a single ticket to the Kansas City Brigade's last regular season home game on Saturday, May 6. If 20 nights of reading is accomplished, the student and a parent or guardian will each receive a ticket.

- Last Friday at the VooDoo Lounge in Harrah's Casino North Kansas City, Neil Smith and the Kansas City Brigade presented a collection of historic photographs to the world-famous jazz band, the Neville Brothers. Smith and the band-Aaron, Art, Charles and Cyril-are all natives of New Orleans. The photos of the group were taken in the Crescent City in the 1970's and were believed to be tragically destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. Through a friend of the Brigade, the photos were recovered and delivered to Smith, who made a surprise presentation before the band's concert. The brothers accepted the collection with much gratitude and emotion as they expected the treasures to be lost forever.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 12, 2006


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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