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Buffalo Destroyers Game Notes

April 15, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Buffalo Destroyers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
TV: None
Radio: WNSA 107.7 FM
Jim Brinson and Bob Trimble
Web: www.buffalodestroyers.com/gamezone.html Live Stats and Scores
Officials: Bill Athan (Referee), Rick Nelson (Umpire), Mike McCabe (Head Linesman), Thomas Symonette (Line Judge), Rob Vernatchi (Back Judge)
Series Record: Tied 1-1
Coaches: Buffalo, Ron Selesky (4-7, 1st season) Los Angeles, Ed Hodgkiss (16-9, 2nd season)

THE SERIES:

@ Los Angeles 46 Buffalo 41, July 20, 2002
@ Buffalo 60 Los Angeles 52, July 14, 2000

HEAD COACH: Ron Selesky earned 2002 af2 Coach of the Year honors guiding the expansion Albany Conquest to a regular season mark of 13-3 and the Northeast Division championship. The Conquest also advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2002 Arena Cup playoffs. Selesky compiled an overall record of 19-13 in two seasons in the af2 during the regular season with a 1-1 playoff mark.

Selesky joined the Conquest after leading the expansion Louisville Fire to a 6-10 mark in 2001. Prior to his stint in Louisville, Selesky spent one season as the director of player personnel and assistant coach for the Carolina Cobras. He was the director of player personnel and assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Storm from 1997 to 1999. While Selesky was in Tampa Bay, the Storm compiled a 31-11 regular-season record and earned a berth in ArenaBowl XII in 1998.

Selesky played college football at North Central College (Division III) in Naperville, Illinois, where he was a four-year starter at left offensive tackle. Following his college career, he played in the National Football League for the Minnesota Vikings in 1987 and attended NFL camps in San Diego (1988), Miami (1990) and Detroit (1992).

GAME PREVIEW: Buffalo finishes its three game road trip against the number two seeded team in the AFL, the Los Angeles Avengers. They have split their previous two meetings with both teams winning on their home turf.

DESTROYERS NEXT WEEK: Buffalo returns home next Saturday, April 26 to host the Indiana Firebirds at 7:30 p.m. at the HSBC Arena.

DESTROYERS RADIO NETWORK: The Buffalo Destroyers will have 13 of 16 games broadcast on radio this season. WNSA 107.7 FM in Buffalo will serve as the flagship station for the second consecutive season. WJTN 1240 AM in Jamestown, NY and WSPQ 1330 AM in Springville, NY will pick up all 13 games this season as well.

BUFFALODESTROYERS.com: For all the latest news on the Destroyers, log on to www.buffalodestroyers.com. During games, click on the Gamezone for live scoring and stats. LAST WEEK: Orlando 66 Buffalo 23

The Destroyers couldn't spoil the return of Orlando Predators QB Jay Gruden as they fell to the Predators 66-23 Friday night at the TD Waterhouse Centre.

Buffalo got on the board with a K Gary Kral 29 yard field goal, his first career FG. Orlando led 7-3. Buffalo opened the second quarter with QB Chris Sanders finding WR/LB Cornelius White for a 13 yard touchdown as Orlando led 14-10. Orlando would score four unanswered touchdowns to close the first half with a 42-10 lead.

Backup QB Charles Puleri replaced Sanders to begin the second half. He led Buffalo on one scoring drive in the third quarter, a 19 yard touchdown to WR/LB Sir Mawn Wilson.

Sanders came back into the game with nine minutes left in the fourth and immediately hooked up with White for a 31 yard touchdown.

Sanders finished 14 of 25 for 134 yards two touchdown and three interceptions. Puleri was eight of 16 for 57 yards one touchdown and three interceptions.

Jarrail Jackson had a game high 155 all-purpose yards (112 kickoff return and 43 receiving). Jackson also added an interception on defense, his second of the season. White led the Destroyers with a game high six catches for 68 yards and two touchdowns. Wilson added five receptions for 44 yards and one touchdown.

DS JoJo Polk led the defense with five tackles and DS Dwaine Carpenter added 3.5 tackles, one for loss and one pass breakup. OL/DL Ken Bouie finished with two tackles and a sack, his third of the season.

LAST SERIES MEETING: Los Angeles 46 Buffalo 41 Staples Center, July 20, 2002

The Destroyers qualified for the 2002 Arena Football League playoffs despite dropping a 46-41 decision to the Los Angeles Avengers in front of 14,427 fans at the Staples Center.

QB Jeff Loots started in place of Fred McNair who was nursing a sore knee. He came out of the gate quickly, hitting OS Jarrail Jackson on a four yard touchdown pass on the Destroyers first drive to tie the game at 7-7. On the PAT, K Steve McLaughlin set the Destroyers single season and career PAT record with his 71st of the season. Mike Black held both records with 70 in 2000.

The Avengers opened the second quarter with a FB/LB Chad Dukes touchdown run and missed the extra point, but the Fleet could not take advantage as McLaughlin missed a 45 yard field goal as LA stayed up 13-7. After another LA touchdown, Loots and Jackson connected again, this time on a 28 yard score, LA led 20-14.

McLaughlin missed a 48 yard field goal to begin the third and LA answered with a touchdown to extend their lead to 27-14. On the Destroyers next possession, OS Lamont Cooper reeled in a 28 yard touchdown from Loots as the Fleet were down six going into the fourth 27-21.

The Destroyers defense came up big at the beginning of the fourth, holding LA to a field goal after they had first and goal on the one yard line. OL/DL Silas Demary sacked LA QB Tony Graziani on third and goal; K Remy Hamilton's field goal gave LA a 30-21 lead. On the ensuing play, Loots ran it in from one yard out to close the gap to 30-27. After another LA touchdown, Buffalo shot back as Loots found Jackson for his third touchdown of the game as Buffalo closed within a field goal at 37-34. The Avengers matched with a touchdown on their next drive and Buffalo retaliated with a Loots three yard touchdown to Lamont Cooper put the Destroyers within two at 43-41. After Hamilton tacked on a field goal to put LA up 46-41, the Fleet had one more chance with :15 seconds left and a chance to win. Lamont Cooper ran the kickoff back 30 yards to the 25 yard line. With seven ticks left on the clock, LA's Mark Ricks tipped a Loots pass in the end zone as it was just missed by Lamont Cooper. On the last play of the game, Loots looked to the end zone but was sacked by Dukes and the Avengers escaped with a victory.

Lamont Cooper finished with a game high 235 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. Loots was 19 of 32 for 253 yards five touchdowns and one interception. Jackson reeled in four catches for 63 yards and three scores.

DS Corey Johnson had a game high 5.5 tackles (5 solo) one interception and one pass breakup.

FAMILIAR FACES:

· Avengers OL/DL John Dewitt played two seasons for Buffalo (1999-2000) recording 3.5 sacks.

TEAM NOTES:

What about Mason: QB/WR/LB Kevin Mason was originally a quarterback for the Destroyers. He played 23 games at QB from 1999-2001 for Buffalo going 182 for 333 (54.7%) for 2,042 yards 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He is third all-time in attempts and completions and is fourth all-time in passing yards. He was converted to a WR/LB in 2001 and has 62 receptions for 914 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Colonel Sanders: QB Chris Sanders made his first career AFL start week 10 at New York going 21 of 36 for 213 yards and five touchdowns. Sanders has no problem airing it out. He was voted the Associated Press 1995 Texas 5A Offensive Player of the Year at Flower Mound Marcus High School, just outside of Dallas. His 7,519 career passing yards rank 24th in U.S. high school football history. His 4,284 passing yards as a senior in 1995 is the fourth-highest total in U.S. high school football history in any classification.

Action Jackson: WR/DB Jarrail Jackson has shown his versatility this season after spending his rookie season as an OS. This season, Jackson is the team's leading kick returner, second in rushing, fourth in receiving and has played well in the defensive back field. He leads the team in all-purpose yards with 1,283 and his third with seven touchdowns (3-receiving, 2-kick returns, 2- rushing).

Carp Can: With one interception week nine vs. Detroit, DS Dwaine Carpenter moved into a tie for first all-time in team history with eight picks. He is currently tied for first with Carlos James (2001-2002). Carp is also one pass defense behind Prentice Talyor (2000-02) for the top spot in team history with 33.

Long and Short: FB/LB Juan Long is having a career year. He has rushed for four touchdowns this season. In his previous four seasons in the AFL, Long had two rushing touchdowns. He has already set career highs with 46 receiving yards (43 in 2001), 99 all-purpose yards (73 in 2002) and is eight rushing yards shy of a career high (currently at 53 yards, had 61 last season). Also, his 31 yard touchdown reception week 10 @ New York was a career best (previous was a 14 yard reception in 2001).

Loots Out For Season: QB Jeff Loots will miss this rest of the season with a torn ligament in his right thumb (throwing hand). Loots injured his thumb late in the third quarter week eight vs. Las Vegas on a 37 yard touchdown pass to OS Gunnard Twyner. Loots was nine of 14 for 130 yards two touchdowns and one interception before the injury. Loots missed two games earlier this season with a separated shoulder suffered in the Destroyers 49-45 win against Arizona on February 14. In six games, Loots is 93 of 157 for 1,233 yards 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. His totals for attempts, completions, yards and touchdown passes are all career highs.

Double Trouble: DS JoJo Polk picked off San Jose QB Mark Grieb week seven and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown. Week four @ Georgia, Polk returned a kickoff 11 yards for a touchdown.

Otis, My Man: OL/DL Otis Moore, who signed with the Destroyers March 11, currently is tied for sixth place all-time in the AFL with 11 forced fumbles. Ironically, Moore is tied with current Destroyers FB/LB coach Chad Lindsey. Moore is also 10th all-time with 14.5 tackles for loss.

That A Boy, Rook: WR/DB Chuck Wesley has emerged as one of the top rookies in the AFL after making his pro football debut week four @ Georgia. He is currently third on the team with 28.5 tackles, three interceptions and four pass breakups. He has scored touchdowns via interception, rushing and receiving.

They Can Play "D": The Destroyers forced a franchise record five turnovers week four @ Georgia. WR/DB Jarrail Jackson and WR/DB Chuck Wesley both notched their first career interceptions in the first quarter. WR/LB Cornelius White picked off a pass in the third quarter returning it 31 yards for a touchdown. Buffalo also forced two fumbles. They are currently third in the AFL with a +6 turnover margin.

Right On Side: Buffalo returned two onside kicks for touchdowns in the fourth quarter week four @ Georgia. With 3:05 left in the game and Buffalo holding a 49-37 lead, OL/DL Ken Bouie picked the ball out of the air returning it nine yards for the touchdown. After another Georgia touchdown, DS JoJo Polk took the onside kick back 11 yards for another Buffalo touchdown.

Not In My House: The Destroyers allowed only 16 points week two against Carolina. That is the fewest points by an opponent in team history. The previous record was set last season (May 11, 2002) when the Destroyers held the Detroit Fury to 21 points.

Getting Defensive: Destroyers DS Dwaine Carpenter was named ADT Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in week two's 44-16 victory over the Carolina Cobras. This is the second time in his career that he was won this award. Carpenter was named Game MVP finishing with 3.5 tackles, an interception and four pass breakups. His total of five passes defensed ties his own Destroyers single game record, which he set last season vs. Toronto.

Dialing Long Distance: Buffalo QB Jeff Loots hit OS Gunnard Twyner on a 49 yard touchdown pass as time expired in the first half against Carolina week two. That touchdown is the longest pass play in team history. The previous mark was 46 yards, which was done twice (Jim Kubiak to Kevin Mason vs. Carolina on May 18, 2001 and Browning Nagle to Chris Perry vs. Los Angeles on July 14, 2000).

Don't Call It a Comeback: On July 15, 2000, DS JoJo Polk, playing cornerback for the af2 Tulsa Talons against the Charleston SwampFoxes, deflected a pass and crashed headfirst into the padded wall that surrounded the 50-yard field. He blacked out. When he came to, doctors told him he would never walk again. Polk had a broken bone in his neck, and doctors said he would probably be paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of his life. Polk returned to the field the very next season and led the Grand Rapids Rampage in tackles helping them win the ArenaBowl Championship.

Championship Experience: Four Destroyers players have won ArenaBowl Championships. QB Jeff Loots (Arizona 1997, Albany 1999), OL/DL Mark Valvo (Albany 1999), WR/LB Cornelius White (Albany 1999), and DS JoJo Polk (Grand Rapids 2001). OL/DL Ken Bouie won an ArenaCup (af2) championship last season with the Peoria Pirates.

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