af2 arenafootball2

Conference Championships: Quick Hitters

Published on August 14, 2008 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


LUCKY NUMBER SEVENS: The No. 7 seed Amarillo Dusters and No. 7 seed Manchester Wolves scored upset wins for the second straight week to advance to their respective conference championships. The Dusters won at No. 3 seed Bossier-Shreveport, 59-45, while the Wolves won at No. 3 seed Green Bay, 55-54. Both games were played last Saturday, Aug. 9.

TENNESSEE VALLEY SNAPS PIONEERS' HOME WIN STREAK: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's 21-game home win streak came to an end last Saturday night in the American Conference Semifinals with a 34-30 loss to Tennessee Valley at Wachovia Arena. The Pioneers' home streak, which dated back to 2006, is the second longest in league history. The last time Wilkes-Barre/Scranton lost a home game was on July 8, 2006 when the Florida Firecats edged the Pioneers, 56-51.

Most Consecutive Home Games Won, Regular Season & Playoffs

25 Quad City, 11 games in 2000; 11 games in 2001; 3 games in 2002

21 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 1 game in 2006, 11 games in 2007, 9 games in 2008

ANOTHER UPSET ON TAP?: In the af2 playoffs, history has shown that a home game in the conference championship doesn't guarantee a victory. Last year (2007) was the only time in eight seasons that both home teams (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Tulsa) won to advance to the ArenaCup. From 2000-06 at least one home team lost in the conference finals.

SPOKANE TIES SCORING RECORD: The Spokane Shock tied the af2 postseason record for most points scored in a game with 83 in the team's 83-63 home victory last Saturday against Central Valley in a National Conference Semifinal affair. The Shock tied the mark first set by Memphis in 2006. The Xplorers scored 83 points in an 83-61 first round home triumph against Louisville on August 5, 2006.

af2 ALUM MAURICE FOUNTAIN SIGNS WITH MIAMI DOLPHINS: MAURICE FOUNTAIN, who was a standout defensive player for the Manchester Wolves during the 2007 season, signed a free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins on Monday and is now in their training camp vying for one of the linebacker slots on the final roster. Fountain (6-4, 270) set a Wolves team record for sacks with 13 during his only af2 campaign in 2007. In 2008 he earned an AFL contract with the Utah Blaze and started nine games and one playoff game for the team as a defensive lineman. Fountain impressed in his first AFL season by earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team after recording 14.5 tackles, four sacks, two pass deflections, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. In his one year with the Wolves, Fountain started all 16 regular season games on the defensive line and finished with 29.5 tackles, four pass deflections, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

CARLSON NAMED LIGHTNING HEAD COACH: The Stockton Lightning named CHAD CARLSON as their new head coach on Wednesday. Carlson, 36, is the third Head Coach in Lightning history after being named to the post on an interim basis on May 27, 2008. He was able to guide the Lightning to a 3-1 finish in their last 4 games, ending the season with a 5-11 record. Carlson's offensive magic helped the team increase its scoring average to 37.8 points, a hike of 7.6 points per game after his hiring. Under his guidance, the Lightning boosted its total offense average to 226.2 yards per game, an increase of 20.2 yards since his arrival. The Portland, Oregon native enters his third af2 head coaching venture with a lifetime record of 9-16 and previously served as General Manager/Head Coach for the Hawaiian Islanders (2002) and Head Coach of the Bossier City Battle Wings (2003). Following his stint with Bossier City, Carlson served as a Volunteer Coach for the Arena Football League's Colorado Crush for the remainder of the 2003 season. His swift turnaround of the Lightning offense and end of the regular season was a near-duplication of his time with the Islanders, when Carlson guided Hawaii to a 4-1 finish in the 2002 season after inheriting the team in the middle of the season.

CONFERENCE FINALS BREAKDOWN: Two of the four teams that take the field on Saturday in the American and National Conference finals have played in a conference championship before. Tennessee Valley is 1-2 and Spokane is 1-0. The Vipers won in their first appearance in the league's first season in 2000, defeating Augusta, 47-40, to advance to the first-ever ArenaCup. Tennessee Valley lost in the ArenaCup title game to Quad City, 68-59. In 2001 and 2003, however, the Vipers fell short of reaching the af2 championship game by losing in the conference finals. The Shock defeated Arkansas, 48-30, in the 2006 National Conference Championship and went on to claim the ArenaCup title a week later. The Amarillo Dusters and Manchester Wolves will be playing in their first conference championship events.

DENNEY NAMED PLAYMAKER OF THE YEAR: Arkansas WR CHRIS DENNEY has been named the Cutters Playmaker of the Year by the af2. This award was created in 2007 to highlight the player who makes a name for himself by making plays all over the field for his team during the season. Denney has done exactly that for the Twisters in 2008. The 6-3, 210-pound rookie receiver from Nebraska-Omaha had a huge impact for Arkansas in his first season, helping lead the squad to a berth in the af2 playoffs. Denney, who made his af2 debut with the team in the sixth game of the year, scored at least three touchdowns in every game he played and also had five games where he scored five touchdowns. In just 11 games played, Denney led the league in scoring (274 points), scoring average (24.9 ppg), total touchdowns (45), receiving touchdowns (44), receptions per game (9.73) and receiving yards per game (136.8). He also set team records for receiving yards, touchdowns and points scored in a single season. Denney registered 100+ yards receiving in eight out of 11 games and recorded the two highest single-game receiving totals in the af2 in 2008 (237, 229). He is also the only player in Twisters history to record 200 receiving yards in a game. Denney was named Schutt Offensive Player of the Week for Week 17 for his outstanding effort against the Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings. In the team's 80-69 defeat, Denney caught 14 passes for an af2 season-high 237 yards with five touchdowns (Week 17 high). The National Conference All-af2 First Team honoree also posted a team-best 10 catches for 135 yards and three scores for Arkansas in its first round playoff loss to Central Valley.

STINGLEY NAMED COACH OF THE YEAR: South Georgia Wildcats' Head Coach DEREK STINGLEY has been named the Sportexe af2 Coach of the Year, as selected by a vote of his fellow arenafootball2 head coaches and media members. Stingley becomes the first African American coach to win the honor in the league's nine-year history. In his second season with South Georgia, Stingley guided the Wildcats to a 12-4 regular season record in 2008 and the team's first South Division title. It was also the organization's first division championship since moving from Fayetteville, N.C. to Albany, Ga. prior to the 2005 season. The Wildcats were 5-4 after their first nine games before running off a seven-game win streak to close out the regular season. One of their victories during the streak was a 57-55 road win at Spokane in Week 13, handing the Shock their only loss of 2008. South Georgia finished in the Top-10 in a host of categories, including scoring offense, scoring defense, passing offense, rushing defense, passing yards, touchdown passes and interceptions. Two of his players earned American Conference All-af2 First Team honors this season, WR/ST P.J. BERRY and DB ROLAND COLA. Since arriving in South Georgia in 2007, Stingley has guided the Wildcats to back-to-back seasons of at least 10 wins coupled with two straight trips to the postseason. In his three and half seasons as an af2 head coach, he has recorded 37 wins and an overall record of 37-25 (.597). He began his af2 coaching career in 2005 as the defensive coordinator for the Macon Knights before taking over midway through the season. After the team's 2-4 start, Stingley helped direct the Knights to a 6-4 finish over the final 10 games.

LYLES NAMED ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR: Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings' Offensive Coordinator JON LYLES has been named the SFC Assistant Coach of the Year, as selected by a vote of arenafootball2 head coaches and media members. His offense helped fuel the BattleWings to a 9-7 regular season record and the team's first-ever Southwest Division title. Lyles' offense was one the most potent in the af2 in 2008, averaging 57.3 points per game during the regular season. That number was good enough to rank the BattleWings fourth in the league. Bossier-Shreveport also ranked fifth in the league in total offense with 282.9 yards per game. In addition, Lyles' offensive unit ranked second in total offensive touchdowns (121), third in pass efficiency (114.8), fourth in completion percentage (64.7), tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns (32), fifth in pass offense (255.9), fifth in passing yards (4,095) and sixth in TD passes (89). During the 2008 af2 playoffs, Lyles' group played at an even higher level, averaging 61 points per game. The BattleWings reached the National Conference Semifinals before being eliminated at home by Amarillo last Saturday. Lyles, in his second season on staff with Bossier-Shreveport, began his af2 coaching career in 2005 as the Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator for the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz.

GILLIAM NAMED ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Spokane Shock DB SERGIO GILLIAM has been named the 2008 Spalding Rookie of the Year, as selected by a vote of arenafootball2 head coaches and media members. Gilliam, a 6-2, 195-pound rookie from Clemson, had a tremendous first campaign for the Shock, positioning himself at the top of several key defensive categories and breaking the all-time af2 interception record. Gilliam set the league record for interceptions in a season with 16 in 2008, three of which he returned for touchdowns. His interception total surpassed that of former Tennessee Valley Vipers standout KELLY SNELL, who set the previous league-high standard for most interceptions in a season with 15 in 2003. Gilliam got off to a fast start in 2008 by recording three interceptions in each of his first two games (WK1 - May 30 at Green Bay, WK2 - April 5 vs. Stockton). He earned league recognition as the ADT Defensive Player of the Week after both outings for his stellar individual performances. Gilliam also led the af2 with 41 total passes defended (16 INTs, 25 pass breakups) this season. Gilliam, who ranked fourth on the team with 50.5 total tackles (45 solo, 11 asst), was recently named to the National Conference All-af2 First Team. Gilliam has continued to play well in the 2008 af2 playoffs as the No. 1 seed Shock have knocked off the Austin Wranglers and Central Valley Coyotes in successive weeks. In his team's two wins thus far, Gilliam has racked up four interceptions, three tackles and one pass breakup. The Shock host Amarillo this Saturday night in the National Conference Championship where Spokane can earn a chance to play for its second ArenaCup title in the organization's first three years of af2 play.

SYKES NAMED LINEMAN OF THE YEAR: Green Bay Blizzard DL JOE SYKES has been named the 2008 Russell Athletic Lineman of the Year, as selected by a vote of arenafootball2 head coaches and members of the media. Sykes made an immediate impact for the Blizzard in 2008. The rookie from Southern University was a big reason behind Green Bay's Midwest Division title and best regular season finish ever at 11-5. The 6-4, 275-pounder led the af2 in tackles for loss (22) and sacks (19.5) during the regular season. Sykes also finished first in the league in forced fumbles (8) and tied for the league lead in fumble recoveries (5). On top of that, he ranked fourth on the team with 49 total tackles (39 solo, 20 asst). He was recently named to the American Conference All-af2 First Team. Sykes keyed a menacing Blizzard defense in 2008 that led the league in sacks (55), total defense (200.2 yards per game), pass defense (178.7 yards per game), touchdowns allowed (75) and fumble return touchdowns (9). Green Bay's sack mark ranks as the second-highest single-season total in league history. Green Bay also finished tied for first overall in fumble recoveries with 25 and second in scoring defense, allowing opponents just 38.1 points per contest. Sykes continued his stellar play in the playoffs as well. He had his best overall outing of 2008 in Green Bay's dominating, 65-37, first round home win against Lexington. Sykes led a record-setting Blizzard performance with 5.5 total tackles (5 solo, 1 asst) and an af2 postseason-record five sacks. His sack total shattered the old mark of 3.5 set by former Bossier-Shreveport lineman ELEX REED in 2007. As a team, Green Bay also set a new playoff record with 10 sacks against the Horsemen, doubling the old mark of five set in 2001 by the Carolina Rhinos. Sykes, who also forced two fumbles in the victory, earned ADT Defensive Player of the Week honors for his effort.

BLANCHARD, JONES, DRAKEFORD, LUKOWAK EARN SEMIFINAL ROUND HONORS: Tennessee Valley wide receiver/defensive back TRAVIS BLANCHARD, Manchester quarterback BRIAN JONES and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defensive back BARRY DRAKEFORD have been named the JLS Ironman, Schutt Offensive Player and ADT Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for the Conference Semifinal Round of the 2008 af2 Playoffs. In addition to these three awards, the Cutters Catch of the Week Award for the Conference Semifinal Round goes to Amarillo wide receiver JIM LUKOWIAK.

Blanchard (5-11, 185, Mississippi) had an impressive all-around effort for Tennessee Valley in the team's 34-30 upset victory on Saturday at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the American Conference Semifinals. The third-year player from Mississippi was a factor all over field as Tennessee Valley snapped the Pioneers' 21-game home win streak, a streak that began late in the 2006 season. On offense, Blanchard had one rushing touchdown and one receiving score. On the defensive side, he recorded two solo tackles, including one tackle for loss, one fumble recovery and one interception. Blanchard also accumulated 63 yards on four kickoff returns. This is the second af2 Ironman of the Week honor of Blanchard's career. He was also recognized for his strong overall efforts earlier this season in Week 8. Blanchard, who recently earned a spot on the af2's All-Ironman Team, led the Vipers with 13 rushing TDs during the regular season and also accumulated 37.5 total tackles and three interceptions on defense. Jones (6-2, 210, Toledo) had a stellar individual effort for Manchester in the team's 55-54 upset win on the road Saturday at Green Bay in the American Conference Semifinals. The veteran signal caller from Toledo, in his fourth af2 campaign, filled in for injured starter James Pinkney and led the Wolves past the favored Blizzard in just his third start of 2008. Jones completed 24-of-36 passes (66.7 percent) for 194 yards and six touchdowns with one interception. He also scored two rushing touchdowns. Jones was clutch in the late moments as he threw a 17-yard TD pass with one second left to pull team within one point, 54-53, and then converted the game-winning 2-point conversion run. This is the fifth Offensive Player of the Week Award of Jones' career and his first of 2008. Drakeford (5-10, 195, Kent State) was a playmaker on defense for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton but it wasn't enough as the No. 1 seed Pioneers lost at home to Tennessee Valley, 34-30, Saturday night in the American Conference Semifinals. Despite the result, the second-year defensive back from Kent State made his presence felt with nine total tackles (8 solo, 2 asst) and two pass breakups. Drakeford also recorded his first career playoff interception as time expired in the first half which he returned 47 yards for a touchdown. This is the first af2 weekly league honor of his career. Drakeford had a strong campaign for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2008, finishing the regular season second on the team in total tackles (68.5), interceptions (8) and pass breakups (13). He also tied for the team lead in fumble recoveries with four. Lukowiak (6-1, 205, Southern Connecticut State) received the Cutters Catch of the Week Award for his leaping, 21-yard touchdown grab with 11 seconds left in the fourth quarter that clinched Amarillo's 59-45 road win against Bossier-Shreveport. The victory enabled the underdog Dusters to advance to their first-ever National Conference Championship. Lukowiak finished the night with a game-high 10 catches for 129 yards, five of which went for scores (2008 postseason-high). The Southern Connecticut State alum has been one of the league's top playmakers in 2008, his first full season in af2. Lukowiak finished third in the league in receptions (124) and receiving touchdowns (38) and ranked fourth in receiving yards (1,602).

INTERNATIONAL UPDATE: This season the af2 continues to maintain its strong international development program, which began in 2003. Currently the league has international athletes from 15 countries on team rosters. During the Semifinal Round of the 2008 af2 playoffs, six international players saw action around the league and four players started for their respective teams (excluding kickers). Two players who stood out from the af2's international talent pool from the Semifinal Round were Green Bay DB OLAWALE KWAKU (Nigeria) and Spokane FB/LB LEE FOLIAKI (Tonga). Kwaku recorded five solo tackles in the Blizzard's 55-54 loss against Manchester last Saturday. Foliaki finished with 6.5 total tackles (4 solo, 5 asst) in the Shock's 83-63 home win against Central Valley.

BARTO RECORDS 60TH CAREER WIN: Manchester Head Coach DANTON BARTO, in his sixth season as an af2 head coach (first five with Memphis) became just the fourth coach in league history to reach 60 career coaching victories this past Saturday with the Wolves' 55-54 upset win at Green Bay in the American Conference Semifinals. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Head Coach RICH INGOLD is the league's all-time leader in career coaching wins with 75. His overall record is 75-30 (.714). Arkansas' CHRIS SIEGFRIED (68) and Austin's BEN BENNETT (64) rank second and third, respectively, on the all-time win list. Below is a breakdown of the leaders in career af2 coaching wins.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



arenafootball2 Stories from August 14, 2008


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.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central