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Conference Semis: Quick Hitters

August 6, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


VEGAS BABY - 2009 ARENACUP TICKETS ON SALE NOW: The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, will be the backdrop for the 2009 ArenaCup, the arenafootball2 league's 10th anniversary championship event. ArenaCup10, promoted in conjunction with the Orleans Casino and Hotel, will be held on Saturday, August 22. This will be the first time the af2 title game will be held in Las Vegas. The Arena Football League (AFL) held two ArenaBowl Championship games in Las Vegas in 2005 and 2006. This is the fourth time in the last five seasons the af2 has held a neutral-site ArenaCup. A neutral-site championship game gives fans time to make plans to attend the game and allows the League to put together a unique sports and entertainment weekend. The Orleans Casino and Hotel has created a number of fan and family-friendly, affordable ArenaCup Weekend options that include tickets to the game and a two-night hotel stay. Those options are listed in detail below.

All Hotel Packages include two (2) tickets to the 2009 ArenaCup on Saturday, August 22 (at price level indicated) + two (2) hotel nights (room & tax). Fans can stay Friday & Saturday or Saturday & Sunday.

Package A: $236 - This includes the $60 tickets (P1)

Package B: $190 - This includes the $40 tickets (P2)

Package C: $175 - This includes the $32.50 tickets (P3)

Package D: $145 - This includes the $17.50 tickets (P4)

Tickets are available by visiting www.orleansarena.com, all Coast Casinos box offices, The Galleria at Sunset or by calling 800-675-3267 and mention code: ARENACUP.

af2TV FREE ONLINE NETWORK CONTINUES SUCCESSFUL RUN IN 2009: Thanks to a unique league partnership with Network Foundation Technologies (NFT), all the hard-hitting, fast paced action of arenafootball2 has once again been available to fans worldwide. The FREE-for-View online network called "af2TV" has showcased every game of the league's 10th anniversary season live over the Internet. The process to view games is easy. To obtain the free af2TV player, fans should first click on the af2TV advertisement located on the upper right corner of the league's web site, www.af2.com. Following the link will bring fans to a special landing page which includes simple directions on how to download and place the af2TV player icon on your desktop. The action continues with the four Conference Semifinals that will be available to fans at no charge.

RACE TO 2009 ARENACUP NOW ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER: Stay updated on the race to the 2009 ArenaCup. Friend us on facebook -- http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=113035060208 -- or follow us on twitter -- http://twitter.com/RacetoArenaCup.

GREEN BAY KNOCKS OUT DEFENDING ARENACUP CHAMPIONS: The No. 6 seed Green Bay Blizzard scored the biggest upset of the 2009 playoffs last Saturday night, defeating the defending ArenaCup Champion Tennessee Valley Vipers, 60-56, at the Von Braun Center. QB GINO GUIDUGLI, Green Bay's veteran signal caller from Cincinnati, had a stellar showing for the Blizzard with 288 yards passing on 25-of-34 passes (73.5 percent) with seven TDs and no interceptions. Green Bay's defense also played well, forcing Vipers QB KEVIN EAKIN into a season-high four interceptions. WR/DB SHADRACH OKOEBOR led the Blizzard individually with two interceptions. This Saturday Green Bay (11-6) travels to Des Moines to face the No. 2 seed and Midwest Division Champion Barnstormers (13-4).

GRADY PASSES FOR LEAGUE POSTSEASON RECORD: Oklahoma City QB TOMMY GRADY had a record-setting showing for No. 7 Oklahoma City in the club's First Round playoff game at No. 2 Tulsa last Saturday. Despite the result (90-75 loss), the rookie signal caller from Utah set an af2 postseason record with 507 yards passing against the Central Division Champion Talons (14-3). Grady, in just his third career start under center for the Yard Dawgz (7-10), became the first player in the league's 10-year history to eclipse 500 yards passing in a single game. He also completed 32-of-51 passes on the night, including a postseason-record tying 10 touchdowns against just one interception. He threw for nearly 1,200 yards (1,194) and 23 TDs against just three INTs in his three games played.

TULSA/OKLAHOMA CITY FIRST ROUND SCORING BONANZA: The Tulsa Talons and Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz had an old fashioned shootout in Tulsa last Saturday in a National Conference First Round playoff game. The Talons ended up winning in the end, 90-75, but these two in-state rivals put on quite an offensive show before it was over. Five records were set in the contest. They are detailed below:

Most Points, Game: 90 - Tulsa; Old record: 83 - Spokane (vs. Central Valley, August 9, 2008)

Most Points, Both Teams, Game: 165; Old record: 146, Spokane (83) vs. Central Valley (63), August 9, 2008

Most Touchdowns, Game: 13 - Tulsa; Old record: 12, 2x - Memphis (vs. Louisville, Aug. 5, 2006); Quad City (vs. Macon, July 29, 2001)

Most Total Net Yards, Rushing and Passing: 507 - Oklahoma City; Old record: 441 - Spokane (vs. Tenn. Valley, August 25, 2008) - 2008 ArenaCup

Most Passing Yards Gained, Game: 507 - Oklahoma City; Old record: 432 - Spokane (vs. Tenn. Valley, August 25, 2008) - 2008 ArenaCup

WINDSOR SETS TWO MORE RECEIVING RECORDS: One week after setting four league single-season records, Rio Grande Valley rookie WR ROD WINDSOR set two af2 postseason game records in the team's National Conference First Round contest at Bossier-Shreveport. Despite the result (56-46 loss), the Western New Mexico alum caught 18 passes for 211 yards and four TDs - all game-high marks. His 18 receptions and 211 yards receiving both set new postseason records. The previous receptions record was 17. Former Louisville WR ROB MAGER caught 17 passes in the 2005 ArenaCup against Memphis (August 27). KELVIN DICKENS equaled the mark in 2007 with the Spokane Shock (vs. Louisville, August 4, 2007). The previous receiving yards record was 200 set by former Dorados' WR Dwight Counter (Rio Grande Valley at Memphis, August 19, 2005). Windsor finished his first af2 season by setting four new league single-season records: scoring (362), receiving touchdowns (59), total touchdowns (59) and receptions (184).

GILLIAM TIES INTERCEPTION RECORD: Spokane second-year DB SERGIO GILLIAM tied an af2 postseason single-game record by recording three interceptions in the Shock's 62-21 National Conference First Round playoff victory against Stockton last Saturday. The Clemson alum returned his third interception of the night 52 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. He also had 10 total tackles (9 solo, 2 assisted), one fumble recovery and two pass breakups. Gilliam led Spokane in interceptions for the second straight season in 2009 with 13 (2nd in af2), following up his league-record 16 in 2008. He has 36 total interceptions (including playoffs) in 37 games played.

GREGORY TWO WINS FROM 50: With a First Round playoff victory last Friday against Manchester, Iowa head coach JOHN GREGORY moved to within two victories of 50 for his af2 career. To date only eight coaches in league history have reached the 50-win plateau. There are currently 18 af2 head coaches who own 40 or more career coaching victories. RICH INGOLD is the league's all-time leader in wins with 89 (89-33 - .729). Ingold is in his seventh season overall and fourth with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers. Arkansas Head Coach CHRIS SIEGFRIED currently ranks second overall in career wins with 79. Manchester's DANTON BARTO and Amarillo's BEN BENNETT are tied for third on the all-time win list with 67 wins. Below is a breakdown of the leaders in career af2 coaching victories:

TOP ALL-TIME COACHING VICTORIES

NAME WINS

1. Rich Ingold* 88

2. Chris Siegfried* 79

3. Danton Barto* 67

Ben Bennett* 67

5. Kevin Bouis* 57

6. Tommy Johnson 55

7. Kevin Guy 53

8. Bobby Humphrey 51

* denotes active coaches

NOTABLE REMATCHES: Three of this weekend's four semifinal round matchups include familiar foes playing each other for at least the second time in 2009. The only two teams who haven't met yet this season are Tulsa and Bossier-Shreveport. Boise and Spokane will battle head-to-head for the fourth time this season. The Shock won the first three meetings with the last two victories coming by a total of seven points. Spokane is also 8-0 all-time against Boise. Green Bay and Iowa have faced each other twice. Iowa won the first affair 46-41 in Green Bay and the Blizzard took the second game, 71-65, in overtime in Des Moines. Below is a breakdown of the previous head-to-head meetings of the teams battling in Saturday's American and National Conference Semifinals.

Semifinal Matchups 2009 Series Leader 2009 Results

Bossier-Shreveport/Tulsa First meeting First meeting

Boise/Spokane Spokane leads 3-0 Spokane 63, BOISE 45 (4/18)

SPOKANE 64, Boise 62 (5/9)

Spokane 56, BOISE 51 (7/25)

Kentucky/Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Kentucky leads 1-0 KENTUCKY 63, W-B/Scranton 56 (4/11)

Green Bay/Iowa Series tied 1-1 Iowa 46, GREEN BAY 41 (5/8)

Green Bay 71, IOWA 65 OT (6/13)

HUGHLEY, ROWLEY, HILL, CAMPBELL, LEWIS earn Week 17 honors: Boise wide receiver/defensive back JOMO WILSON, Oklahoma City quarterback TOMMY GRADY, and Spokane defensive back SERGIO GILLIAM have been named the JLS Ironman, Russell Athletic Offensive Player and Aaron's Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for the First Round of the 2009 af2 Playoffs. In addition to these three awards, the af2 is also highlighting the player who makes the best catch and the best hit of the week. The Big Game Catch of the Week Award for the First Round goes to Green Bay wide receiver NATE FORSE and the NiFTy Hit of the Week is awarded to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton wide receiver/linebacker LARRY KENDRICK.

Wilson (6-0, 215, Eastern Oregon) had a strong all-around effort for No. 4 Boise in the team's 77-36 First Round home win against No. 4 Arkansas on Saturday. The third-year player from Eastern Oregon made an impact in all three facets of the game (offense, defense, special teams) to help the Burn (13-4) advance to the National Conference Semifinals. Wilson had one rushing TD and two catches for 26 yards on offense. On the defensive side, he had one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one assisted tackle. Wilson also returned two kickoffs for a total of 57 yards to finish with 127 all-purpose yards. This is the second time in his career that he's received the Ironman of the Week Award (WK18, 2008 - Central Valley). Wilson finished the regular season as the Burn's leader in scoring (164 points), receiving (93-1,032) and all-purpose yards (1,966). Grady (6-7, 240, Utah) had a record-setting showing for No. 7 Oklahoma City in the club's First Round playoff game at No. 2 Tulsa. Despite the result (90-75 loss), the rookie signal caller from Utah set an af2 postseason record with 507 yards passing against the Central Division Champion Talons (14-3). Grady, in just his third career start under center for the Yard Dawgz (7-10), became the first player in the league's 10-year history to eclipse 500 yards passing in a single game. He also completed 32-of-51 passes on the night, including a postseason-record tying 10 touchdowns against just one interception. This is the first weekly league honor of Grady's career. He threw for nearly 1,200 yards (1,194) and 23 TDs against just three INTs in his three games played. Gilliam (6-2, 195, Clemson), was a difference maker on defense to help No. 1 Spokane dominate No. 8 Stockton, 62-21, for a first round home playoff win Saturday night. The second-year defensive back from Clemson tied a postseason record with three interceptions to help the Shock (16-1) advance to the National Conference Semifinals. Gilliam returned his third interception of the night 52 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. He also had 10 total tackles (9 solo, 2 assisted), one fumble recovery and two pass breakups. Gilliam led Spokane in interceptions for the second straight season in 2009 with 13 (2nd in af2), following up his league-record 16 in 2008. This is the third defensive player of the week award of his career (WK1, WK2 - 2008). Forse (6-4, 220, California-PA), in his first af2 season, is the First Round playoff recipient of The Big Game Catch of the Week Award. Forse's grab was a sick, one-handed snare late in the first half of Green Bay's 60-56 road win at Tennessee Valley. On a deep crossing pattern on a 1st-and-10 play from the Green Bay 22-yard line, Forse had to stop and reach out with his left hand to clutch the pass thrown behind him by QB Gino Guidugli. His first down catch helped the team score a touchdown two plays later as the Blizzard took a 30-28 lead into halftime. The rookie receiver from California-PA finished the night with nine catches for 126 yards and threea TDs. Forse had a tremendous regular season for Green Bay (11-6), setting team records for receptions (131), receiving yards (1,875) and receiving TDs (28). The Blizzard victory means the team will move on to the American Conference Semifinals and play at Midwest Division rival Iowa (13-4) on Saturday night. Kendrick (6-0, 215, Mississippi), in his third af2 season, has been awarded the NiFTy Hit of the Week, a new weekly honor that highlights the player who makes the best hit or tackle of the week. Kendrick's hit came early in the second quarter in the team's First Round home game against Albany. On a 4th-and-1 play for the Firebirds, QB Stephen Wasil dropped back to pass but couldn't find an open receiver. As a result, the Albany signal caller stepped up, tucked the ball, and ran up between the tackles to try and pick up the first down. As he stumbled up the field looking to gain the necessary yardage, Kendrick came up and laid a jarring hit on Wasil that forced the ball out of his hands as he fell to the turf. Kendrick also recovered the fumble on the play to give the ball back to the Pioneers. One play later Wilkes-Barre/Scranton scored a touchdown to put the team ahead, 42-7. The Ole Miss alum tied for the team lead in fumble recoveries during the regular season with three. Kendrick also ranked second on the Pioneers in interceptions (6) and sixth in tackles (37.5). No. 1 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (14-3) advances on to American Conference Semifinals and will host No. 5 Kentucky (11-6) on Saturday night.

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON'S HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: Wachovia Arena, the home of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers, has become a visiting team's worst nightmare in recent years. The Pioneers have won 25 straight regular season home games, a streak that dates back to 2006. Counting the playoffs, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has won 30 of its last 31 home games. The last time the Pioneers lost a regular season home game was on July 8, 2006 when the Florida Firecats edged Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 56-51. The team's only home loss in the last three years came in last year's American Conference Semifinals (Aug. 9) when the Tennessee Vipers took out the Pioneers, 34-30, on their way to the ArenaCup title. Tulsa owns the league's all-time best home win streak. The Talons won 26 consecutive regular-season home games from 2000-03. Tulsa won its final two home games of the 2000 season and 24 straight over the next three years.

2009 af2 PLAYOFF SCHEDULE & RESULTS: Sixteen teams qualify for the playoffs, eight from each conference (American and National). The eight qualifying teams in each conference consist of the three division champions and five Wild Cards, determined by best overall record. Seeding in each conference is based on overall record, with the top three seeds in each conference reserved for the division champions, regardless of record. In the First Round (July 31-August 2), the first three seeds in each conference are the three division winners. The next five teams are seeded by next best five overall records. Teams ranked 1-4 earn home playoff games with 1 hosting 8, 2 hosting 7, 3 hosting 6 and 4 hosting 5. In the Second Round (August 7-9), the winner of the 1-8 game plays the winner of the 4-5 game. The winner of the 2-7 game plays the winner of the 3-6 game. The home team is decided by the team with the higher seed. The winners of the Second Round will meet for the Conference Championships on the weekend of August 14-16. The winners of the Conference Championships face off in the 2009 ArenaCup on Saturday, August 22 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

AMERICAN CONFERENCE

Semifinal Round Playoff Schedule:

Saturday, August 8

No. 5 Kentucky (11-6) at No. 1 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (14-3) 7:00 p.m.

No. 6 Green Bay (11-6) at No. 2 Iowa (13-4) 8:05 p.m.

First Round Playoff Results:

Friday, July 31

No. 2 IOWA 70, No. 7 Manchester 53

Saturday, August 1

No. 1 WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON 78, No. 8 Albany 21

No. 5 Kentucky 66, No. 4 SOUTH GEORGIA 63

No. 6 Green Bay 60, No. 3 TENNESSEE VALLEY 56

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Semifinal Round Playoff Schedule:

Saturday, August 8

No. 3 Bossier-Shreveport (12-5) at No. 2 Tulsa (14-3) 8:05 p.m.

No. 4 Boise (13-4) at No. 1 Spokane (16-1) 10:00 p.m.

First Round Playoff Results:

Saturday, August 1

No. 3 BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT 56, No. 6 Rio Grande Valley 46

No. 2 TULSA 90, No. 7 Oklahoma City 75

No. 4 BOISE 77, No. 5 Arkansas 36

No. 1 SPOKANE 62, No. 8 Stockton 21



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