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Conquest Game Notes

May 15, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Albany Conquest (4-1) vs. Roanoke Steam (4-2)
Date: May 18, 2002
Kickoff: 7:30 pm
Site: Pepsi Arena
National Anthem: Brittney Cleary
Coin Toss:
Officials: Referee - Mike Perry, Umpire - George Santoro, Head Linesman – Howard Brechtel, Line Judge – Paul Wzontek, Back Judge – Mike Roberts
Radio: ESPN RADIO 1300 AM WTMM "The Team" (Jacob VanRyn and Bill Callahan)
Series Record: First Meeting
Last Meeting: First Meeting
Streaks: Albany won one, Roanoke won four
Coaches: Ron Selesky (4-1 2002, 10-11 Overall)
Steven Jerry (4-2 2002, 10-10 Overall)

THE STAKES: Both teams come into the contest on a winning streak as Roanoke had won their last four while Albany has won four of five. This will be the first time this season that the Conquest will face a team out of their division. Roanoke competes in the Northeast Atlantic Division.

THE SERIES: First Meeting

THE IFs:

If the CONQUEST defeats the Wolves, it would ...
· Give Albany a 5-1 overall record
· Give Albany a 2-1 home record
· Give Albany a 1-0 record outside of their division
· Keep Albany alone in first place in the Northeast Division
· Give Ron Selesky his 11th career af2 coaching victory
· Give Albany a 1-0 record vs. the Roanoke Steam

Ron Selesky: Has the Conquest off to a 4-1 record and the top spot in the American Northeast Division. During the 2001 season, Selesky led the Louisville Fire to a 6-10 record. Prior to his stint in Louisville, Selesky spent one season as the director of player personnel and assistant coach for the Carolina Cobras. Before joining Carolina, Selesky served as the director of player personnel and was an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Storm, where he coached from 1997-99. During that time the Storm complied a 31-11 regular season record and a berth to Arena Bowl XII.

Coach Steven Jerry enters his second season with the Roanoke Steam. After an impressive first season in Roanoke, Coach Jerry brought the 3-13 team up to a 6-8 and one game out of the playoffs. Prior to coaching for the Roanoke Steam, Coach Jerry served as the Offensive Coordinator for the Norfolk Nighthawks as well as Quarterbacks Coach for Siena College. Coach Jerry attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on an athletic scholarship and played four years for the Tarheels as a quarterback and a receiver. Coach Jerry played three years as wide receiver/defensive back for the Albany Firebirds, one year each for the Grand Rapid Rampage and the New England Sea Wolves.

CONQUEST INJURY REPORT:
Pos. Name Injury Status
OL/DL Vinny Guzman Hamstring Out
WR/DB Kevin Siska Ankle Questionable
DS Henry Baker Ankle Questionable
OL/DL Mike Levy Hamstring Questionable

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Head Coach Ron Selesky, On Playing this week's opponent Roanoke: Roanoke by far looks like the best team that we have faced at this point of the season. They look very strong up front and they have very physical wide receiver/defensive backs. It will be interesting to see how we match up against them.

Head Coach Ron Selesky, On last weeks win vs. Mohegan: "We got out of there by the skin of our teeth – to our credit though, we hung tough, fought back and pulled it out – a big win." Quarterback Ryan Vena on the Final Drive vs. Mohegan: "Guys, I'm running the ball and putting it in the end zone.''

FAMILIAR FACES: Lineman Lou Vega was a member of the Roanoke Steam during the 2001 season. Steam Head Coach played for the Albany Firebirds from 1996-98. He also was the QB's coach at Siena College during the 1999 season.

DROPBACK: Quarterback Ryan Vena rushed from 1-yard out with 10 seconds remaining in the game to give the Albany Conquest a 41-35 victory over the Mohegan Wolves in front of 3,120 fans. Vena passed for 167 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for the eventual game winner. Corey Hill again torched the Wolves. This time Hill had ten receptions for 105 yards and four touchdowns. Lineman Alex Houston recorded two sacks to push his season total to 7.0 in five games.

FORWARD MOTION: The Conquest continue their two-game home stretch when the host the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Pioneers on May 25th. The Conquest defeated the Pioneers 34-28 back on April 20th.

Players to Watch:

OS Corey Hill: Hill currently leads the Conquest in all receiving categories including receptions (45), reception yards (474), touchdowns (11) and points (66). He also ranks 9th in the league in both receptions and MFG return yards (70).

QB Ryan Vena: Vena was officially named the starting QB prior to last week's game. In four games this season (two starts) Vena has completed 50-of-97 passes for 566 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also leads the team in rushing with 13 carries for 82 yards and three touchdowns.

OL/DL Alex Houston: Houston is currently tied for the league lead with seven sacks and six tackles for a loss. Houston will pressure the QB for 60 minutes every week.

DS Henry Baker: Baker is one of the premier DB's in the league. Despite sitting out last week's game, Baker currently ranks 5th in the league with four interceptions. He also has ten tackles and five pass deflections.

DS Brandon Tinson: Tinson is the hard hitter who is not afraid to put an opposing offensive player of the sideline barrier boards. On the season Tinson has a team high 37.5 tackles (4th in the af2) and eight pass deflections. He also has three interceptions.

FB/LB Matt Vittengl: Every time a there is a tackle look for Matt Vittengl to be the scene. Vittengl has 21.5 tackles including one for a loss, a sack, a pass break-up, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a block kick. This true Ironman also leads the team with four rushing touchdowns while gaining 27 yards on 12 carries.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

STOP THE SHAKE: DS Henry "Shake" Baker was sidelined last week vs. Mohegan with a sprained ankle. Baker's status for this week's game is questionable. Baker currently ranks 5th in the league with four interceptions.

WE HAVE A STARTER: Ryan Vena was officially named the starting QB for the Conquest prior to last week's game. In his 2nd start of the season, Vena completed 14-of-30 passes for 167 yards and four TD's. He also rushed for 19 yards including the eventual game-winning touchdown.

KING OF THE HILL: For the second time this season, OS Corey Hill torched the Mohegan Wolves with double-digit receptions. For the game, Hill totaled 10 catches for 105 yards and four touchdowns.

THANKS FOR THE HELP: Coming into this week's game the Conquest and the Steam rank 33rd and 34th respectively in opponent's penalties. Both team's opponents have been penalized a league leading 53 penalties for 455 and 485 respectively.

BIG D: The Conquest defense ranks 2nd in the league allowing only 29 points per game. In last week's game, the Wolves converted only 3-of-12 chances on both 3rd and 4th downs. On the season, Conquest opponents have converted only 12-of-51 3rd and 4th down conversions.

WE NEED A BREATHER: The Conquest's offense was on the field for 43:48 compared to the defense's 16:02. The Conquest totaled 208 yards while the Wolves had 233 total yards.

PLAY TO THE END: The Conquest have outscored their opponents 63-32 in the 4th quarter this season. The only quarter the Conquest have not scored more points then the opposing team has been the 3rd quarter. (43-32)

COLGATE CONNECTIONS: The Conquest currently have five players on their roster who have attended Colgate University. QB Ryan Vena, OS Corey Hill, WR/LB Jason Mattes, DS Brandon Tinson and OL/DL Alex Houston were all members of three League Championships. Conquest radio play-by-play announcer Jacob VanRyn is also a graduate of Colgate and held the same position during his collegiate career.

BUILT FORD TOUGH AWARD (selected by coaches) The Built Ford Tough Award is a national recognition award given after every game to the player or players on each team best demonstrating determination and tackle, threw a key block on the big play or exhibited physical sacrifice or consistent tough blocking and tackling on both sides of the ball. The honored players receive a helmet sticker that recognizes the Built Ford Tough Player of the Game.

Week Opp. Player
Two Mohegan Billy Van Jura, Adriel Linyear, Shcree Lewis, Dan Penna
Three Rochester Rich Barlette, Billy Van JuraMike Levy, Shcree Lewis
Four WB/Scranton Mike Levy, Rich Barlette, Mike Guazzo, Lou Vega
Five Rochester Henry Baker, Mike Guazzo, Matt Vittengl, Chris Drennan
Seven Mohegan Elijah Beamon, Dan Penna, Jamie Ware, Matt Vittengl

GAME MVP AWARD (selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
Two Mohegan Corey Hill – Albany
Three Rochester Ryan Vena – Albany
Four WB/Scranton Corey Hill - Albany
Five Rochester Martino Theus - Rochester
Seven Mohegan Ryan Vena - Albany

GAME IRONMAN AWARD (selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
Two Mohegan Alex Houston – Albany
Three Rochester Adriel Linyear – Albany
Four WB/Scranton Matt Vittengl - Albany
Five Rochester Rodney Bush – Rochester
Seven Mohegan Ben LaBelle – Mohegan

ADT Defensive Player of the Game (selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
Two Mohegan Henry Baker – Albany
Three Rochester Henry Baker - Albany
Four WB/Scranton Alex Houston – Albany
Five Rochester Vonkeith Sopencer – Rochester
Seven Mohegan Andy Macaione - Mohegan

RECENT ROSTER MOVES:
Date Action Player
5/8 Assigned WR/DB Chris Spek
5/9 Place on IR WR/DB Chris Spek
5/9 Place on IR OL/DL Vinny Guzman
5/9 Activated off IR WR/DB Jamie Ware

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