Conquest look to cook Steamers

June 18, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release


DOWNRIGHT D-FENSIVE

The Conquest defense played well Saturday's defeat at Wilkes-Barre by allowing just 129 total net yards in the 43-34 loss to the Pioneers. That number is just four yards more than the franchise record of 125 net yards allowed that was set in a 45-13 victory over the Richmond Speed on April 11, 2003 at Pepsi Arena.

JONESING FOR ACTION

Albany QB Tommy Jones made his af2 debut in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday night. His first af2 touchdown went to OS Jeremiah Pope with just seven seconds to go in the first half. He was 3-for-8 for 40 yards and ran the ball six times for 24 yards. He played his college ball at Indiana University and was with Coach Costanza on the Columbus Destroyers practice squad during the AFL season.

McBRIDE'S THE MAN

Conquest DS Pete McBride led Albany with four solo tackles and added a pass breakup in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday night. The 23-year-old leads the club with 11 pass breakups and stands fourth with 21 (19UA, 4A) tackles in 10 games during the 2005 season. He also has 113 kick returns yards and another 37 yards on missed field goal returns.

PLAYERS & MATCHUPS TO WATCH

Steamwheelers Offense

Wilkes-Barre QB Sam Clemons connected for 249 yards and five TD's in the overtime loss at Memphis. He ranks second in the af2 with 248 completions, and fifth with 2,592 passing yards for leads the league's sixth ranked pass offense. OS Travis Burns leads a balanced offense with 67 receptions and 12 TD's, while his 1,753 all-purpose yards place him fourth in the af2. Burns is joined by receivers WR/DB Tim Dodge (63rec, 8 TD) and WR/LB Jack Walker Jr. (57rec, 12 TD) as the mainstays of the aerial attack.

Conquest Defense

The Conquest defense is coming off unquestionably its best effort of the 2005 season in Wilkes-Barre. Albany allowed the Pioneers just 10 first half points. The Conquest allowed just eight offensive first downs in the game and rank seventh in the af2 having allowed the opposition 178 first downs this season. The club now ranks eighth in the af2 in total defense, having surrendered 2,658 yards through 10 games this year. OL/DL Oby Arah added his team-high fourth sack in the loss, tying him for fifth in the league.

Conquest Offense

Albany QB D. Bryant tossed two TD receptions and rushed for his 11th TD, placing him third in the af2. OS Jeremiah Pope caught a team-high seven passes for 60 yards, including his 15th TD. He shows 55 receptions and 608 yards receiving, while WR/LB Manwell Talbert's is already among the af2 elite with 899 receiving yards and a team-high 19 receiving TD's. The offense also found time for OL/DL Karleton Thomas, who made two catches for 22 yards on Saturday.

Steamwheelers Defense

Quad City DS Matt Forbes recorded seven solo tackles and two interceptions in Memphis and now leads the league with 9 INT's, including three returned for TD's. His 60 tackles rank sixth in the af2 and he leads the Wheelers with 12 pass breakups. The beef of the D is FB/LB Fred Barr, who has three sacks for a 28-yard loss in nine games this year. He leads the team with two forced fumbles and ranks second with four QBH's.

FORWARD MOTION

The Albany Conquest return to Pepsi Arena on Friday, June 24th for the Kids Summer Bash against Louisville at 7:30 p.m! Fans can enjoy the inflatable Zooperstars, ride with Team Heelys, experience the magic of Radio Disney or win a Tony Hawk Boom-Boom Huck Jam Prize Pack give-a-way. Each Conquest game is broadcast live on 104.9FM WZMR Froggy Country beginning 15 minutes prior to kick off with the CSEA pre-game show.



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