Sports stats



Deno on Defense is De Man

February 21, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


Denario Smalls' unbelievable performance Sunday helped lead the Kansas City Brigade to its first-ever victory in front of nearly a full house at Kemper Arena. Smalls, who was 10th in the AFL in tackles going into the game, was the difference-maker in a steadily improving defense which has given up fewer points in each of its four games (58 at Orlando, 39 at Dallas, 37 vs. Austin and 17 vs. Columbus - not including return points).

Smalls, who played at East Tennessee State, has been with head coach Kevin Porter for the past five seasons, three in AF2 with the Macon Knights, last year in New Orleans and now in Kansas City.

"Denario (Smalls) had a great performance out there today," Coach Porter said. "His big plays certainly gave our team the boost we needed. A coach would never tell a player they played a flawless game, but I tell you what, that was pretty darn close. Denario came up huge every time we needed a player to today."

In yesterday's game Smalls started off by forcing a fumble on the Destroyers first possession. He then returned an interception 39 yards in the second quarter for a touchdown, giving the Brigade a 15-0 cushion it never relinquished. Early in the second half, with the Brigade up 21-10 and the Destroyers driving, Smalls again came up big, with his second interception, this time near the end zone. In the fourth quarter and Columbus again in the Kansas City red zone, fellow DS Chris Pointer stripped the ball and Smalls corralled it in the end zone preventing yet another score.

Smalls also was credited with a team-high four passes defended and team-high six tackles, to go with his two interceptions, touchdown, forced fumble, and fumble recovery.

After the game, with all of the television cameras and newspaper reporters in his face, Smalls continued his humble ways. "This game is about teamwork," Smalls said. "We are all working hard and doing our part to get better each week. We thank the fans for their great support today and we vow that we will always try our hardest to win. Today was a great day for Kansas City."

News and Notes and League Rankings:

- Andy Kelly's solid performance against Columbus put him back among the league's best statistically. He is ninth in the league in yards with 1,089 and third in completions with 108. Two touchdown passes last week increased his career total to 732, still second all-time behind New York's Aaron Garcia with 753. Kelly continues to outpace all comers in career yards, now with 37,702.

- Jerel Myers continues to play like a veteran in his rookie season. His five receptions against Columbus put him fifth in the league with 34. He is also 13th in yards with 354.

- James Jordan moved up to eighth in the league in receptions with 31 after a solid nine catch effort last week, that despite missing the fourth quarter.

- Dawan Moss is fifth in the league in rushing with 34 yards.

- Denario Smalls' name keeps shooting up the defensive stats. He is in the top 25 in the league in total tackles and the top 15 in solo tackles. Smalls is also tied for fourth in the league with three interceptions.

- Tim Seder has been battling all season and now finds himself sixth in the league in kicking with 37 points. His 63.6 field goal percentage is fourth in the league and that's not out of just a few attempts. Seder is tied for third in the league in attempts with 11.

- The Brigade is third in total defense (first in the National Conference). The team remains first in 1st downs on offense.

Community Relations:

Mize Elementary in Shawnee Kansas Reading Promotion: March 2, 2006

Ingels Elementary Read Across America: March 3, 2006

Kansas City Brigade Blood Drive: March 7th or 14th

Barry School Elementary: March 17 or 20

Negro League Museum: Reading program at the end of March

Kansas Children's Service League: April 1, 2006 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Habitat for Humanity: April

Game Preview:
Kansas City Brigade @ Georgia Force
Friday, February 24, 6:30pm CT, at Philips Arena in Atlanta
TV: Fox Sports Midwest
Radio: 97.3 Max-FM
Webcast: www.kcbrigade.com

Now with a win to its name Kansas City travels to Atlanta to face its third division opponent in the last four weeks. The Brigade is 0-2 in the Southern Division but a victory this week would move the team into a tie with the 1-1 Force.

A short week-the Brigade leaves town Thursday-will help keep up the momentum of its first-ever win. That will be Kansas City's greatest asset with less time than usual to prepare. Georgia comes off a much needed victory on the road after losing its previous two games by a combined three points. It would be hard to call the Force inconsistent as both its losses have come down to the final play.

Georgia has certainly proven it can score points, but it hasn't seen a defense like the Brigade's. Kansas City has given up less than 50 points in the last three games and each week has lowered its opponents' points scored by double digits.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 21, 2006


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.

OurSports Central