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Dorados Weekly Notes

May 4, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados News Release


DORADOS HAPPY TO RETURN TO DIVISION PLAY

GAME #5 SATURDAY CHASE FIELD AT DODGE ARENA 7:30 PM VS SAN DIEGO RIPTIDE (1-3)

BROADCASTS: TV: TELEVISA RADIO: ESPN RADIO 1240 AM WEBCAST VIDEO: af2TV.com

The Rio Grande Valley Dorados (1-3) will be happy to head back into division play after suffering a 77-69 setback Monday night to Bossier-Shreveport in a contest that ranked tied for sixth in af2 history with 146 combined points scored. The numbers were the most the Dorados have ever allowed and the most they have scored in franchise history. The loss pushed the Dorados all-time record against non-division opponents to 0-7. Fortunately for the Dorados, their 1-3 record has them in a three-way third place tie in the National Conference's West Division with Bakersfield and this week's opponent... the San Diego Riptide, who have lost three consecutive games. The Dorados lone win of the season was in division play, with a 40-32 win over Bakersfield and they will look to improve their division record to 2-0 this week. San Diego marks the first division opponent to march into the Valley this season. Rio Grande Valley is 4-3 all-time at home against division opponents. Dating back to last season, the Dorados have lost three consecutive home games and their last home win came on July 10th against Oklahoma City.

DORADOS DROP BACK

They say defense wins championships and in a Monday night high scoring offensive af2 contest in front of 4,516 fans at Chase Field inside Dodge Arena that saw what tied as the sixth highest point production in league history, it was a defensive play that sealed the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings 77-69 victory over the Rio Grande Valley Dorados.

Battle Wings lineman Kendal Shello, who earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors with two sacks, two pass breakups and three quarterback hurries, registered his final sack by hunting down a scrambling Josh Kellett at the 15 yard line as time expired to keep the Dorados from attempting to get in position for a two-point conversion attempt to eventually tie the game.

It was one of few defensive highlights in the game, which saw 146 points scored and 648 yards of combined total offense.

The Dorados started out the contest with a 14-0 advantage and registered touchdowns on their first six offensive drives. Bossier-Shreveport stayed in check after a fumble on their opening possession and tallied touchdowns on five consecutive drives of their own and also received a 56-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Bo Smith.

The touchdown for Smith was one of six on the night. Smith, who just fell short of career single-game highs in touchdowns (seven) and points (36), earned US Army Ironman of the Game honors after producing 278 all-purpose yards with 116 coming off six receptions (five of which were touchdowns) and 162 coming off of specials teams (kickoff returns).

Smith put on a show with Dorados rookie offensive specialist Dwight Counter during the second quarter, which saw the teams combine for 66 points. Counter produced three touchdowns in the second quarter and ended the night claiming the Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game with 10 catches for 4 touchdowns (both tied single-game franchise record) and a franchise single-game record 188 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown reception as time expired to give the Dorados a 46-41 halftime lead. He also produced 282 all-purpose yards (94 off kickoff returns).

The second half was a seesaw battle, but an injury to Dorados deep snapper Kyle Rasmussen turned the Dorados special teams into a nightmare and cost the Dorados several points. Dorados kicker Eric Houle was 4 for 6 in PATs and an additional two PAT attempts were missed on bad snaps.

Dorados quarterback Josh Kellett had spectacular performance, throwing for a franchise single-game best 396 yards falling just four yards shy of 400 and 21 yards shy of his career best. He completed 27 of 42 passes and a franchise best 8 touchdowns. Kellett also rushed in a touchdown on the ground to get in the scoring on nine of the Dorados touchdowns. He had no problem getting the 77 yards needed coming into the game to surpass the 5,000 yard passing mark in his af2 career.

Kellett's only downfall came late in the game, when a deflected pass ended up in the hands of 'Wings linebacker Clint Schexnayder. That possession, along with a fumble by Marquis Floyd in the Dorados first possession of the second half, allowed Bossier to maintain the lead late in the fourth quarter. Rio Grande Valley never trailed more than eight points late in the game and had an opportunity to tie the game after a 21-yard touchdown pass to Counter with 32-seconds remaining, but Houle shanked the extra point attempt giving the 'Wings a 70-69 advantage. The Dorados attempted an onside kick, but former Dorado McKinley Bowie recovered the ball. Bowie recovered all three onside kicks attempted by the Dorados. Battle Wings quarterback Matt Hicks, who was 16 of 27 for 250 yards and 8 touchdowns, could have ended the game by falling to the turf, but he scampered 12 yards into the endzone purposely untouched with 24-seconds remaining. If he goes down prior to the endzone, the clock would have run out, but since he scored, it gave the Dorados an opportunity to score a touchdown and attempt a two-point conversion. The opportunity ended on Shello's sack as the Dorados were driving downfield in the closing seconds.

Bossier-Shreveport's win gives them their first win of the season, ending a four-game winless streak on the season and an eight-game winless streak dating back from last season. Ironically, their last win came on June 18, 2004 against Rio Grande Valley.

RIP REPORT (a look at the opponent's previous game)

Courtesy of San Diego Riptide

Despite holding the Amarillo Dusters scoreless in the third quarter, the Riptide couldn't find an answer to the outstanding overall play by the Dusters, losing 49-31, in front of 3,190 fans. Amarillo Quarterback Julian Reese turned in another Offensive Player of the Game performance completing 20-of-36 passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns through the air and had seven rushes for 17 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. For the Riptide, WR/DB Ryan Smith was honored as the defensive player of the game and WR/DB Nakoa McElrath took home Ironman of the Game honors.

The ‘Tide continued to struggle at the quarterback position with Buich playing in the first half completing 6 of 18 and one interception which was mirrored by Feterik's second half performance where he completed 6 of 18 and one interception. San Diego's receiving core was led by Nakoa McElrath who hauled in six passes for 65 yards and a touchdown and also returned two kickoffs for 42 yards. For the Dusters, Kendric Walker caught four passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, San Diego's Trayvon Waller led both teams with 6.5 tackles while the Duster's Jess Hunnicut recorded two sacks.

Reese exploded in the first quarter with two scores on the ground. For the Riptide, recent assignment OS Lamont Webb looked promising after returning a kickoff 54 yards for a touchdown. Webb suffered an injury during the first quarter that could knock him out for the season.

In the second quarter of play, Reese switched his game and threw three touchdown passes, two to Kendric Walker from 39 and 11 yards out and one to Chavis McCollister from 12 yards away. San Diego's Nian Taylor and Nakoa McElrath hauled in touchdown passes from Anthony Buich.

Struggling ‘Tide quarterback, Anthony Buich, was replaced by Kevin Feterik in the second half. Feterik's first drive resulted in the lone third quarter touchdown. San Diego's defense stepped it up a notch allowing no points to Reese and Brad Greetis chipped in with his first sack of the season.

The fourth quarter started off with another Riptide touchdown putting San Diego within four. However, the Dusters struck right back with a one yard touchdown run by Reese. The ‘Tide would lose the ball on downs on their next drive, only to get it back after Brandon Hall recovered a Reese fumble. But it would be the Dusters who would have the final say as Charles Davis intercepted a Feterik pass sealing the win for the Dusters, 49-31.

RECORD THIS

The following team records were set in the Dorados high scoring loss to Bossier-Shreveport:

Individual

Most Passing Yards in a game: Josh Kellett (390)
Most TD Passes in a game: Josh Kellett (8)
Most Passes Caught: Dwight Counter (tied with 10)
Most Receiving Yards in a game: Dwight Counter (188)
Most TD Receptions in a Game: Dwight Counter (ties a team record with 4)
Most Points Scored: Dwight Counter (ties a team record with 24)
Most TD scores: Dwight Counter (ties a team record with 4)

Team

Most Points Scored in a game: 69
Most Passes Completed in a game: 28 (ties team record)
Most Passing Yards in a game: 383
Most TD Passes/Receptions in a game: 8
Most Overall TDs in a game: 10
Most Passes Caught in a game: 28 (ties a team record)
Most Yards Receiving in a game: 390
Most Total Offensive Yards Gained in a game: 400

THE E-WATCH

Former Dorados defensive specialist Eddie Moten is the first and only player to advance his playing career from the Dorados to the higher level and is currently the youngest member of the Arena Football League ‘s (AFL) Philadelphia Soul. Moten, who was a rookie last season for the Dorados out of Texas A&M-Kingsville, co-led the af2 last season in interceptions with 10 and led the af2 in interception return yards with 124 yards. Each week we will keep tabs on his progress in AFL action:

Sun. May 1st vs. Orlando Predators

The Philadelphia Soul have been eliminated from playoff contention, but it did not keep them from getting in the win column as they held off the Orlando Predators 64-60. Moten led the game in tackles with 7.5 (6 solo) and also collected a tackle for a loss. His game totals place him with 65.5 tackles (58-solo, 15-assisted) on the year (ranks tied for 12th in the league and leads the team).

Next for Moten: The Soul (6-8) will enjoy a bye week this week before returning to action on May 15th to host the Columbus Destroyers.

af2 WEEK 5 REVIEW

FRIDAY, April 8
Manchester 56 @ Macon 31
SATURDAY, April 9
Albany 48 @ South Seorgia 39
Green Bay 48 @ WB/Scranton 40
Birmingham46 @ Louisville 48
Florida 68 @ Arkansas 50
Oklahoma City 34 @ Tulsa 47
Memphis 42 @ Quad City 45
Amarillo 49 @ San Diego 31
Bakersfield 21 @ Central Valley 40
MONDAY, May 2
Bossier-Shrev. 77 @ RGV Dorados 69

af2 WEEK 6 PREVIEW

Friday, May 6
Louisville at Manchester 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 7
Albany at Macon 6:30 p.m.
Bakersfield at Bossier-Shreveport 7:00 p.m.
Central Valley at Tulsa 7:00 p.m.
Quad City at Amarillo 7:00 p.m.
Green Bay at Arkansas 7:00 p.m.
Oklahoma City at Memphis 7:00 p.m.
South Georgia at Birmingham 7:00 p.m.
San Diego at Rio Grande Valley 7:30 p.m.
Bye Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Florida

ON THE MENU

At each home game, the Rio Grande Valley Dorados will have tailgating outside the Dodge Arena sponsored by Budweiser, Clear Channel, and Dodge beginning at 4PM on game-days. Each tailgate event will feature live musical acts and will feature a marquee food item for grillers and tailgaters to cook. Judges will give out prizes for the best of the selected food item prepared by fans. For Saturday, fans are encouraged to prepare their best fish tacos for judging.

NEXT HOME GAME

The Dorados next home game will be this Saturday, as the Dorados host the San Diego Riptide at Chase Field inside the Dodge Arena. Individual tickets for the game and all other home games are already on sale. Season ticket packages and advertising opportunities are still available by contacting the Dorados offices at 956-843-7825. Additional info can also be found by visiting the Dorados online at www.doradosfootball.com.

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