Dorados Weekly Notes

May 24, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados News Release


DORADOS LOOK TO GO WILD THIS WEEKEND

GAME #8 SATURDAY ALBANY CIVIC CENTER 6:30 PM VS. SOUTH GEORGIA WILDCATS (2-5)

BROADCAST: RADIO: ESPN RADIO 1240 AM

The Rio Grande Valley Dorados (4-3) registered their first non-division win in franchise history (1-7) Saturday with a 52-49 win over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers and will now focus on another non-division win this weekend, as they make their first ever trip to Augusta, Georgia to face the South Georgia Wildcats. The Dorados are also taking a franchise best three-game winning streak into the contest and a possibility of gaining a share of first place in the West Division. Rio Grande Valley is currently tied for second place with Central Valley (at San Diego) and sits a win behind Tulsa, who hosts Bakersfield. To garner the win, the Dorados are going to have to stop a Wildcats squad that has won two of their last three contests, and do it in the Albany Civic Center, which has not seen less than 6,692 attend a game this season. It will be another test for the Dorados defense, which has to control Wildcats quarterback Bobby Pesavento. The former Big12 star at Colorado currently ranks sixth in the af2 in passing yards per game (261.7) and tied for seventh in touchdown passes thrown with 35.

DORADOS DROPBACK

Norman Mason, playing in his first game with the Rio Grande Valley Dorados, registered his second interception of the game in his own endzone with just under ten-seconds remaining in the contest to preserve a 52-49 victory over the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Pioneers Saturday night in front of 4,392 fans at Chase Field / Dodge Arena. The win over the #6 ranked Pioneers, which was the Dorados first ever (1-7) against a non-division opponent, gives the Dorados a 4-3 record and also places them with a franchise best three-game winning streak. The contest was the first ever match-up in arenafootball2 history between recipients of the af2's Coach of the Year honor, as Dorados Head Coach Kevin Guy was a previous winner and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Les Moss won the honor last season.

Mason, who earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors, was acquired by the Dorados on Thursday and ironically had a two-interception performance the last time he was in the Rio Grande Valley, but it came last season as a member of the Wichita Stealth. His pair of interceptions was the only flaws in the quarterback performance of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Kyle Rowley, who was 30 of 47 for 271 yards and 6 touchdowns. Four of his touchdowns were to rookie JR Thomas. The Pioneers offensive specialist hauled in a game-high 11 catches for 124 yards, but couldn't steal the spotlight away from Baby Ruth Offensive Player of the Game award winner Josh Kellett. The Dorados quarterback was 18 of 33 for 263 yards and 3 touchdowns in the air, while also running in a score and gaining 11 yards off two rushes. His performance placed him as the Dorados all-time single-season and career leader in pass attempts (245), completions (132) and passing yards (1647).

Heading into the contest, the Dorados were 3-1 when trailing at the half and had not won a game when leading at halftime. The Dorados took advantage of a fumble by Jason Morris, who attended training camp with the Dorados, and Mason's first interception of the contest by gaining ten points off the turnovers. The ten points, registered by a 24-yard touchdown reception by Dwight Counter and a 26-yard field goal by Eric Houle, helped build a 24-10 lead with 3:38 remaining in the second quarter. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Thomie Venisee cut into the Dorados lead with a four-yard touchdown catch with 21-seconds remaining in the half, but the Dorados had enough time for Eric Houle to boot a 17-yard field goal as time expired in the half to give the Dorados a 27-17 lead.

Opening the second-half with the ball, the Pioneers did exactly what they needed to get back into the contest. Rowley hit Jurron Kelly for a seven-yard touchdown reception on the opening drive of the half and the Pioneers defense forced the Dorados to go three-and-out on their following possession. Rowley completed a 16-yard pass to Thomas with 8:35 remaining in the third quarter to give the Pioneers their first lead of the game 30-27.

The scoring was back-and-fourth from that point with the Dorados getting a franchise single-game best two blocked kicks on David Davis' extra point attempts to eventually turning out to be a difference in the game. Houle kicked his franchise tying-high third field of the contest from 32 yards with 50-seconds remaining to give the Dorados a 44-43 lead. The Pioneers answered back with 37-seconds remaining with Morris tallying a five-yard touchdown run. Thomas was tackled short of the endzone on a screen pass for the two-point conversion and the Pioneers lead was held to 49-44. An unsuccessful on-side kick attempt by the Pioneers gave the Dorados first-and-goal. Dorados offensive specialist Craig Cole registered his 50th career af2 touchdown reception from six-yards with 28-seconds remaining and Travis McAlpine's two-point conversion gave the Dorados a 52-49 lead. The lead would stand, as the Pioneers drove down to the Dorados 15 yard-line before Mason's heroics.

The US Army Ironman of the Game was issued to Pioneers wide receiver/defensive back Ameer Riley, who gained five yards rushing, 9 yards receiving and a Pioneer leading seven tackles. Mason led the Dorados defense in tackles with a game high and franchise single-game best 12 tackles (all solo).

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

Courtesy of Manchester Wolves

The Manchester Wolves lived up to their billing as the No. 1 team in the league, defeating the So. Georgia Wildcats, 46-21, in front of an excited crowd of 6,423 Friday night at the Verizon Wireless Arena. The Wolves win was their sixth in a row, improving their record to 6-1 on the season. The victory keeps Manchester in the top spot in the American Conference, East Division standings.

After a close first half that saw the Wolves hold a slim 20-14 advantage at the break, Manchester's defense flexed its muscles, limiting the Wildcats to just seven second half points. Leading the effort was ADT Defensive Player of the Game Allistair Sebastien, who recorded six solo tackles and two interceptions. Other defensive standouts for the Wolves were William Haith and Ron Smalls, who combined for 17 tackles. Kelvin Fuller earned U.S. Army Ironman of the Game honors with a strong overall effort that included 22 yards rushing, two touchdowns on offense and 3.0 total tackles and one sack on defense.

It was also a big night for Wolves' receivers Heyward Skipper and JJ McKelvey, who scored two touchdowns apiece. Skipper earned Offensive Player of the Game honors with seven catches for 66 yards, while McKelvey had nine receptions for 56 yards.

So. Georgia was led in defeat by WR/LB Antwone Savage and OS Archie Turner. Savage had nine catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns, while Turner turned out eight catches for 86 yards and one score. Turner also accumulated 64 return yards.

RECORD THIS

The following team records were set in the Dorados win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Saturday night:

Individual

Most Points Scored by a kicker in a game: Eric Houle (14)
Most Field Goals Made in a game: Eric Houle (3 for second time in franchise history)
Most Unassisted Tackles in a game: Norman Mason (12)
Most Overall Tackles in a game: Norman Mason (12)

Team

Most Rushing TDs in a game: 3 (5th time)
Most Field Goals in a game: 3 (2nd time)
Most Blocked Kicks in a game: 2

Misc.

Chris Robinson eclipsed the 100-yard mark in rushing yards for the season...
Josh Kellett became the Dorados all-time single-season and career leader in pass attempts (245), completions (132) and passing yards (1647)...
The Dorados won three consecutive games for the first time in franchise history...

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:

May 22nd vs Dallas Desperados

The Philadelphia Soul closed their season with a 6-10 record after suffering a 77-63 loss to the 8-7-1 Dallas Desperados. Moten had his AFL rookie season end prematurely, as he was placed on the injured reserve list the day on Saturday and did not play in Sunday's game. He ended the season with game totals place him with 71.5 tackles (64-solo, 15-assisted) on the year (ranks 19th in the league and leads the team). He also ranked tied for 19th in the league with 4 interceptions and sixth in passes defended (18).

af2 WEEK 8 REVIEW

Friday, May 20
MANCHESTER 46, South Georgia 21 (6,432)
BAKERSFIELD 25, San Diego 14 (3,407)
Saturday, May 21
Memphis 73, ALBANY 53 (5,481)
Florida 47, LOUISVILLE 43 (8,614)
AMARILLO 68, Central Valley 61 OT (3,541)
GREEN BAY 56, Quad City 49 (3,072)
TULSA 61, Macon 39 (5,223)
ARKANSAS 61, Birmingham 60 (6,978)
RIO GRANDE V 52, W-B/Scranton 49 (4,392)
OKLAHOMA CITY 52, Bos.-Shreve. 17 (7,394)

af2 WEEK 9 PREVIEW

Friday, May 27
Manchester at W-B/Scranton 6:30 p.m.
Albany at Louisville 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 28
Rio Grande Valley at South Georgia 6:30 p.m.
Amarillo at Florida 6:30 p.m.
Arkansas at Macon 6:30 p.m.
Bakersfield at Tulsa 7:00 p.m.
Green Bay at Birmingham 7:00 p.m.
Oklahoma City at Quad City 7:30 p.m.
Central Valley at San Diego 9:00 p.m.

NEXT HOME GAME

The Dorados next home game will be Saturday, June 11, as the Dorados host the Tulsa Talons 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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