F.C. Barcelona Dragons Game Notes

April 22, 2003 - National Football League Europa (NFLE)
F.C. Barcelona Dragons News Release


INSIDE INSIDE THE NUMBERS :
F.C. BARCELONADRAGONS(2-1) VS. RHEIN FIRE (2-1)
Series Record: The series is tied at 8-8.
The Last Time: Barcelona 21 vs. Rhein 24 (6/1/02)
Last Time in Barcelona: Barcelona 21 vs. Rhein 24 (6/1/02)
Last Dragons Win: Barcelona 27 @ Rhein 21 (5/5/01)
Who's Hot?: The Fire won the last two meetings. Series: The Dragons and Fire have faced each other 16 times, with the series tied at eight games each.

Did you Know?:
* The last three seasons, the series has been swept with the Fire winning in 2002 and 2000 and the Dragons in 2001
* The Dragons won the first ever meeting between the teams 32-30 in 1995.
* Both teams are 4-4 at home and on the road.

A Dragons Win Would:
* Improve the Dragons season record to 3-1
* Give Barcelona a three game winning streak, the first since weeks seven through nine of the 2001 season.
* Allow Barcelona to take a 9-8 series advantage over the Rhein Fire.
* Give the Dragons their second consecutive win at Mini Estadi.
* Improve the Dragons record at Mini Estadi to 2-1.
* End a two game losing streak to the Fire.

DRAGONS vs. Fire

For news, community and historical information,statistics and rosters, visit the official website of the Barcelona Dragons, http://www.dragons.es. Updated regularly, http://www.dragons.es has the most extensive information on players and coaches, upcoming games, community appearances and local football information. The Dragons website is also a great place to find information on F.C. Barcelona soccer clubs. You can also visit www.nfleurope.com for league standings, stats and information on all the other NFLEL teams.

HEAD COACHES

Jack Bicknell (56-47 , 2-4 post season, 11th Year)

Bicknell returns in 2003 for his 42nd year of coaching as the only NFLEL head coach to have been with the same team through the history of the league. He has won more NFLEL regular season games (54) than any other coach in the history of the league. He is also the only coach to have made four World Bowl appearances in league history.

"Cowboy Jack" served as head coach at Boston College for 10 seasons (1981-1990). He led the Eagles to a 10-2 mark in 1984 as his quarterback, Doug Flutie, won the Heisman Trophy. His 45-28 victory over Houston in the Cotton Bowl marked the first time in school history that the team participated in three consecutive bowl games. Bicknell also guided the Eagles to the 1982 Tangerine Bowl, 1983 Liberty Bowl and 1986 Hall of Fame Bowl. He was also selected to coach the 1985 Hula and Japan Bowlss and the 1990 East-West Shrine Bowl. Prior to his time with Boston College, Bicknell served as the head coach at the University of Maine (1976-1980).

Pete Kuharchek (14-9, 3rd Year)

Kuharchek enters his third season as the head coach of the Rhein Fire after taking his team to World Bowl X last year. He made his NFLEL debut in 1992 as the Orlando Thunder defensive backs coach. The team earned a World Bowl berth that season. Kuharchek was the defensive coordinator at the University of Texas at El Paso (1993-1995) before being hired as the Rhein Fire's defensive coordinator in 1996.

In 1996, Kuharchek coached NFLEL's top ranked rushing defense, followed by his 1997 squad that finished second in scoring and rushing and finally won a World Bowl championship in 1998 with the league's top rated defense. He made his coaching debut as the linebackers coach of the Tampa Bay Bandits in 1983 while also spending time at Memphis State University (1986-89), British Columbia Lions (CFL, 1990) and again at UTEP in 1991.

Kuharchek was a linebacker at the University of Tampa from 1967-69 and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Tampa in 2002.

LAST WEEK

The F.C. Barcelona Dragons picked up their second consecutive and first home win of the season against the Amsterdam Admirals in a 35-17 contest at Miniestadi. For the second consecutive week, the Dragons scored on their first possession when Seth Burford hooked up with Sean Morey on a 25-yard touchdown pass. Jesus Angoy chipped in the point after to give the Dragons an early lead. The Admirals appeared to be driving down the field on their first possesion but the drive was stopped short after Jabari Issa tackled quarterback Shaun Hill causing a fumble that was recovered by the Dragons Kevin DeRonde. Barcelona was able to move the ball just 13 yards before they were forced to punt. The Barcelona defense held the Admirals to a three and out before Amsterdam returned the favor on the Dragons next possession forcing a Nick Murphy punt after three plays.

Amsterdam took advantage of the punt and scored on the first possession of the second quarter. A 10-play, 80-yard drive capped off by a David Rivers-to-Justin Skaggs 25- yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7. The teams traded punts on the next three series before Amsterdam's Shaun Hill turned the ball over once again on a Jason Olford interception that was returned 23 yards. Barcelona took over at the Admirlas eight-yard line and took just three plays before Chris Finlen found an open Morey for his second touchdown reception of the game and a 14-7 Barcelona lead. Amsterdam chipped away at the Dragons lead on the last drive of the first half that took the Admirals 61 yards to setup a 31-yard Silvio Diliberto field goal and a 14-10 halftime defecit. Amsterdam was held to three plays to start the second half before being forced to punt.

Barcelona regained the momentum when Jeff Chaney took a third and one rush 56 yards deep into Admirals territory. The drive was capped off by an 11-yard Morey touchdown pass, his third of the game and a 21-10 Dragon lead. The teams traded punts on the next seven series until Barcelona increased their lead to 28-10 in the fourth frame on a one-yard Dameon Hunter touchdown scamper. The drive was dominated by Hunter who carried the ball eight times for 41 yards. Amsterdam then answered back on a Hill-to-Ryan Collins 23-yard touchdown pass to cap off a seven-play, 70-yard drive that took just 1:29. On the ensuing onside kick attempt, Barcelona defensive back Antuan Simmons recovered the ball and took it 43 yards for the final score of the game and a 35- 17 Barcelona victory.

FAMILIAR FACES

Jesus Angoy - Connected on all five point after attempts against Amsterdam. Returning national kicker. Finished with a team-high 54 points connecting on all 24 point after attempts and 10-of-12 field goals. He was three-of-three from 40-49 yards in 2002.

Matt Cercone - Recorded his first reception of the 2003 season, a 33-yard pass to help setup a touchdown run last week. Tight end returning to Barcelona after playing with the Dragons in 2000.

Cedric Cotar - Saw action on special teams against Amsterdam. French national player returning for his third year. Finished the 2002 season with three tackles, a pass defensed and one sack.

Renard Cox - Recorded two tackles against Amsterdam before spraining his knee. Played in the Dragons secondary through the 2002 season. He tallied 37 tackles and four passes defensed while adding eight tackles and a blocked punt on special teams.

John Feugill - Helped clear a path for 190 rushing yards while giving up just two sacks on 22 passing attempts. Started at left tackle in 2001.

Samyr Hamoudi - Picked up two tackles against Amsterdam. French national safety returning for his fifth season with the Dragons. He finished the 2002 season tying for the team lead with two interceptions and six passes defensed.

Rashad Harris - Recorded two tackles against Amsterdam. Returns for his second season in Barcelona. Finished the first with 34 tackles and eight special teams tackles. Marco Martos - Returning for his seventh year with the Dragons after hauling in 10 passes for 92 yards and returning 25 punts for 493 yards last season.

Sean Morey - Led the team with three touchdowns and 57 yards receiving on four receptions against Amsterdam. Returning for his third season after seeing limited action due to injury his first year at receiver and making the switch to defensive back for his second. Finished with 37 receptions for over 600 yards in 2000 and led the team in tackles and blocked kicks in 2001.

Ray Redziniak - Helped clear a path for 190 rushing yards while giving up just two sacks on 22 passing attempts. In his second year with the Dragons after starting at center in 2002. Helped lead the way for 870 yards rushing last season.



National Football League Europa Stories from April 22, 2003


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