Fire Returns Home

May 12, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Louisville Fire News Release


The Louisville Fire arena football team has traveled a long way in the last three weeks, 3,760 miles, round trip, to be exact. After the Fire started the season 2-0 they hit the road for three straight weeks and return home with a 4-1 record and sit in a virtual tie with Quad City (5-1) for first place.

The road swing began on April 24 with an 822-mile, 16-hour bus ride to Albany, New York where the Fire came away with a 62-56 victory over the Conquest. The Fire trailed early in the game, but were able to secure the victory on Matt Sauk's nine-yard touchdown pass to James Scott with three seconds left for the go ahead score.

"That was a tough trip. The 16-hour bus ride was long and our guys were ready to get off the bus and play. I was real proud of the way they fought the entire game and didn't give up," said Fire head coach Tommy Johnson.

The journey continued to the home state of Derby winner Smarty Jones on Derby day with a 669-mile, 10 hour drive to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to face off against the undefeated Pioneers. The battle of the two undefeated teams lived up to its billing as the Fire left Wilkes-Barre with a 59-51 defeat, the first of the season. Tony Stallings, who is currently filming a reality show on Animal Planet, caught 11 passes for 111 yards and scored four touchdowns.

"That was another long trip. We got behind early and fought back. In the end Wilkes-Barre was able to pull it out. There crowd was into the game and I really think that helped put them over the top," remarked coach Johnson.

The Fire made their final stop last weekend in Memphis, just a 389-mile trip, and came home with a 70-63 victory over the Xplorers. The Fire trailed by 14 points three different times in the first half because of Kevin Prentiss' three kickoff returns for touchdowns. Fire QB Matt Sauk however would lead the way with a league high 10 touchdown passes in the game. Fire offensive specialist James Scott again had a big game with 14 receptions for 201 yards and six touchdown catches, all three Fire team records.

"We knew after this game we would finally get to come back home for a game. We were down early but Matt and James were just on and our defense step up when we needed them. It's good to finally come back and play in front of the best fans in af2," commented coach Johnson.

Coach Johnson and the Fire return home Saturday night to face the Albany Conquest in a rematch of the April 24 thriller in Albany. Kickoff is set for 7:30 and the game will benefit the Crusade for Children and the first 1,500 fans in the door will receive a Terry Meiners bobblehead doll. Coach Johnson and the team will be available for interviews tonight in Freedom Hall before or after practice. Practice will start at 6:45 and end at 9:00. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (502) 368-0009 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com.



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