Firecats Earn 40-39 Win Over Manchester to Advance to 3rd Straight American Conference Championship
Published on August 12, 2006 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Florida Firecats News Release
The Florida Firecats and the Manchester Wolves squared off in an amazing thriller that wasn't decided until Brent Burnside intercepted a Steve Bellisari pass to finalize a 40-39 Firecat victory. Florida lead in the first quarter, but would not regain the advantage until the clock read 38 seconds and quarterback Chris Wallace connected with wide receiver Brittney Tellis on a five yard slant. The extra point was connected by kicker Brandon Kornblue who had troubles connecting on two prior PAT's. A crowd of 7,073 was on hand, the second highest attendance in Germain Arena history. The Firecats got on the board early, scoring on their first possession. A 1 yard run by fullback Clenton Crossley and a missed extra point by Kornblue made the score 6-0. The Wolves answered back immediately with a 45 yard touchdown pass from Bellisari to wide receiver Ari Confesor. That touchdown strike was on Manchester's first offensive play from scrimmage, giving them a 7-6 lead. Florida then mounted a drive taking 5:50 off the clock and ending with Crossley scoring on a run, this time from 2 yards out. Florida regained the lead 13-7. Manchester kept the scoring trend going, when Bellisari hooked up with wide receiver Marc Bacote for a 27 yard touchdown reception. A missed point after attempt by kicker Dylan Pohlman left the score tied 13-13 at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter saw a defensive battle that lasted until the 3 minute mark when the Wolves Bellasari hit wide receiver Wendell Williams for a 31 yard score, putting Manchester ahead 20-13. Tellis was wide open on the Firecats next possession, when Wallace hit him at the Wolves 15 yard line, Tellis then broke two tackles before finally getting in the end zone, knotting the game at 20. The last minute of the first half was occupied by each team having possession, but Bellasari and Wallace traded off interceptions and the score remained tied at 20 at the half. Manchester wasted no time getting on the board in the second half. After using only 1:15 of the clock, Bellasari hit Williams on a 30 yard touchdown pass, putting the Wolves back on top 27-20. The Firecats then used the next 3:30 to mount their own scoring drive that ended with Wallace hitting a wide open Ethenic Sands for a 13 yard touchdown strike. Kornblue missed another extra point, which left the score in favor of the Wolves 27-26. The Wolves continued to waste no time getting back on the board when Bellasari found Williams for a third time, this time for 34 yards. Half of those yards were earned by Williams who broke 3 tackles to get in the end zone. A second PAT miss by Pohlman left the Wolves with a 33-26 lead. Florida continued to fight back and finally Wallace hooked up with wide receiver Brent Burnside for a 34 yard TD reception. Kornblue successfully converted the extra point and the score was all tied up at 33 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter. The game turned defensive for the last four minutes of the third quarter and the score remained tied at 33 going into the final quarter. The defensive intensity continued into the fourth quarter as Manchester turned the ball over on a fumble, then Florida gave it back on downs. Manchester then did the same, only to be followed up by Wallace throwing an interception to give the ball back to the Wolves. Manchester capitalized on their next possession, a two yard touchdown run by fullback Mark Kimener with 4:17 to play in the game. Pohlman missed the extra point and the Wolves had a 39-33 lead. Wallace then found Tellis on a 5 yard slant to give the Firectas the 40-39 lead. It looked as if Manchester would have no problem getting in field goal range when the Wolves brought the kickoff all the way out to the 25 yard line. On the very next play Burnside intercepted the Belasari pass as the crowd erupted and the âCats sealed the game. Wallace was 26 of 47 for 256 and 4 touchdowns for the Firecats and Bellasari was 15 for 28 which was good for 280 yards and five touchdowns for the Wolves. Both quarterbacks threw 2 interceptions and Bellasari had his five game winning streak snapped. Burnside had an outstanding game with 2 interceptions and a touchdown reception.
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