First-Timers Look to Advance
August 9, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
CHICAGO â Take a look at the eight teams in the semifinals. Notice anything interesting? Sure, there are the powerhouses like Tulsa, Macon, Cape Fear and Albany that many expected would be here. And sure there are a couple of darkhorse clubs in Florida and San Diego. But the big surprise is the one common trait all eight teams share. None of them have been here before. From the Talons (15-2) to the Riptide (8-9), none of the remaining teams ever had advanced past the first round.
On the American Conference side of the bracket, two expansion teams with identical records and similar styles will face off for a chance to advance to the conference championship game when Albany (14-3) heads to Fayetteville to battle Cape Fear (14-3). The Conquest and Wildcats both are known for defense, and both rank in af2's top three in that category.
In the conference's other tilt, the Macon Knights (14-3) host the Florida Firecats (10-7). The Firecats hold the distinction of being the only division runner-up to advance into the semis in the American Conference, and look to upset another division champion this weekend. The winner of the Firecats/Knights contest faces the winner of Albany/Cape Fear game next Saturday night.
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The Albany Conquest finished the regular season 7-1 on the road. On Saturday night, the Conquest can avenge that lone 33-25 setback when it returns to Fayetteville attempting to tame the Cape Fear Wildcats and advance to the American Conference Championship game. Kickoff at Cumberland-Crown County Coliseum is set for 7:30 p.m.
The Conquest and Wildcats are best known for their stifling defense. During the regular season, Cape Fear led the league in scoring defense, finishing the year as the only team to hold opponents under 30 points per game (29.8). Albany wasn't far off, as it ranked third in af2 by limiting foes to 35.4 ppg. Last week's first-round games held true to form for the teams, as the Conquest "D" held the Rochester Brigade to 26 points and the Wildcats thwarted a late-comeback bid by the Richmond Speed with consecutive sacks to end the game.
OL/DL E.J. BURT is the anchor of Cape Fear's defense and the man responsible for the game-ending sacks last week. While Burt set the all-time standard for sacks this season (af2 record 27.5), corraling quarterbacks isn't the only facet of his game. Burt also made an impact with a league-best nine forced fumbles, 39 tackles, a blocked kick and one safety during the regular season.
BRANDON TINSON, ALEX HOUSTON and HENRY BAKER are just a few of the names that have made Albany's defense one of the best all-around units in the league this season. Tinson and Baker man the secondary and have 12 interceptions and 135 tackles between them. Houston chips in 10 sacks with five forced fumbles on the line.
While defense has carried the Conquest and Wildcats all season, it isn't the only aspect to these teams. Albany boasts professional football's single-season reception king in COREY HILL (161 during the regular season). The OS continued to set records last week as he recorded a single-game playoff best 13 catches against the Brigade. Cape Fear's WILMONT PERRY set new marks for rushing attempts and yards in a game with nine carries for 37 yards against Richmond.
Cape Fear also has accomplished something on offense that it had only done one other time this season, scoring 50 or more points in consecutive games (67 vs. Charleston on July 27 and 57 vs. Richmond last week). Part of that success can be attributed to new QB BOBBY PESAVENTO. Since taking over the reins for the Wildcats six quarters ago, Pesavento has completed 74 percent of his passes for 341 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. He's also rushed for two scores during that span.
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Florida heads to Macon Saturday looking for its second consecutive upset victory in the 2002 playoffs. Macon has other ideas, and hopes to book a spot in the American Conference Championship Game. Firecats Head Coach JOHN FOURCADE and Knights Head Coach KEVIN PORTER have both been to an ArenaBowl in the Arena Football League and are more than familiar with what it takes to be successful in the postseason.
Florida went to Tallahassee last weekend and came away with a 43-31 victory over the Thunder, a team the Firecats never had defeated in four previous attempts. Thanks to clutch plays down the stretch from ADT Defensive Player of the Week QUINCY SORRELL and af2 Ironman of the Week ANTHONY DIXON the ' Cats scored twice in the final 35 seconds to seal the win.
Macon has won the two previous games between these teams, though the last meeting was in June 2001. This time around, Florida has more weapons offensively and defensively â starting with Dixon. The second-year wideout has at least one reception in every game in Florida's two-year history. Dixon added to that streak last week with 10 catches for 123 yards and a score. He even added two rushing touchdowns, including the three-yard game winner.
Defensively, ROY STABLER starts his second game after missing the last three regular season games with a separated shoulder. During his absence, the Firecats allowed 11 points more per game than their season average. Against the Thunder, he recorded seven tackles in the shadow of Sorrell, who stole the spotlight with two interceptions, including a 49-yard return for touchdown in the final minute.
After playing two close games with Augusta during the regular season, the Knights distanced themselves from their Georgia rivals in the first round, defeating the Stallions 57-41. DENARIO SMALLS earned Built Ford Tough Player of the Week honors for his efforts in the victory, including a missed PAT return for two points and an interception with 18 seconds to play. Small's PAT return turned a potentially game-tying score into a 23-20 Macon lead and marked the beginning of a 17-0 Knights run that turned the tide in the home team's favor.
On offense, QB JOHN RAYBORN was as reliable as ever, completing 21-of-29 passes for 217 yards and seven touchdowns while not committing any turnovers. While no one single receiver stood out against the Stallions, GABE AMEY, NORMAN MASON, JACQUES RUMPH and MARTEZ WESLEY each had at least three catches, 40 yards and a touchdown. Mason also added six tackles on defense. With 1.5 sacks, BYRON DOUZART led a Knights pass rush that sacked Augusta QB GLEN GAUNTT four times. Against Florida, the Knights face an offensive line that has allowed just eight sacks this season.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from August 9, 2002
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- Arena Football League Transactions - AFL I
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