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Florida Firecats game notes

June 15, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Florida Firecats News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Florida Firecats (7-3) at Cape Fear Wildcats (5-3)
Date: Saturday, June 19, 2004
Kickoff: 7:40 p.m. EST
Site: Crown Coliseum (8,920)
National Anthem:
Coin Toss:
Officials: (Referee), (Umpire),
(Head Linesman), (Line Judge), (Back Judge)
Radio: ESPN 770 (Dave Parks, Allyn Black)
TV: None
Series Record: Tie 2-2
Last Meeting: Cape Fear 55 Florida 35 4/24/04
Streaks: Florida W4 Cape Fear W3
Florida Coach: Ben Bennett (17-9 regular season; 0-1 playoffs, Second season)
Cape Fear Coach: Chris Siegfried (30-14 Third Season)

THE STAKES:The playoffs are now right around the corner. Both teams are likely candidates to reach the playoffs, so the issue of seeding is becoming increasingly important. Both teams are hot right now, and they are both in the midst of a big winning streak. The Firecats are looking for revenge after Cape Fear knocked them off in Florida earlier this season.

THE SERIES: The series is currently knotted at two each. The first meeting of the two teams was in the 2002 playoffs when Florida defeated Cape Fear 45-31 en route to the 2002 ArenaCup.

THE IFs:
If Florida beats Cape Fear, it would ...
· Give Florida a 3-2 series record with Cape Fear
· Give Florida a 5-2 away record in 2004
· Give Ben Bennett an 18-9 regular season record as a head coach
· Give Florida a 8-3 record for the season
· Give Florida a 8-3 record against the American Conference


HEAD COACH: Firecats' Head Coach Ben Bennett played college ball at Duke under Steve Spurrier. Bennett was the 1980 ACC Rookie of the Year, and he was named ACC Player of the Year in 1982 and 1983. Bennett went on to have one of the most prolific careers of any quarterback in Arena Football League history. He was named the AFL Most Valuable Player in 1988 while playing with the Chicago Bruisers. He is the only quarterback in AFL history to lead three different teams to a total of five Arena Bowls.

LEAGUE TOP 10s:
FIRECATS
Player Rank Category Stat
Cainon Lamb 9 Scoring 134
Cainon Lamb 9 Scoring (TD) 134
Steve Gorrie 1 Rushing Yards 313
Chris Morant 9 Rushing Yards 123
Cainon Lamb 5 Receptions 69
Chris Morant T-8 Forced Fumbles 2
Chris Morant T-7 Tackles for Loss 6.0
Quincy Sorrell 1 Tackles 56.5

WILDCATS
Player Rank Category Stat
Matt Burnstein 1 Scoring 174
Matt Burnstein 1 Scoring (TD) 174
Keeon Johnson 8 Rushing Yards 129
Matt Burnstein 8 Receptions 64
Matt Burnstein 4 Rec. Yards 1019
Matt Burnstein 4 All Purpose Yds. 1799
Derek Avilez 10 PAT (K) 39
Chris McKinney 3 Fumbles Rec. 3

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:
DS QUINCY SORRELL on the impressive play of the Firecats' defense: "We are a family out there, and everybody is clicking. Everybody is getting after the ball, baby!"

QB KEN MASTROLE on the importance of a win at Cape Fear: "This is a key conference match up because it has a major influence on playoff seating, and they got us at home last time. We have to continue doing the things that have made us successful."

WR/LB MAGIC BENTON on what is riding on this win: "We can stay one game behind Birmingham, and we have them coming up. Cape Fear is our toughest opponent during this stretch. If we can get past them, then the sky is the limit."

TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how Florida and Cape Fear stack up:
Statistical FIRECATS WILDCATS
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 13 47.7 3 56.0
Scoring Defense 2 36.4 9 44.1
Total Offense 13 257.7 14 257.6
Total Defense 2 209.0 8 242.0
Pass Offense 21 212.0 17 224.0
Pass Defense 2 189.4 9 216.6
Rushing Offense 1 45.7 2 33.6
Rushing Defense 13 19.6 21 25.4
Scoring (Non-Kick) 11 422 7 452
Scoring (Kicking) 16 55 23 48
Pass Rating 5 111.5 12 107.5
Pass Def. Rating 6 98.2 7 99.6
Kickoff Returns 17 18.9 18 18.4
MFG Returns 17 15.3 18 15.0
Turnover Margin 23 -6 4 +6
Field Goals 6 .364 26 .000
PAT Kicking 13 .754 25 .676
Sacks By T-10 13 T-10 13
Sacks Against 1 3 3 5
First Downs 7 161 20 140
Opp. First Downs 6 136 8 141
Penalties 25 73.3 11 59.3
Opp. Penalties 7 51.7 12 62.8
Red Zone Offense 10 76.2 4 80.0
Red Zone Defense 3 63.6 14 75.0

FIRECATS RECORD WATCH
Player Record Stat To Break
C.Lamb Rec. 179 +16
C.Lamb Rec Yds 2,002 +327
K.Mastrole Pass Yds 2,140 +289
Q.Sorrell Tackles 56.5 +23.5


af2 SINGLE SEASON RUSHING RECORD
MOST YARDS GAINED
1. Darnell Arceneux, Hawaii, 2002, 439 yards
2. Sherard Poteete, Bossier, 2002, 405 yards
3. Quentin Cradle, Memphis, 2001, 402 yards
4. Wilmont Perry, Cape Fear, 2003, 397 yards
5. Darnell Small, Arkansas, 2002, 370 yards
6. Jeremy Scruggs, Memphis, 2001, 333 yards
7. Matt D'Orazio, Rochester, 2002, 332 yards
8. Kenyata Spruill, Charleston, 2001, 324 yards
9. Randy Sullivan, Carolina, 2001, 316 yards
10. STEVE GORRIE, FLORIDA, 2004, 313 YARDS
Sorrell Leads Firecats to Fourth Straight Win

Estero, FL- A crowd of 5,779 fans came out to Germain Arena to see quarterback Ken Mastrole win the Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game, defensive specialist Quincy Sorrell win the ADT Defensive Player of the Game, and receiver Magic Benton win the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game en route to a 54-34 win for the Florida Firecats (7-3) over the Columbus Wardogs (4-6).

The night started with the retirement of Dunstan Anderson's number 92. Anderson was tragically lost on Memorial Day in a single car accident. His number now hangs from the rafters of Germain Arena next to the 2002 American Conference championship banner, never to be worn again.

Defensive specialist Quincy Sorrell had an amazing evening, collecting 11 solo stops and two interceptions on defense. Sorrell picked off his second pass in the third quarter, and he made an amazing 23-yard return that he cashed in for six points. Sorrell came into the game tied for fifth in the af2 with 45.5 tackles.

Due to the fact that backup center T.J. Gholston was serving a suspension, starting center Joe Fantigrassi started the game as the Firecats' offensive specialist so he could catch a breather on all defensive series. Due to that fact, regular offensive specialist Magic Benton had to play defense. On only his second defensive play of the season, Benton picked off a Kyle Rowley pass, and he returned it 21 yards for the Firecats' first defensive touchdown of the season. Benton had two catches for 13 yards and another score on offense.

Fullback Steve Gorrie had another stellar evening, carrying seven times for 45 yards and a touchdown. Gorrie now has a commanding lead in the af2 with 313 rushing yards. He has now passed Bobby Phillips' 312 yards in 2000 to move into the number ten spot in the af2 single season rushing record book. He needs only 127 yards to become the all-time single season rushing record holder.

Receiver Cainon Lamb had another great outing, catching ten passes for 101 yards and two scores. Lamb had a brilliant diving catch in the final minute of the first half that landed him the Firecat end zone. Lamb added 133 yards in kick returns to accumulate 234 yards in total offense.

Fullback/ linebacker Chris Morant had another great game, running five times for 14 yards and two scores on offense and two tackles and a blocked extra point on defense. Rashieem Reed had great penetration all night on defense, collecting two sacks and three tackles for a loss. Defensive specialist Roy Stabler added four tackles and two for a loss to the cause. Victor Hall added 4.5 tackles.

Quarterback Ken Mastrole completed 16 passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns on the night. Receiver Anthony Snead caught two balls for 25 yards, and Brent Burnside had two catches for 11 yards.



PLAYERS TO WATCH:
QB Ken Mastrole- Mastrole has an extensive professional resume. He began his career with the Chicago Bears, and he played a season with the Amsterdam Admirals of the NFL Europe. He threw for 2,284 yards and 55 touchdowns in only 11 games last season.

WR/LB Cainon Lamb- Lamb returns to the Firecats after a stellar 2003 season. He caught 110 passes for 1,297 yards and 32 touchdowns. Lamb is on pace to own all Firecat receiving and scoring records by the end of the season.

WR/LB Anthony Snead- Snead comes to the Firecats after spending the 2003 season with the Macon Knights. He caught 90 passes for 1,140 yards and 17 touchdowns.

OS Magic Benton- Benton caught 77 passes for 821 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2003. Benton has been with the Firecats since the team was established.

FB/LB Chris Morant- Morant has been getting it done on all phases of the ball this season, whether it be on offense, defense, or special teams.

DS Quincy Sorrell- Sorrell returns to the Firecats after a solid 2003 season. Sorrell had 54 tackles, 2 interceptions, and two forced fumbles last year.

FB/LB Steve Gorrie- Gorrie came into the NFL draft as one of the top ranked fullbacks in the draft. He is also a former Division II Player of the Year. Gorrie currently leads the league in rushing.

DS Roy Stabler- Stabler led the team last year with 79.5 tackles. He also has four interceptions, 19 pass breakups, and four fumble recoveries.

OL/DL Victor Hall- Hall is number ten on the AFL all-time sack list. He was the line coach last year for the Firecats. He recently came out of retirement to return to the game.

OL/DL Comone Fisher- Fisher had 23 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries in 2003 for the Firecats.


LAST SERIES MEETING: On April 24, the Cape Fear Wildcats came into Estero to hand Florida a 55-35 beating. After Firecat linebacker Steve Gorrie knocked out Cape Fear quarterback Chad DeGrenier, now Firecat backup quarterback Chris Wallace came in to lead the Wildcats to the victory.

FORWARD MOTION: The Firecats return home for their third match up of the season with the Macon Knights. The Firecats have won the first two games.

BABY RUTH REAL DEAL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME (selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
12 CAPE FEAR

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME AWARD
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
12 CAPE FEAR

U.S. ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
12 CAPE FEAR

SORRELL PLAYING OH-SO-WELL: Firecats defensive specialist Quincy Sorrell had an unbelievable game last week against the Columbus Wardogs. Sorrell had 11 solo tackles and two interceptions. He returned his second interception 23 yards for a touchdown after a blistering block by teammate Roy Stabler. Sorrell now leads the af2 with 56.5 tackles.

GORRIE OFF AND RUNNING: Firecat fullback Steve Gorrie moved into the number ten spot in the af2 single-season rushing record book after another great outing last week. Gorrie is on pace to run for 500.8 yards this season. Gorrie now has 313 yards rushing and a dominating 111-yard lead in his run at the 2004 af2 rushing crown.

FIRECATS OFF TO BEST START EVER: Head Coach Ben Bennett and the Firecats are currently 7-3, the best start in the history of the franchise. The Firecats were 6-4 at this point in 2002, a season that saw the Firecats reach the ArenaCup championship game.

MAGIC'S BAG OF TRICKS: Due to Joe Fantigrassi starting at offensive specialist, Magic Benton was forced to play defense last Saturday for the first time all season. On only his second defensive play of the years, Magic Benton returned an interception 21 yards for the Firecats' first defensive touchdown of the season.

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