Florida Firecats game notes
May 30, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Florida Firecats News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Tennessee Valley Vipers (2-6, 2-4) @
Florida Firecats (6-1, 5-1)
Date: Saturday, June 3, 2006
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. EST
Site: Germain Arena, Estero, FL (7,128)
National Anthem:
Coin Toss: Referee
Officials: Referee: Tom Symonette
Umpire: Brent Sowell
Head Linesman: Mitch Geier
Line Judge: Rich Martinez
Back Judge: Barry Hendon
Radio: WGUF 98.9FM (Dave Parks)
TV: None
Series Record: 3-3
Last Meeting: Firecats 76, Vipers 37 - May 6, 2006
Streaks: Florida: W1 - Tennessee Valley: L1
Coaches: Kevin Bouis (20-4, .833) Second Season
Chris Williams
THE STAKES: Florida is clinging to a one game lead in the American South division. They need a win to maintain that lead over defending champion Memphis Xplorers.
THE SERIES: Tennessee Valley is one of only 2 teams on the 2006 schedule to have a winning or split record with Florida (Manchester being the other). The Vipers are 3-3 against Florida, posting a 76-37 defeat earlier in the season.
THE IFs:
If Florida defeats Tennessee Valley, it would ...
- Give Florida a 7-2 record for 2006
- Give coach Kevin Bouis his 21st win in the league
- Extend Florida's winning streak to 2.
- Start Florida's second half schedule with a win.
Florida (6-2; 5-1; WON1)
Date Opponent Result Score
4/8 @ Memphis 8:00 L 78-46
4/15 @ Macon 7:30 W 53-40
4/22 Memphis 7:30 W 60-55
4/29 @ Bossier-Shreveport 8:00 W 47-26
5/6 @ Tennessee Valley 8:30 W 76-37
5/13 Birmingham 8:00 W 62-44
5/20 @ Manchester 7:30 L 79-62
5/27 South Georgia 7:30 W 64-28
6/3 Tennessee Valley 7:30
6/17 Macon 7:30
6/24 @ Birmingham 8:00
7/1 Green Bay 7:30
7/8 @ W.B. / Scranton 7:00
7/15 Albany 7:30
7/22 Louisville 7:30
4/29 @ South Georgia 7:30
Tennessee Valley (2-6; 2-4; LOSS 1)
Date Opponent W/L Score
4/1 Memphis 8:30 L 47-25
4/8 @ South Georgia 7:30 W 58-50
4/15 @ Memphis 8:00 L 21-56
4/22 Macon 8:30 L 58-55
4/29 @ Arkansas 8:00 L 56-62
5/6 Florida 8:30 L 76-37
5/20 Birmingham 8:30 W 17-21
5/27 Louisville 8:30 L 62-56
6/3 @ Florida 7:30
6/10 Bakersfield 8:00
6/17 @Bossier-Shreveport 7:30
6/24 Quad City 8:00
7/8 @ Quad City 7:30
7/15 South Georgia 8:30
7/22 @ Macon 8:30
7/29 @ Birmingham 7:30
HEAD COACH:
Kevin Bouis is set to embark on his 2nd year as head coach and 5th year overall with the Florida Firecats. In his 1st season at the helm he guided the team to a franchise best 15-3 record, the best 05' regular season league record at 14-2, a 2nd straight South Divisional Championship, home field advantage in the playoffs and a berth in the American Conference Championship. As the defensive coordinator, Bouis helped coach the team to an Arena Cup Championship in 2004. That year Kevin's Defense was ranked #1 in total defense, #1 in pass defense, #3 in rush defense & #2 in scoring defense(38.2 pts/g).
Stifling defense has been a signature of the Firecats since Bouis arrived in 2002 when the Firecats finished 5th in scoring defense (38.1 pts/g), 5th in rushing defense and 7th in pass def rating on their way to their 1st arena cup appearance and the American Conference Championship. In 2003 his defense to finished 2nd in scoring defense (39.2 pts/g), 7th total defense and 4th in pass def rating.
As a player at the University of Texas El Paso/University of Kentucky, Bouis was furnished with a full scholarship and was a two-year varsity letterman in Football at UTEP, who started as a true freshman and sophomore. He then transferred and completed his college football career at the University of Kentucky. Bouis holds a B.A. in Education from UK and has an M.B.A. from William Carey College.
He is a former player for the National Indoor Football League's Mississippi Firedogs. He helped his team win two League championships, 2000 and 2001, winning All-NIFL honors. In three seasons with the Firedogs (99-01), Bouis totaled 30 defensive turnovers, 23 interceptions and 7 fumble recoveries. In 2000 and 2001 Bouis led the team in tackles and interceptions. He won the honor of being the IPFL defensive player of the week in 2000. In 1999, Bouis helped the Firedogs qualify for the first round of the playoffs in their inaugural season (9-7). During his tenure with the Firedogs he registered 189 tackles including 81 in 2000.
Assistant Head Coach OL/DL & FB/LB: Victor Hall "Sack Man" coached with the Firecats in 2003 before returning to the field as a player in 2004. Hall returned to the sideline in 2005 as the Assistant Head Coach. The Auburn grad who was in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings from 1991-1993 and the Indianapolis Colts for the 93-94 season has an Orlando Predators Arena Bowl ring to go along with the hardware he received last year and has the distinction as being the only player to win both an AFL and AF2 championship. Hall is also an ex-police officer and became the youngest Chief of Police in Alabama at the age of 23. Vic can be seen as an extra through out the Adam Sandler film "The Waterboy".
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Ken Mastrole is in his 2nd year as coordinator after leading the Firecats to the championship as QB in 2004. Coach Bouis' 1st choice for the job played his college ball at Maryland & Rhode Island also had stints with the Chicago Bears in the NFL, The Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe & the Detroit Fury in the AFL.
LAST SERIES MEETING: The Firecats jumped out to an early 34-0 lead capitalizing on four Viper turnovers on their first four possessions. Magic Benton had a 106 yards and 4 touchdowns. Crossley ran for 42 yards and a season high 4 touchdowns. The Vipers set franchise records for both largest margin of defeat (39 points) and turnovers (6).
LEAGUE TOP 10s: Players from this week's match up who rank among af2's statistical leaders:
Firecats
Player Rank Category Stat
Chris Wallace 6 Total Offense 261.8 pg
Chris Wallace 4 Tot. Off. TDs 51
Magic Benton 2 Scoring 19.0 pg
Chris Wallace 6 Tot. Offense yds 2094 yds
Magic Bneton 2 Scoring TD's 24
Clenton Crossley 1 Rushing 22.6 ypg
Clenton Crossley 1 Rush Attempts 47
Clenton Crossley 2 Rushing TDs 12
Clenton Crossley 1 Rush Yards 181
Chris Wallace 9 Pass Efficiency 110.5
Chris Wallace 6 Pass Completion 165
Chris Wallace 7 Pass Ints 9
Magic Benton 8 Recepts/game 8.00
Magic Benton 3 Reception yards 872
Brand Kornblue 8 PAT attempts 52
Brittney Tellis 9 Kick Return Avg 21.7 pg
Levy Brown T5 Int TDs 1
Quincy Sorrell 4 Tackles 6.8 pg
Cory Bailey 8 Tackles 5.9 pg
Wolves
Player Rank Category Stat
Terr Jefferson 8 All Purpose 157.7 pg
Chris Gunn 5 Rushing 18.3 ypg
Chris Gunn 5 Yards per Rush 5.0
Steven Lee 3 FG Attempts 15
Terr Jefferson 6 Kick Return Avg 22.1 pg
Joey Robinson 7 Int return yds 66
Joe Robinson T1 Int return TDs 2
Travis Blanchard T5 Int return TDs 1
Kofi Smith T10 Tackles 5.8 pg
Ahma childress T1 Fumbles Rcvd .50 pg
Kofi Smith T8 Passes Def 2.0 pg
Farou Adelekan T1 Fumbles Forced .50 pg
TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how the Firecats and Wildcats stack up:
Statistical Wildcats Firecats
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 19 41.1 ppg 2 58.8 ppg
Scoring Defense 21 53.5 ppg 15 48.4 ppg
Total Offense 22 200.5 ypg 6 281.8 ypg
Total Defense 15 265.9 ypg 13 255.9 ypg
Pass Offense 21 185.5 ypg 10 255.1 ypg
Pass Defense 14 239.6 ypg 10 233.5 ypg
Rushing Offense 19 15.0 ypg 4 26.6 ypg
Rushing Defense 19 26.2 ypg 14 22.4 ypg
Scoring (kicking) 19 4.4 ppg 18 5.0 ppg
Pass Rating 21 73.5 8 109.6
Pass Def. Rating 13 98.9 11 98.1
Kickoff returns 6 19.9 ypg 8 19.0 ypg
MFG Returns 15 11.5 ypg 22 0.0 ypg
Turnover Margin 20 -1.25 4 +.88
Field Goals 22 .133 17 .250
PAT Kicking 19 .690 15 .712
Sacks By 11 11 13 9
Sacks Against 20 20 6 6
First Downs 23 104 5 150
Opp. First Downs 12 142 11 136
Penalties 12 55.8 ypg 17 66.9 ypg
Opp. Penalties 10 60.1 ypg 7 63.2 ypg
MILESTONES: Clenton Crossley has 12 touchdowns on the season already, averaging 1.5 TD's per game. At the same rate he will best the single season Firecat record held by Steve Gorrie (17) by 7! He already has the single game rushing TD record with 4 set on May 6th against Tennessee Valley.
Chris Wallace is ahead of schedule to beat his own single season passing records (3501 yards, 50 TD's). Midway through the season he has 2099 pass yards and 49 TD's.
Magic Benton is also having a career year with 872 receiving yards and 24 scores. He holds both the Firecat records with 1307 yards and 32 scores.
Cory Bailey (47.0) and Quincy Sorrell (54.5) are battling for the season high tackling title. The all-time Florida single season record is held by Quincy at 100 tackles.
DROPBACK: Florida scored 44 straight points after watching South Georgia rattle off 14 offensive plays before QB Chris Wallace had a chance to step on the field.
Brandon Kornblue kicked his first FG of the season connecting on a 26 yarder last week against S. Georgia.
Florida sacked S. Georgia QB Reese 3 times tying the season high number (vs. Memphis 4/22/06).
Last week Florida gave up 10 minutes of possession, the most this season, en route to their second largest margin of victory, 36, against South Georgia (25min. - 35min.)
FORWARD MOTION: After 9 straight games, the Firecats will have a bye next week before hosting Macon on June 17th.
PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
FB Chris Gunn vs. Florida Defense: Chris Gunn ripped off the longest run against Florida this year, a 26 yarder on 5/6/06 @ Tennessee Valley. The Vipers also averaged the most rushing yards against Florida this season with 5.6 average yards per rush.
Clenton Crossley: Crossley set season highs in attempts, yards and scores against Tennessee Valley in their first meeting rushing 12 times for 42 yards and 4 TD's.
Florida inside the redzone: Florida is perfect inside the redzone against Tennessee Valley going 6 for 6 with 6 touchdowns. The only other team on the schedule to meet Florida's perfection is the defending champion Memphis Xplorers who Florida went 1-1 against in their first meeting and 6-6 against in the 2nd (all touchdowns).
Florida secondary: In their first meeting on May 6th, the secondary posted 3 interceptions (Levy Brown, Quincy Sorrell, Brittney Tellis), most in any game this year.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME AWARD
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
3 Macon Chris Wallace
4 Memphis Magic Benton
5 Bos-Shv Ethenic Sands
6 TennValley Magic Benton
7 Birmingham Magic Benton
9 So. Georgia Chris Wallace
IRONMAN OF THE GAME AWARD
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
6 TennValley Brittney Tellis
7 Birmingham Brittney Tellis
9 So. Georgia Clenton Crossley
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME AWARD
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
3 Macon Quincy Sorrell
5 Bos-Shv Ethenic Sands (co-player)
6 TennValley Levy Brown
7 Birmingham Cory Bailey
9 So. Georgia Quincy Sorrell
Cutters Catch of the Game Award
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
5 Bos-Shv Ethenic Sands
6 TennValley Magic Benton
9 So. Georgia Brittney Tellis
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