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Florida Firecats game notes

August 16, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Florida Firecats News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Green Bay Blizzard (11-6, 6-4) @
Florida Firecats (14-3, 9-1)
Date: Saturday, August 19, 2006
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. EST
Site: Germain Arena (7,128)
National Anthem:
Coin Toss: Referee
Officials:
Referee: Mike Pavese
Umpire: Brent Sowell
Head Linesman: Mitch Geier
Line Judge: Harold Mitchel
Back Judge: Barry Hendon
Radio: WGUF 98.9FM (Dave Parks)
TV: None
Series Record: 1-1
Last Meeting: Green Bay 48, Florida 47 6/1/06
Streaks: Florida (W5), Green Bay (W3)
Coaches: Kevin Bouis (27-5) Second season
Bob Landsee (20-13) Second Season

THE STAKES: Both teams are fighting against elimination in this do-or-die matchup. The winner advances to face the National Division Champion in the Arena Cup.

THE SERIES: Green Bay is the only team to defeat the Firecats at home this season. Both games have been decided in the final seconds of play. The road team has won each previous match up in the series.

THE IFs:
If Florida defeats Green Bay, it would ...
- Advance Florida to their 3rd Arena Cup in 6 years.
- Give Florida a 5-1 playoff record at home
- Give Florida a 2-1 Series Advantage
- Give Florida a win over all of their opponents this season.

Florida Firecats (14-3; 9-1; WON 5)
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 44-62
5/20 @ Manchester 7:30 L 62-79
5/27 South Georgia 7:30 W 28-64
6/3 Tennessee Valley 7:30 W 33-74
6/17 Macon 7:30 W 54-66
6/24 @ Birmingham 8:00 W 60-26
7/1 Green Bay 7:30 L 48-47
7/8 @ W.B. / Scranton 7:00 W 56-51
7/15 Albany 7:30 W 66-56
7/22 Louisville 7:30 W 62-56
4/29 @ South Georgia 7:30 W 46-50
Date Opponent Result Score
7/12 Manchester 7:30 W 40-39
7/19 Green Bay 7:30


Green Bay Blizzard (11-6;6-4; WON 3)
Date Opponent Result Score
3/31 Albany 8:00 L 48-40
4/7 @ Manchester 8:00 W 48-34
4/15 @ Quad City 7:30 W 57-34
4/21 Oklahoma 7:30 L 44-32
4/29 @ Louisville 8:00 L 39-45
5/5 @ WB Scranton 8:00 L 27-42
5/13 Macon 8:30 W 19-53
5/19 Quad City 8:00 W 35-40
5/27 @ Albany 8:30 W 56-51
6/10 Stockton 8:00 L 68-62
6/17 @ South Georgia 8:00 W 52-50
6/24 WB Scranton 8:30 W 35-65
7/1 @ Florida 8:00 W 48-47
7/7 Manchester 7:30 L 62-58
7/15 @ Everett 7:30 W 55-52
7/28 Louisville 8:00 W 53-54
Date Opponent Result Score
8/11 Memphis 7:30 W 50-67
7/19 @ Florida 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.

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.

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.

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: A crowd of 5,745 saw the Florida Firecats fail on a two point conversion with 13 seconds to play which resulted in a 48-47 loss to the Green Bay Blizzard.

The Firecats were in the same situation last year in Green Bay, but the outcome was the opposite. Florida completed the two point conversion and won by the same 48-47 score. The Blizzard scored on their first two possessions, a catch by Robert Garth and a run by Peter Lazare, to give them a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Firecats finally got on the board when Ethenic Sands ran in from three yards out. A missed extra point made the score 14-6. On the ensuing kickoff, the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game Luke Leverson took it to the house for a 21-6 Blizzard lead.

A touchdown pass from Schutt Offensive Player of the game Chris Wallace to Magic Benton, a fumble by Green Bay quarterback James MacPherson and a touchdown reception by Sands tied the score at 21 all going into halftime.

The Firecats had first possession in the second half and took advantage of it with a Wallace to Brent Burnside 43 yard connection. Green Bay got another score from Garth, but missed the extra point for a 28-27 score. The teams then traded off long touchdown passes to tie the score at 34.

Florida started the final quarter with Wallace hitting Benton for an 18 yard touchdown strike and a 41-34 lead. Green Bay then tied it at 41 when MacPherson found Brent Holmes in the end zone. The Blizzard then mounted a long drive and scored on a quarterback sneak by MacPherson that only left the Firecats with 56 seconds to make up a 48-41 deficit. A 23 yard kick return by Tellis gave Florida great field position to start their final drive. With only 13 seconds left, Wallace found Sands for a touchdown that put the Firecats only down one. On the next play Wallace tried to hit Burnside for the win, but the pass bounced off his fingertips. The onside kick was recovered by the Firecats, but did not go the required ten yards. MacPherson then ran out the clock to seal the Green Bay victory.
LEAGUE TOP 10s: Players from this week's match up who rank among af2's post season statistical leaders:
Firecats
Player Rank Category Stat
Chris Morant 1 Rushing 29 ypg
Clent Crossley T4 Rushing 15 ypg
Chris Wallace 8 Passing avg/game 256 ypg
Chris Wallace 8 Total offense 260 ypg
Magic Benton T2 Recepts/game 10
Magic Benton 9 Receive yds/game 89 ypg
Brittney Tellis 9 All Purpose 151 ypg
Brent Burnside 1 Interceptions 2 pg
Brittney Tellis 4 Kick return avg 25.5 yp
Keith Drayton T1 Fumbles Rcvd 1 pg
Brent Burnside T2 Passes defended 3 pg
Blizzard
Player Rank Category Stat
Jeff Cogell 3 Rushing 16 ypg
Peter Lazare T9 Rushing 10 ypg
Jam Macpherson 1 Passing avg/game 323 ypg
Jam Macpherson 1 Total Offense 329 ypg
Brent Holmes 1 Receive yds/game 161 ypg
Brent Holmes 3 All purpose 265 ypg
Luke Leverson T2 Interceptions 1
Jam Macpherson 1 Pass Efficiency 138.1
Brent Holmes 1 Kick return avg 34.7 yp
Brent Holmes T3 Scoring 18 ppg
Brent Holmes 3 Scoring (TDs) 3
Dallas Pelz T8 Scoring (kick) 7 ppg
David Crocker 1 Tackles 10 pg
Ronnie Kaymore 9 Tackles 5.5
Terence Taylor T3 Sacks 1.0

TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how the Firecats and Wolves stack up:
Statistical Blizzard Firecats
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 1 67 11 40
Scoring Defense 8 50 1 39
Total Offense 7 278.7 11 274.1
Total Defense 8 256.3 10 268.1
Pass Offense 1 357 4 294
Pass Defense 12 373 7 266.5
Rushing Offense 2 40 1 48
Rushing Defense 11 38 4 10
Scoring (kicking)
Pass Rating 1 137.2 12 73.5
Pass Def. Rating 6 102.9 4 97.3
Kickoff returns 4 27.6 5 25.5
MFG Returns T6 0 T6 0
Turnover Margin T1 +1 T1 +1
Field Goals T9 0 T9 0
PAT Kicking 9 .700 T10 .67
Sacks By T4 3 T7 6
Sacks Against T1 1 T1 1
First Downs 7 20 6 22
Opp. First Downs T7 20 T1 13
Penalties 8 61 6 50
Opp. Penalties 12 15 11 21

DROPBACK:
FLORIDA FIRECATS 40, Manchester Wolves 39 (7,073)
ESTERO, Fla. - Florida's Brent Burnside intercepted Manchester QB Steve Bellisari to finalize a thrilling, 40-39, Firecats win over the Wolves Saturday night at Germain Arena. Florida led in the first quarter, but would not regain the advantage until there was just 38 seconds left to play.

Trailing 39-33, QB Chris Wallace connected with WR/DB Brittney Tellis on a five-yard slant to tie the score. K Brandon Kornblue, who had troubles connecting on two prior extra point attempts, converted when it counted to
give the Firecats a 40-39 lead.

The game was tightly contested throughout, with neither team able to gain control thanks to solid defense on both sides. Neither team held a lead greater than seven at any point in the contest.

Tied at 33-33 after three quarters of play, the defensive intensity picked up. With the ball in hand inside the five-yard line, Manchester fumbled away a scoring opportunity. Florida, however, gave the ball right back on downs. The Wolves then did the same, only to be followed up by Wallace throwing an interception to give the ball back to the Manchester.

The Wolves capitalized on their next possession, a two-yard touchdown run by FB/LB Mark Kimener with 4:17 to play in the game. K Dylan Pohlman missed the extra point and the Wolves had a 39-33 lead, setting up the decisive finish.

After Florida's go-ahead score, 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, however, Burnside snatched his second interception of Bellisari to seal the game.

Wallace was 26-of-47 for 256 yards and four touchdowns for the Firecats. Bellasari finished 15-of-28 for 280 yards and five touchdowns for the Wolves. Both quarterbacks threw two interceptions.

Burnside was the difference for Florida with his two interceptions on defense and six catches for 60 yards and a touchdown on offense.

The Wolves finished their season 10-8.

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
10 Tenn. Valley Chris Wallace
13 Birmingham Chris Wallace
14 Green Bay Chris Wallace
15 Wilkes Barre Chris Wallace
17 Louisville Chris Wallace
18 S. 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
10 Tenn. Valley Comone Fisher
12 Macon Ethenic Sands
13 Birmingham Ethenic Sands
16 Albany Ethenic Sands
17 Louisville Ethenic Sands

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
10 Tenn. Valley Cory Bailey
12 Macon Cory Bailey
13 Birmingham Levy Brown
15 Wilkes Barre Cory Bailey
16 Albany Cory Bailey
17 Louisville Antonio Dingle
18 S. Georgia Alfred Peterson

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
10 Tenn. Valley Magic Benton
12 Macon Magic Benton
13 Birmingham Levy Brown
15 Wilkes Barre Magic Benton
16 Albany Magic Benton
17 Louisville Magic Benton
18 S. Georgia Brent Burnside

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