Florida Firecats game notes

Published on April 11, 2007 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Florida Firecats News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Florida Firecats (2-0, 0-0) @

Tennessee Valley Vipers (1-0, 1-0)

Date: Friday April 13th 2007

Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. EST

Site: Von Braun Center

National Anthem:

Coin Toss: Referee

Officials:

Referee: David Smith

Umpire: Stan Jackson

Head Linesman: Rod Hollaway

Line Judge: Mike Shirey

Back Judge: Wayne Gautney

Internet: www.FloridaFirecats.com, www.ABC-7.com & www.NBC-2.com

TV: None

Series Record: 4-3 FLA

Last Meeting: 74-33 FLA-6/2/06

Streaks: Florida has won 3 in a row

Coaches: Kevin Bouis (29-5) 3rd Season

Milt Theodosatos (1-5) 2nd Season

THE STAKES: The Firecats are looking to pickup their 3rd win in 2007 against a National Conference opponent. A win tonight would give Florida it's 1st divisional win and improve Florida to 3-0 on the year.

THE SERIES: The Firecats have won the last 3 matchups and hold a 4-3 all-time series lead against the Vipers.

THE IFs:

If Florida defeats Texas, it would ...

- Give Florida its' 3rd National Conference Win.

- Give the Firecats their 4th straight win over the Vipers.

- Improve the Firecats record to 3-0.

- Give Florida it's 1st divisional win

Florida Firecats (2-0, 0-0; WON 2)

Date Opponent Result Score

3/31 Oklahoma City 7:30 WIN 55-22

4/06 @ Texas 8:00 WIN 54-13

4/13 @ Tennessee 8:30

4/21 WB Scranton 7:30

4/28 Tennessee 7:30

5/05 @ Albany 4:00

5/12 @ South Georgia 7:30

5/19 Mahoney Valley 7:30

6/02 Alabama 7:30

6/09 @ Tennessee 8:30

6/16 Manchester 7:30

6/23 Albany 7:30

6/30 @ Oklahoma City 8:00

7/07 South Georgia 7:30

7/14 @ Alabama 8:00

7/28 @ Manchester 7:00

Tennessee Valley Vipers (1-0, 1-0; WON 1)

Date Opponent Result Score

4/6 Florida 8:00

4/14 @ Bossier-Shreveport 8:00

4/21 Corpus Christi 8:00

4/29 @ Lubbock 4:00

5/3 Alabama 8:00

5/13 Laredo 4:00

5/19 Corpus Christi 8:00

5/26 @ Tri-City 8:00

6/02 Bossier-Shreveport 8:00

6/09 @ Rio Grande 8:30

6/16 @ Laredo 8:00

6/30 Lubbock 8:00

7/7 @ Corpus Christi 8:00

7/14 @ South Georgia 7:30

7/21 Tulsa 8:00

7/28 Rio Grande 8:00

HEAD COACH:

Kevin Bouis is set to begin his 3rd year as head coach and 6th year overall with the Florida Firecats. In his 1st 2 seasons at the helm he guided the team to a 27-5 regular season record going 13-3 in 2006 & 14-2 in 2005 (the af2's best record that year). Last year the Firecats captured their 3rd straight South Divisional Championship. 2006 also marked the 2nd straight season that Florida had home field advantage in the playoffs. 2006 also saw the Firecats play in their 3rd straight American Conference Championship game. As the defensive coordinator, Bouis helped coach the Firecats 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 1st 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".

LAST SERIES MEETING: In front of 4,959 fans, the Firecats stayed unbeaten at home (4-0), coasting past the

Tennessee Valley Vipers 74-33. Ironman of the Game Comone Fisher played outstanding on both sides of the ball recording a sack, an interception, and a touchdown reception.

The game remained scoreless until 8:18 left in the first quarter. Following a Levy Brown interception, Chris Wallace hooked up with Ethenic Sands on a 37-yard touchdown pass to make the score 9-0.

Steven Lee connected on a 36-yard field foal to make the score 9-3. On the Firecats' first possession of the second quarter, Brittney Tellis caught a 40-yard touchdown pass. After a Magic Benton touchdown, Tennessee Valley tackled

Brent Burnside in the end zone for a safety. Chris Gunn then hit Torrey Day for a 7-yard touchdown to make the score 22-14.

That would be as close as the Vipers would get the rest of the game. Florida pushed the lead to 42-19 when Chris Wallace rushed for a two-yard touchdown. Magic Benton had the Cutter's Catch of the Game with a 29-yard pass from Chris Wallace early in the fourth quarter. Benton led the Firecats with 5 catches for 100 yards and 3 touchdowns. Chris Wallace, the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game, finished the game with 18-28 for 267 yards, 7 touchdown passes, and a touchdown run. Cory Bailey, the

ADT Defensive Player of the Game, recorded 5 tackles.

Chris Gunn of the Vipers finished 15-31 for 180 yards and threw 2 interceptions. Torrey Day led the Vipers in receiving with four catches for 57 yards. This breaks the largest margin of defeat for the Vipers of 39, previously held by the Firecats back on May 6th.

LEAGUE TOP 10s: Players from this week's match up who ranked among af2's statistical leaders:

Firecats

Player Rank Category Stat

Ethenic Sands 2 Scoring 36 pts.

Magic Benton 3 Scoring 32 pts.

Ethenic Sands 8 Receiving 178 yds.

Magic Benton 10 Receiving 171 yds.

Andy Eminger 7 Scoring (Kick) 11 pts.

Brent Burnside T1 Interceptions 3

Levi Brown T1 Interceptions 3

Tony Stubbs T2 INT/game 2

Chris Mckinney 3 Rushing 49

Chris Wallace 1 Passing 526 yds.

Vipers

Player Rank Category Stat

TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how the Firecats and Copperheads stack up:

Statistical Vipers Firecats

Category Rank Stat Rank Stat

Scoring Offense 11 109

Scoring Defense 3 35

Total Offense 10 289 yds/g

Total Defense 9 191 yds/g

Pass Offense 11 254 yds/g

Pass Defense 7 154 yds/g

Rushing Offense 2 35 yds/g

Rushing Defense 23 27 yds/g

Scoring (kicking) 6 11

Pass Rating 2 121

Pass Def. Rating 1 29.8

Kickoff returns 23 12 yds/ret

MFG Returns 8 16 yds/ret

Turnover Margin 2 4

Field Goals 0-1

PAT Kicking 5 .786

Sacks By T6 1

Sacks Against T2 1

First Downs 6 39

Opp. First Downs 14 33

Penalties 19 71yds

Opp. Penalties 2 142 yds

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

SOUTH DIVISION

Florida 2-0 (0-0)

South Georgia 2-0 (0-0)

Tennessee Valley 1-0 (1-0)

Alabama 0-1 (0-1)

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

Bossier-Shreveport 1-0 (0-0)

Corpus Christi 0-1 (0-0)

Laredo 0-1 (0-0)

Rio Grande Valley 1-0 (0-0)

Texas 0-1 (0-0)

CENTRAL DIVISION

Tulsa 1-0 (0-0)

Amarillo 1-0 (0-0)

Lubbock 0-1 (0-0)

Oklahoma City 0-1 (0-0)

Arkansas 0-1 (0-0)

SCHUTT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME AWARD

(selected by media)

Week Opp. Player

1 OKC Ethenic Sands - FLA

U.S. ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME AWARD

(selected by media)

Week Opp. Player

1 OKC Brent Burnside - FLA

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME AWARD

(selected by media)

Week Opp. Player

1 OKC Levy Brown - FLA

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE GAME AWARD

(selected by media)

Week Opp. Player

1 OKC Magic Benton - FLA

Drop Back: Florida 54, Texas 13

QB Chris Wallace passed for 258 yards and five touchdowns as Florida spoiled the expansion Texas Copperheads' season opener, 54-13. Texas committed seven turnovers and showed little rhythm on either side of the ball before a crowd of 2,756 at the Berry Center.

Florida dominated the game from start to finish, taking advantage of Texas' youth and inexperience. WR Magic Benton (scored two touchdowns in the first quarter to put the Firecats ahead 13-0. WR Ethenic Sands added a third score five minutes into the second quarter before the Copperheads scored their first touchdown on Jarrod Fuller's 12-yard reception from Tony Eckert. Three other Firecats would score before Copperheads FB Pat Norton put the closing finishes on the final score on a 1-yard run with 4:37 remaining in the fourth.

Eckert struggled due to intense pressure from Florida all night long. He completed just 14 of 29 passes, threw three interceptions and fumbled four times, three for losses. Texas' offense managed just 169 total yards, 141 of which came on the ground. The Firecats scored on seven of nine red-zone chances and turned the ball over once.

Look Ahead: Next week the Firecats return home to host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers. The Firecats are 4-0 all-time against the Pioneers.

Firecats QB Wallace Named the af2 Schutt Offensive Player of the Week for Week 1

Florida Firecats veteran Quarterback Chris Wallace picked up where he left off last season by throwing eight touchdowns in the 'Cats 55-22 win over the Oklahoma City Yard Dawg; an effort that has earned him league wide recognition as the Schutt Offensive Player of the Week

In 2006 Wallace became the 1st player in af2 history to throw 100 TD's in a season. On Saturday threw scores to 4 different receivers including 4 touchdowns to Ethenic Sands. Wallace finished the night with a 154.09 passer rating completing 21 of 29 attempts for 268 yards and no interceptions.

This is Wallace's third weekly af2 award of his career, but his first since the 2000 season when he played for the now defunct Carolina Rhinos. He has thrown for 12,187 yards and 283 touchdowns in 61 regular season games in the deuce.

Florida Firecats Retain Top Spot in Week 2 Poll

The Florida Firecats received 435 points and 19 first place votes to remain in first place in the Week 2 Coaches Poll, the arenafootball2 (af2) league office announced today. The high-powered Firecats defeated the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz at home this past weekend, 55-22, to solidify their claim to the top spot for the second straight week.

The Spokane Shock topped the Stockton Lightning, 51-35, in Week 1 to remain in second place. The Quad City Steamwheelers vaulted into the third spot after a convincing road win against the Cincinnati Jungle Kats, 81-21. The Tulsa Talons slipped one spot to fourth despite their strong, 61-30, Week 1 home win against Everett. W-B/Scranton moved up from No. 6 to No. 5 after its home win against preseason No. 4 Manchester.

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