Florida Firecats game notes
June 5, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Florida Firecats News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Florida Firecats (6-3, 2-2) @
Tennessee Valley Vipers (4-5, 2-2)
Date: Saturday June 9th 2007
Kickoff: 8:40 p.m. EST
Site: Von Braucn Center
National Anthem:
Coin Toss: Referee
Officials:
Referee: David Smith
Umpire: Stan Jackson
Head Linesman: Rod Hallaway
Line Judge: Mike Shirley
Back Judge: Rob Skelton
Internet: www.FloridaFirecats.com, www.ABC-7.com & www.NBC-2.com
TV: NONE
Series Record: 5-4 Florida
Last Meeting: 39-38 Tennessee Valley 4-28-07
Streaks: FLA - WON 2; ALA - WON 1
Coaches: Kevin Bouis (33-8) 3rd Season
Milt Theodosatos (4-10) 2nd Season
THE STAKES: A win gives the Firecats a 2-1 record against the Vipers this season and improve Florida to 3-2 in the division. A win would also ensure that the Firecats stay ahead of T-Valley and Alabama in the division race.
THE SERIES: The Firecats have won 4 of the last 5 games against the Vipers. Florida holds a 5-4 all-time advantage. They have played twice already this season with the road teams winning each time.
THE IF's:
If Florida defeats Tennessee Valley, it would ...
- Give Florida a tie breaker advantage over T-Valley
- Give Florida a 3-2 divisional record
- Give Florida its' 7th Win of the year
- Hold Florida in 2nd place in the division
Florida Firecats (6-3, 2-2; 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 WIN 61-34
4/21 WB Scranton 7:30 LOST 58-36
4/28 Tennessee 7:30 LOST 39-38
5/05 @ Albany 4:00 WIN 56-51
5/12 @ South Georgia 7:30 LOST 49-38
5/19 Mahoney Valley 7:30 WIN 62-26
6/02 Alabama 7:30 WIN 29-21
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 (4-5, 2-2; Lost 3)
Date Opponent Result Score
3/30 Alabama 7:30 W 44-27
4/13 Florida 7:00 L 34-61
4/21 @ South Georgia 7:00 L 42-64
4/28 @ Florida 7:30 W 39-38
5/4 Green Bay 7:00 W 26-21
5/12 @ Cincinnati 7:00 W 51-21
5/18 W-B Scranton 7:00 L 30-34
5/26 @ Fort Wayne 8:00 L 33-56
6/1 @ Quad City 7:30 L 22-45
6/9 Florida 7:00
6/16 South Georgia 6:00
6/30 @ Alabama 7:00
7/7 @ Everett 7:05
7/14 Fort Wayne 7:00
7/21 Mahoning Valley 6:30
7/28 @ Louisville 7:00
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".
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Ken Mastrole is in his 3rd year as coordinator after leading the Firecats to the championship as QB in 2004. in 2006 Mastrole's offense ranked #1 in the af2 scoring nearly 60 points per game. He 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: T-Valley 39, Florida 38 The Tennessee Valley Vipers did what the Florida Firecats could not by capitalizing on miscues to earn a 39-38 victory at Germain Arena. 4,467 fans were on hand to watch the Vipers down the Firecats for the 1st time since the 2004 season.
The Firecats started the game by intercepting their 1st of 3 Tony Colston passes on the games opening drive and used just one play to get on the score board as Chris Wallace threw the 300th touchdown pass of his career, hooking up with Magic Benton who scored his 898th career point on the play. Florida missed the extra point, which would prove to be a common tale for both teams.
Florida took a 13-0 lead on Chris McKinney's circus catch in the endzone, but the Vipers would answer with Chris Gunn connecting with Travis Blanchard minutes later. T-Valley then recovered the ensuing kickoff as John Cousins scooped up the loose ball and ran it in for 6. The Vipers took their 1st lead of the night 14-13.
Florida led at the break 26-21 and looked to be in the driver's seat scoring on the 1st possession of the 3rd quarter. Tennessee hung in and pulled back to within 5 heading to the games final 15 minutes.
After Wallace's 5th TD pass of the night it looked to be all over, but T-Valley's Carlos Campbell took an interception back 49 yards for a score. Florida turned the ball over on downs deep inside Tennessee territory with less than a minute to go on their next possession.
Colston threw the eventual game winner to Blanchard with 6 seconds left on the clock to lead the Vipers to the win.
LEAGUE TOP 10s: Players from this week's match up who ranked among af2's statistical leaders:
Firecats
Player Rank Category Stat
Chris Wallace 8 Passing Yards 258.2yd/g
Chris Wallace 10 Total Offense 258.4yd/g
Chris Wallace 5 Total Off TD's 51
Chris Wallace 4 Pass Rating 116.8
Chris Wallace 2 Pass Completions 199
Levy Brown T1 Tackles 70.0
Levy Brown T1 Interceptions 7
Levy Brown T5 Passes Defended 21
Alfred Peterson T7 Tackles for Loss 8
Vipers
Player Rank Category Stat
Travis Blanchard 3 All Purpose Yards 202.3yd/g
Farou Adelekan 3 Fumbles Forced .57 FF/g
John Cousins 5 Fumbles Rec .33 FR/g
TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how the Firecats and Vipers stack up:
Statistical Vipers Firecats
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 26 35.7 ppg 20 47.7 ppg
Scoring Defense 6 40.8 ppg 2 34.8 ppg
Total Offense 28 201.8yds/g 6 279.7yds/g
Total Defense 4 231.8yds/g 2 214.8yds/g
Pass Offense T-27 193.9yds/g 7 254.6yds/g
Pass Defense 3 202.2yds/g 2 200.1yds/g
Rushing Offense 28 7.9yds/g 10 25.1yds/g
Rushing Defense 27 29.6yds/g 6 14.7yds/g
Pass Rating 28 71.1 4 116.3
Pass Def. Rating 6 80.9 5 77.2
Kickoff returns 4 20yds/ret 23 15yds/ret
MFG Returns 21 13.6yds/ret 26 11.9yds/ret
Turnover Margin T9 .56 5 1.44
Field Goals T24 3-17 T22 1-5
PAT Kicking 25 .706 22 .727
Sacks By T-12 14 4 22
Sacks Against 21 16 4 6
First Downs 29 121 12 161
Opp. First Downs 11 149 17 156
Penalties 30 79yds/g 3 44.7yds/g
Opp. Penalties 9 62.2yds/g 22 54.0yds/g
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
SOUTH DIVISION
South Georgia 7-2 (2-1)
Florida 6-3 (2-2)
Alabama 5-4 (1-2)
Tenn Valley 4-5 (2-2)
SOUTHWEST DIVISION
Rio Grande Valley 7-1 (4-1)
Bossier-Shreveport 7-2 (5-0)
Texas 2-7 (2-3)
Corpus Christi 1-7 (1-4)
Laredo 0-9 (0-4)
CENTRAL DIVISION
Tulsa 8-1 (4-1)
Arkansas 6-3 (3-1)
Oklahoma City 5-3 (2-1)
Lubbock 4-5 (2-4)
Amarillo 1-7 (1-5)
SCHUTT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME AWARD
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 OKC Ethenic Sands - FLA
3 TV Chris Wallace - FLA
5 TV Chris Wallace - FLA
8 MHV Chris McKinney - FLA
10 ALA Wallace House - FLA
U.S. ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME AWARD
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 OKC Brent Burnside - FLA
3 TV Brent Burnside - FLA
6 ALB Brent Burnside - FLA
8 MHV Levy Brown - FLA
10 ALA Chris McKinney - FLA
ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME AWARD
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 OKC Levy Brown - FLA
3 TV Levy Brown - FLA
5 TV Levy Brown - FLA
6 ALB Alfred Peterson - FLA
8 MHV Levy Brown - FLA
10 FLA Tony Stubbs - FLA
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE GAME AWARD
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 OKC Magic Benton - FLA
5 TV Chris McKinney - FLA
8 MHV Magic Benton - FLA
10 ALA Chris McKinney - FLA
Player Match-ups to Watch:
QB Chris Wallace vs. Vipers' Defensive Backs: Wallace Has thrown 12 TD's and just 2 INT's against the Vipers in 2 games this season. WR Ethenic Sands has caught 6 TD's against the Vipers this year.
FB Wallace House vs. T-Valley's front 5: In just 2 starts, House has run for 4 scores and 53 yards. The Vipers rank 27th in the af2 surrendering 28 yards on the ground per game and 12 touchdowns.
DB Levy Brown vs. Vipers QB's: Brown has collected 3 of his league leading 7 interceptions from Vipers QB's. T-Valley has started 3 different quarterbacks this season who have combined to throw 14 picks.
Drop Back: Florida 29, Alabama 21
The Florida Firecats defense came up with their biggest play of the night on the Alabama Steeldogs final drive as Kris Thomas intercepted an errant Mitch Tannney pass to preserve a 29-21 victory with 20 seconds left to play in the game.
The Firecats scored the games only points in the 1st quarter as Will Nicoloso booted a 29 yard field goal to give Florida the 3-0 lead. Alabama would answer quickly and take a 7-3 lead when Tanney threw his 1st of 3 TD passes connecting with Markeith Cooper. The teams traded scores into the half with Florida trailing at the break 14-10. John Olinger, who led all receivers with 11 receptions for 101 yards, caught his 1st of 2 scores with just 7 seconds left in the 2nd quarter.
Offensive Player of the Game FB Wallace House gave Florida a lead they would not relinquish running for a score at the 9:42 mark in the 3rd. The Firecats scored again as US Army Iron man of the Game WR Chris McKinney caught his 2nd TD pass putting the Firecats up 22-14. McKinney also earned the Cutters Catch of the Game with his 1st TD grab as he went up and over the boards in the endzone in the 2nd quarter.
Tony Stubbs wan named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game and led all defenders with 6 tackles and 1 forced fumble. The Firecats defense also got 4 sacks in the game.
Look Ahead: The Firecats head home for a pair of games beginning with the Manchester Wolves. Last year the Firecats knocked the Wolves out of the playoffs with a 40-39 win at Germain Arena in the second round. Florida is 3-1 all-time against Manchester.
• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...
arenafootball2 Stories from June 5, 2007
- Fire Front Office Update - Louisville Fire
- U of L Grad Gets "FIRED UP" - Louisville Fire
- Wildcats Announce Retro Visor Giveaway Saturday, June 9 - South Georgia Wildcats
- Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings game notes - Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings
- Quad City Steamwheelers WR/LB Jack Walker Jr has been Named the af2 U.S. Army Ironman of the Week. - Quad City Steamwheelers
- Savage Brings Home Some Hardware - Spokane Shock
- Mahoning Valley Thunder game notes - Mahoning Valley Thunder
- Florida Firecats game notes - Florida Firecats
- Let Me Be Frank Productions to Perform at Blizzard Game - Green Bay Blizzard
- af2 Players Of The Week - af2
- Yard Dawgz Make-A-Wish - Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz
- Lubbock Renegades Weekly Notes - Lubbock Renegades
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
