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Frankfurt Galaxy Game Notes

May 14, 2003 - National Football League Europa (NFLE)
Frankfurt Galaxy News Release


INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
F.C. BARCELONADRAGONS(4-2) AT BERLIN THUNDER (2-4)
Series Record: Berlin holds a 5-4 series advantage
The Last Time: Barcelona 14 vs. Berlin 24 (5/10/03)
Last Time in Berlin: Barcelona 14 vs. Berlin 24 (5/12/02)
Last Dragons Win: Barcelona 55 at Berlin 35(5/26/01)

Who's Hot?: The Thunder won the last three meetings between the teams. Series: The Dragons and Thunder have faced each other 9 times, with Berlin holding a 5-4 series advantage.

Did you Know?:
* The last two seasons, the series has been swept with the Dragons winning both meetings in 2001 and the Thunder winning both games last season.
* The Dragons won the first ever meeting between the teams 42-10 (5/1/99).
* The Dragons faced the Thunder just nine times, the lowest totals among active NFLEL teams.

A Dragons Win Would:
* Improve the Dragons season record to 5-2
* Avoid their first two-game losing streak of the season.
* Allow Barcelona to tie the series at five games a piece.
* Snap a three-game losing streak to the Thunder
* Improve Barcelona's 2003 road record to 3-1
* Give the Dragons a 59-48 all-time record.

ON THE WEB

For news, community and historical information,statistics and rosters, visit the official website of the Barcelona Dragons, http://www.dragons.es. Updated regularly, http://www.dragons.es has the most extensive information on players and coaches, upcoming games, community appearances and local football information. The Dragons website is also a great place to find information on F.C. Barcelona soccer clubs. You can also visit www.nfleurope.com for league standings, stats and information on all the other NFLEL teams.

MEET THE COACHES

Jack Bicknell (58-48 , 2-4 post season, 11th Year)

Bicknell returns in 2003 for his 42nd year of coaching as the only NFLEL head coach to have been with the same team through the history of the league. He has won more NFLEL regular season games (54) than any other coach in the history of the league. He is also the only coach to have made four World Bowl appearances in league history. "Cowboy Jack" served as head coach at Boston College for 10 seasons (1981-1990). He led the Eagles to a 10-2 mark in 1984 as his quarterback, Doug Flutie, won the Heisman Trophy. His 45-28 victory over Houston in the Cotton Bowl marked the first time in school history that the team participated in three consecutive bowl games. Bicknell also guided the Eagles to the 1982 Tangerine Bowl, 1983 Liberty Bowl and 1986 Hall of Fame Bowl. He was also selected to coach the 1985 Hula and Japan Bowlss and the 1990 East-West Shrine Bowl. Prior to his time with Boston College, Bicknell served as the head coach at the University of Maine (1976-1980).

Peter Vaas ( 18-18, 2-0 post season, 4th Year)

Peter Vaas completed his third season in 2002 as head coach of the Berlin Thunder by leading his squad to the team's season best-tying record at 6-4 and their second consecutive World Bowl title. Vaas finished his fifth year of coaching in NFL Europe, having joined the league in 1998 as quarterbacks and wide receivers coach for the Barcelona Dragons. In 1999 as offensive assistant he helped the Dragons to a league best 7-3 record and a World Bowl berth. Vaas began his coaching career in 1974 as an assistant at Allegheny College and from 1979-85 worked as offensive coordinator at the University of New Hampshire. In 1986, Vaas returned to Allegheny as their head coach, guiding a team that had not posted a winning record in seven years to two North Coast Athletic Conference championships. In his second season he led the Gators to an undefeated 9-0-1 regular season record. Vaas went on to become running backs and then quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame. He was head coach at Holy Cross from 1992 to 1995 before becoming the offensive coordinator for the Montreal Allouettes of the Canadian Football League.

LAST WEEK

The F.C. Barcelona Dragons' four-game winning streak was snapped as they also suffered their first home loss of the 2003 season at the hands of the Berlin Thunder 14-24. After winning the toss and selecting to receive, the Dragons offense failed to score on their first possession for the first time in four games. They were forced to punt after moving 31 yards giving the Thunder possession at their own six-yard line. The Thunder's 15-play, 94-yard drive was capped off by a David Allen four-yard touchdown run and Axel Kruse converted the point after attempt. Barcelona's offense was forced to punt to start the second quarter pinning Berlin inside their four-yard line. Berlin once again put together a long drive - 14 plays, 97 yards - finished by a Phil Stambaugh-to-Sean Scott 23- yard touchdown pass and a 14-0 lead. On the Dragons next possession, Daryon Bruteley picked off a Chris Finlen pass to give the Thunder the ball at Barcelona's 43 yard line. Staumbaugh led his team to a 21-0 lead when he found Elijah Thurmon open in the endzone. The Dragons were forced to punt on their next possession and the Thunder ran out the clock to hold a 21-0 halftime lead. Afte making halftime adjustments, the Dragons defense came out strong holding the Thunder to a three and out and forcing a punt. The teams then traded punts on the next five possessions to close the third frame.The Dragons offense found an answer to Berlin's defense to start the fourth quarter with a seven-play, 76-yard drive capped off by a one-yard Dameon Hunter touchdown run and a Jesus Angoy PAT to close their deficit to 7-21. Berlin answered back when Kruse converted a 24-yard field goal attempt. The Dragons responded quickly after Sean Morey returned the kickoff 76 yards to Berlin's 10-yard line when Seth Burford found Morey open for a six yard touchdown pass. After being forced to punt, Berlin gave the Dragons the ball at their own 20-yard line. Barcelona tried to make a late move but was not able to convert a fourtand- seven to give Berlin the ball with 1:34 remaining. The Thunder ran out the clock to preserve the 24-14 win and improve Berlin's regular season streak to three wins over the Dragons.

FAMILIAR FACES

Jesus Angoy -Perfect on PATs for the season connecting on two more last week. Finished with a team-high 54 points connecting on all 24 point after attempts and 10-of-12 field goals last season. He was three-of-three from 40-49 yards in 2002.

Matt Cercone - Added two receptions for 11 yards last week. Tight end returning to Barcelona after playing with the Dragons in 2000.

Cedric Cotar - Saw action on special teams and in defensive packages against Berlin. French national player returning for his third year. Finished the 2002 season with three tackles, a pass defensed and one sack.

Renard Cox - Placed on injured reserve after spraining his knee against Amsterdam. Played in the Dragons secondary through the 2002 season. He tallied 37 tackles and four passes defensed while adding eight tackles and a blocked punt on special teams.

John Feugill - Helped clear a path for 5.3 yards-per-carry in the game against Berlin. Started at left tackle in 2001.

Samyr Hamoudi - Picked up a season-high six tackles against Berlin. French national safety returning for his fifth season with the Dragons. He finished the 2002 season tying for the team lead with two interceptions and six passes defensed.

Rashad Harris - Did not post a tackle in the game last week. Returns for his second season in Barcelona. Finished the first with 34 tackles and eight special teams tackles.

Marco Martos - Picked up his second reception of the season for six yards last week. Returning for his seventh year with the Dragons after hauling in 10 passes for 92 yards and returning 25 punts for 493 yards last season.

Sean Morey - Led all receivers with 51 yards on four receptions adding his fifth touchdown reception last week. He also returned a kickoff for 76 yards setting up his six-yard touchdown reception. Returning for his third season after seeing limited action due to injury his first year at receiver and making the switch to defensive back for his second. Finished with 37 receptions for over 600 yards in 2000 and led the team in tackles and blocked kicks in 2001.

Ray Redziniak - Helped clear a path for 5.3 yards-per-carry in the game against Berlin. In his second year with the Dragons after starting at center in 2002. Helped lead the way for 870 yards rushing last season.

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