af2 arenafootball2

Friday and Saturday Night Matchups

Published on July 15, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


GAME OF THE WEEK

NO. 5 BIRMINGHAM STEELDOGS (9-4) AT NO. 10 QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (8-6)
SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2004 - THE MARK (9,437) 8:30 P.M. ET

Two teams who do not want to continue their struggles take to the field in Illinois as the Birmingham Steeldogs travel north to face the Quad City Steamwheelers. Birmingham had a chance last week to win the Southeast Division with a win over Florida, but it couldn't have turned out any worse. Not only did Birmingham lose to Florida, keeping Florida in division race, Birmingham lost by 27 points, 55-28, giving the point differential to Florida meaning Florida would win the tiebreaker if these two teams finished tied for the top spot in the division. A loss to the Steamwheelers would open the door to Florida, who is only a game back and plays Laredo this week and Columbus and Tennessee Valley after them. The Steamwheelers have lost five of their last seven games to drop out of first place in the Midwest. Their two victories in this stretch came over two sub-.500 teams, Green Bay an Arkansas. Their struggles are intriguing considering the talent that is on the Steamwheelers roster. TIM DODGE and JEFF HEWITT are both in the top ten in receiving, they are the only teammates achieve this. RONNIE GORDON has 20 rushing touchdowns, a league high, and 60 passing touchdowns this MATT FORBES' 75.0 tackles ranks second in the league. He also ranks second in pass breakups with 24 and has six interceptions this season. Birmingham is loaded with talent also. CARLOS MCNEARY is closing in on 1,000 receiving yards this season, needing just 111 more. His 20 receiving touchdowns is first on the team. DONTAE WALKER ranks fourth this in rushing yards with 194. He is tired for third in the league in rushing touchdowns with fourteen. One stat to keep in mind, Birmingham has won only twice this season on the road, at Arkansas and at Manchester.

Road to the 2004 ArenaCup Game of the Week Extended Preview

KEY MATCHUP

Birmingham DS Anthony Jordan vs. Quad City Receivers Tim Dodge and Jeff Hewitt

One man verses two men doesn't seem very fair for a matchup, but Jordan can't pick Dodge or Hewitt to key in on because then the other player certainly will burn the Steeldogs. Dodge and Hewitt are the Steamwheelers offense. They have combined for 2,690 receiving yards, 76% of the Steamwheelers' total 3,532 receiving yards this season. When defenses manage to slow down Dodge and Hewitt they defeat the Steamwheelers. In Quad City's eight victories Dodge and Hewitt have combined for 32 receiving touchdowns. In their six losses they have only fourteen. A player like Anthony Jordan who has 54.5 tackles (47UA 15A) and eight interceptions is the type of player who can slow down these two players.

EXTENDED SERIES HISTORY

Surprisingly these two teams in their fifth season have only played each other twice in their franchise history. Quad City holds a 2-0 all-time series edge over the Steeldogs, but they have not met since the 2000 season. In that season the Steamwheelers dominated the Steeldogs, playing them twice during the final two weeks of the season. In the first game at Quad City the Steamwheelers won 82-21 which is still the Steeldogs' worst loss in franchise history. Next week at the BJCC the Steamwheelers came out on top again, 67-37. Current Steeldog Anthony Jordan recorded three receptions for 55 yards in the game. The Steamwheelers finished the season 19-0 and won the first ever ArenaCup.

ARENACUP PLAYOFFS HISTORY

Birmingham: The Steeldogs have qualified for the ArenaCup Playoffs in two of their previous four seasons. In 2001 they lost at Richmond 67-60 in a quarterfinal game. Richmond advanced to the 2001 ArenaCup, only to lose to the Steamwheelers. In 2002 the Steeldogs were one game away from the ArenaCup before they lost at home to eventual champion Peoria 79-33.

Quad City: The Steamwheelers are the only team to have won multiple ArenaCups, winning in 2000 and 2001. Last season Quad City entered the playoffs as the number one seed and favorites to win the ArenaCup again, but lost at home to Arkansas 63-61.

TRENDS AND NOTES

-For the first time last week Birmingham Steeldogs reciever Carlos McNeary did not catch a touchdown pass in the game.

-Quad City WR/DB Tiim Dodge has won the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game award five straight weeks.

-The Steeldogs have outscored their opponents 368-231 in the first half of games, but has been outscored 363-291 in the second half.

-Dontae Walker needs one rushing touchdown to break the Steeldogs franchise record for most rushing touchdowns in a season. He currently has fourteen.

-Birmingham has a one game lead over Florida in the race for the Southeast Division title while Quad City is currently in second place behind Louisville in the Midwest Division.

OUT DUE TO INJURY

Birmingham: DS George Williams, DS Terrance Harris

Quad City: WR/LB Carmelo Ocasio, OL/DL Peter Traynor, OL/DL Brandon Williams, DS Danny Thomas, OL/DL - Brandon Graves

A LOOK AT THE HEAD COACHES

Bobby Humphrey (46-31, 5th Year, 2-2 Playoffs) Bobby Humphrey is the only head coach the Steeldogs have ever known. He is also the only coach in af2 to be with the same team for all five seasons meaning he has coached more af2 games than anyone else. In Week 9 Humphrey became the af2's all time winning coach with the Steeldogs' 36-30 overtime victory against Tennessee Valley. Humphrey brings a wealth of af2 knowledge to the Steeldogs sideline.

Rich Ingold (32-15, 3rd Year, 0-1 Playoffs) Rich Ingold has lead the Steamwheelers to a winning record every year he has been at the helm. He brings AFL playing and coaching experience to the Steamwheelers. He won the 1988 ArenaBowl as the starting quarterback for the Detroit Drive. He also held the position of offensive coordinator for the AFL Pittsburgh Gladiators in 1990 and defensive coordinator for the 2001 New Jersey Gladiators of the AFL.

EXTRA POINT

With the Steeldogs struggling in the second half, Birmingham needs to take an early lead. If they get behind early they will have to buck the trend to make a comeback.

NO. 12 MEMPHIS XPLORERS (7-6) AT ARKANSAS TWISTERS (2-11)
FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2004 - ALTELL ARENA (16,508) 8:30 P.M. ET

The playoff push for the Memphis Xplorers continues against the Arkansas Twisters in Little Rock. Memphis had a bye last week. Two weeks ago they lost at home to Cape Fear 46-35. It ended their three game winning streak. Now the Xplorers need a victory to stay above the .500 mark and keep the sixth and final playoff spot they are holding onto. The Twisters are looking to play the role of spoilers, and teams like Columbus and Manchester who are behind Memphis in the standings are defiantly rooting for Arkansas. Arkansas will be without leading receiver TED ALFORD who left the team to join the CFL Calgary Stampeders. The Twisters' second leading receiver is KEVIN WILLIAMS, who is also the teams leading passer as he began the season as the starting quarterback. On the season Williams has 32 catches for 607 yards and twelve touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, DARNELL SMALL leads the way with 10.0 tackles for a loss and 7.0 being sacks. He also has three forced fumbles. Small will be chasing Memphis quarterback MICHAEL WALL who lost his first game two weeks ago as a member of the Xplorers. Since joining the Xplorers, Wall is 61 of 91 for 966 yards and 19 touchdowns with three interceptions. The main receiver on the Xplorers continues to be KEVIN PRENTISS. He has 86 catches, 51 more than RYAN KARR and ROBERT KILOW who both have 35 receptions. Prentiss' 33 total touchdowns ranks fourth in the league. Memphis won the earlier meeting between these two teams 37-35 in Memphis. In that game Memphis scored two touchdowns in the final minute to turn a late 12-piont deficit into a two point victory.

NO. 2 CAPE FEAR WILDCATS (10-3) AT MANCHESTER WOLVES (5-8)
FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2004 - VERIZON WIRELESS ARENA (9,500) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Cape Fear Wildcats look to remain hot as they travel to New Hampshire to face the Manchester Wolves. The Wildcats have won seven straight games, tied for the longest current streak with Tulsa. Manchester isn't quite so hot, losing four of their last five. The Wolves are still mathematically alive for the playoffs but need to win out. Cape Fear cannot clinch the division or a bye in the playoffs this week, but a win would help them stay ahead of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Manchester features a dependable quarterback in CHRIS SANDERS. On the season Sanders has completed 254 of 420 passes for 3,396 yards and 56 touchdowns with eleven interceptions. The Wolves feature two-way standout REGGIE ROBINSON. On defense Robinson has 17.0 tackles (6UA 22A), one tackle for a loss, a half sack, one interception and one forced fumble. On offense he is Manchester's second leading receiver with 53 catches for 682 yards and twelve touchdowns. He also has nine rushing attempts for 22 yards and four touchdowns. Cape Fear is full of talent. It starts with quarterback MIKE GLUSKI, who since joining the team has not lost. The talent continues at offensive specialist with MATT BURSTEIN, who leads the league in scoring with 39 touchdowns. On defense both QUESAUN WIGFALL and ANTWON ROBINSON have sixteen passes broken up. VONCELLIES ALLEN leads the team with 3.5 sacks and in hits on the quarterback with eight. Meanwhile LAWRENCE LEWIS has blocked three kicks on special teams. This is the last of four straight road games for the Wildcats, and they have won all of the previous three. They finish up at home against division foes Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Albany.

ALBANY CONQUEST (5-8) AT NO. 1 WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS (10-3)
SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2004 - WACHOVIA ARENA AT CASEY PLAZA (7,500) 7:00 P.M. ET

It is the last regular season home game of the season for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers as they host the division rival Albany Conquest. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton earned their 10th victory of the season last week with a 61-42 victory over Manchester. After playing the two previous games with Albany on the road, this meeting is on the Pioneers' home turf. Albany won their first meeting 52-45 to knock Wilkes-Barre/Scranton out of the top spot on the af2 Coaches' Poll. In their second meeting the Pioneers were again ranked number one and beat Albany to brake the curse on the top ranked team. Now the Pioneers are ranked first and Albany would love to knock them off again. The Conquest had their playoff hopes take a hit last week in their 49-47 loss at Green Bay. They took a 24-0 lead in the first quarter but couldn't hold the lead. TONY LOCKE is the leading receiver for the Conquest. His 34 total touchdowns ranks third in the af2. TRAVIS COLEMAN leads the Conquest defense in pass breakups with 20, and is tied for third in the league in this category. The Pioneers defense is lead by KYLE GROVE, JAMIE HATTLEY and AMEER RILEY. Grove ranks fourth in the league in tackles with 70.5 (60UA 21A). Hattley ranks sixth with 66.5 (54AU 25A). Riley ranks tenth with 56.0 (45UA 22A). They are the only team who has more than one top ten tackler in the league. Riley also has 19 catches for 226 yards and two touchdowns on offense. The Pioneers feature the af2's best red-zone offense, scoring 50 of 60 times (83.3%) of the time they enter the ten-yard line. Of those 50 scores, 43 were touchdowns. Quarterback TIM HICKS hasn't thrown in interception in six games.

LAREDO LAW (3-10) AT NO. 6 FLORIDA FIRECATS (8-5)
SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2004 - GERMAINE ARENA (7,128) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Laredo Law take the long trip to the Sunshine State to face the Florida Firecats. Laredo won their third game of the season last week and is feeling confident. Florida is also feeling confident. If Florida lost last week to Birmingham the Steeldogs would have clinched the division and the Firecats would have made getting to the playoffs much more difficult. With the 55-28 victory the Firecats now hold the tiebreaker with Birmingham if they were to finish with similar records. Last week TRACO RACHAL grabbed another interception to bring his season total to seven, third best in the af2. Also against Arkansas, ROCKY PEREZ threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more in Laredo's victory. On the season he has 43 touchdown passes. P.J. WINSTON is 39 yards away from 1,000 receiving yards on the season. The Firecats have two receivers close to 1,000 yards. CAINON LAMB needs 81 yards and MAGIC BENTON needs 26 yards. Teammate ANTHONY SNEAD has twelve touchdown receptions, third behind Lamb and Benton. KEN MASTROLE leads the Firecats offense. This season Mastrole has completed 224 of 380 passes for 2,715 yards and 62 touchdowns with nine interceptions. STEVE GORRIE leads the af2 in rushing with 421 yards, he is nearing 500 yards this season, a number no af2 player has ever reached before. He also thirteen touchdown runs this season. This is the only meeting this season between the Firecats and Law.

COLUMBUS WARDOGS (6-7) AT NO. 11 PEORIA PIRATES (7-6)
SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2004 - PEORIA CIVIC CENTER (9,772) 8:00 P.M. ET

A game with major playoff implications will take place in Peoria, Illinois as the Columbus Wardogs go on the road to face the Pirates. Columbus enters the game at 6-7 and needs to win out. The Wardogs could be 7-6 right now and in a great position, but they couldn't hold a 12-point halftime lead and lost at Louisville last week. This is the first time in team history they have been contenders for the playoffs. Peoria has won their last three games, including the last three on the road. With a 7-6 record they have the best defense in the league allowing only 37.3 points per game. Peoria is just two years removed from being ArenaCup Champions and is starting to regain that championship form. For the Wardogs offense watch out for TROY BERGERON. At only 20 years old Bergeron caught fourteen passes last week for 216 yards and six touchdowns. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown to total seven touchdowns on the night. Needless to say this performance earned him Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Week honors. Peoria has a reigning weekly award winner of their own. BRANDON CAMPBELL brought home the ADT Defensive Player of the Week award for his performance against Bossier-Shreveport last week. He recorded 4.5 tackles, one forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception. He returned the fumble for a touchdown and the interception in the endzone clinched the victory for the Pirates. On the season Campbell has 40.5 tackles (33UA 15A), three interceptions and ten passes broken up. Last week both TALMADGE HILL and ANDREW WEBB received playing time under center, look for this to occur again this week. In their last meeting Peoria defeated Columbus last season 53-9 in Peoria last season.

NO. 8 OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (9-5) AT WICHITA STEALTH (7-6)
SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2004 - KANSAS COLISEUM (9,686) 8:00 P.M. ET

In another game with major playoff implications the Wichita Stealth host the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz. Both teams are coming off tough defeats. The Yard Dawgz went down to Rio Grande Valley and lost to the Dorados 51-44 at Dodge Arena last week. This brought their road record to 2-5, with their two victories coming at Tulsa in their first ever game and at Laredo. Put simply Oklahoma City is a team that struggles away from the Ford Center. This week will be even more of a challenge as starting quarterback CRAIG STRICKLAND is expected not to play due to suffering a concussion last week. JOE PHEARS would take his place under center. Strickland, who won the ArenaCup last season with Tulsa, has not missed a start in his af2 career. Wichita, who started the season 5-0, has now won two of their last eight games, but their last win was at home over these very same Yard Dawgz. In fact, they dominated the Dawgz winning 70-35. With Oklahoma City being a team that struggles on the road the Stealth have reason to feel confident they can get their season headed in the right direction. JONATHAN BEASLEY has taken the starting quarterback position with mixed results. His Achilles heel has been mistakes. Last week he kept the Stealth in the game against the Talons, but with under a minute to go and Wichita driving for a winning score he threw a touchdown, ending the Stealths' hopes. If Beasley can limit mistakes and get the ball to receivers DAMON THOMPSON and MARC BACOTE, Wichita can beat the Yard Dawgz again. For Oklahoma City, if TIMON MARSHALL can pick up twelve receiving yards and AL HUNT can pick up ten receiving yards they will join teammate KRIS PETERS as 1,000-yard receivers this season. It would be the second time in af2 history that one team had receivers total 1,000 yards in a season.

SAN DIEGO RIPTIDE (6-7) AT GREEN BAY BLIZZARD (5-8)
SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2004 - RESCH CENTER (8,600) 8:30 P.M. ET

The San Diego Riptide and Green Bay Blizzard meet in Green Bay playing for their playoffs lives. Both teams eliminated from the division race are still alive mathematically for a Wild card spot but need to win out and receive some help. Green Bay defeated Albany at home last week 49-47 in an exciting comeback win. San Diego started 1-5, won their next four games, then lost their next two before winning last week to reach a 6-7 record. If the want to reach the playoffs they need to win out. A win over Green Bay is the only place to start for the Riptide. Green Bay will enter this game lead by MATT BUNYAN, who came into the game last week after RICHARD PYLE struggled and lead the Blizzard to a win. He completed thirteen of 24 passes for 202 yards and four touchdowns with one interception and one rushing touchdown. ROBERT GARTH leads the Blizzard in receiving. He and DERONN FINLEY have stepped up their output since RANDALL LANE went out with an injury after the Blizzard's ninth game this season. Garth has 69 catches for 857 yards and 25 touchdowns while Finley has 56 catches for 703 yards and 19 touchdowns. They are also the only two players on the Blizzard defense who have registered more than one interception. Garth has four interceptions while Finley has three. San Diego had a change at quarterback last week also KEVIN FETERIK started in place of KANE CLAUNCH. Feterik finished 18 of 24 for 188 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions and two rushing touchdowns. The Blizzard and Riptide have met three times before with the Bilzzard holding he series lead 2-1. Green Bay defeated San Diego 53-43 last season to earn their first every franchise victory.

MACON KNIGHTS (3-10) AT NO. 4 TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (9-4)
SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2004 - VON BRAUN CENTER (6,642) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Tennessee Valley Vipers host the Macon Knights in an American Conference matchup. The Vipers are feeling good, defeating rival Quad City last week 48-41 at home. Tennessee Valley can clinch a playoff spot and the Mid-South Division championship if they defeat the Knights. They can also clinch a playoff spot if Columbus loses. Macon gave number two ranked Cape Fear a good game last week, losing by only six points, 47-41. The game before Macon pulled off the upset over Florida, 43-34. Macon's go to guy on offense is JAMAAL GARMAN. On the season Garman has 84 receptions for 960 yards and 22 touchdowns. He will likely reach 1,000 yards receiving this week if he can total the 40 yards he needs. WILL BURCH is the one who gets the ball to Garman. Since joining the Knights Burch has completed 87 of 137 passes for 815 yards and sixteen touchdowns with five interceptions. He also has one rushing touchdown to his name for the Knights. JOSH KELLETT leads the Vipers offense. He didn't begin the season in the role, but now starts under center for Tennessee Valley. He is 176 of 326 for 2,124 yards and 42 touchdowns with twelve interceptions. The man who leads the Vipers offense in receiving touchdowns is RONNEY DANIELS who has 24 touchdowns on 57 catches for 916 yards. TRAVIS MCALPINE is the Vipers' third leading receiver with 32 catches for 293 yards and six touchdowns. He also makes an impact on defense. He has 1.5 tackles for a loss, three interceptions and twelve total passes defended. The Vipers won the previous meeting between these two teams 54-38 in Macon.

RIO GRANDE VALLEY DORADOS (5-8) AT NO. 3 TULSA TALONS (10-3)
SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2004 - TULSA CONVENTION CENTER (7,111) 8:30 P.M. ET

In a Southwest Division game the Tulsa Talons host the Rio Grande Valley Doraods. Tulsa is as hot as they come, winning their last seven games and tied for the best record in the league. Two of Tulsa's victories in their seven game stretch have come over the Dorados, 51-38 in Tulsa and 45-35 at Rio Grande Valley. The Dorados have won two games in a row after losing seven games in a row. They defeated Wichita two weeks ago at home 49-34 and Oklahoma City 51-44 last week. They are still mathematically alive for the playoffs, but need help and need to win out. Tulsa is also the only Southwest Division team Rio Grande Valley has yet to defeat. MANWELL TABERT leads the team in receiving with 62 catches for 728 yards and eighteen touchdowns, but of late CRAIG COLE has been playing well. In just six games Cole has 37 catches for 459 yards and twelve touchdowns to be the Dorados second over all receiver. Where the Dorados make their impact is on defense. In just six game RONSHAY JENKINS has four interceptions returned for 98 yards. He also has a fumble recovery. SPENCER CONLEY's 8.5 sacks is tied for tops in the league while KARLETON THOMAS' 5.5 sacks is impressive also. Tulsa's ANTONIO DINGLE leads the Talons with 5.0 sacks. The Talons offense is kick started by the BOB BEES to ROBERT REED connection. Bees has 44 touchdown passes while Reed has 27 touchdown receptions. The Talons will be without third leaving receiver and leader in interceptions BJORN BARRE who is out due to injury.

CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (1-12) AT BAKERSFIELD BLITZ (9-4)
SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2004 - CENTENNIAL GARDEN (9,000) 10:00 P.M.

The Central Valley Coyotes and Bakersfield Blitz conclude their season series Saturday night in Bakersfield. The Blitz own a 3-0 series edge against the Coyotes and could potentially clinch the West Division with another win (if Hawaii loses). The Coyotes are playing for pride and could play spoiler to the Blitz. Last month the Coyotes held the Blitz to their second lowest scoring output of the season in a 33-26 loss. That win for the Blitz was the start of their current three-game win streak which has them in position to clinch this week. The Blitz offense is led by Chad Elliott, who is quickly closing in on 60 touchdown passes for the season. He is already over 3,000 yards and has thrown 25 touchdowns to Eric Mahanke. Mahanke became the first Blitz player to win a League award this past week when he took Ironman of the Week for his efforts against the Islanders. The Central Valley offense looks to Kenyatte Morgan who is a major all-purpose threat. Morgan leads the club in receiving and kick return yards. The Coyotes defense features two prominent playmakers in VonKetih Spencer and Rickey Leung-Wai. Spencer is among the league leaders with six interceptions, while Leung-Wai has tallied six sacks on the year. Heating up at the right time in the Blitz secondary is Kenny Haslip. The former Riptide back nabbed his first two interceptions of the season last week and is tied for the team lead with 46 tackles.

LOUISVILLE FIRE (8-5) AT HAWAIIAN ISLANDERS (7-6)
SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2004 - NEAL BLAISDELL ARENA (6,033) 6:30 P.M. LOCAL

The Louisville Fire takes their Midwest Division lead to Hawaii to face the Islanders in a crucial intra-conference tilt on Saturday night. Up by just a half game over Quad City, the Fire are in position to control their destiny and a win puts them one step closer to their first-ever division title and postseason appearance. The Islanders aren't as lucky. They currently sit two games behind Bakersfield in the West Division and need to win to remain in the hunt for the division title or the Wild Card. Hawaii received some encouraging news this week when they learned the quarterback Darnell Arceneaux suffered no ligament damage on his right knee after leaving last week's game in the fourth quarter, and he could be available to play against the Fire. Arceneaux is closing in on a 3,000-yard passing season and has also provided 14 of the Islanders 28 rushing tallies. Down the field Arcenaux will look to find little brother Anthony or Nian Taylor. Both receivers are nearing 1,000 receiving yards for the season and they have combined for 40 of the Islanders 62 touchdowns. The Fire offense counters with signal-caller Matt Sauk who is looking to eclipse 4,000 passing yards for the third time in his career. He currently has 3,607 with 65 touchdowns. The Fire also feature three receivers with 10 or more touchdowns on the season. James Scott, Anthony Payton and Japanese import Takuya Furutani are all capable of providing a big punch. Defensively the Fire need to watch out for Joshua Robinson who is third in af2 with 71 tackles and interceptions with six. This is the second meeting of the season between these teams. Louisville took the first contest 37-35 back on April 10.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



arenafootball2 Stories from July 15, 2004


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.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central