Sports stats



Georgia Force Game Notes

March 25, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Georgia Force (6-2) at Las Vegas Gladiators (4-4)
Date: March 29, 2003
Kickoff: 10:00 ET
Site: Thomas & Mack Center (13,000)
Radio: WQXI 790 AM The Zone (David Hubbard: play-by-play, Chuck Oliver: color analyst). WPLO 610 AM RadioMex (Jose Medellin: play-by-play, Marcelo Godoy: color analyst).
Coaches: Marty Lowe- Georgia (11-6, 2nd Year) Frank Haege- Las Vegas (12-8, 2nd Year)
Series Record: The teams have never met.

THE GAME:

The Georgia Force hits the road again this week when they travel to Las Vegas on March 29th to face the Las Vegas Gladiators in the Thomas & Mack Center at 10:00 p.m. ET. This will mark the first meeting between the two clubs, as the Gladiators were one of two AFL teams the Force did not play last season. Georgia enters the week of play in a three-way tie for the Southern Division lead with Orlando and Tampa Bay each with similar 6-2 records. The Force's 6-2 mark is also tops in the AFL.

This week's game marks the mid-point of the Force's longest road swing in club history with one more stop in Tampa Bay next week. Georgia is currently riding a team-record four game-winning streak following victories over Los Angeles, Grand Rapids, Carolina and Orlando.

The Gladiators are in their first season in Las Vegas after relocating from New Jersey in the off-season. Las Vegas is currently tied with Detroit for the Eastern Division lead as they look to repeat as divisional champs. The Gladiators are led by Mike Horacek, who is second in the AFL with 69 receptions, third in yards with 898 yards and fifth in the league with 20 touchdowns.

GEORGIA FORCE NEXT WEEK:

The Force returns to Southern Division play next week when it travels to face the Tampa Bay Storm on Sunday, April 6th in the Ice Palace at 12:00 p.m. The Force-Storm match-up will be broadcast on NBC, as Georgia will put its perfect record of 5-0 on the line in games shown on the network.

HEAD COACHES:

MARTY LOWE, Georgia (11-6, 2nd Year): Marty Lowe begins his second season as Head Coach of the Georgia Force. Lowe guided the Force to a second place finish in the Southern Division and a 6-8 record in the team's inaugural season in 2002. He replaced Robert Lyles, who was relieved of his duties following the Force's 1-4 last year. Under his direction, the Force finished the year winning five of their last eight games.

Prior to joining the Force, Lowe served as running back coach for the University of Texas-El Paso. Lowe's coaching career in the Arena Football League started when he joined the Nashville Kats as an offensive assistant in March 2000 after spending three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Louisville. With the Kats, Lowe had Nashville's offense clicking on all cylinders in the 2000 playoffs, scoring more than 50 points in each of the team's first three post-season contests to quality for Arena Bowl XIV. Lowe went on to serve as the Kats offensive coordinator and assistant coach, where his duties included creating and implementing the offensive game plan and coaching the team's wide receivers and quarterbacks.

Lowe, who played quarterback at the University of Louisville from 1991-95, spent two seasons in the Arena Football League. He played quarterback for the St. Louis Stampede in 1996 and joined the Texas Terrors. He was a starter at Texas until a knee injury ended his playing career.

In college, he started 22 consecutive games for the Cardinals, passing for 2,268 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior in 1995. He is one of only four passers in Louisville history to throw for more than 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. Lowe joined the Louisville coaching staff in 1997, breaking down practice and game tape. A native of Chattanooga, Lowe was Mr. Football in Tennessee as a senior at Red Bank High School in 1990.

FRANK HAEGE, Las Vegas (12-8, 2nd Year): Haege, in his second season as head coach, led the Gladiators to the fourth-best record in the AFL and their first-ever playoff berth in franchise history. Haege also serves as the offensive coordinator, quarterbacks, and wide receivers coach.

The Gladiators 9-5 record and first place finish in the Eastern Division of the National Conference was the biggest turnaround in AFL history. The Gladiators finished the 2002 regular season with seven more victories than the previous season.

The Gladiators set franchise marks in almost all offensive categories and earned five road victories in seven tries. In all five victories, New Jersey came back to win after entering the fourth quarter either tied or trailing their opponent. In one of the wildest games of the season, the Gladiators scored 34 points against the New York Dragons in the fourth quarter to tie the game before winning in OT.

Haege was named the second head coach of the New Jersey Gladiators on August 23, 2001. Haege brought with him six players and an assistant coach from the Steamwheelers.

Previously, he spent two years as the head coach and director of football operations with the Quad City Steamwheelers (af2) in 2000 and 2001. Haege posted a remarkable 37-1 record, including an undefeated 2000 season. The Steamwheelers became the first AFL or af2 team to have an undefeated season.

On August 10, 2001, Frank Haege made his mark in the af2 record books by leading the Quad City Steamwheelers to a 55-51 win over the Richmond Speed to secure a second-straight championship.

In 2000, his 19-0 Steamwheelers defeated the Tennessee Valley Vipers 68-59 to win the first-ever ArenaCup, played on August 10, 2000. This completed the perfect season.

Haege will enter his ninth season in Arena Football in 2003, when the Gladiators open the season in February. Haege is no stranger to the Garden State; he coached in the AFL with the New Jersey Red Dogs (1997-99) under John Hufnagel (1997-98), now the quarterbacks coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Prior to joining the Red Dogs in New Jersey, Haege was the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Fighting Pike, a former AFL franchise in 1996. In 1994, while with the Milwaukee Mustangs, he served as the team's special teams coordinator and FB/LB coach.

Haege has also coached on the collegiate level. He was the offensive coordinator from 1996-1998 at Augsburg College(MN), a Division III school, while coaching Arena Football in the spring.

Prior to his time at Augsburg College, he also coached from 1992-1995 with Bemidji State University (MN), a Division II program, where he directed the secondary. His playing career included one year (1987) as a wide receiver for Vermillion Community College (MN) and three years as a tight end at the University of Wisconsin-Stout (1989-1991).

Haege earned a bachelor's degree in marketing education from UW-Stout in 1992, before completing his master's degree in physical education at Bemidji in 1995.

Haege was born on Oct 11, 1968 in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. He is married (Michele) and resides in Nutley, NJ.

A DEFENSIVE FORCE:

For the sixth straight week, the Force sits atop the league charts for total defense. Only giving up an average of 222.9 yards per game and ranks second in the AFL in scoring defense yielding an average of 44.0 points per game.

Georgia is also high among some of the other league defensive categories. The Force is first in pass defense (212.5), second in pass defense rating (99.0), third in rush defense (10.4), fifth in interceptions (12), sixth in sacks (9) and seventh in red zone defense (24-29).

The Force defense has been able to make its mark against three of the AFL's highest rated offenses. (AFL rank at time of game).

OPPONENT AVG PTS/ GM PTS vs. FORCE

San Jose 60.5 (3rd) 49

Los Angeles 62.5 (2nd) 35

Grand Rapids 60.2 (2nd) 54

Orlando 53.0 (7th) 36

LOOK FAMILIAR:

Last weekend's game at Orlando was very similar from start to finish to ArenaBowl XIV which featured the Predators vs. the Nashville Kats, only this time the roles were reversed.

-Last Sunday, Force kicker Steve McLaughlin connected on a 30-yard field goal as time expired to give Georgia a 38-36 win. In ArenaBowl XIV, Orlando kicker David Cool hit a 19-yard field goal as time expired to give the Predators its second AFL championship in three years.

- After falling behind 12 points in the second half, Orlando scored 13 straight points to take a one-point lead with a little over five minutes remaining in the game. In ArenaBowl XIV, Nashville scored 23 unanswered points to claim a one-point lead in the third quarter.

- Georgia's defense frustrated Orlando QB Connell Maynor the whole game causing two interceptions and two fumbles. In ArenaBowl XIV, Maynor was sacked six times by Nashville's defense.

IDES OF MARCH:

Georgia is a perfect 4-0 this season in the month of March. With victories at Los Angeles (3/2), vs. Grand Rapids (3/9), vs. Carolina (3/15) and at Orlando (3/23), the Force will look to close out the month undefeated when it plays Las Vegas this weekend.

One key to the Force's fortune may be turnovers. Georgia entered the month (-3) in turnover margin ranked 11th in the league. Entering this week, the Force have a turnover margin of (+4) which is good for 6th best in the AFL.

RETURNING TO OLD FORM:

Donnie Davis has regained the form that propelled him to the AFL's second highest rated passer and fourth ranked QB in completion percentage in 2001.

Over the last four games Davis has thrown for 996 yards on 97-of-137 passing with 13 touchdowns and one interception.

In his first three games this season appearing as the starting quarterback, Davis had thrown seven interceptions to just nine touchdowns. Davis missed the Force's game verses San Jose due to a dislocated finger on his left hand.

Last season, Davis only threw eight INTs all year in 10 games (nine as a starter) while racking up 45 TDs.

Davis has also been playing through injuries this season. Besides the dislocated finger on his left hand, he has a fracture in his throwing right hand and took a hit at Orlando that required switches in his chin.

BETTER WITH AGE:

Wide Receiver/ Linebacker Darryl Hammond seems to defy time as he plays in his 13th season in the AFL breaking the league record for career years of service. (Previous mark 12 years- Sylvester Bembery 1988-2000 and George LaFrance 1988-2000).

He currently ranks second in the AFL with 544 career tackles, ranks in the top 15 in AFL in career scoring with 826 points and is in the top 10 in AFL in career pass receptions with 632. Hammond has had 7 seasons of 50 or more pass receptions. He has 43 receptions this season.

Last week vs. Orlando, Hammond showed his ability to still play the game at a high level. Hammond hauled in two interceptions and returned both for touchdowns of three yards and ten yards respectively. He also forced a fumble from Connell Maynor with 17 seconds remaining in the game, which was recovered by Tommy Dorsey. The turnover led to Steve McLaughlin kicking a game winning field goal with 1.7 seconds left as time expired. Hammond added one solo tackle, one tackle for loss and two pass breakups and caught five passes for 46 yards against the Predators.

For his efforts, Hammond was named ADT Defensive Player of the Week and the contest's Ironman of the Game.

DAN THE MAN:

Dan Curran currently ranks third in the AFL in rushing with 107 yards on 28 carries. He is also tied for first in the league in rushing touchdowns with eight scores.

GO TO GUY:

Playing in his third AFL season, Scott Thomas is establishing himself as a mainstay in the Force offense. Over a four game span, Thomas caught 22 passes for 317 yards and six touchdowns.

He has also shown his ability to make the big play. Versus Buffalo (2/22), Thomas pulled in a 45-yard touchdown pass from Donnie Davis that tied the club record for longest pass reception in a game. Two weeks later vs. Grand Rapids (3/9), he took a Davis screen pass 43 yards for a score. STEPPING UP AND STANDING OUT:

In victories over Los Angeles and Grand Rapids, Markeith Cooper stepped in for the injured Tyronne Jones and was one of the most productive and dangerous offensive players in the league. Against the Avengers and Rampage, Cooper has hauled in 17 passes for 218 yards and three touchdowns. He has also added nine kickoff returns for 176 yards, including a 57-yard score that tied the team record for longest kickoff return.

BASKING IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

Georgia is a perfect 5-0 on the season when the NBC cameras are rolling. Claiming victories against the Colorado Crush (2/2), vs. the defending AFL World Champion San Jose SaberCats (2/16), at Los Angeles (3/2), vs. Grand Rapids (3/9) and at Orlando (3/23). The Force has three remaining games scheduled to be shown regionally on NBC this season.

HOW THE WEST WAS WON:

The Force finished the season a perfect 3-0 versus teams from the Western Division. With wins against Colorado, San Jose and Los Angeles, Georgia reversed its fortunes after going 0-3 against the West last season. The Force is not scheduled to play Arizona in the 2003 regular season.

LAST WEEK VS. ORLANDO:

ORLANDO, FL. - The Georgia Force (6-2) used a fumble in the last 15 seconds and a 30-yard field goal by Steve McLaughlin as time expired to capture a 38-35 victory over the Orlando Predators (6-2). With the win, Georgia pulled into a first place tie with Orlando in the Southern Division and handed the Predators its first home loss of the season and second straight defeat. The Force is now 3-0 all-time vs. Orlando and 5-0 in games shown on NBC. Georgia also claims a team-record fourth straight win.

The first quarter was controlled by the league's top ranked total defense as Georgia forced two Orlando turnovers. After missing a 26-yard field goal on its opening possession, it only took the Force one play for the defense to put points on the board. Predators quarterback Connell Maynor, under pressure in his own endzone, flipped the ball behind his back. Darryl Hammond picked off the pass and returned it three yards for the touchdown. Steve McLaughlin missed the ensuing PAT and Georgia grabbed an early 6-0 lead. The Force defense stepped up again on Orlando's next drive when on third down Maynor was sacked. The Predators settled for a 26-yard field goal by Brian Schmitz. Georgia only took two plays to find the endzone again as Donnie Davis hit Brett Cooper for a 20-yard score. McLaughlin missed his second PAT of the quarter leaving the score 12-3 Georgia. The first quarter ended when Maynor, under pressure again by the Force defense, fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Travis Reece.

The Orlando defense made its presence felt, as Force could not convert the turnover into points and turned the ball over on downs. Maynor then connected with Travis McGriff for a 10-yard touchdown to cut the Georgia lead to 12-10. With less than one minute remaining in the second quarter, the Orlando defense made its second stand holding the Force offense on four downs on the goal line. But a fourth down holding penalty, gave Georgia new life and a fresh set of downs. Two plays later, Davis found Morris Anderson for a one-yard touchdown with 29.1 seconds left in the half. The scoring pass was the first career reception for Anderson. The Georgia defense emerged again stopping the Predators next drive. Jermaine Smith blocked a 53-yard field goal attempt by Schmitz giving the Force the ball back with five seconds remaining. With the little time left, McLaughlin made good on a 22-yard field goal and Georgia took a 21-10 lead into the break.

The Predators took little time trimming the Force lead scoring on the first play on the third quarter. Antonio Stanley caught the 30-yard pass from Maynor to make the score 21-17 Georgia. Travis Reece gave the Force back its 11-point lead when he ran around the left side for a one-yard score. McGriff scored the quarters only remaining points catching his second touchdown of the game, a 30-yard pass from Maynor. Orlando attempted a fake field goal but was stopped short leaving the Force with a 28-23 lead after third periods.

McLaughlin missed a 32-yard field on Georgia first possession of the fourth quarter. With Orlando's next drive, Hammond intercepted his second pass of the game from Maynor and returned it 10-yards for his second defensive touchdown of the game and a 35-23 Force lead. After Georgia established its biggest lead at 12 points, the Predators made its run for the lead that led to the dramatic finish. McGriff pulled in his third TD, a 28-yard pass from Maynor. Orlando took its first lead of the game when Doug Miller sacked Davis in the endzone causing a fumble, which Miller recovered for a touchdown. Following the PAT, the Predators lead 36-35 with 4:36 left in the game. Georgia drove down to the Orlando 15 yardline with one minute left in the game. After being held on three downs, McLaughlin attempted a game-winning field goal from 28-yards. He missed giving the Predators the ball back with 20 seconds remaining in the game and what looked like the win. On Orlando's first play, Maynor fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Georgia giving the Force new life. With 1.7 seconds showing on the clock, McLaughlin connected on a 30-yard field goal as time expired giving the Force the win.

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 25, 2003


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.

Other Recent Georgia Force Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central