Indiana Firebirds Game Notes
May 14, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Indiana Firebirds (6-9) vs. Chicago Rush (7-8)
Date: May 18, 2003
Kickoff: 2:00 pm (Indianapolis Time)
Site: Allstate Arena (16,000)
Officials: Perry Havener Referee, Frank Kosman Umpire, Neil Brunner Head Linesman, David Meslow Line Judge, Greg Steed Back Judge
Television: NBC Sports (Mike Breen and Ray Bentley, Marty Snider sideline)
Radio: Firebirds Radio Network: ESPN RADIO 950 AM, WPZZ 95.9 FM, ESPN Radio 1130 AM, & ESPN Radio 1300 AM (Ari Wolfe and Rob Blackman)
Series Record: Indiana leads 3-2
Coaches: Mike Dailey (6-9 2003, 63-45 Overall) Mike Hohensee (7-8 2003, 72-70 Overall)
THE STAKES: The Firebirds need a win over Chicago on Sunday, coupled with a Las Vegas Gladiators victory over the Buffalo Destroyers to qualify for postseason play. A win keeps Indianas playoff hopes alive and a loss would drop the Birds out of the playoffs for only the third time in franchise history
THE SERIES: The Firebirds currently hold a 3-2 all-time series advantage over the Rush in five series meetings entering Sundays game. The two teams met twice last year splitting the season series at 1-1, with each team winning on the road. Indiana and Chicago last met in week three at Conseco Fieldhouse when the Birds outscored the Rush in a low scoring affair, 28-23. The Firebirds defense held the Rush offense to their lowest point total in franchise history as Indiana captured their third win to open up the season
THE IFS
If INDIANA Defeats CHICAGO, it would
· Keep Indiana in playoff contention
· Give Indiana their fifth road win of the season
· Prevent Indiana from losing ten games for the first time in franchise history
· Give Indiana their third consecutive win over the Rush
THE COACHES
Mike Dailey (63-45, 7th year): Mike Dailey is in his seventh season as head coach of the Indiana Firebirds. Last season Dailey led the Firebirds to a 7-7 record and a berth in the post-season for the fifth time in six seasons. Dailey is the Firebirds all-time winningest coach posting a 63-45 record (including playoffs) in six-plus season as head coach of the Firebirds. Dailey led the Firebirds to a franchise-best 14 wins and first-ever ArenaBowl championship during the 1999 season. He joined the Firebirds prior to the 1992 season, spending five seasons as an assistant coach before being named head coach in 1997. Dailey began his Arena Football coaching career with the Washington Commandos where he served as offensive and defensive line coach. Prior to the AFL, Dailey worked as an Assistant Coach at Towson State University and was the Offensive Coordinator at Montgomery College-Rockville (MD).
Mike Hohensee (72-70, 10th year, 3rd with Rush): Mike Hohensee is in his third season as head coach for the Chicago Rush, 10th as a head coach, and 15th overall season in the Arena Football League. He currently has a 72-70 record with five different teams. He became the sixth coach in AFL history to record 60 or more regular season wins in a victory over Dallas last season. His prior coaching resume includes stints with the Washington Commandos (1990), Albany Firebirds (1994-1996) where he posted a 27-11record and led the Birds to three Division Championships, Anaheim Piranhas (1997), and New England Sea Wolves (1999-2000). He began his coaching career with the Chicago Bruisers before becoming the youngest head coach for Washington in 1990. Hohensee played professionally for the Washington Federals of the USFL, the CFLs Ottawa Rough Riders, and the Toronto Arganauts and Pittsburgh Gladiators of the AFL, where he was credited with throwing the first touchdown pass in AFL history.
INDIANA FIREBIRDS LAST WEEK
In a must win situation, the Firebirds tied their highest offensive output of the season before disposing of the Grand Rapids Rampage, 71-68, last Sunday afternoon in Grand Rapids. The win kept the Firebirds playoff hopes alive heading into the final week of the regular season. Indiana quarterback Raymond Philyaw completed 15-of-31 passes for 189 yards and seven touchdowns before earning Game MVP honors. Offensive specialist Jeremy McDaniel led the Birds in receiving with six catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns. In his first game in a Firebirds uniform, rookie wide receiver/defensive back Tyrone Brown caught four balls for 41 yards and a touchdown, while veteran wide receiver/defensive back Jay Jones added three catches for 41 yards and three scores. Wide receiver/linebacker Eddie Brown had his streak of 115 consecutive games with a reception snapped during the win. The Firebirds outscored the Rampage 21-0 in the third quarter after three consecutive interceptions of Grand Rapids quarterback Clint Dolezel.
INDIANA FIREBIRDS NEXT WEEK
Next weeks schedule hinges on the results of this weeks action. 2002 REVIEW
The Firebirds entered the 2002 season hoping to build on an impressive 2001 season where the team advanced to the Arena Football Leagues semi-finals. The Birds ended the season with a 7-7 record and made it to the post season for the eleventh time in thirteen seasons despite early season injuries to key players such as Eddie Brown, Evan Hlavacek, and Cornelius Coe. The Firebirds won three out of their last four games to fight their way into the playoffs, but fell short during the first round in a fiercely contested battle with the expansion Dallas Desperados, falling 47-46. With FB/LB Leroy Thompson earning Built Ford Tough Man of the Year and the emergence of First-Team All-Arena selection, OL/DL Chris Snyder, the Birds have their eyes set on returning to Championship form.
FAMILIAR FACES
Current Rush Head Coach Mike Hohensee was the Firebirds Head Coach from 1994-1996. Hohensee led the Birds to an American Conference title in 1994 and Eastern Division Championships in 1995 and 1996. Four current players on the Rushs roster have spent time as a member of the Firebirds. Rush DS Dejuan Alfonzo was with the Birds in 2002. Rush DS Cedric Walker played in seven games with the Birds during the 2001 season and totaled 34.5 tackles with two interceptions. OL/DL Tony Bowick was a member of the Firebirds from 1995-1996. FB/LB Jamie McGourty was with the Firebirds from 1998-1999. OS Eddie Brown, OL/DL Kyle Moore-Brown, and FB/LB Leroy Thompson were all Firebirds during Mike Hohensees tenure as the Firebirds head coach. Indianas OL/DL Hugh Hunter and Chicagos OL/DL James Baron, two of the leagues most feared pass rushers, were teammates on the Nashville Kats in 98 and 99.
Déjà vu
The Firebirds enter the final week of the regular season in virtually the same place they were entering the final week of last season. Last year during the final week of the regular season, the Firebirds traveled to Chicago to play the Rush in a game they needed to win to qualify for postseason play after capturing a crucial win the week before. This year, on the heels of a win over the Rampage, the Birds once again travel to Chicago to meet the Rush in a must-win situation for the second consecutive week. The only difference is that this year the Firebirds need a little help from Las Vegas to make it to the postseason. The Firebirds need a win Sunday, coupled with a Las Vegas Gladiators victory over the Buffalo Destroyers to qualify for the playoffs.
Double Take-Away
The Firebirds outscored the Rampage 21-0 during the third quarter last weekend en route to their sixth win of the season. Two of the teams scores during that quarter came following interceptions by Indiana wide receiver/linebacker Shawn Foreman. Foremans two picks last Sunday marked the first time a Firebirds player recorded two interceptions in one game this year. It was the first time the feat has been accomplished since Evan Hlavacek did it in week eleven of last season in a win over the same Rampage squad.
Stacking Up Points
During last weeks win over the Rampage, the Firebirds offense reached their highest point total of the season for one half when the team scored 44 points during the first 30 minutes of play. It was the highest single half point total since the team scored 44 second half points during a loss to Grand Rapids in the semi-finals of the 2001 AFL playoffs.
Striking Quickly
Last week the Firebirds offense struck often and wasted little time finding the endzone. During the games opening half, the Firebirds put 44 points on the board with only 17 plays from scrimmage. For the game, the Birds had twelve scores on 39 total offensive plays, meaning Indiana scored once for every 3.3 plays run from scrimmage.
A Rare Shutout
Wide receiver/linebacker Eddie Brown has set numerous offensive records and put together receiving and scoring streaks that rival some of the most impressive streaks in all of professional sports. However, last week Brown saw one of his streaks come to an end in Grand Rapids. His streak of 115 consecutive games with a reception ended last Sunday after Brown failed to record a catch during Indianas win over the Rampage.
Coaching Ties
Firebirds Head Coach Mike Dailey and Rush Head Coach Mike Hohensee have been best friends for nearly two decades and will bring their troops into battle for the second time this season when Indiana and Chicago meet this Sunday afternoon. Dailey and Hohensee spent 13 seasons coaching together including six at Montgomery Junior College, one with the AFLs Washington Commandos, and six with the AFLs Albany Firebirds. The Birds defeated the Rush in week three, giving Dailey a 6-3 all-time series advantage in head-to-head meetings with his friend and former colleague.
Rushing over the Rush
In five games versus the Chicago Rush, Indiana fullback/linebacker Leroy Thompson has found success on the ground, having rushed the ball 28 times for 116 yards and eight touchdowns. His best game against the Rush came during last years season finale when he rushed the ball six times for 24 yards and recorded a personal and franchise high five rushing touchdowns.
More Moores, More Browns, and a Moore-Brown Last week, the Firebirds added defensive specialist Malcolm Moore and wide receiver/defensive back Tyrone Brown to their active roster. Moore and Brown join wide receiver/linebacker Eddie Brown and offensive/defensive lineman Kyle Moore-Brown to complete Indianas crop of Moores and Browns.
Philyaw Makes History
Raymond Philyaws streak of pass attempts without throwing a pick ended two weeks ago versus Georgia, but not before setting a League mark. Philyaw ended his streak with an AFL record 268 consecutive pass attempts without throwing an interception, dating back to last season.
A Special Player
Indiana wide receiver/defensive back Evan Hlavacek has quietly emerged as one of the top return men in the Arena Football League. Two weeks ago versus Georgia, Hlavacek returned nine kickoffs for a career-high 244 yards (27.1 yd/ret) and added his sixth kick return for a touchdown this season, which is the most in franchise history. His nine kick returns tied a franchise individual game high and his 244 yards returned set a franchise mark for a single game. Last week versus Grand Rapids, he returned six kickoffs for 161 yards, giving him 405 yards in kick returns over the course of the last two weeks. For the season, Hlavacek has returned 63 kickoffs (7th in AFL) for 1,509 yards (4th in AFL) and six touchdowns (T-1st in AFL). His 1,509 return yards this year are the most for a single season in Firebirds history.
Second In Line
Two weeks ago versus Georgia, Indiana quarterback Raymond Philyaw surpassed former Firebird quarterback Mike Perez as the franchises second all-time leader in pass completions (717). Last week versus Grand Rapids, Philyaw became the Firebirds second all-time leader in attempts (1,147). In his fourth season with the team, Philyaw is well on his way to becoming the Firebirds second-leading passer in every passing category. Philyaw needs 1,119 passing yards and 36 passing touchdowns to pass Perez for second all-time in each category. For his career, Philyaw has completed 717-of-1,147 pass attempts for 8,761 yards and 167 touchdowns.
Divisional Play
Four of the Indianas six wins this season have come in Central Division matchups. Entering this weeks play, the Firebirds are tied with three other teams for the best record throughout the Arena Football League in divisional play. The Birds carry a 4-1 record in the Central Division entering the final week of the regular season, which is a divisional game.
On The Road Again
The Firebirds have won four road contests this season and could potentially come away with five regular season road wins if the team wins on Sunday in Chicago. The last time the Firebirds won five regular season road games was during their 1999 championship season and the last time the team came away with four road wins was during the 2000 season. The Firebirds have not won more than three regular season road games since the team relocated from Albany to Indianapolis in 2001.
Wounded Birds
The Firebirds have suffered through a plethora of injuries this season, many involving key players. Indiana has had eleven different players spend time on injured reserve this season for a total of 63 games lost. In addition, wide receiver/defensive back Donnie Caldwell has missed the last three weeks of action on a coachs decision with a groin injury
All He Does Is Catch Touchdowns
Indiana wide receiver/linebacker Shawn Foreman has caught five passes this season for the Firebirds. What is noteworthy is the fact that three of the five have been for a touchdown. Foreman caught one pass for a 19-yard touchdown in week 11 versus Dallas, had one catch for a 34-yard touchdown in week 12 versus San Jose, and added one catch for 16 yards and a touchdown last week in Grand Rapids.
Still Going
Firebirds OL/DL Kyle Moore-Brown has played in a record 138 consecutive games entering this weeks meeting with Chicago, all which have been in a Firebirds uniform. Moore-Brown has not missed a game in his eight-year career.
2003 PLAYOFF PICUTRE
If the playoffs started today Indiana would miss the playoffs for only the third time in franchise history. The Los Angeles Avengers are currently the Leagues top-seeded team and would receive a first round bye along with San Jose, Tampa Bay, and Orlando. Of the twelve teams that advance to the AFL postseason, the top seed owns home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and the right to host ArenaBowl XVII. Of teams that own a 11-4 record, Los Angeles holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Orlando (San Jose can not be included in the tiebreaker until the division winner is seeded). San Jose holds the common-opponent tiebreaker over Orlando. The Firebirds need a win on Sunday over Chicago, coupled with a Las Vegas Gladiators victory over the Buffalo Destroyers to qualify for the playoffs.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
INDIANA FIREBIRDS
WR/LB Touchdown Eddie Brown: Eddie has had one of the most successful careers in AFL history. A five-time scoring champion, Brown is the AFLs all-time leader in receiving touchdowns (303), receptions (945), and receiving yards (12,666). Brown eclipsed 2,000 points for his career in week-four versus Arizona and passed Barry Wagner in week five versus Colorado to become the Leagues all-time leader in receiving yards. Became the only player in League history to record over 300 receiving touchdowns in week eleven versus the Desperados.
QB Raymond Philyaw: Ray is in his fourth season with the Firebirds as the teams second most accurate quarterback in franchise history (63.2%). Philyaw has quickly become one of the top passers in team history in virtually every passing category. Currently ranks second in pass attempts (1,147), is second in completions (717), third in yards passing (8,761), and third passing touchdowns (167). Two weeks ago, Philyaw passed Firebird great Mike Perez for second in all-time in Firebirds history in pass completions and last week became the Firebirds second all-time leader in pass attempts.
FB/LB Leroy Thompson: Leroy is coming off his best season as a pro. In 2002, Thompson rushed the ball 37 times for 118 yards and ten touchdowns. Defensively, he recorded 21 tackles and six sacks on his way to being named the Arena Football Leagues Built Ford Tough Man of the Year.
OL/DL Hugh Hunter: Had best season as a pro in 2002 in his first season as a Firebird, recording personal bests in tackles with 19 and finished the year tied for a team-high 6.5 sacks with fellow lineman Chris Snyder. He has continued his success on the defensive line this year leading the team with 5.5 sacks (4th in AFL).
CHICAGO RUSH:
QB Billy Dicken: Dicken is in his third season with the Rush out of Purdue University. Through fifteen weeks, Dicken has completed 223-of-369 pass attempts for 2,692 yards and 51 touchdowns (10 in AFL).
OS Antonio Chatman: A second-year player who was a finalist for the Leagues Rookie of the Year Award last season after catching 74 passes for 1,068 yards and 23 touchdowns. Currently leads the Rush in receiving with 110 catches (5th in AFL) for 1,418 yards (6th in AFL) and 27 touchdowns (T-8th in AFL). Also leads Chicagos return game, having returned 70 kicks (3rd in AFL) for 1,731 yards (2nd in AFL) and six returns for a touchdown (T-1st in AFL). Chatman also leads the AFL in all-purpose yards with 3,278 on the season.
MILESTONES:
Leroy Thompson: Needs 3 rushing touchdowns to reach 50 for his career
Leroy Thompson: Needs 3 sacks to reach 15 for his career.
Chris Snyder: Needs half a sack to reach 15 for his career.
Eddie Brown: Needs 9 touchdowns to reach 350 total touchdowns for his career.
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