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Indiana Firebirds game notes

March 9, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Indiana Firebirds (0-5)
at Austin Wranglers (3-1)
Date: March 14, 2004
Kickoff: 3:00 pm (EST)
Site: Frank Erwin Center (14, 990)
Officials: Referee: Tom McCabe; Umpire: Matt Jordan;
Head Linesman: Neil Brunner; Line Judge: Bob McElwee; Back Judge: Jim Anderson
Series Record: First Meeting
Coaches: Steve DeBerg (1st Season, 0-5)
Skip Foster (1st Season, 3-1)

RADIO:
Firebirds' Radio Network: ESPN RADIO 950 AM, WIJY 95.9 FM, ESPN Radio 1130 AM (Brazil, IN), & ESPN Radio 1300 AM (Terre Haute, IN) (with Rob Blackman and Barry Krauss). WEBCAST: www.espn950.com

THE FIREBIRDS:
The Firebirds look to regroup after starting the season with five consecutive losses. Indiana has looked impressive at times, losing three games by a combined total of 9 points. The defense has been rock solid, holding opponents to 54, 41, 34, 49, and 50 points in each of the first four games. Offensively, three different quarterbacks have taken snaps for the Firebirds, most recently rookie Adrian McPherson. McPherson started for the second consecutive week on Saturday against Orlando. McPherson has put up an impressive line (38-67, 497 yards, 9 touchdowns), in two starts for Indiana. The Firebirds also appear to have developed depth at the receiver position. OS Mike Horacek, the 2003 league leader in receptions, has to compete for catches with long-time Firebird Evan Hlavacek, and young receivers Brett Bech and Anthony Hines. Leroy Thompson (58 yards, 2TD) once again guides the Indiana ground game, but has received help from FB/LB Jeff Cogell (43 yds, 2 TD) and McPherson (92 yds, 4 TD) in moving the ball on the ground. Three of Indiana's five losses have been decided in the last minute of action. OL/DL Ricky Hall may be having the best season of his five-year AFL career. He currently leads all linemen on the Firebirds with 12.0 total tackles (two for loss). DS Anthony Derricks leads the defense with 29.0 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble.
THE WRANGLERS:
The Wranglers are off to a positive (3-1) in their first season in Austin. Austin has been involved in four thrillers early in the 2004 campaign, with all four games decided by one possession. Skip Foster, who is in his first tour of duty in the AFL, following af2-coaching experience, coaches Austin. Foster is the first former af2 head coach to win his first game as an AFL head coach. Leading the offense is QB John Kaleo. Kaleo was impressive in a 56-55 victory over Carolina last weekend completing 28 of 36 passes for 286 yards and six touchdowns. Charlie Davidson, and Shannon Culver have become Austin's biggest threats from the receiver position.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS (0-5)
Date Opponent Time Result Record
2/7 COLUMBUS 7:00 L 54-48 0-1
2/14 at New Orleans 3:00 L 41-40 0-2
2/23 at Detroit 7:30 L 34-25 0-3
2/29 CHICAGO 3:00 L 49-46 0-4
3/6 At Orlando 7:30 L 50-38 0-5
3/14 at Austin 3:00
3/20 GEORGIA 7:00
3/26 GRAND RAPIDS 7:30
4/3 at Colorado 3:00
4/11 CAROLINA 2:00
4/17 at Grand Rapids 6:30
4/25 ARIZONA 2:00
5/2 at Las Vegas 2:00
5/8 DETROIT 7:00
5/16 COLORADO 2:00
5/23 At Chicago 2:00

AUSTIN WRANGLERS (3-1)
Date Opponent Time Result Record
2/13 At Orlando 7:30 W49-48 1-0
2/22 TAMPA BAY 3:00 W56-48 2-0
2/27 At Colorado 9:00 L37-35 2-1
3/7 CAROLINA 3:00 W56-55 3-1
3/14 INDIANA 3:00
3/18 At Detroit 7:30
3/28 PHILADELPHIA 3:00
4/3 AT Los Angeles 10:30
4/11 GEORGIA 3:00
4/18 At Tampa Bay 3:00
4/25 NEW ORLEANS 3:00
5/1 At Grand Rapids 7:30
5/9 DALLAS 3:00
5/16 ORLANDO 3:00
5/23 At Georgia 3:00
5/30 At New Orleans 4:00

COACHES:
Steve DeBerg (0-5, 1st year): Steve DeBerg is in his first season as Firebirds head coach. DeBerg played 18 seasons as a quarterback in the NFL, ranking as one of the all-time greats in many offensive categories. DeBerg served as quarterback's coach for the Atlanta Falcons in 1999, and the New York Giants in 1996. In 2001 he opened a quarterbacks training camp for top college quarterbacks. DeBerg tutored NFL starting quarterbacks Byron Leftwich (Jacksonville), Quincy Carter (Dallas), and Rex Grossman (Chicago). DeBerg played for seven teams, passing for over 34,000 yards and 196 touchdowns.

Name Years Record
Steve DeBerg 2004 0-5
Mike Dailey 1997-2003 63-44
Mike Hohensee 1994-1996 30-14
Rick Buffington 1990-1993 19-24

Skip Foster (3-1, 1st Year): Skip Foster is in his first season as an AFL Head Coach. Foster became the first former af2 coach to win his first game as an AFL Head Coach with a 49-48 victory at Orlando on February 13th. Foster posted a 44-10 record in arenafootball2, with the Tulsa Talons. The Talons went on to win the 2003 af2 Arena Cup, under Foster's leadership. Before joining arena football, Foster served as the head coach at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas for 12 seasons. Coffeyville won six conference championships and the 1990 national championship, with Foster at the helm.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS INJURY REPORT:
Player Pos Injury Status
Doug Lytle OL/DL Knee Doubtful
Greg Krause OL/DL Knee Doubtful
Anthony Herron OL/DL Shoulder Doubtful
Kevin Daft QB Neck OUT
Kerry Brown WR/LB Thumb OUT
____________________________________________
THE IF'S:
If INDIANA beats Austin it would...
§ Give Indiana their first win of the season
§ Snap a six-game losing streak. Dating back to 2003
§ Give the Firebirds their first win over Austin franchise
If AUSTIN beats Indiana it would...
§ Improve the Wranglers to 3-0 at home
§ Give Austin first win over Firebirds franchise
§ Be the Wranglers second consecutive victory

THE SERIES:
This is the first meeting between the Firebirds and the expansion Austin Wranglers.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE FOR March 2nd THROUGH March 6th
Start End
Tue. March 9, 2004 OFF

Wed. March 10, 2004 11:15am 1:15pm

Thurs. March 11, 2004 11:15am 1:15pm

Fri. March 12, 2004 11:15am 1:15pm

Sat. March 13, 2004 Travel to Austin

Sun. March 14, 2004 3:00 KICKOFF!!

All practices are held at the SportsZone (6601 Coffman Road, Indiana polis, IN 46268). Media are encouraged to get interviews 15 minutes prior to, or following, each practice session.

FIREBIRDS RECORD IN 2004 WHEN:
At Home...............................................0-2
On the Road..........................................0-3
Vs. National Conference..........................0-4
Vs. American Conference........................0-1
Vs. Southern Division.............................0-2
Vs. Eastern Division...............................0-1
Vs. Western Division..............................0-0
Vs. Central Division...............................0-2
Score First............................................0-2
Lead After 1st Quarter.............................0-0
Trail After 1st Quarter.............................0-4
Lead After 2nd Quarter............................0-2
Trail After2nd Quarter............................0-3
Lead After 3rd Quarter............................0-2
Trail After 3rd Quarter............................0-3
Overtime Games....................................0-0
On NBC...............................................0-2
Win Turnover Battle...............................0-2
Lose Turnover Battle..............................0-3
Score Over 50 Points..............................0-0
Score Over 60 Points.............................0-0
Allow Under 40 Points...........................0-1
Allow Under 30 Points...........................0-0

Firebirds Fall Prey to Predators 50-38
The Indiana Firebirds failed to get their first win of the season, dropping a 50-38 decision to the Orlando Predators Saturday night at the TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando, FL. With the loss, the Firebirds match their worst losing streak in team history (five games) and fall four and a half games behind division leader Chicago (4-0).

Orlando QB and AFL Rookie of the Month for February Joey Hamilton led the Predators (2-2) to scores on their first two possessions. The first ended in a 6-yard strike to Cory Fleming. Then following a Corey McIntyre interception, Hamilton drove the offense and the home team capped it with a 2-yard James Bowden touchdown rush. The Predators led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter began similar to how the first left off. Hamilton connected with lineman Jermaine Smith on a screen pass to put the Predators up 21-0 with 9:49 left in the first half. McPherson would answer this time. Brett Bech slipped out of the backfield on a fake toss and hauled in a 8-yard pass from the rookie getting the 'Birds on the board, 21-7.

The ensuing kickoff pinned Orlando inside their own 1-yard line. However, Hamilton would attempt to absorb the remainder of the half, taking the Predators the length of the field and culminating with another scoring toss to the Baby Ruth Real Deal Player of the Game, Fleming. A missed extra point attempt gave Orlando a 20 point lead, but McPherson found Mike Horacek on the very next play and got Indiana back within two scores at 27-14 entering the locker room. Hamilton finished the first half 14-of-20 for 163 yards and three touchdowns. His only error coming when Delvin Hugley picked off a pass at midfield before halftime.

The third quarter was a high-scoring affair on both sides of the ball with five touchdowns being scored between them. McPherson hooked up with Bech twice on the opening drive of the second half, then called his own number and ran the ball in from 8-yards out to get Indiana within a score, 27-20. Hamilton then connected with Orlando newcomer Sean Riley for his first touchdown in a Predators uniform, but McPherson hooked up with Horacek again, this time from 39 yards out, making the score 34-26 after a second missed extra point attempt by Clay Rush.

With 2:46 remaining in the third quarter, Orlando's Michael Brown finished the barrage when he ran for a 1-yard score and put the Predators up 41-26.

In the fourth quarter the Firebirds fumbled away their first possession, then watched Orlando kicker Jay Taylor nail a 43-yard field goal attempt. The field goal gave the Predators a 18-point lead and made the Firebirds need three scores to take the lead.
McPherson connected with Evan Hlavacek for his first touchdown catch of the game, but with 8:30 left in the game and following a Firebirds failed onside kick attempt, Bowden carried the ball six yards for his second rushing score of the game, getting Orlando back on top 50-32 with only 6:19 remaining. A late touchdown reception by Horacek brought the final score to 50-38.

The Firebirds (0-5) managed only 15 rushing yards after coming into the game leading the entire AFL. Orlando carried the ball six times for 26 yards, including three touchdowns. McPherson finished the game 22-for-37 for 267 yards and five touchdowns. Horacek finished with a game-high eight catches for 141 yards (3 TD).

INDIANA FIREBIRDS NEXT WEEK
The Firebirds return to Indianapolis for a Saturday evening match-up with the Georgia Force. Indiana will play three of their next four contests at Conseco Fieldhouse.


QUOTE ME
Firebirds Coach Steve DeBerg on...
Last Week's Loss: "I'm disappointed. I can't believe we had that performance when we're in the situation we are. I certainly expected the football team to perform at a higher level than what we did. I'm tremendously disappointed in them, and they're disappointed in themselves."
Falling Behind Early: "We definitely had a slow start. We kept making our own mistakes. We did have the one interception, but that's a tough hole to dig and try to climb out of."

GAME AWARD WINNERS:
Game - Opponent U.S. Army Ironman Baby Ruth Offensive Player ADT Defensive Player
2/7 - COL Sedrick Robinson (COL) Brett Bech Anthony Derricks
2/14 - NOV B.J. Cohen (NOV) John Fitzgerald (NOV) Chris Pointer (NOV)
2/23 – DET Brett Bech Andy Kelly (DET) Ron Carpenter (DET)
2/29 - CHI Etu Molden (CHI) Adrian McPherson Leroy Thompson
3/6 - ORL Jermaine Smith (ORL) Corey Fleming (ORL) Rupert Grant (ORL)




FIREBIRDS AMONG 2004 LEADERS
Rushing Yards:
QB Adrian McPherson 3rd in AFL (92 yards)
FB/LB Leroy Thompson 6th in AFL (58 yards)
FB/LB Jeff Cogell 11th in AFL (43 yards)
Receptions:
OS Mike Horacek 10th in AFL (29)
Receiving Yardage:
OS Mike Horacek 9th in AFL (409 yards)
Yards from Scrimmage:
OS Mike Horacek 9th in AFL (409 yards)
Kick Return Average:
WR/DB Evan Hlavacek 12th in AFL (19.6 yds/rtn)
DS Anthony Derricks 13th in AFL (19.6 yds/rtn)

____________________________________________
Rec. TD Rush TD Return TD Total TD
2 0 2 (FR,KO) 4
TRIPLE-THREAT HLAVACEK
WR/DB Evan Hlavacek's TD Tracker...


OFFENSIVE LEAGUE RANKS (OUT OF 19):
CATEGORY INDIANA AUSTIN
Yards/Game 15 3
Rushing Yards/Game 1 14
Passing yards/Game 17 2
First Downs/Game 14-T 5
3rd Down Efficiency 14 4
4th Down Efficiency 8 4
Kickoff Return Average 9 3
Points/Game 18 9-T
FG % 13-T 19-T
____________________________________________

READY TO RUN
Despite having three rushers in the top ten in the league, Indiana only attempted four rushes at Orlando last weekend. QB Adrian McPherson has led the ground game with 92 yards and four touchdowns in three games. Leroy Thompson is having another stellar season with 58 rushing yards. The Firebirds have added a third threat on the ground in 2004 with Jeff Cogell. Cogell has rushed for 43 yards in three games this season. Even after last week's game, the Firebirds remain first in the AFL in rushing.

2004 AFL Leading Rushing Statistics
RUSHING TD'S YARDS
1. Bob McMillen – CHI 6 106
2. Dan Curran – NOVD 9 102
3. Adrian McPherson 4 92
6. Leroy Thompson 2 58
11. Jeff Cogell 2 43

THOMPSON SETS RECORD
With 29 yards rushing in week one, Leroy Thompson became the Firebirds all time leading rusher. Thompson who has been with the franchise since 1996 has 833 career rushing yards. The record was held by Chad Dukes, who had 803 rushing yards between 1996 and 1998 for the Firebirds. With his next touchdown Thompson will move into a tie for fourth place with Nelson Garner on the Firebirds all-time leading scorers list.

Firebirds All-Time Leading Rushers
RUSHING YARDS
Leroy Thompson 833
Chad Dukes 803
Rodney Smith 311
Tim Brown 245
Eddie Brown 204

Firebirds All-Time Scoring Leaders
SCORING POINTS
Eddie Brown 2,070
Greg Hopkins 668
Fred Gayles 500
Nelson Garner 344
Leroy Thompson 338

ADRIAN'S OFFENSE
In the first four weeks of the season, the Firebirds had started three different quarterbacks. With strong showings in two starts (38-67, 497 yards, 9 TDs) it appears as if Adrian McPherson has ended any quarterback controversy, at least for the time being. Opening day starter Kevin Daft was impressive, but an injury forced him out of the game against Columbus, and Daft has not seen the field since. af2 Offensive Player of the Year in 2003 Tony Zimmerman, replaced Daft, and despite showing signs of brilliance, struggled at times. McPherson will start for the Firebirds in Austin.

DOUBLE-THREAT
QB Adrian McPherson ranks among the league leaders in rushing, despite only seeing action in three of Indiana's first five games. McPherson has rushed for 92 yards and four touchdowns. The 20-year old rookie has also shown the ability to be a great passer completing 51 of 87 passes with 11 touchdowns and one interception, for 669 yards.

FAMILIAR FACES:
Austin's success early in their expansion season can be credited to the influence of former Firebirds, including other factors...Wranglers leading receiver Charlie Davidson spent the 1997 season with the Firebirds, recording 25 receptions...Tony Bowick registered 10 tackles and five receptions with the Firebirds from 1996 to 1997...Darryl Hammond rushed 5 times and had 86 receptions in the first four years of his career, from 1991-1994 playing with the Firebirds...QB John Kaleo began his illustrious career in 1993 as a member of the Firebirds organization ...DS Cedrick Walker spent 2001 in Indianapolis as a member of the Firebirds, he recorded 34.5 tackles.

HORACEK CATCHES ON
Mike Horacek, arguably the most dominant receiver in the AFL over the past two years has joined the Firebirds receiving corps. Horacek was the Offensive Player of the Year in 2000, had 118 receptions in 2002, and 126 receptions in 2003. He played last season with Las Vegas. Horacek exploded in week three catching 10 passes for 144 yards (4th highest in AFL this season) and one touchdown.

INDY'S IRONMEN
In past seasons, the Indiana Firebirds have been defined by their Iron Men. The Built Ford Tough Man of the Year in 2002, Leroy Thompson, is back for his ninth season with the Firebirds. Rookie FB/LB Jeff Cogell won the same award in af2 that season and in 2003 Evan Hlavacek, was named to the All IronMan team. Through four games this season, only one Firebird has been named as the U.S. Army Ironman of the game. That honor went to Brett Bech in Week Three against Detroit.

RECORD BOOK
Entering Week Five the following players are within reach of moving up the team record book...
FB/LB Leroy Thompson:
§ Touchdown ties him for fourth with Nelson Garner on points list with 344.
§ Three sacks tie him for fourth in team history (currently has 12.0 sacks)
OL/DL Chris Snyder:
§ Two sacks tie him for fourth in team history (currently has 13.0 sacks)

DEFENSIVE LEADERS
While the offense has struggled, the Indiana defense ranks with the AFL's elite. The Firebirds rank 8th in points allowed, 5th in yards allowed and first downs allowed, 6th on return yards, and first in 4th down percentage.

BIRDS OFF THE NETS
Returns No. Yards Avg TD
1. Rashied Davis – SJS 12 350 29.2 2
2. Sedrick Robinson – CLB 14 357 25.5 2
3. Steve Smith – GRA 27 661 24.5 2
12. Evan Hlavacek – IND 14 275 19.6 1
13. Anthony Derricks - IND 14 274 19.6 0
Firebirds DS and return man Anthony Derricks put up impressive numbers in week one. Derricks is currently 13th in the AFL in kickoff return average at 19.6 yards per return, slightly behind teammate Evan Hlavacek who is 12th with 19.6 yards/return (Hlavacek has one more return yard). Hlavacek added a return touchdown at New Orleans. Hlavacek now has 10 career kickoff returns for touchdowns, while Derricks brings his 16 career return scores to the team for 2004.

‘BIRDS BLITZ
Join ESPN RADIO 950's Rob Blackman every Wednesday night from 6-7 pm for ‘Birds Blitz, a weekly variety show broadcast on the entire Indiana Firebirds Radio Network, covering the Firebirds, the Arena Football League, and recent happenings around the world. The show is located at Daddy Jack's Restaurant on 96th and Meridian. The public is invited to attend.

KEY MATCHUP:
FIREBIRDS OFFENSE vs. AUSTIN DEFENSE:
Despite five strong showings by the Indiana Defense, the Firebirds have yet to win a game in 2004. Indiana's offense ranks 18th of 19 AFL teams in scoring average. Indiana has not yet scored 50 points in a game this season. To snap a six-game losing streak, the offense will have to match the defensive intensity for Indiana. QB Adrian McPherson has been impressive in his first two AFL starts, and OS Mike Horacek, is looking more like the player who led the AFL in receptions in 2003 every week. With a consistent ground attack, Indiana is poised to threaten the 50-point barrier for the first time in 2004. FB/LB Leroy Thompson and FB/LB Jeff Cogell, are expected to assist McPherson in the rushing game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

INDIANA FIREBIRDS:
QB Adrian McPherson:
20-year old rookie QB Adrian McPherson has made two AFL starts in his career, but looks like a 10-year veteran on the field. McPherson ranks among league leaders in rushing with 92 yards and four scores, he also has passed for 669 yards and 11 touchdowns. McPherson saw his first action of the season in a week three loss at Detroit. QB Tony Zimmerman struggled early in that contest, and Coach Steve DeBerg brought McPherson into the action. Since that moment, McPherson has taken every snap for Indiana.

OS Mike Horacek:
Despite missing significant time on February 29th against Chicago, Horacek leads the Firebirds in receptions. In his last two full games (against Orlando and Detroit) Horacek has recorded 18 receptions. Playing for Las Vegas in 2003, Horacek led the AFL in receptions. Horacek has also deflected pressure from WR/DB Evan Hlavacek, who is still adjusting to the receiver position, after becoming a two-way player in 2003.

WR/DB Evan Hlavacek:
Hlavacek has been a true triple-threat for the Firebirds. Offensively, he is the second-leading receiver, behind Horacek. Defensively, Hlavacek ranks among all-time leaders in tackles, interceptions, and pass break-ups. On special teams, Hlavacek is one of the great threats in the game, averaging nearly 20 yards per return, and scoring twice on special teams. Hlavacek also ranks with Firebird greats in kick returns, return yards, and return scores.

DS Anthony Derricks:
Firebirds Defensive Specialist Anthony Derricks is out to a great start in 2004. Derricks is leading the Firebirds in tackles, including a game-high 6.5 tackles in last week's loss at Orlando. Derricks has also been a threat on returns. A top-20 return man in the AFL, Derricks has averaged nearly 20 yards per return, second on the team to Evan Hlavacek.

AUSTIN WRANGLERS:

QB John Kaleo: Passed for 286 yards and 6 touchdowns in a 56-55 win over Carolina last week, completing 28 of 36 passes. Passed for over 1,000 yards in the first four games of the season, completing nearly 70% of his passes. Has thrown 22 touchdowns and three interceptions. Entered the season sixth all-time in pass attempts, completions, and yards for career. Five seasons with over 2,000 passing yards, including 2003. Played with the Albany Firebirds in 1993 passing for 700 yards and 8 touchdowns.

WR/DB Charlie Davidson:
Davidson leads Austin with 32 receptions for 363 yards. Davidson is also the leading kickoff returner averaging 22 yards per return over 12 returns. Totaled career-highs in receptions (78), yards (1,061), and touchdowns (21) in 2003 with the Colorado Crush.

OS Shannon Culver:
Culver has recorded 26 receptions for 308 yards and five receiving touchdowns. Culver has also returned 7 kicks for an average of 17.4 yards. This is Culver's seventh season in the Arena Football League.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 9, 2004


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