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Indiana Firebirds game notes

April 6, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Indiana Firebirds (4-5)
vs Carolina Cobras (3-6)
Date: April 11, 2004
Kickoff: 2:00 pm (Local Indiana Time)
Site: Conseco Fieldhouse (14,559)
Officials: Referee: Pat Garvey; Umpire: Paul King;
Head Linesman: Bill Ward; Line Judge: James Mello;
Back Judge: Greg Steed
Series Record: 1-0, Indiana Leads
Last Meeting: The Firebirds won the only meeting between the two franchises. The game took place in the opening round of the 2001 playoffs, with the Firebirds winning 58-41.
Coaches: Mike Wilpolt (1st Season, 4-0)
John Gregory (10th Season 67-49, 1st Season with Carolina 1-2)

TV/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:
With a 45-42 victory over Colorado, the Indiana Firebirds improved to 4-0 under new coach Mike Wilpolt. For the second consecutive week K Clay Rush drilled the game-winning field goal. Firebirds QB Adrian McPherson passed for a career-high 332 yards in the victory last week at Colorado, throwing five touchdown passes for the second consecutive week. While all aspects of Indiana's game have improved, McPherson has played a major role in the Firebirds 4-game winning streak, passing for 16 touchdowns against no interceptions, and rushing for 8 more scores in that span. Even in their losses Indiana has looked impressive, losing three games by a combined total of 9 points. The defense has been rock solid, ranking 2nd in the league in points against. The Firebirds also appear to have developed depth at the receiver position. OS Mike Horacek, who is eligible to return after missing three games with an injury, has to compete for catches with long-time Firebird Evan Hlavacek, young receivers Brett Bech, Anthony Hines (13 receptions for 196 yards 4/3 at Colorado), Jordan Younger, and newcomer Andy McCullough. Leroy Thompson (89 yards, 2TD) once again guides the Indiana ground game, but has received help from McPherson (146 yds, 12 TD) in moving the ball. Three of Indiana's five losses have been decided in the last minute of action.

THE COBRAS:
The Carolina Cobras are in the midst of a two-game losing streak. Carolina jumped out to a 2-0 start in 2004, but faltered losing four consecutive games. Head Coach Eddie Khayat was replaced by John Gregory after week six, making the Cobras and Firebirds the only two teams to have made coaching changes thus far in the 2004 AFL season. Carolina is led by quarterback Matt Nagy, who passed for 237 yards and five touchdowns in last week's loss to New York. OS Todd Doxzon has pulled in 75 receptions for 835 yards this season for Carolina. DS Damon Mason leads Carolina with 52.5 tackles.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS (3-5)
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 L50-38 0-5
3/14 at Austin 3:00 W64-41 1-5
3/20 GEORGIA 7:00 W73-36 2-5
3/26 GRAND RAPIDS 7:30 W45-42 3-5
4/3 at Colorado 3:00 W45-42 4-5
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

CAROLINA COBRAS (3-6)
Date Opponent Time* Result Record
2/8 At Dallas 3:00 W67-41 1-0
2/13 At Columbus 7:00 W54-53 2-0
2/21 ARIZONA 7:30 L45-38 2-1
2/28 ORLANDO 7:30 L59-43 2-2
3/7 At Austin 3:00 L56-55 2-3
3/13 DALLAS 7:30 L77-52 2-4
3/21 TAMPA BAY 3:00 W54-43 3-4
3/27 AT New Orleans 8:00 L48-31 3-5
4/4 NEW YORK 12:00 L57-41 3-6
4/11 At Indiana 2:00
4/17 PHILADELPHIA 6:30
5/1 COLUMBUS 6:30
5/8 At New York 6:00
5/15 At Philadelphia 6:30
5/22 GRAND RAPIDS 6:30
5/30 At Georgia 3:00
* Times are Indiana Time



COACHES:
Mike Wilpolt (4-0, 1st year): Mike Wilpolt was named head coach of the Firebirds on March 10, 2004, following the team's (0-5) start. He has been with the organization coaching defensive backs for the past six years, the last five he also served as the team's defensive coordinator. In his first season with the Firebirds, Wilpolt coached the special teams and helped them to a 1999 ArenaBowl Championship. In 2002, his defense had a breakthrough season, leading the league in red zone defense (74.4%) and ranking 2nd in points allowed (46.1) and interceptions (21). Wilpolt played four years in the AFL as a defensive specialist with the Charlotte Rage (1992), Las Vegas Sting (1994-95) and the Anaheim Piranhas (1996). During his time with Anaheim, Wilpolt held a then league record for tackles with 16 in one game.

Name Years Record
Mike Wilpolt 2004 - 4-0
Steve DeBerg 2004 0-5
Mike Dailey 1997-2003 63-44
Mike Hohensee 1994-1996 30-14
Rick Buffington 1990-1993 19-24

John Grerory (10th Season 67-49, 1st Season with Carolina 1-2): John Gregory took over head-coaching duties for Carolina after week six of the 2004 season. Gregory has had an illustrious career in the AFL. Gregory ranks 6th among all coaches in wins, fifth in games coached, and fifth in postseason victories. Gregory won AFL Coach of the Year in 1995 and 1996. Gregory began his coaching career in the Canadian Football League. He coached in the CFL for 11 years, and was enshrined in the Saskatchewan Hall of Fame in 1996. Gregory also spent 12 years in college football, including a decade as the head coach of South Dakota State. Gregory is currently second on SDSU's all-time coaching victories list. Gregory is well known for coaching two of the greatest passers, the AFL has ever seen. He provided leadership for 2-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner with the Iowa Barnstormers, and coached Aaron Garcia in New York.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS INJURY REPORT:
Player Pos Injury Status
Doug Lytle OL/DL Knee Doubtful
Greg Krause OL/DL Knee Doubtful
Anthony Herron OL/DL Elbow Doubtful
Kevin Daft QB Neck Doubtful
Kerry Brown WR/LB Thumb Doubtful


____________________________________________
THE IF'S:
If INDIANA beats Carolina it would...
§ Give Indiana a five-game winning streak
§ Give the Firebirds their third consecutive home win
§ Return the Firebirds to the .500 mark
§ Keep Coach Wilpolt undefeated as Firebirds head coach
If Carolina beats Indiana it would...
§ Snap a two-game losing streak
§ Improve coach Gregory to 2-2 with Carolina
§ Improve Carolina to 3-2 on the road

THE SERIES:
This is the second meeting between the Firebirds and Cobras. The two teems met in the opening round of the 2001 AFL postseason. Indiana outlasted the Cobras 58-41 in a game played at Conseco Fieldhouse.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE FOR April 6th THROUGH April 11th
Start End
Tue. April 6, 2004 OFF

Wed. April 7, 2004 10:00am 12:00pm

Thurs. April 8, 2004 10:00am 12:00pm

Fri. April 9, 2004 10:00am 11:30am

Sat. April 10, 2004 WALK-THRU TBA

Sun. April 11, 2004 2:00 PM KICKOFF

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

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

Firebirds Beat Crush in Overtime, 45-42
Everyone involved with the Colorado Crush and Indiana Firebirds knew that today's game would be a tightly contested, hard fought battle and nobody left the Pepsi Center disappointed as the two teams went all the way to overtime, ending on Clay Rush's 20-yard game-winning field goal, giving the Firebirds a 45-42 win over the Crush in front of 12,238 fans at the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO.

Indiana QB Adrian McPherson, who was named the AFL Rookie of the Month for March earlier this week, had the first 300-yard passing game of his career, completing 28-of-35 passes for 332 yards and five touchdowns. Fellow rookie OS Anthony Hines was named Baby Ruth Real Deal Player of the Game as he hauled in a career-high 13 passes for 196 yards, including three touchdowns.

With one minute to make something happen before the half, McPherson got the offense into position and found WR/LB Andy McCullough for a 15-yard touchdown with :08 on the clock. After Clay Rush's kickoff sailed over the net for the third time on the afternoon and Dutton's last-second hail mary attempt went unsuccessful, the half would end with Indiana down, 28-21.

McPherson finished the first half 12-of-19 for 136 yards with three touchdowns, while his counterpart Dutton accounted for all of Colorado's first half points in McPherson-like fashion (3 pass, 1 rush). The Crush committed no first half turnovers while Indiana hurt themselves with four penalties for 24 yards.

Anthony Derricks returned the opening kickoff of the second half to the Indiana five and McPherson took over from there. Take over he would, leading the Firebirds to their first tie of the day, 28-28, on a 2-yard run by the rookie with nine minutes remaining in the third.

A post-touchdown penalty against Indiana gave the Crush starting position at their own 15-yard line, following another Rush kick, which sailed over the endzone rebound nets. Dutton took over from there and capped off the Crush's first second-half drive with a touchdown pass to WR/LB Kevin McKenzie, putting Colorado back ahead, 35-28, with 6:23 to play in the third quarter. DS Anthony Derricks was injured on the drive but would return.

Dutton began his next possession with a long completion to Harrell and then on three straight attempts found nobody. On fourth and goal from the five Colorado elected to go for the go-ahead touchdown, fearing that a field goal wouldn't be enough to hold up for the 3:38 left in the game. Dutton took the snap and looked for his main target Harrell, however the ball bounced off the net and rookie WR/DB Ryan Bowers hauled it in for his first career interception.

Indiana began their final drive on their own five. McPherson's first play was good for twelve yards to Brett Bech and Bech alertly stepped out of bounds stopping the clock with :31 second left. After an incomplete attempt to Hines on first down and another unsuccessful pass for McCullough on second down, McPherson was sacked at his own ten, setting the stage for another potential game-winning field goal attempt for Rush.

This 55-yard attempt missed to the left and Rashad Floyd returned it to the 13-yard line and got out of bounds with :07 seconds remaining. Dutton fired a strike to Harrell at midfield and gave Brenner a shot at the game-winning 40-yard field goal. However, Brenner's attempt, like Rush's, went wide left and the two teams headed to overtime knotted at 42-42.

On the third play of overtime, following two completions, a Colorado fumble gave the Firebirds the ball on their own six-yard line with a chance to end the game. McPherson began the game-winning drive with three consecutive completions of his own, moving the ball to the Crush 23. Following an Indiana offsides penalty and an incomplete pass, Hines came through again. This time the rookie caught a McPherson pass and eluded one defender, putting the 'Birds on the Colorado 3-yard line, in overtime for the win.

The Firebirds attempted three straight running plays to set Rush up for another attempt at victory and for the second week in a row Rush came through. The league's reigning Kicker of the Year came on a calmly put his 20-yard game winner through for the 'Birds fourth straight win.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS NEXT WEEK
The Firebirds hit the road next week to face the Grand Rapids Rampage (0-8) in Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday, April 17. Kickoff is set for 6:30 PM (Local Indiana Time) and can also be heard LIVE on ESPN 950 and WIJY 95.5 FM, or via the internet broadcast at www.espn950.com. The ‘Birds return home to Conseco Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 25 when they host the Arizona Rattlers in an AFL on NBC match-up beginning at 2:00 PM.


QUOTE ME
Firebirds K Clay Rush on...
Two Consecutive game-winning kicks: "Every kick is the same. I don't make anything special out of it."

Firebirds Coach Mike Wilpolt on...
Beating Mike Dailey and Colorado: "It was big not only because it was our fourth win, but we beat our former boss and some of our former players and it's getting us closer to .500. It's tough to beat them because you've coached them and coached alongside them.

Firebirds QB Adrian McPherson on...Clay Rush:: "We feel like he's the best kicker in the league. We know he's going to come through."
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)
3/14 - AUS Evan Hlavacek Adrian McPherson Bill Duff
3/20 - GEO Jarrod Penright Adrian McPherson Bill Duff
3/26 - GRA Evan Hlavacek Adrian McPherson Cecil Dogette (GRA)
4/3 – COL Kevin McKenzie (COL) Anthony Hines Rashad Floyd (COL)

FIREBIRDS AMONG 2004 LEADERS
Quarterback Rating:
QB Adrian McPherson 10th in AFL (111.6)
Rushing Yards:
QB Adrian McPherson 2nd in AFL (146 yards)
FB/LB Leroy Thompson 8th in AFL (89 yards)
Kick Return Average:
WR/DB Evan Hlavacek 17th in AFL (18.9 yards/return)
DS Anthony Derricks 13th in AFL (19.1 yards/return)
Leading Scorers (Kickers):
K Clay Rush 6th in AFL (66 points)
Touchbacks on Kickoffs:
K Clay Rush 1st in AFL (27)
Interceptions:
WR/DB Brett Bech 8th in AFL (2)
WR/DB Evan Hlavacek 8th in AFL (2)
Fumble Recoveries:
FB/LB Leroy Thompson 3rd in AFL (4)
____________________________________________
TRIPLE-THREAT HLAVACEK
WR/DB Evan Hlavacek's TD Tracker...

DOUBLE-THREAT
QB Adrian McPherson ranks second in the league in rushing, despite only seeing action in six of Indiana's games. McPherson has rushed for 146 yards and 12 touchdowns. The 20-year old rookie has also shown the ability to be a great passer completing 128 of 214 passes with 22 touchdowns and two interceptions, for 1,644 yards. Those stats are good enough to rank McPherson as the leagues 10th best passer. McPherson has had as much of an impact as any rookie in the league.

OFFENSIVE LEAGUE RANKS (OUT OF 19):
CATEGORY INDIANA CAROLINA
Yards/Game 11 16
Rushing Yards/Game 2 19
Passing yards/Game 15 12
First Downs/Game 14-T 12
3rd Down Efficiency 13 17-T
4th Down Efficiency 7 5
Kickoff Return Average 9 6
Points/Game 12 9
FG % 13-T 15
____________________________________________
READY TO RUN
While the Indiana rushing attack has become more balanced, it remains effective. QB Adrian McPherson has led the ground game with 146 yards and 12 touchdowns. Leroy Thompson is having another stellar season with 89 rushing yards. The Firebirds have added a third threat on the ground in 2004 with Jeff Cogell. Cogell has rushed for 44 yards this season. The Firebirds are currently first in the AFL in team rushing.

2004 AFL Leading Rushing Statistics
RUSHING TD'S YARDS
1. Dan Curran – NOVD 12 190
2. Adrian McPherson 12 146
3. Robert Thomas – GEO 7 138
4. Bob McMillen – CHI 9 134
8. Leroy Thompson 2 89

THOMPSON SETS RECORD, EYES ANOTHER
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. Thompson was honored for his accomplishments prior to the March 26 home game against Grand Rapids.

Firebirds All-Time Leading Rushers
RUSHING YARDS
Leroy Thompson 864
Chad Dukes 803
Rodney Smith 311
Tim Brown 245
Eddie Brown 204
Rec. TD Rush TD Return TD Total TD
5 0 3 (2FR,KO) 8
Firebirds All-Time Scoring Leaders
SCORING POINTS
Eddie Brown 2,070
Greg Hopkins 668
Fred Gayles 500
Nelson Garner 344
Leroy Thompson 338

THE STUDENT BEATS THE TEACHER
When Indiana defeated Colorado last week, Mike Wilpolt faced off against his former leader for the first time. Colorado head coach Mike Dailey spent the past 12 years in the Firebirds organization, seven as the head coach. Dailey took the Firebirds to a 1999 ArenaBowl Championship victory and posted a 63-44 record with the franchise. Dailey's special teams coach on the 1999 championship team was current Firebirds head coach Mike Wilpolt. Wilpolt spent five years as an assistant under Coach Dailey in Indiana and Albany.

INSTANT SUCCESS
Rookie quarterback Adrian McPherson has made six starts for Indiana, and has been named the offensive Player of the Game four times. McPherson has had very strong showings in those six starts with a line of (115-204, 1372 yards, 25 TDs). 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 has thrown every pass for Indiana since replacing Zimmerman in a Week three loss at Detroit.

SINGLE-GAME LEADERS
The Firebirds top the league in a few individual single-game stats:
§ Adrian McPherson' s 55 rushing yards and 11 carries in a week three loss to Detroit are both AFL season highs.
§ Adrian McPherson's 332 passing yards in a week nine victory over Colorado rank as the 8th best passing performance in the AFL this season.
§ Clay Rush's 59-yard field goal against Austin was the longest successful field goal in the AFL this season.
§ Anthony Hines 196-yard receiving game against Colorado ranks as the fourth best receiving performance this season.
§ Anthony Hines 146-yard receiving effort against Grand Rapids marked the 18th best game in terms of receiving yards, in the AFL in 2004.
§ Mike Horacek's 10-reception 144-yard effort against Detroit in week three was the 19th highest receiving yardage total in the AFL in 2004.

STARTING OVER
Despite starting the season 0-5, the Firebirds have an opportunity to get back to the break-even point with a win over Carolina. The Firebirds are the hottest team in the league and are undefeated under Coach Mike Wilpolt. Carolina also made a midseason coaching change, but are only 1-2 since John Gregory took over.

IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Indiana and Georgia made a deal before the Austin game that sent WR/DB Scotty Lindsey from Indiana back to Georgia, where he played the past two years; in exchange for WR/LB Andy McCullough. McCullough is in his third season in the league and caught 96 passes for Dallas last year. In his first action with the Firebirds, McCullough rushed for a touchdown, caught a pass, and assisted on a tackle as the Firebirds beat his former team, Georgia. Against Grand Rapids, McCullough had 6 receptions for 59 yards in a 3 point Firebirds win.

HINES HEROICS
With an injury forcing OS Mike Horacek to the bench, rookie Anthony Hines has excelled. In last week's victory over Colorado Hines recorded 13 receptions for 196 yards and three touchdowns. Just one week earlier against Grand Rapids Hines had 146 receiving yards.

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. In the first five games of the season, a Firebird was named "Ironman of the Game" only once. In four consecutive victories, Evan Hlavacek (twice) and Jarrod Penright have earned that honor for Indiana.

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:
§ One sack tie him for fourth in team history (currently has 14.0 sacks)
Head Coach Mike Wilpolt:
§ A win gives him for the best start for a Firebirds Head Coach (Currently 4-0)

DEFENSIVE LEADERS
While the offense struggled early in the season, the Indiana defense ranks with the AFL's elite. The Firebirds rank 2nd in points allowed. DS Anthony Derricks has led the unit with 53 tackles and OL/DL Ricky Hall leads the line with 14.5 tackles and a sack.

CLOSE CALLS
Indiana was able to squeak by Colorado and Grand Rapids in 45-42 games thanks to a game-winning field goals by Clay Rush. Indiana struggled in close games early in the season, falling three times by a combined total of nine points. The Firebirds previous two victories have been blowouts.

FUN FACTS
The Firebirds are the hottest team in the AFL with four consecutive victories...The Firebirds rank 3rd in the AFL in turnover differential at +9...the defense is ranked 4th in combined first downs allowed, 3rd and 4th down percentage...the Firebirds are 4th in lowest percentage of passes thrown intercepted, and 6th in highest percentage of intercepting passes defensively...Indiana is second in the league in team rushing...Indiana has not thrown an interception in their four game winning streak...Adrian McPherson has thrown the last 204 passes for Indiana, after starting the season third on the depth chart...Head Coach Mike Wilpolt could have the best start by a Firebirds head coach at 5-0 with a win against Carolina...Despite an 0-5 start the Firebirds are 1 ½ games behind New York (5-3) for the fourth and final playoff spot in the American Conference.

BIRDS OFF THE NETS
Firebirds DS and return man Anthony Derricks have put up impressive numbers. Derricks is currently 13th in the AFL in kickoff return average at 19.1 yards per return, slightly ahead of teammate Evan Hlavacek who is 17th with 18.9 yards/return. Hlavacek added a return touchdown at New Orleans, and a MFG return score at Austin. Hlavacek now has 10 career kickoff returns for touchdowns, while Derricks brings his 16 career return scores to the team for 2004.

Returns No. Yards Avg TD
1. Rashied Davis – SJS 26 753 29.0 4
2. Siaha Burley - ARI 19 449 23.6 2
3. Sedrick Robinson - CLB 26 609 23.4 2
13. Anthony Derricks – IND 21 402 19.1 0
17. Evan Hlavacek - IND 21 396 18.9 1
RISING UP THE STANDINGS
With the ‘Birds current four-game winning streak, they have moved 3.5 games ahead of Grand Rapids, and to within a ½ game of third place in the Central Division, behind Detroit. Chicago currently leads the division at 6-2, and are 2.5games ahead of Indiana.

‘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 : CAROLINA QB MATT NAGY vs. FIREBIRDS SECONDARY
The Indiana defense has kept the Firebirds in games all season. The defensive unit as a whole ranks second in the league in points allowed, and has Indiana ranking third in the league with a +9 turnover differential. Nagy is currently the 8th leading passer in the league and has been able to protect the football, allowing only four interceptions in 305 pass attempts. Carolina ranks last in the league in team rushing so for the offense to be successful Nagy must have a big game against Indiana.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
INDIANA FIREBIRDS:
QB Adrian McPherson:
20-year old rookie QB Adrian McPherson ranks 2nd in the league in rushing with 146 yards and 12 scores, he also has passed for 1,644 yards and 27 touchdowns. McPherson has thrown every pass for Indiana since replacing Tony Zimmerman in week three. McPherson has not thrown an interception during Indiana's four-game winning streak.

WR/DB Anthony Hines:
Anthony Hines has developed into one of the leagues top receiving threats in the past two weeks. Last week at Colorado, Hines recorded 13 receptions for 196 yards and three touchdowns. Against Grand Rapids, Hines had a 146-yard receiving effort.

DS Anthony Derricks:
Firebirds Defensive Specialist Anthony Derricks is out to a great start in 2004. Derricks is leading the Firebirds in tackles (52.5), including a team-high 10.5 tackles in the win at Colorado. Derricks has also been a threat on returns. A top-15 return man in the AFL, Derricks has averaged nearly 20 yards per return, ahead of teammate Evan Hlavacek.

CAROLINA COBRAS:
QB Matt Nagy:
Cobras QB Matt Nagy is the key to the Carolina offense. Nagy has completed 200 of 305 passes for over 2,000 yards. Nagy has done a pretty good job of protecting the football with 44 touchdown passes and only four interceptions. With Carolina ranking last in the league in team rushing, their offensive system relies on Nagy's arm.

OS Todd Doxzon:
Todd Doxzon ranks third in the league with 75 receptions, and fifth with 835 receiving yards. Doxzon has been the favorite target of Carolina receivers all season. Doxzon also ranks 8th in the league in leading scorers, non-kickers with 104 points scored.

DS Damon Mason:
Damon Mason currently leads Carolina with 52.5 tackles. Mason recorded three tackles last week, in Carolina's loss to new York.

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