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Indiana Firebirds game notes

April 13, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Indiana Firebirds (5-5)
at Grand Rapids Rampage (1-8)
Date: April 17, 2004
Kickoff: 6:30 pm (Central Time)
Site: Van Andel Arena (10,594)
Officials: Referee: Pat Garvey; Umpire: Paul King;
Head Linesman: Bill Ward; Line Judge: James Mello;
Back Judge: Greg Steed
Series Record: Indiana Leads 5-4
Last Meeting: The Firebirds defeated the Rampage 45-42 in Conseco Fieldhouse on March 26th. Firebirds K Clay Rush converted a game-winning field goal with :02 seconds remaining.
Coaches: Mike Wilpolt (1st Season, 5-0)
Bob Cortese (3rd Season 14-25, 1st with Rampage 1-8)
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 65-31 throttling of Carolina, the Firebirds won their fifth consecutive game under new coach Mike Wilpolt, and returned to the .500-mark on the season. Firebirds QB Adrian McPherson racked up a perfect quarterback rating in the Carolina win. McPherson completed his first 11 passes and finished the day 13 of 15 for 194 yards and five touchdowns. While all aspects of Indiana's game have improved, McPherson has played a major role in the Firebirds 5-game winning streak, passing for 21 touchdowns with no interceptions, and rushing for 9 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 number one in the league in scoring (42.0 ppg). 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 (5 receptions for 42 yards and 1 touchdown 4/11 vs. Carolina). Leroy Thompson (91 yards, 3TD) once again guides the Indiana ground game, but has received help from McPherson (137 yds, 13 TD) in moving the ball on the ground. Jordan Younger's 5.5 tackles and 20 yard interception return, along with two Mike Sutton sacks, led the defensive unit against Carolina.
THE RAMPAGE:
The Grand Rapids Rampage is coming off a victory for the first time in 2004. The Rampage was the last AFL team to earn a victory after starting the season 0-8. While the Rampage have struggled, their play has improved in recent weeks with close loses to the Firebirds and Arizona, before beating geographical rival Detroit on the road. Explosive rookie Michael Bishop saw action at the quarterback position during last weekend's victory over Detroit. Bishop and QB Anthony Buich teamed up for 16 complete passes and four touchdown passes. Chris Avery also provided a ground threat rushing five times for 47 yards and two touchdowns.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS (5-5)
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 W65-31 5-5
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

GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE (1-8)
Date Opponent Time Result Record
2/8 At Chicago 3:00 L50-30 0-1
2/14 COLORADO 12:00 L55-37 0-2
2/22 LOS VEGAS 3:00 L51-14 0-3
2/28 At San Jose 10:30 L62-31 0-4
3/6 At Dallas 8:30 L66-50 0-5
3/14 LOS ANGELES 12:00 L48-33 0-6
3/26 At Indiana 7:30 L45-42 0-7
4/4 ARIZONA 3:00 L51-41 0-8
4/10 At Detroit 7:30 W49-45 1-8
4/17 INDIANA 6:30
4/23 At Colorado 8:00
5/1 AUSTIN 6:30
5/8 CHICAGO 6:30
5/14 At Columbus 6:00
5/23 At Carolina 6:30
5/29 DETROIT 6:30
* Times are Indiana Time

COACHES:
Mike Wilpolt (5-0, 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 - 5-0
Steve DeBerg 2004 0-5
Mike Dailey 1997-2003 63-44
Mike Hohensee 1994-1996 30-14
Rick Buffington 1990-1993 19-24

Bob Cortese (14-25, 3rd Year, 1-8 with Rampage): Bob Cortese is in his first season as the Grand Rapids head coach. Cortese has spent 6 years in arena football prior to 2004, including a head coaching stint with the Oklahoma Wranglers in 2000-2001, compiling a 13-16 record. Cortese also served as the offensive coordinator in 1998-1999 for the Portland Forest Dragons. In his most recent coaching stint Cortese was 4-2 with the Wichita Stealth before resigning due to personal reasons in 2003. Cortese spent 11 years coaching high school football in Colorado (1968-1979), and coached at Mesa State University in Kansas from 1980-1989.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS INJURY REPORT:
Player Pos Injury Status
Doug Lytle OL/DL Knee Doubtful
Mike Horacek OS Knee Doubtful
Kevin Daft QB Neck Doubtful
Kerry Brown WR/LB Thumb Doubtful

____________________________________________
THE IF'S:
If INDIANA beats Grand Rapids it would...
 Extend Indiana's longest-ever regular season winning streak to six games
 Give the Firebirds their third consecutive road win
 Give the Firebirds the longest winning streak in the AFL this season
 Sweep the season series from Grand Rapids
 Keep Coach Wilpolt undefeated as Firebirds head coach
If GRAND RAPIDS beats Indiana it would...
 Be the second consecutive win for Grand Rapids
 Be Grand Rapids first home win of 2004
 Even the season series with Indiana

THE SERIES:
This is the tenth meeting between the Firebirds and Rampage. With a 45-42 victory earlier this season, the Firebirds took a 5-4 series advantage over Grand Rapids.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE FOR April 13th THROUGH April 17th
Start End
Tue. April 13, 2004 11:00am 1:00pm

Wed. April 14, 2004 11:00am 1:00pm

Thurs. April 15, 2004 9:00am 11:00am

Fri. April 16, 2004 TRAVEL TO GRAND RAPIDS

Sat. April 17, 2004 6:30pm 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...............................................3-2
On the Road..........................................2-3
Vs. National Conference..........................4-4
Vs. American Conference........................1-1
Vs. Southern Division.............................2-2
Vs. Eastern Division...............................2-1
Vs. Western Division..............................0-0
Vs. Central Division...............................1-2
Score First............................................1-2
Lead After 1st Quarter.............................2-0
Trail After 1st Quarter.............................3-4
Lead After 2nd Quarter............................3-2
Trail After2nd Quarter............................2-3
Lead After 3rd Quarter............................3-2
Trail After 3rd Quarter............................2-3
Overtime Games....................................1-0
On NBC...............................................0-2
Win Turnover Battle...............................5-2
Lose Turnover Battle..............................0-3
Score Over 50 Points..............................3-0
Score Over 60 Points.............................3-0
Allow Under 40 Points...........................2-1
Allow Under 30 Points...........................0-0


Firebirds Dominate Cobras for Fifth Straight
Adrian McPherson didn't throw an incompletion until there was one minute left in the third quarter, completing his first 11 passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns en route to a perfect 158.3 quarterback rating, leading the Firebirds in a 65-31 romp over the Carolina Cobras.

While the offense led the way to victory, it was the defense that stood tall early on. After the teams traded touchdowns in the first quarter, Jordan Younger (ADT Co-Defensive Player of the Game) picked off a Matt Nagy pass intended for Todd Doxzon and returned it to the Carolina 24. Three plays later, McPherson (Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game) found Andy McCullough who made a spectacular diving catch in the front of the end zone to give the Birds their first lead at 14-7.

Indiana's defense stood tall on the ensuing drive, forcing Carolina to attempt a 49-yard field goal which kicker Rob Bironas missed wide right. Evan Hlavacek (U.S. Army Ironman of the Game) returned the kick 23 yards to the Firebird 20. From there, Leroy Thompson took over. Thompson, who is not normally known for his pass catching abilities, took a shovel pass from McPherson and rumbled 18 yards through the defense to the Carolina 18. Following a 16-yard completion from McPherson to Brett Bech (3 catches, 54 yards, 2 TDs), Thompson thundered in from one yard out to give Indiana a commanding 21-7 lead.

Carolina's offense finally broke through on the following drive, as two plays later Nagy found Todd Doxzon (7 catches, 111 yards, 1 TD) streaking down the center of the field for a 41-yard touchdown completion. However, Carolina's momentum was short lived. Bironas sent the ensuing kickoff out of bounds for a touchback, and one play later McPherson hooked up with Hlavacek, who found himself wide open on the right side of the field for a 45-yard touchdown to swing the momentum back in Indiana's direction.

Three plays later, Nagy found Doxzon in the open field, however Ryan Bowers stripped the ball loose and Hans Olsen pounced on it. Three plays later, McPherson snuck into the end zone behind a solid block from center Chris Janek to give the Birds a commanding 34-14 lead.

Carolina got the ball one last time at the end of the second quarter, however they failed to advance the ball past the Firebird 14, settling for a 30-yard field goal from Bironas to get within 17.

That was as close as they would get however. Hlavacek took the second half opening kickoff 57 yards, dodging both Carolina defenders and the sideboards for his second kickoff return touchdown of the season. It was all downhill from there for Indiana, as they proceeded to outscore Carolina 24-14 the rest of the way.

Clay Rush had yet another solid game, converting 8-of-9 extra point attempts and drilling a 57-yard field goal midway through the third quarter to help keep the momentum on Indiana's side. Rush has converted both of his field goal attempts from 55+ yards, having converted a 59-yarder earlier in the season at Austin.

Cobras QB Matt Nagy was solid in the loss, completing 26-of-43 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns while completing at least one pass to eight different receivers. He spent most of the game on the run however, as the Indiana defensive line broke through for three sacks, two of which were made by Mike Sutton (ADT Co-Defensive Player of the Game).

The win marks Mike Wilpolt's fifth consecutive victory, setting the record for best start by a head coach in Firebirds history. It also marks the sixth time the Cobras have lost in their last seven games and their third consecutive loss.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS NEXT WEEK
The Firebirds will return to Conseco Fieldhouse to battle the Arizona Rattlers on NBC. The game features a showdown of two teams fighting for one of the final playoff spots. Kickoff is set for 2:00PM (local Indiana time).

QUOTE ME

Firebirds FB/LB Leroy Thompson on...
Getting back in the playoff picture: "It's sweet, but our mind-set is to continue what we're doing and let other teams maybe fall by the wayside and start to get some things even."

Firebirds WR/DB Evan Hlavacek on...
His Teammates: "We're getting confident. We're going out there knowing we should win games. We have the athletes. We have the talent."

Firebirds QB Adrian McPherson on...
The Carolina Secondary: "The biggest surprise to me is that they played man to man across the board. I think that was disrespect to our receivers because we have a great corps of receivers. My receivers just took advantage of the situation and made some big plays."
FIREBIRDS AMONG 2004 LEADERS
Quarterback Rating:
QB Adrian McPherson 6th in AFL (118.1)
Rushing Yards:
QB Adrian McPherson 5th in AFL (137 yards)
FB/LB Leroy Thompson 10th in AFL (91 yards)
Kick Return Average:
WR/DB Evan Hlavacek 8th in AFL (20.6 yards/return)
DS Anthony Derricks 14th in AFL (19.0 yards/return)
Leading Scorers (Kickers):
K Clay Rush 6th in AFL (77 points)
Touchbacks on Kickoffs:
K Clay Rush 1st in AFL (30)
Interceptions:
WR/DB Brett Bech 8th in AFL (2)
WR/DB Evan Hlavacek 8th in AFL (2)
Sacks:
OL/DL Mike Sutton 7th in AFL (3)
Fumble Recoveries:
FB/LB Leroy Thompson 3rd in AFL (4)
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)
4/11 - CAR Evan Hlavacek Adrian McPherson Jordan Younger and Mike Sutton
____________________________________________
Rec. TD Rush TD Return TD Total TD
6 0 4 (2FR, 2KO) 10
TRIPLE-THREAT HLAVACEK
WR/DB Evan Hlavacek's TD Tracker...


OFFENSIVE LEAGUE RANKS (OUT OF 19):
CATEGORY INDIANA GRAND RAPIDS
Yards/Game 12 19
Rushing Yards/Game 2 11
Passing yards/Game 17 18
First Downs/Game 16 19
3rd Down Efficiency 12 11
4th Down Efficiency 5 15
Kickoff Return Average 6 2
Points/Game 9 19
FG % 11-T 17

DOUBLE-THREAT
QB Adrian McPherson ranks fifth in the league in rushing, despite only seeing action in seven of Indiana's games. McPherson has rushed for 137 yards and 12 touchdowns. The 20-year old rookie has also shown the ability to be a great passer completing 141 of 229 passes with 27 touchdowns and two interceptions, for 1,838 yards. Those stats are good enough to rank McPherson as the leagues 6th best passer. McPherson recorded a perfect QB rating of 158.3 in the win over Carolina.

READY TO RUN
While the Indiana rushing attack has become more balanced, it remains effective. QB Adrian McPherson has led the ground game with 137 yards and 13 touchdowns. Leroy Thompson is having another stellar season with 91 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 13 194
2. Bob McMillen – CHI 12 150
3. Moye-Moore- ORL 6 144
4. Robert Thomas – GEO 7 139
5. Adrian McPherson 13 137

A GREAT FIREBIRD
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 a touchdown against Carolina, Thompson moved into 4th 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 866
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
Leroy Thompson 344
Nelson Garner 344

THE STUDENT BEATS THE TEACHER
When Indiana Defeated Colorado, 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 seven starts for Indiana, and has been named the offensive Player of the Game five times. McPherson has had very strong showings in those seven starts with a line of (128-219, 1566 yards, 30 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 not thrown an interception during the Firebirds five-game winning streak.

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. Rush also converted a 57-yard field goal in week ten.
 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 reached 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. With a win at Grand Rapids Indiana would own the longest winning streak of the season in the AFL.

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 three games since the injury Hines has recorded 26 receptions for 398 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 five consecutive victories, Evan Hlavacek (three times) and Jarrod Penright (once) 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:
 Three sacks tie him for fourth in team history (currently has 12.0 sacks)
OL/DL Chris Snyder:
 One-half sack tie him for fourth in team history (currently has 14.5 sacks)
Head Coach Mike Wilpolt:
 A win extends his best start by a Firebirds coach ever, to 6-0

DEFENSIVE LEADERS
While the offense struggled early in the season, the Indiana defense ranks with the AFL's elite. The Firebirds rank 1st 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 five consecutive victories...A win this week gives Indiana the longest winning-streak in the AFL this season...Indiana is enjoying their longest regular season winning-streak in franchise history...The Firebirds rank 1st in the AFL in turnover differential at +12...the defense is ranked 6th in combined first downs allowed, 3rd and 4th down percentage...the Firebirds are 4th in lowest percentage of passes thrown intercepted, and 5th in highest percentage of intercepting passes defensively...Indiana ranks 12th in total offense and 13th in total defense...The Firebirds have the #1 scoring defense in the league...Indiana is second in the league in team rushing...Indiana has not thrown an interception in their four game winning streak...Adrian McPherson has not thrown an interception during the Firebirds 5-game winning streak, a streak that spans 142 pass plays...Head Coach Mike Wilpolt has the best start by a Firebirds head coach at 5-0...Despite an 0-5 start the Firebirds are one-half game behind New York and Los Angeles for the final AFL playoff spot.

MR. PERFECT
Adrian McPherson has not only been the perfect man to lead the Firebirds offense, but he recorded a perfect quarterback rating last week. McPherson earned the coveted 158.3 rating by completing 13 of 15 passes for 194 yards, 5 touchdowns and no interceptions. McPherson completed his first 11 pass attempts.

BIRDS OFF THE NETS
Firebirds DS and return man Anthony Derricks have put up impressive numbers. Derricks is currently 14th in the AFL in kickoff return average at 19.0 yards per return, slightly behind teammate Evan Hlavacek who is 8th with 20.6 yards/return. Hlavacek added a return touchdown at New Orleans and against Carolina, and a MFG return score at Austin. Hlavacek now has 11 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 33 892 27.0 4
2. Corey Johnson - NYD 19 445 23.4 2
3. Siaha Burley - ARI 22 513 23.3 2
8. Evan Hlavacek – IND 23 474 20.6 2
17. Evan Hlavacek - IND 22 419 19.9 0
RISING UP THE STANDINGS
With the ‘Birds current five-game winning streak, they have moved into third place in the Central Division, ahead of Detroit. Chicago currently leads the division at 7-2, 2.5 games ahead of Indiana. The Birds currently stand one game out of the playoff picture behind New York and Los Angeles.

‘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 : OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE LINE BATTLE
In a game that features two of the most promising quarterbacks the AFL has seen in years, in Adrian McPherson and Michael Bishop, the line may decide the winner. McPherson has received great protection during the Firebirds 5-game winning streak and has responded with 21 touchdown passes and no interceptions. Conversely, the Firebirds defensive line has been pressuring quarterbacks and forcing interceptions, during that streak. Grand Rapids will have to give Bishop and Anthony Buich time to throw the ball, or Indiana will once again win the turnover battle.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
INDIANA FIREBIRDS:
QB Adrian McPherson:
20-year old rookie QB Adrian McPherson ranks 5th in the league in rushing with 137 yards and 13 scores, he also has passed for 1,838 yards and 32 touchdowns. McPherson recorded a perfect QB rating in the 4/11 win over Carolina.

WR/DB Anthony Hines:
Anthony Hines has developed into one of the leagues top receiving threats in the past two weeks. At Colorado, Hines recorded 13 receptions for 196 yards and three touchdowns. Against Grand Rapids, Hines had a 146-yard receiving effort. Hines added a 56-yard receiving effort in last week's win.

WR/DBEvan Hlavacek:
Evan Hlavacek has been a true Ironman for Indiana in their return to glory. Hlavacek has been named as the Ironman of the game three times in Indiana's five-game winning streak. In last week's victory Hlavacek caught a touchdown pass, returned a kickoff for a touchdown, and made five tackles.






GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE:
FB/LB Chris Avery:
Chris Avery ranks 7th in the AFL in rushing yards with 98. Avery added a five-carry 47-yard outing in last week's victory over Detroit. Avery has scored three rushing touchdowns in 2004.

QB Michael Bishop:
Michael Bishop has seen action in the Rampage's past two games. The top prospect out of Kansas State University has completed 21 of 38 passes for 276 yards and 7 touchdowns.

OD Steve Smith:
Smith leads the Rampage with 38 receptions for 445 yards. Smith also has averaged 23.0 yards per return on 46 kickoff returns.

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