Kansas City Brigade game notes

Published on March 28, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


AT A GLANCE
Game: Kansas City Brigade (1-8) vs. Georgia Force (5-4)
Date: Saturday, April 1, 2006
Kickoff: 7 p.m. (CST)
Site: Kemper Arena (16,200)
Officials: Referee-Bill McCabe, Umpire-Jeff Carr, Head Linesman-Julian Mapp, Line Judge-Darrell Leftwich, Back Judge-Bud McCleskey
Television: Fox Sports Net Midwest will broadcast the game live with Dave Armstrong doing the play-by-play and Jayice Pearson providing the color commentary. Danni Boatwright will patrol the sidelines
Radio: The Brigade's flagship station, 97.3 MAX FM, will broadcast the game live with Chris Gervino handling the play-by-play and Stan Weber supplying the color analysis. The station will air a half-hour pre-game show beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Series record: Georgia leads the all-time series 1-0
Last meeting: The Brigade lost 51-19 to Georgia in Atlanta
Series streaks: Georgia won the first meeting

_________________________________________________________

OVERVIEW
The Brigade returns to the friendly confines of "The Hangar" at Kemper Arena looking to rebound from its fifth-straight loss. The situation is looking up for the team after four trading deadline deals added fresh faces and attitude to the roster. Two of the new players, Cyron Brown and Gillis Wilson, made an immediate impact last week against New York, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Two other new players arrived this week and could contribute against Georgia.

The other roster changes, made in time for the game at Austin two weeks ago, installed Chris Sanders as the new starting quarterback and MacKenzie Hoambrecker as the new kicker. Both players have performed admirably, especially last week in the close loss at New York. Sanders continues to make plays with his legs as well as his arm, an added dimension to the offense that opposing teams are still learning how to scheme. Hoambrecker had provided a consistently strong leg to prevent short field against the Brigade defense and reliably on extra point attempts.

Are all of the recent changes enough to beat an up-and-down Georgia team? The Brigade will certainly have the Feb. 24 blowout in Atlanta on its mind come Saturday, but revenge alone might not carry the team. The offense must produce points early in the game and limit turnovers to maximize its possessions. The defense has to make plays in order stop Georgia at critical junctures and give its offense a short field.

THE SERIES
It was a night to forget in Atlanta in February. The Brigade could not make it two wins in a row as Georgia took a 15-point lead into the locker room. Turnovers and missed opportunities marred any chance of a second half comeback by the Brigade as the Force rolled 51-19.



UP NEXT
The Brigade takes on the high-flying Los Angeles Avengers next Sunday before the game of the year against John Elway's Colorado Crush on April 16.

THE SCHEDULES
All times CST
2006 Kansas City Brigade (1-8)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 29 at Dallas Lost 58-44
Feb. 3 at Orlando Lost 48-41
Feb. 12 AUSTIN Lost 37-33
Feb. 19 COLUMBUS Won 45-24
Feb. 24 at Georgia Lost 51-19
Mar. 5 TAMPA BAY Lost 69-59
Mar. 13 PHILADELPHIA Lost 54-24
Mar. 18 at Austin Lost 64-37
Mar. 24 at New York Lost 54-48
Date Opponent Time (CST) TV/Radio
Apr. 1 GEORGIA 7:00 p.m. FSN/97.3 FM
Apr. 9 LOS ANGELES 12:00 p.m. NBC/97.3 FM
Apr. 16 COLORADO 12:00 p.m. NBC/97.3 FM
Apr. 21 at Nashville 7:00 p.m. MS, WB62/97.3 FM
Apr. 29 at Tampa Bay 6:30 p.m. MS, WB62/97.3 FM
May 6 ORLANDO 7:00 p.m. FSN/97.3 FM
May 12 at Utah 8:00 p.m. MS, WB62/97.3 FM

2006 Georgia Force (5-4)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 28 ORLANDO Won 48-33
Feb. 5 COLORADO Lost 61-59
Feb. 10 at Tampa Bay Lost 61-60
Feb. 17 at Las Vegas Won 54-34
Feb. 24 KANSAS CITY Won 51-19
Mar. 4 AUSTIN Lost 53-52
Mar. 10 at Columbus Won 68-50
Mar. 17 at San Jose Lost 56-55
Mar. 26 TAMPA BAY Won 61-51
Date Opponent Time (CST) TV/Radio
Apr. 1 at Kansas City 7:00 p.m. FSN
Apr. 9 at Austin 3:00 p.m.
Apr. 14 at Orlando 6:30 p.m. FSN
Apr. 22 DALLAS 6:30 p.m.
Apr. 29 CHICAGO 6:00 p.m.
May 6 at New York 6:00 p.m.
May 13 PHILADELPHIA 6:00 p.m.


2006 STANDINGS
This season the playoffs will be separated into conferences with division winners receiving first round byes. The next four teams with the best records within each conference qualify for the postseason

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Southern Division
Team W L Pct. PF PA
Austin 6 3 .666 468 415
Georgia 5 4 .555 508 416
Orlando 5 4 .555 453 459
Tampa Bay 5 4 .555 483 498
Kansas City 1 8 .111 350 459

Eastern Division
Team W L Pct. PF PA
Dallas 7 2 .777 531 433
Columbus 5 4 .555 417 369
New York 5 4 .555 488 524
Philadelphia 5 4 .555 423 416

AMERICAN CONFERNCE
Central Division
Team W L Pct. PF PA
Colorado 6 3 .666 468 487
Nashville 6 3 .666 452 387
Chicago 4 5 .444 460 465
Grand Rapids 3 6 .333 434 476

Western Division
Team W L Pct. PF PA
Arizona 5 4 .555 402 415
Las Vegas 4 5 .444 449 470
Los Angeles 3 6 .333 440 512
San Jose 3 6 .333 471 500
Utah 3 6 .333 497 493

WEEK 8 SCHEDULE (all times CST)

Friday, March 31
Austin at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Saturday, April 1
Georgia at Kansas City, 7 p.m.
Grand Rapids at New York, 6 p.m.
Utah at Tampa Bay, 6:30 p.m.
Columbus at Dallas, 7 p.m.
Nashville at Colorado, 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 2
Chicago at Orlando, 11 a.m.
Los Angeles at Las Vegas, 5 p.m.
Arizona at San Jose, 5 p.m.

THE COACHES
Kansas City-Kevin Porter, first year
1-8 overall
Kevin Porter comes to the Brigade as its first head coach with a reputation as one of the AFL's finest young defensive minds. In his first season as the defensive coordinator with New Orleans in 2004, the VooDoo finished second in the league in scoring defense, surrendering only 721 points, sixth in rushing defense and fourth in passing defense.

Porter's previous head coaching experience was in arenafootball2 with the Macon Knights and Pensacola Barracudas. He is the winningest coach in af2 history with a 45-27 record and he led his teams to the playoffs every year, including a trip to the 2003 ArenaCup with Macon. Porter started his coaching career as the defensive backs coach of the Orlando Predators in 1999.

Porter was a third round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1988 NFL Draft and played five years at strong safety, the last two with the New York Jets. He recorded 290 tackles, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Porter was an honorable mention All-America as a senior cornerback at Auburn.

Georgia-Doug Plank, second year
18-10 overall
In his first season as an AFL head coach, Doug Plank led the Force on a magical ride to ArenaBowl XIX. He was voted 2005 AFL Coach of the Year thanks to the unprecedented success of the team. Plank led the Force to a league best 11-5 regular season record and a 13-6 record overall.

Plank has coached in four straight ArenaBowls. He helped lead the Arizona Rattlers to the three previous ArenaBowls as their defensive coordinator. In his final season with the Rattlers the team finished with an 11-5 record and earned the top seed in the AFL playoffs.
A former member of The Ohio State University football team, Plank played in three consecutive Rose Bowls from 1973-75 for legendary coach Woody Hayes.

He brings with him a wealth of football experience that includes an impressive career in the NFL. Plank was drafted in the 12th round of the 1975 NFL Entry Draft by the Chicago Bears and started at safety for eight seasons. The "46 Defense" created by Buddy Ryan was named for his jersey number and aggressive style of play. Plank was also the first Bears rookie to ever lead the team in tackles.

LOCAL ANGLE
The Brigade and Georgia swapped linemen before the trade deadline and now face each other only a week later. How will Gillis Wilson and Abdul-Salam Noah respond to the opportunity to battle their former teammates?

STATISTICAL COMPARISON
A look at the offensive and defensive league rankings of the Brigade and the Force:
Brigade Offensive Category Force
10 (282.4) Total Offense 12 (275.7)
16 (5.5) Yards/play 2 (7.0)
9 (17.7) Rushing offense 10 (15.6)
8 (264.8) Passing offense 11 (260.1)
5 (21.0) First downs/game 14 (18.3)
16 (37.5% made) Third down efficiency 1 (65.3% made)
15 (35.7% made) Fourth down efficiency 17 (30.0% made)
15t (37.5% made) Field goal percentage 10 (50.0% made)
16t (15.5) Kickoff return average 8 (17.4)
15 (4.5%) Pct. of INT/attempt 3 (2.0%)
8 (2.32) Sacked/100 pass plays 6 (1.64)
15 (8.3) Penalties/game 13 (7.8)
18 (38.9) Points/game 2 (56.4)

Brigade Defensive Category Force
1 (252.1) Total defense 15 (299.7)
3 (5.7) Yards/play 4 (5.9)
16 (25.3) Rushing defense 10 (20.4)
1 (226.8) Passing defense 13 (279.2)
17 (1.7%) Pct. of INT/attempt 16 (2.2%)
10 (2.67) Sacks/100 pass plays 5 (3.69)
9 (19.6) First downs/game 17 (21.4)
13 (50.0%) Third down efficiency 1 (40.5%)
10 (50.0%) Fourth down efficiency 1t (33.3%)
9 (17.2) Kick return average 1 (14.3)
Brigade Defensive Category Force
14 (58.8%) Field goal percentage 9 (50.0%)
1 (8.9) Penalties/game 18 (5.2)
8 (51.0) Points/game 5 (46.2)

ROSTER MOVES
The Brigade's updated roster information for Week 10:
Acquisition Date
OL/DL Bryan Henderson and WR/LB Rob Johnson activated from Refused to Report 3/25
WR/LB John Booth signed from Practice Squad 3/23
FB/LB Jeremy Beutler, WR/LB Tremaine Neal, DS Alvin Porter activated from Injured Reserve 3/23
OL/DL Bryan Henderson and WR/LB Rob Johnson placed on Refused to Report 3/23

INJURY REPORT
The Brigade's updated injury information for Week 10:
Player Injury Status
DS Denario Smalls Elbow Probable
WR/DB Calvin Spears Hamstring Probable
FB/LB Jeremy Beutler Shoulder Probable
DS Alvin Porter Elbow Probable
WR/LB Tremaine Neal Knee Probable
OS Sam Simmons Lumbar IR-Apr. 1
OL/DL Michael Landry Ankle IR-Apr. 1
FB/LB Chris Morant Shoulder IR-Apr. 9
FB/LB Dawan Moss IR-Apr. 9
OS Jacques Rumph IR-Apr. 9
DS Cliff Green Achilles IR-out for season
WR/LB Nathan Black Knee IR-out for season

PLAYER POINTS
- Local favorite John Booth made a standout professional debut against New York last week. He caught only four passes but two went for touchdowns, including a 39-yard touchdown, the longest pass of the game.

- Chris Sanders had a second-straight productive game last week against New York. He accounted for all seven Brigade touchdowns-five passing and two rushing. Sanders is already second on the team in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

- New kicker MacKenzie Hoambrecker is becoming a household name thanks to his consistency on extra points. He missed only one attempt against New York after being perfect the previous week.

- Jerel Myers ranks 13th in the league with 69 receptions.

- Dawan Moss is sixth in the league with 81 rushing yards.

- Denario Smalls is ninth in the league in solo tackles (47) and eighth in total tackles (53.5).

- Last week proved once again that the Brigade is a second-half team, particularly. New York was held to 58 total yards and 19 points in the final 30 minutes of play and the Brigade racked up 227 yards and 35 points. The second-half point total is the most all season.

- Last week saw a turnover in the roster as the Brigade coaching staff is gave a lot of players opportunities to prove themselves. Eight players who have appeared in two games or less this season, including Tremaine Neal and Alvin Porter, saw action against New York.

- Five players recorded at least three receptions last week.

- The Brigade's 48 points against New York is its second-highest total this season.

- Four sacks by the defense last week is the most all season. Two was the previous single-game high and the team had only four individual sacks going into the game against New York.

- The defense held New York to just 35 kickoff return yards.

BRIGADE HONORS
Players who have received a player of the game honor this season:
Offensive Player of the Game Stats
Andy Kelly, Week 2 vs. Orlando 33-56, 353 yds, 6 TDs
Jerel Myers, Week 3 vs. Austin 10 rec., 116 yds, 2 TDs
Jerel Myers, Week 4 vs. Columbus 5 rec. 71 yds, 1 TD
Steve Smith, Week 6 vs. Tampa Bay 11 rec., 124 yds, 4 TDs

ADT Defensive Player of the Game Stats
Denario Smalls, Week 4 vs. CLB 6 tkls (5 solo), four pass def., 1 forced fum., 1 fum. recovery, 2 int. (1 ret. 39 yards for TD)
Chris Pointer, Week 6 vs. TB 3.5 tkls (3 solo)

U.S. Army Ironman of the Game Stats
Jacques Rumph, Week 4 vs. CLB 5 rec. for 46 yds, 1 rush for 1 yd, 4 tkls (3 solo)
James Jordan, Week 8 at Austin 5 rec, 101 yds, 2 TD3 tkls (3 solo)

WHEN STATS
The Brigade's record when this occurs:
When Record
At Kemper Arena 1-3
On the road 0-5
Scores more than 40 points 1-4
Scores less than 40 points 0-4
Allows more than 40 points 0-7
Allows less than 40 points 1-1
Scores first 1-0
Opponent scores first 0-8
Commits fewer turnovers 1-1
Commits more turnovers 0-7
Leads at halftime 1-0
Trails at halftime 0-8
Commits fewer penalties 1-4
Commits more penalties 0-4
Game decided by 7 points or less 0-3
Game decided by more than 7 points 1-5

SKY HIGH
The Brigade's individual season highs through Week 9:
High No. Player
Completions 33 Kelly, Week 2 at Orlando
Attempts 56 Kelly, Week 2 at Orlando
Passing yards 353 Kelly, Week 2 at Orlando
TD passes 6 Kelly, Week 2 at Orlando & Week 7 vs. TB
Long pass 48t Kelly, Week 5 at Georgia
Receptions 12 Myers, Week 5 at Georgia
Receiving yards 124 Smith, Week 7 vs. Tampa Bay
TD catches 4 Smith, Week 7 vs. Tampa Bay
Long reception 48t Smith, Week 5 at Georgia
Rushing att. 9 Sanders, Week 8 at Austin
Rushing yards 34 Moss, Week 3 vs. Austin
Rushing TDs 2 Moss, Week 7 vs. Tampa BaySanders, Week 9 at New York
Long rush 19 Moss, Week 3 vs. Austin
Long kick return 46 Smith, Week 8 at Austin
High No. Player
All-purpose yds 309 Smith, Week 7 vs. Tampa Bay
Tackles 10 Smalls, Week 3 vs. Austin
Tackles for loss 2.0 Beutler, Week 9 at New York
Interceptions 2 Smalls, Week 4 vs. Columbus
Forced fumbles 1 Seven times, most recently Beutler & Cohen, Week 9 at New York
Fumble return 1 Nine times, most recently Hamilton & Rasmussen Week 8 vs. Philadelphia
Field goals 4 Seder, Week 4 vs. Columbus
Long field goal 43 Seder, Week 1 at Dallas

The Brigade's team season highs through Week 9:
High No. Game
Points 59 Week 7 vs. TB
Offensive touchdowns 8 (6 pass, 2 rush) Week 7 vs. TB
Total offense 368 Week 2 at Orlando
Total plays 59 Week 2 at Orlando
First downs 25 Week 1 at Dallas
Time of possession 34:04 Week 5 at Georgia
Rushes 11 Week 4 vs. ColumbusWeek 8 at Austin
Rushing yards 29 Week 3 vs. Austin
Defensive touchdowns 1 Week 4 vs. Columbus
Tackles 39 Week 8 at Austin
Tackles for loss 5 Week 9 at New York
Sacks 4 Week 9 at New York
Interceptions 2 Week 2 at OrlandoWeek 4 vs. Columbus
High No. Game
Forced fumbles 2 Week 2 at OrlandoWeek 4 vs. ColumbusWeek 9 at New York
Fumble recoveries 3 Week 4 vs. Columbus
Special teams touchdowns 1 (net recovery) Week 4 vs. ColumbusWeek 7 vs. TB
Penalties 14 Week 8 vs. PHI
Largest Lead 21 Week 4 vs. Columbus
Largest Deficit 42 Week 7 vs. PHI

TEAM FIRSTS
The Brigade has recorded a number of firsts in its inaugural season:
First Play
Completion, Week 1 vs. Dallas Kelly to Myers for five yards
First down, Week 1 vs. Dallas Kelly to Myers for nine yards
Rushing TD, Week 1 vs. Dallas Moss for one yard
Passing TD, Week 1 vs. Dallas Kelly to Myers for 20 yards
Field goal, Week 1 vs. Dallas Seder from 43 yards
Tackle, Week 1 vs. Dallas Pointer
Forced fumble, Week 1 vs. Dallas Noah
Fumble recovery, Week 1 vs. Dallas Moss
Fum. ret. for TD, Week 4 vs. CLB Coleman
Interception, Week 1 vs. Dallas Spears
Int. ret. for TD, Week 4 vs. CLB Smalls
Safety, Week 5 at Georgia Hamilton
Lead, Week 2 vs. Orlando 14-10 in second quarter
50 point game, Week 6 vs. TB 59 total points

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 28, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central