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Kansas City Brigade Weekly

April 19, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


The Brigade hits the road after a 1-2 home stand that produced the team's second win of the year. The stay in "The Hangar" also helped the Brigade find some confidence as all of the midseason additions made an impact in a blowout win and two narrow defeats. Kansas City will need its recent boost of confidence as this week is especially trying. The team's normal preparation schedule has been up in the air because the game against Nashville, originally scheduled for Friday, was on Tuesday night changed to Saturday to accommodate the NHL playoffs schedule of the Nashville Predators.

The two best defenses in the league (ranked #1 and #2 in yards per game) will square off this week in what is sure to be a tightly-contested affair. The Brigade offense must be efficient and not turn the ball over in order to maximize its possessions. Chris Sanders, Aaron Boone, Jerel Myers and the rest have been on a tear of late and must continue to produce to take the pressure of the Brigade defense. Kansas City's line is developing into one of the best in the league but the offensive line will be tested by a Kats unit with the most sacks in the league. Sanders has the ability to scramble away from that kind of pressure, but he must maintain his composure and decide whether running or passing is the smartest decision.

The Brigade defense will have to be stout against a Kats offense that runs the ball better than just about any team in the league. While Kansas City's defensive line has proven it can get pressure on the quarterback, it will be the line's ability to hold its gaps and stop the run that will determine the Brigade's success. If the Kats are forced to pass, the secondary will have opportunities to make plays. Nashville quarterback Clint Stoerner has battled injuries and is capable of a big game, but he has been prone to interceptions this season.

The game's x-factor could be the Brigade's kickoff return unit. It has been resurgent of late with the addition of rookie Sam Simmons from Schlagle High School as the deep man. Simmons nearly broke a return on more than one occasion last week and providing a short field for the offense is a key to scoring on every possession.

NEWS, NOTES, AND LEAGUE RANKINGS

- Aaron Boone has captured the hearts of Kansas City fans with an outstanding three-game stretch. "AirBoone" has recorded at least 10 receptions, 100 yards and two touchdowns in his first action in front of the home crowd.

- Chris Sanders used his legs and arm once again last week to have a part in every Brigade touchdown. He recorded a rushing touchdown for the fifth straight game and now has nine on the season, which is top-five among AFL quarterbacks.

- Jerel Myers is now seventh in the league with 92 receptions. With a nifty touchdown reception against Colorado, he has scored one in 10 of the Brigade's 12 games. Among rookies Myers is first in receptions, third in yards and fifth in touchdowns.

- Myers also has the distinction of completing the team's first two-point conversion of the season last week. The Brigade was previously 0-5 on two-point attempts.

- The Brigade averaged an even 24 yards on five returns against Colorado, its highest of the season and the second game with an average over 20 yards.

- On the season the Brigade has more total yards, first downs and time possession than its opponents. The team has also outscored its opponents by 19 points in the fourth quarter this season.

- The Brigade was a perfect six-for-six on third downs, the first time the team has converted every attempt in a game this season. The previous best was two-for-three against Los Angeles in Week 11.

- Kansas City was down 25 points in the final quarter and clawed back to make it a one-score game. It was the third time in the last four games that the Brigade has come back to get within a score before losing.

- Kansas City was on national television for the first and only time this season. The broadcast on NBC was shown nationwide as the only AFL game on network television.

- NBC provided a nice diversion from the action on Sunday with a bit about the team's recent charitable work. Viewers got to see footage of players building a house for Habitat for Humanity, a project in which over 20 players dedicated an entire afternoon of their day off. Also shown was Neil Smith and some players' involvement with Operation Breakthrough, a center that helps children in poverty develop to their fullest potential in a safe, loving and education environment.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

- The Greater Kansas City chapter of the Dream Factory, a nationwide volunteer non-profit that makes dreams come true for children with life-altering illnesses, participated in a halftime presentation last week. James Wood, who suffers from a rare form of cancer called Birkets Lymphonia, received his wish, a Nintendo Game Cube, but also got a 23" LCD TV and assorted video games from Neil Smith. A child with Cerebral Palsy received a hot tub to continue therapy sessions. A group of five high school seniors with debilitating ailments will get to go to their prom thanks to Helping Hands Network. A girl who wanted a bike received a coupon for one.

- In conjunction with the Brigade, the American Red Cross will sponsor a blood drive this Monday, April 24. The Red Cross will raffle off tickets for the home finale on May 6 against the Orlando Predators to anyone who donates. Players and cheerleaders will be there to sign autographs.

- Chris Morant, Calvin Spears, and Denario Smalls appeared at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum on April 17 for "Reading around the Bases," a program for school groups.

- The Kansas City Brigade has implemented a brand new program called "Reading for the Future," which requires students to read for 15 minutes four nights a week, and a parent or guardian must sign off each day's entry. If 14 nights of reading is completed, each student will receive a single ticket to the Kansas City Brigade's last regular season home game on Saturday, May 6. If 20 nights of reading is accomplished, the student and a parent or guardian will each receive a ticket.

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