Louisville Fire game notes

Published on August 3, 2005 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Louisville Fire News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Louisville Fire (11-5) vs.
Macon Knights (8-8)
Date: Saturday, August 6, 2005
Kickoff: 7:30 P.M. ET
Site: Macon Coliseum
Radio: 1080-AM WKJK, Paul Wilman
Series Record: Fire 1-0
Streaks: Fire Won 5; Knights Lost 1
Coach: Tommy Johnson - Fire (25-23; 1-1 playoffs, Third
Season)


THE STAKES: The Fire won five straight to close out the regular season and is looking to keep that going in the opening round of the 2005 ArenaCup Playoffs.
THE SERIES: The Fire and Knights have met just one time. Last season the Fire defeated Macon 78-42 in Freedom Hall on April 16.

THE IFs:
If Louisville defeats Macon, it would ...
. • Give the Fire their second playoff victory
. • Make the Fire 2-1 all-time in the playoffs
. • Give the Fire their second straight opening round playoff win
. • Give the Fire 12 wins
. • Make the Fire 2-1 all-time in August

Date Opponent Result Score
4/9 @ Rio Grande Valley W 56-42
4/15 SOUTH GEORGIA W 48-46
4/22 @WB/Scranton W 58-50
4/30 BIRMINGHAM W 48-46
5/6 @ Manchester L 46-37
5/14 @ Green Bay L 49-65
5/21 FLORIDA L 43-47
5/27 ALBANY W 62-55 (OT)
6/4 @ Quad City L 47-41
6/11 @ Birmingham W 69-61
6/18 GREEN BAY L 56-49
6/24 @ Albany W 73-63
7/9 SAN DIEGO W 62-40
7/16 @ Oklahoma City W 47-45
7/23 MANCHESTER W 78-61
7/30 QUAD CITY W 70-56
Date Opponent Time Streak Series
8/6 @ Macon 7:30 W 1 FIRE 1 - 0

Date Opponent Result Score
4/1 FLORIDA L 35-32
4/9 @ South Georgia W 52-41
4/14 BIRMINGHAM W 67-50
4/23 @ Green Bay L 28-18
5/7 ALBANY L 52-37
5/21 @ Tulsa L 61-39
5/28 ARKANSAS W 67-45
6/4 @ Manchester L 74-49
6/11 BOSSIER CITY W 57-36
6/18 WB/SCRANTON W 53-41
6/25 @ Florida L 40-34
7/9 @ Birmingham W 68-51
7/16 @ Arkansas W 48-44
7/23 SOUTH GEORGIA W 72-47
7/30 @ WB/Scranton L 53-52
Date Opponent Time Streak Series
8/6 LOUISVILLE 7:30 L 1 FIRE 1 - 0


LAST SERIES MEETING: The Fire and Knights met for the first and only time on April 16, 2004 in Freedom Hall. After taking a 31-28 lead into halftime the Fire outscored the Knights 47-14 in the second half including a 34-8 advantage in the fourth quarter.
SERIES BY THE NUMBERS:
Record vs. Macon: 1-0
Last regular season game: Fire 78 Macon 42 April 16,2004
in Freedom Hall
Current streak: Fire won 1
Fire longest win streak vs. Knights: 1 (4/16/04 - Present)
Knights longest win streak vs. Fire: N/A
Most points, Fire: 78 (FIRE 78 Macon 42; 4/16/04)
Most points, Knights: 42 (FIRE 78 Macon 42; 4/16/04)
Most points, both teams: 120 (FIRE 78 Macon 42; 4/16/04)
Fewest points, Fire: 78 (FIRE 78 Macon 42; 4/16/04)
Fewest points, Knights: 42 (FIRE 78 Macon 42; 4/16/04)
Fewest points, both teams: 120 (FIRE 78 Macon 42;
4/16/04)

HEAD COACH: Tommy Johnson

Louisville Fire head coach Tommy Johnson, was born in Rome, Ga., and raised in Niceville, Fla. He began his football career as a player at DeFuniak Springs (Fla.) High School. He later transferred to Niceville High School. Johnson then attended the University of Alabama, where he played defensive back. His senior class at U of A was known for having the most wins in a four-year time period (45-5-1). In 1992, he played on the Crimson Tide squad that defeated the University of Miami for the National Championship. Johnson then continued his football career with the Jacksonville Jaguars for a year. He also was given the opportunity to compete in NFL Europe. He started his Arena football career with the Albany Firebirds, and moved on to the Carolina Cobras. Johnson presently holds the record for the longest interception return for a touchdown in AFL history. In 2001, Johnson began his coaching career with the Fire as defensive coordinator. After two seasons as defensive coordinator Johnson was named head coach three games into the 2003 season, when the Fire made the late run winning two of those three games. In 2004, Johnson led the Fire to its first winning season (9-7), first af2 play-offs appearance and first play-off victory over Quad City 52-47.

QUOTES FROM COACH JOHNSON:

On ending the season with five straight victories: "It is always good to end the season on a high note. We have been playing really good football on offense, defense and special teams. We need to keep it going now."

On the defense in the second half: "Being down 14 in arena football is not a lot. We thought if we could score and get a stop we would be right back in it. The two interceptions in the second half were very big."
On the playoffs: "This is what you work for all year, a chance to win a championship. Now we are in the playoffs we have that chance."

ROOMMATES: Fire head coach Tommy Johnson and Macon head coach Derek Stingley were not only teammates in the AFL when they played together for the Albany Firebirds but they were also roommates during the season. Johnson and Stingley were both defensive specialists for the Firebirds.

DROPBACK: The Fire fought back from a 14 point halftime deficit last Saturday to defeat Quad City 70-56. The Fire defense allowed just 14 points in the second half.

FORWARD MOTION: If the Fire defeats Macon they will move onto the conference semi-finals for a third game against Manchester.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: MATTHEW SAUK: Sauk shatter the af2 record for touchdown passes in a season last week with eight touchdown passes bringing his season total to 99. Sauk also broke the records for completions and yards with 408 and 4,489 respectively this season.

RECEIVERS: As a rookie Rob Mager set Fire record for touchdown receptions in a season (39), scoring (234 points) and receptions (125). Dennis Fryzel also recorded 105 receptions for 979 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. This is the first time in Fire history two receivers have caught 100 passes.

TEAM TRENDS: SPREADING THE BALL AROUND: Sauk has thrown at least one touchdown pass to nine different receivers. Last week against Quad City Sauk found five receivers for touchdowns.

BROKEN RECORDS: The Fire has broken several team records this season: Cesare Manning: Receiving TD's in a game: 7, 6/24/05 Cesare Manning: Points in a game: 42, 6/24/05 Danny Kight: Longest field goal: 61 yards, 6/24/05 Demetrius Forney: Rushing TD's in a game: 5, 5/27/05 Dennis Fryzel: Receptions in a game: 14, 5/21/05 Matthew Sauk: Pass Completions in a game: 36, 5/21/05 Matt Sauk: Passing Yards in a game: 396, 6/18/05

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