Sports stats



Macon Knights game notes

April 12, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Macon Knights News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Birmingham Steeldogs (0-1)
at Macon Knights (1-1)
Date: Thursday, April 14, 2005
Kickoff: 7:30 pm EST
Site: Macon Coliseum (7,182)
National Anthem: Sean Carter
Coin Toss: Brian Way (Head Football Coach, Warner Robins H.S.)
Officials: Officials: Rusty Wynn (Referee), Mike Cullin (Umpire),
Jeff Heaser (Head Linesman), Harold Mitchell (Line Judge),
Ronnie Stewart (Back Judge)
Radio: 105.5 FM WAYS: Kevin Coulombe, Charles Olson
Series Record: Steeldogs lead 4-2
Last Meeting: July 31, 2004: Steeldogs 50 at Knights 31
Streaks: Macon, 1 win; Steeldogs, 1 loss
Coaches: Macon, Mike Hold
(1-1 this season; 4-14 in two seasons with Macon; 26-24 overall in af2)
Steeldogs, Bobby Humphrey
(0-1 this season; 47-34 in six seasons with Birmingham)

THE SERIES:
Macon 71 at Birmingham 61 6/22/02
Birmingham 48 at Macon 46 7/20/02
Birmingham 29 at Macon 49 4/19/03
Macon 37 at Birmingham 63 5/31/03
Macon 27 at Birmingham 55 5/8/04
Birmingham 50 at Macon 31 7/31/04

THE STAKES:
This is an early-season bout between two divisional rivals. This game will could possibly weigh heavily on the playoff race down the stretch. Birmingham is looking to pick up the first win of the season while the Knights are looking to put together the first back-to-back wins since the 2003 season.

THE IFs:
If Macon defeats Birmingham, it would ...
• give the Knights a 2-1 record
• be the first time the Knights have beaten the Steeldogs since April 19, 2003.
• be the first back-to-back wins since the 2003 season.
• put the series record at Knights 3, Steeldogs 4.
• be the Knights second win in a row against a divisional opponent..
• put the Knights ahead of Birmingham and South Georgia in the American Conference South Division.


MACON KNIGHTS (1-1, Streak: 1W)
Date Opponent Att. Result Score
4/1 FLORIDA 3,484 L 32-35
4/9 @ South Georgia 7,214 W 52-41
Date Opponent Time Streak Series
4/14 BIRMINGHAM 7:30 1L 2-4
4/23 @ Green Bay 8:00 -- 1-0
4/29 MANCHESTER 7:30 -- 1-0
5/7 ALBANY (NY) 7:30 -- 1-1
5/21 @ Tulsa 8:00 -- 0-3
5/28 ARKANSAS 7:30 -- 2-0
6/4 @ Manchester 7:30 -- 1-0
6/11 BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT 7:30 -- 1-0
6/18 W.B./SCRANTON 7:30 -- 0-0
6/25 @ Florida 7:30 -- 4-6
7/9 @ Birmingham 8:00 -- 2-4
7/16 @ Arkansas 8:00 -- 2-0
7/23 SOUTH GEORGIA 7:30 -- 1-3
7/30 @ W.B./Scranton 7:30 -- 0-0
*all games EST

BIRMINGHAM STEELDOGS (0-1, Streak: 1L)
Date Opponent Att. Result Score
4/9 SAN DIEGO 7,112 L 57-58
Date Opponent Time Streak Series
4/14 @ Macon 7:30 1L 4-2
4/23 MEMPHIS 8:00 2W 3-0
4/30 @ Louisville 7:30 1W 3-1
5/7 SOUTH GEORGIA 8:00 1L 0-1
5/14 @ San Diego 10:00 1W 0-1
5/21 @ Arkansas 8:00 1L 4-3
5/28 GREEN BAY 8:00 1W 1-0
6/4 @ Florida 7:30 2W 3-2
6/11 LOUISVILLE 8:00 1W 3-1
6/18 @ Memphis 8:00 2W 3-0
6/24 @ Green Bay 8:00 1W 1-0
7/9 MACON 8:00 1W 4-2
7/16 @ South Georgia 7:30 1L 0-1
7/23 ARKANSAS 8:00 1L 4-3
7/30 FLORIDA 8:00 2W 3-2
*all games EST


TALE OF THE TAPE:
Here's how the Knights and Steeldogs stack up:
*note: The Knights have played two games; Steeldogs one game.
Statistical KNIGHTS STEELDOGS
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense T-9 42.0 5 57.0
Scoring Defense 8 38.0 17 58.0
Total Offense 13 236.0 11 241.0
Total Defense 12 256.5 9 240.0
Pass Offense 12 218.5 14 170.0
Pass Defense 12 234.5 10 224.0
Rushing Offense 9 17.5 1 71.0
Rushing Defense 15 22.0 T-8 16.0
Scoring (Non-Kick) 4 66 T-8 48
Scoring (Kicking) 4 18 9 9
Pass Rating 6 119.5 13 94.0
Pass Def. Rating 9 100.3 5 79.9
Kickoff Ret (yds/att) 18 8.2 4 23.0
MFG Ret (yds/att) 6 12.0 -- --
Turnover Margin T-4 +1.0 T-14 -1.0
Field Goals 6 4-6 T-1 1-1
PAT Kicking T-18 6-10 13 6-7
Sacks By T-11 1 T-11 1
Sacks Against T-5 1 T-5 1
First Downs 5 31 T-13 15
Opp. First Downs T-19 40 T-10 18
Penalties (yds) 20 139 13 75
Opp. Penalties (ydS) 1 173 7 72
Red Zone Offense 8 9-11 1 4-4
Red Zone Defense 8 6-8 16 6-7

LEAGUE TOP 10s: Players from this week's matchup who rank among af2's statistical leaders:
KNIGHTS
Player Rank Category Stat
Lionel Hayes 3 Total Offense 224.5
Wesley Wilson 3 Scoring (Kick) 18
Matt Jackson T-9 Scoring (TDs) 18
Derrick Lloyd 6 Rushing Yards 23
Lionel Hayes T-10 Passing Yards/Game 219.0
Lionel Hayes 4 Pass Rating 119.5
Matt Jackson T-9 Receiving TDs 3
Wesley Wilson 4 Field Goal Pct. 66.7
Kendrick Lee 3 MFG Return Avg. 12.0
Hosea Laney T-1 Tackles 16.5
Matt Jackson 7 Tackles 10.5
Larry Casher 10 Tackles 9.5
Larry Casher 2 Passes Defended 5
STEELDOGS
Player Rank Category Stat
Alex Walls T-9 Scoring (Kick) 8
Detronn Harris 8 All-Purpose Yards 205
Patrick Billings T-9 Scoring (TDs) 18
Ray Nelson 2 Rushing Yards 41
Detronn Harris T-10 Kickoff Return Avg. 23.0

KNIGHTS RECORD WHEN:
At Home 0-1
On the Road 1-0
Knights Score First 1-1
Opponent Scores First 0-0
Leading after 1st qtr 1-0
Trailing after 1st qtr 0-1
Tied after 1st qtr 0-0
Leading at Half 1-0
Trailing at Half 0-1
Leading entering 4th qtr 1-0
Trailing entering 4th qtr 0-1
Leading entering final minute 1-0
Trailing entering final minute 0-1

Score 30-Less 0-0
Score 31-40 0-1
Score 41-50 0-0
Score 51-60 1-0
Score 61+ 0-0

Allow 20-Less 0-0
Allow 21-30 0-0
Allow 31-40 0-1
Allow 41-50 1-0
Allow 51-60 0-0
Allow 61+ 0-0

AWARD WINNERS (selected by media)
Offensive Player of the Game Player Team
4/1 vs. Florida Chris Wallace Firecats
4/9 at South Georgia Adrian Cockfield Wildcats

U.S. Army Ironman of the Game Player Team
4/1 vs. Florida Matt Jackson Knights
4/9 at South Georgia Derrick Lloyd Knights

ADT Defensive Player of the Game Player Team
4/1 vs. Florida Hosea Laney Knights
4/9 at South Georgia Hosea Laney Knights

HEAD COACHES:
MACON KNIGHTS
Mike Hold enters his second season as Head Coach of the Macon Knights. He joined the Knights in October of 2003 after serving as head coach of the Carolina Cobras of the Arena Football League during the 2003 season.

Hold brings over 15 years of Arena Football experience to the Knights. He enjoyed a 12-season career in the AFL beginning in the League's inaugural season in 1987 with the Chicago Bruisers. In 2000, when Hold retired from the AFL as a player, he was the only player remaining from the league's inaugural season. His best campaign came in 1991 with the Denver Dynamite. Hold threw for 1,506 yards, 28 touchdowns and rushed for 13 touchdowns. He recorded four seasons with over 1,000 yards passing and three seasons with over 20 touchdown passes and a passer rating over 100. Hold participated in training camps with the Denver Broncos in 1986 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1987 and 1988. Hold also played in three games with the Bucs during the 1987 season completing 8-of-24 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

Hold began his coaching career with the Augusta Stallions of arenafootball2 in 2001. While in Augusta, Hold guided one of the most efficient offenses in the league. He took the expansion-Stallions to a 9-7 record in 2001 with an offense that ranked in the top 10 in scoring offense (48.5 points/game) and passer rating (98.8). In 2002, Hold and the Stallions finished with the best record in af2 at 13-3 and qualified for the playoffs. His team finished in the top ten of the league in scoring (52.9 points/game), pass offense (237.2 yards/game) and passer rating (106.7). He finished his career with the Stallions with a 22-11 record.

Hold graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1985 after playing two seasons. He led the Gamecocks to the only 10-win season in school history and was named the MVP of the Gator Bowl in 1984. Hold ranks seventh on the school's all-time passing list with 2,981 yards.

BIRMINGHAM STEELDOGS
Entering his sixth season as Steeldogs Head Coach (the only coach in af2 to be with the same team for all six seasons), Bobby Humphrey, has guided the Steeldogs to a 47-34 record and three post-season appearances. Last season he led the Steeldogs to a 10-6 record, second in the South Division.

MACON KNIGHTS
ASSISTANT COACHES:
Line Coach
Dave Poinsett enters his second season with the Knights and will serve as the line coach. Poinsett rejoins the Knights after serving as the linebackers coach for Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Ark. during the offseason.

Prior to joining the Knights in 2004, Poinsett served as the head coach at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Miss. from 2002-2004. Prior to becoming the head coach, Poinsett was an assistant coach at Copiah-Lincoln CC. Poinsett has also served as an assistant coach at Mars Hill College (1997-2001) and Newberry College (1996).

Prior to his coaching career, Poinsett and Mike Hold were teammates at the University of South Carolina. Poinsett played at South Carolina from 1983-1987 where he was a three-year starter as an offensive lineman. He was named the Gamecocks' Lineman of the Year in 1987 and was named to the school's All-Decade Team for the 1980s. Poinsett holds a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's Degree in Education.

Defensive Coordinator
Derek Stingley, an eight-year veteran of the Arena Football League, retired as player from the Dallas Desperados after the 2004 season and will begin his professional coaching career with the Knights.

Stingley enjoyed an impressive Arena Football playing career, which garnered him several accolades including an ArenaBowl Championship ring with the Albany Firebirds in 1999 and First Team All-AFL honors that same year. He ranks ninth on the AFL's all-time leading tacklers list (443.5) and ranks fifth on the AFL's all time list with 110 pass breakups. In 2003, Stingley played for Mike Hold who was the head coach of the Carolina Cobras (AFL).

In addition to his professional football career Stingley also played collegiate baseball at Purdue University. He was drafted into the Philadelphia Phillies organization as a center fielder and spent 1993-95 with the organization.

STEELDOGS ASSISTANT COACHES:
Defensive Coordinator: Tony Missick
Offensive Coordinator: Richard Richardson
Line Coach: Kenneth Brooks
Fullbacks/Linebackers Coach: Anthony Johnson
Kickers Coach: Al Del Greco

DROPBACK: Here's a look at what the Knights and Steeldogs did in their last game.

ALBANY, Ga. – The Macon Knights defeated the South Georgia Wildcats 52-42 in front of 7,214 fans in the debut of Arena Football at the Albany Civic Center. Lionel Hayes threw for 185 yards, five touchdowns and rushed for another score to lead the Knights offense. Adrian Cockfield grabbed Offensive Player of the Game honors after catching 13 passes for 152 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Wildcats and all receivers.

Matt Jackson led the scoring for the Knights grabbing two touchdown passes from Hayes (28 and 6 yards). Hayes finished the game completing 16-of-28 passes. Jackson, Jamaal Garman and Kendrick Lee all hauled in four receptions for 39, 41 and 36 yards, respectively. Anthony Collins and Sheddrick Risper each added a touchdown reception.

The Knights defense was led by Hosea Laney, who was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game for the second game in a row. Laney recorded seven tackles, three pass breakups and one interception. Rob Keefe picked off another Bryan Snyder pass and recorded one tackle in his debut with the Knights.

Derrick Lloyd was named the U.S. Army Ironman of the game as he led the Knights ground attack with three carries for 27 yards and recorded a half-sack and a pass breakup.

LaRico Cole joined Cockfield in amassing over 100 yards receiving for the game. Cole finished with six receptions for 102 yards and one touchdown. Snyder completed 25-of-45 passes for 299 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Kimo Naehu drilled a 37-yard field goal with zeroes on the fourth quarter clock, giving the San Diego Riptide a 58-57 victory over the Birmingham Steeldogs in front of 7,112 fans at the BJCC Arena.

The win improves the Riptide's record to 1-0 on the season, while the Steeldogs drop to 0-1 after their second consecutive season-opening game loss.

Former Samford quarterback Ray Nelson got the start for Birmingham and turned in a solid performance under center. Nelson finished 9 of 20 for 171 yards and two touchdowns. His only miscue, a first quarter interception, occurred on the Steeldogs' first offensive play.

San Diego jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead in the first quarter behind a Naehu field goal and an Anthony Griffin touchdown run. Birmingham answered with just under two minutes remaining in the opening frame, as Nelson took a naked bootleg untouched into the end zone, pulling the Steeldogs to within three points.

Birmingham pulled to within three again early in the second quarter, a quarter that saw 48 points combined between the two teams. All three of Birmingham's second quarter touchdowns resulted from on-play drives of 45 yards or longer.

The Steeldogs took their first lead of the game with 9:35 remaining in the fourth quarter as Eldrick Hill returned an Anthony Buich interception 25 yards for a score. Alex Walls' extra point put Birmingham ahead 54-52.

Following another Naehu field goal, the Steeldogs took their final lead of the game with just 11 seconds remaining, as Walls drilled a 16-yard field goal, giving the Steeldogs a 57-55 lead. But Naehu's boot as time expired was the difference.

Buich finished 17 of 36 for 232 yards and two touchdowns along with one interception. WR/DB Nian Taylor caught seven passes for 83 yards and one score. Taylor also intercepted a pass on defense.

Steeldogs OS Detronn Harris caught three passes for 67 yards and one touchdown. He also returned a second quarter kickoff 50 yards for a score.

Buich's performance earned the veteran quarterback the Offensive Player of the Game award, while the Riptide's Anthony Griffin earned the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game honor.

Steeldogs DS Eldrick Hill took home the ADT Defensive Player of the Game award.

LAST MEETING: July 10, 2004; Macon Coliseum
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Final
Birmingham Steeldogs 14 3 7 26 50
Macon Knights 14 3 0 14 31

Scoring Summary:
1st 09:27 MAC - GARMAN, Jamaal 4 yd pass from OLMSTEAD, Tim (OHLIGER, Jonathan kick), BIR 0 - MAC 7
05:35 BIR - MCNEARY, Carlos 2 yd run (GALLEGO, Rhett kick), BIR 7 - MAC 7
01:33 MAC - HAYWARD, Sterling 25 yd pass from OLMSTEAD, Tim (OHLIGER kick), BIR 7 - MAC 14
00:09 BIR - MCNEARY, Carlos 30 yd pass from AARON, Jeff (GALLEGO kick), BIR 14 - MAC 14
2nd 00:08 MAC - OHLIGER, Jonathanan 23 yd field goal, BIR 14 - MAC 17
00:00 BIR - GALLEGO, Rhett 48 yd field goal, BIR 17 - MAC 17
3rd 05:27 BIR - WALKER, Dontae 3 yd run (GALLEGO kick), BIR 24 - MAC 17
4th 12:17 MAC - GARMAN, Jamaal 6 yd pass from TAYLOR, Ed (OHLIGER kick), BIR 24 - MAC 24
11:17 BIR - MCNEARY, Carlos 45 yd pass from AARON, Jeff (GALLEGO kick), BIR 31 - MAC 24
07:25 MAC - TAYLOR, Ed 1 yd run (OHLIGER kick), BIR 31 - MAC 31
03:53 BIR - MCNEARY, Carlos 24 yd pass from AARON, Jeff (GALLEGO kick), BIR 38 - MAC 31
00:27 BIR - WALKER, Dontae 4 yd run (GALLEGO kick failed), BIR 44 - MAC 31
00:00 BIR - JORDAN, Anthony 45 yd interception return (GALLEGO kick failed), BIR 50 - MAC 31


MACON, Ga. – Carlos McNeary scored four touchdowns to lead the Birmingham Steeldogs to a 50-31 win over the Macon Knights Saturday, July 31st in front of 3,511 fans at the Macon Coliseum. The win for the Steeldogs locks up a first-round playoff matchup on the road against the Cape Fear Wildcats.

McNeary was named the Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game after grabbing seven passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns. McNeary also rushed for two yards and a touchdown on one carry.

The Steeldogs offense was ran by Jeff Aaron who completed 11-of-21 passes for 190 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Dontae Walker scored two touchdowns and finished the night with eight rushes for 18 yards.

The Birmingham defense was led by ADT Defensive Player of the Game Jerry Turner. Turner, a lineman, finished the night with 3.5 tackles and a sack. Anthony Jordan intercepted two passes in the game, returning the second for a touchdown on the final play of the game.

The Knights offensive attack used eight receivers, five ball carriers and two quarterbacks. Leading the receivers was Jamaal Garman who hauled in seven passes for 68 yards and two touchdowns. Sterling Hayward caught the other Knights touchdown pass and finished with two catches for 55 yards.

Tim Olmstead started the game under center for the Knights and completed 12-of-18 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns before leaving the game late in the second quarter after taking a hit. Ed Taylor, who joined the team on Monday, finished the game completing 9-of-17 attempts for 103 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Taylor also scored a touchdown on a rush.

André Slappey earned the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game award after pressuring the Steeldogs quarterback and protecting the Knights quarterback the entire game. The Knights defense was led by Damian Purse who recorded four solo tackles and broke up one pass.
Garman, who racked up 68 receiving yards in the game, reached the 1,000 yards receiving mark finishing the season with 96 catches for 1,059 yards and 24 receiving touchdowns. Fullback/linebacker Rendell Jackson reached the 100 yards rushing plateau finishing the night with 16 yards on three carries. Jackson finishes the season with 24 carries for 105 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

FORWARD MOTION:
The Knights will take their first of four flights this season as they travel to Green Bay, Wis. on Saturday, April 23rd to face the Blizzard. The Knights own a 1-0 lead in the series record.

The Knights will return home on Friday, April 29th to host the Manchester Wolves. The Knights own a 1-0 lead in the series record.

MILESTONES:
• First Win in the Series: The Knights picked up their first win in the series with the South Georgia Wildcats (formerly the Cape Fear Wildcats). The series now stands at 1-3 in favor of the Wildcats.
• 56 Consecutive Games as a Knight: Cory Smith (OL/DL) looks to extend his consecutive-game streak against this season. Smith currently owns the team record for most consecutive games played (56).
• Opening Night Crowd: The Knights posted their best attendance on an opening night since the inaugural season with 3,484 fans on Friday, April 1st. The Knights best opening night attendance was in 2001 with 5,532 fans.

FAMILIAR FACES:
• Steeldogs DS Darius Ellison: Ellison played four games with the Knights last season. He 10.5 tackles and four pass breakups.

TEAM NOTES AND TRENDS:
Quick Out of the Gate
The Knights have put the first points on the board in both of their games this season. Against Florida in Week 1, Wesley Wilson nailed a 38-yard field goal to give the Knights a 3-0 lead. Last week the Knights scored on a 3-yard rush by Jamaal Garman to take a 7-0 lead.

Trio of Top Tacklers
The Knights have three players ranking in the top 10 tacklers in the league. Hosea Laney is tied for the league lead with 16.5, Matt Jackson ranks 7th (10.5) and Larry Casher ranks 10th (9.5). This trio has made it tough for receivers to rack up the YAC stat (yards after catch).

De-rail Detronn
The Knights defense will need to contain Detronn Harris. The Steeldogs OS racked up 205 all-purpose yards last week and found the endzone twice. Last year, Harris scored four touchdowns against the Knights in the May 8th meeting.

KEY MATCHUPS/PLAYERS TO WATCH:
• Lionel Hayes, QB, Macon: Through two games this season, Hayes has shown the ability to make good decisions. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound lefty, has avoided turnovers through the air. Despite one lost fumble and one sack, the rookie QB has either found the open receiver, scrambled for yardage or been able to throw the ball away.
• Matt Jackson, WR/DB, Macon: Another rookie performing well for the Knights is Jackson. He has racked up 114 yards and three touchdowns on seven receptions. On the other side of the ball, he has recorded 10.5 tackles (seventh in af2) and one interception.
• Hosea Laney, DS, Macon: Laney was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game for the second week in a row after turning in a solid performance last week. Laney made seven tackles, intercepted one pass and broke up three passes in last week's win.

KEY DATES IN MACON KNIGHTS HISTORY:
April 24, 2004: Mike Hold picks up his first win as head coach of the Macon Knights.
October 7, 2003: The Knights hire Mike Hold as head coach. Hold becomes the second head coach of the Knights, succeeding Kevin Porter.
August 14, 2003: The Knights win their first-ever Conference Championship.
August 9, 2003: The Knights win their first-ever second round playoff game.
May 3, 2003: The Knights victory over Columbus put the Knights at 5-1 on the season – the best start in team history.
April 5, 2003: The Macon Knights pick up the 25th win in team history. Kevin Porter was head coach for all 25 of the wins.
August 3, 2002: The Knights pick up their first playoff victory in team history against the Augusta Stallions.
May 17, 2002: The Knights score the most points in team history in an 80-65 win over Pensacola. The teams combine for the fifth most points in a game in af2 history.
April 14, 2001: The Knights pick up their first win in team history against the Greensboro Prowlers.

• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...

arenafootball2 Stories from April 12, 2005


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.

Other Recent Macon Knights Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central