Memphis Xplorers Game Notes

Published on May 29, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Memphis Xplorers (2-5) vs. Bossier City Battle Wings (3-5)
Date: Friday, March 30th, 2003
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. CDT
Coin Toss: Head Referee
Officials: Drew Myers (Referee), Darryl Keckler (Umpire), Chris Jamison (Head Linesman), Trip Campbell (Line Judge), Lee Midget (Back Judge)
Xplorers Radio: Y 96.1 FM (Joe Dominey and John Maddox)
Series Record: Series 1-2
Last Meeting: Lost 67-61 in Bossier City on May 25th, 2002
Series Streaks: Lost 1
Head Coaches: Memphis: Danton Barto (7-16; 0-0 playoffs, 2ndSeason) Bossier City: Garrett Hagin ( - ; - playoffs, Season);

THE STAKES:

The Xplorers ended a four game losing streak with a 68-20 win over Louisville. Now Memphis looks for back-to-back wins for the first time this year. The Xplorers should be rested after having a bye this past weekend. The Battle Wings are coming off a win over Columbus and they know they have to keep wining to keep hopes of catching the division leading Tulsa Talons who are 7-1.

THE SERIES:

The Xplorers are 1-2 all-time against Bossier City.

SERIES NOTABLES:

Last year the Xplorers beat the Battle Wings at home 61-51 on April 20th, 2002. The Battle Wings won 67-61 at the CenturyTel Center on May 25th, 2002.

THE IFs:

If Memphis beats Bossier...
· The Xplorers would be 3-5.
· It would give Danton Barto a 8-16 record as a head coach.
· Give the Xplorers their second win over Bossier in franchise history.
· Give the Xplorers the 11h win in franchise history.

If Bossier beats Memphis...
· Give the Battle Wings a 2-2 record versus Memphis.
· Give Bossier City a 4-5 record
· Would be the first win for new head coach Garrett Hagin.

HEAD COACHES:

MEMPHIS XPLORERS

In just his second season as head coach, Danton Barto looks to turn around the Memphis Xplorers af2 franchise. Under a new operating regime, the Maddox Foundation, the Xplorers have become a first class organization committed to winning. Barto, the all-time leading tackler in Memphis State (now the University of Memphis) history, brought former Tiger teammate Steve Matthews in as Offensive Coordinator & Assistant Head Coach. He also brought former Tiger and Xplorers player, Lou Esposito in as OL / DL & Special Teams Coordinator.

BOSSIER CITY BATTLE WINGS

Garrett Hagin makes his debut for the Battle Wings. Hagin was promoted from assistant to the head job this week and becomes the third head coach of the season already for Bossier City.

LAST SERIES MEETING:

The Xplorers lost a shootout 67-61 at the CenturyTel Center on May 25th, 2002.Bossier totaled 385 yards of total offense as QB Sherard Poteete was 26-36 for 265 of those yards. The Battle Wings came from behind with 20 points in the fourth quarter to grab the win.

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Danton Barto, on beating to Louisville: "We got a great effort on both sides of the ball. The offense was good and the defense really played well."

Danton Barto, on the Xplorers defense: "We have gotten some good pressure lately. Four sacks in each of the last two games has really helped."

MILESTONES:

The Xplorers 68-20 win over Louisville was the 10th in franchise history. In an interesting note the Xplorers also beat Louisville for their first win in franchise history in 2001.

DROPBACK:

XPLORERS 68, FIRE 20 – MAY 17th, 2003

Saturday night the Memphis Xplorers destroyed the Louisville Fire 68-20 at the DeSoto Civic Center to end a four game losing streak. WR/DB Terrell Adams had a big game for the Xplorers with a TD catch and a 49 yard fumble return for a defensive TD. The Xplorers enter the upcoming bye week with a record of 2-5. Memphis returns to action at home on Friday, May 30th, against the Bossier City Battle Wings. For tickets call 662-280-3737 or go online at www.xplorers af2.com and use the ticketmaster link. FIRST HALF - The Xplorers took the early lead and never looked back as QB Rod Robinson connected on a slant pass with Adrian Burnette from nine yards out to make it 6-0. The Xplorers then capitalized on defense as Adams stripped Louisville QB Josh Rogers of the ball and returned it 49 yards for a TD and a 14-0 advantage. The Xplorers added two more TDs in the second quarter on runs by Robinson and took a 28-14 lead at halftime. SECOND HALF - The Xplorers came out smoking the in third quarter. Robinson connected with Adams on a 23 yard catch and run for a 36-14 lead. Then Thomas Herron sacked Rogers for a safety and the Xplorers took the ensuing free kick and scored on a 30 yard pass from Robinson to Burnette to make it 46-14. Later in the frame, defensive specialist Kenzaki Jones intercepted Rogers and returned the ball 40 yards for a TD and a 52-20 Memphis advantage. The Xplorers went on to outscore the Fire 30-6 in the third quarter and rolled to an easy win. FINAL SCORE Memphis 68, Louisville 20. OFFENSIVE MVP - Adrian Burnette – Memphis – IRONMAN - Terrell Adams – Memphis - ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - Kenzaki Jones - Memphis

BOSSIER 34, COLUMBUS 31 - MAY 24th, 2003

A 41-yard pass from Battle Wings QB Fred Leonard closed the gap and put Bossier within reach, making the score 31-27 Columbus. A 19 yard touchdown pass to game MVP Val Morris late in the fourth quarter gave Bossier City a 34-31 lead with only 54 seconds left in the game. Columbus could not take advantage of their possession, but Bossier gave the Wardogs another chance to take the win after Leonard threw an interception with 31 seconds left in the game. Wardogs QB Kyle Rowley threw a long bomb into the end zone that was broken up by Morris as the Bossier City Battle Wings held on to beat the Columbus Wardogs 34-31 Saturday night. Rowley finished 12 of 22 for 98 yards and one touchdown by air for the Wardogs (2-5). Battle Wings QB Fred Leonard was14 of 33 for 170 yards and had four touchdowns by air, one by ground and two interceptions. This win broke the Wings four-game losing skid, while Columbus has dropped five straight games.

FORWARD MOTION:

Next week Battle Wings are on the road at Macon.

The Xplorers travel to Florida for a date with the Firecats on Friday.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

NFL COMES CALLING, XPLORERS HIT HARD: The Xplorers lost QB Cleo Lemon to the San Diego Chargers of the NFL prior to their Week 2 loss at Columbus. Also QB Wes Counts, who was acquired in a trade with Tennessee Valley, left the team prior to the Columbus game.

FORMER TIGERS: The Xplorers have looked to draw talent from a close convenient source. Memphis has several former University of Memphis Tigers on the roaster and staff. All three coaches, Danton Barto, Steve Matthews and Lou Esposito all played for the Tigers. Current roster members: Keith Spann, Kevin Cobb all played for the Tigers in the last five years. STICKY FINGERS: Xplorers defensive specialist Kevin Cobb is tied for 7th in af2 with three interceptions. Cobb is also tied for 3rd in pass defenses with 21.

SLINGING THE ROCK: Xplorers QB Rod Robinson has had an outstanding season so far. Robinson ranks 9th in QB rating at 110.7 and is 9th in yards passing per game at 231.

TOUGH LUCK: The five losses this year for the Xplorers have come by a total of just 26 points. The Xplorers lost by one point in the season opener to Columbus, two points in Week 4 at Tulsa, eleven points in Week 5 versus Florida, four points in Week 6 against Tulsa and eight points in Week 7 at Arkansas.

PRENTISS CONTINUES TO SPARKLE: The name of the game is points and Xplorers offensive specialist Kevin Prentiss has been doing just that. Prentiss is 3rd in af2 with 120 points. Prentiss also ranks in the top ten with 110.1 yards per game receiving which is 2nd best.

SACKS: After struggling to get pressure on the opposing QB, the Xplorers have been bringing the heat lately. In Week 7 they set a season-high with four sacks against Arkansas. The Xplorers again totaled four sacks in Week 8 as they destroyed Louisville and set a season low for points allowed with 20.

IMPACT PLAYER: Xplorers OL/DL Thomas Herron has made his presence felt. In two games with the team he has recorded a sack in each contest. Against Louisville he got on the scoreboard as his sack resulted in a safety.

RUNNING THE ROCK: Xplorers QB Rod Robinson scored on a quarter back sneak in Week 6 against Tulsa in a 61-57 loss. What was so unusual about the play? It totaled 38 yards and is the longest run from scrimmage this year in af2.

PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

Xplorers OS Kevin Prentiss: The name of the game is points and Xplorers offensive specialist Kevin Prentiss has been doing just that. Prentiss is 3rd in af2 with 120 points. Prentiss also ranks in the top ten with 110.1 yards per game receiving which is 2nd best.

Xplorers DS Kevin Cobb: Xplorers defensive specialist Kevin Cobb is tied for 7th in af2 with three interceptions. Cobb is also tied for 3rd in pass defenses with 21.

Xplorers QB, Rod Robinson: Xplorers QB Rod Robinson has had an outstanding season so far. Robinson ranks 9th in QB rating at 110.7 and is 9th in yards passing per game at 231.

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