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Mohegan Wolves Game Notes

April 4, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Mohegan Wolves News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Rochester Brigade (0-0) vs. Mohegan Wolves (0-0)
Date: 4/5/03
Kickoff: 7:30 pm
Site: Mohegan Sun Arena (7,564)
National Anthem: TBA
Coin Toss: TBA
Officials: William Gosselin (Referee), Michael Delaney (Umpire), Stephan Toal (Head Linesman), Anthony Solomine (Line Judge), Derwin Williams (Back Judge)
Radio: Rochester, WYSL (1040 AM)
TV: none
Series Record: Rochester leads 2-1
Last Meeting: RCH 28, MOH 18; at Mohegan, 7/19/02
Streaks: Wolves L 8, Brigade L 1
Coaches: Mark Stoute (0-0, first season) Mark Saunders (11-21, third season)

THE STAKES: This is the first game of the season for both teams. The winner will take the early lead in the Northeast Division and have a game in hand over a division opponent. A Wolves win would be just their second overall at the Mohegan Sun Arena after going 1-7 on their home turf in 2002.

THE SERIES: Rochester leads the all-time series versus Mohegan, 2-1. All three games were played in 2002.

THE IFs:

If Mohegan defeats Rochester, it would ...
· Give Mohegan a 2-2 series record with the Brigade
· Give Mohegan a 1-0 home record in 2003
· Give Mark Stoute a 1-0 record as coach of the Wolves and a 1-0 overall record as an af2 coach
· Give Mohegan just their second home win in franchise history
· Snap Mohegan's eight-game losing streak, dating back to last season

HEAD COACHES: In his first season as an af2 head coach, Mark Stoute leads the Wolves into their second season of af2 play. For the last two seasons, Stoute coached the AFL's Toronto Phantoms. Stoute's best year was in 2001when he led Toronto to an 8-6 regular season record and the Eastern Division Championship. Rochester's Mark Saunders enters his third season as head coach of the Brigade. Last season Saunders led Rochester into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history with a 7-9 regular season slate.

LAST SERIES MEETING: Rochester 28, MOHEGAN 18 (7/19/02) - The Mohegan Wolves (3-12) finished their home schedule with yet another heartbreaking defeat. The Rochester Brigade (7-8) clinched a playoff birth with a 28-18 victory. Mohegan had a final chance to stop the Brigade on a 4th and inches with 1:00 minute remaining, but Rochester OS Martino Theus grabbed a 22-yard touchdown pass to finish off the Wolves. The catch also made Theus the af2's single-season record holder for receptions, with 149 catches on the year. ADT Defensive Player of the Game Lamonte Coleman rushed for 33 yards and a touchdown and added 2.5 tackles. Brigade QB Matt D'Orazio passed for 181 yards and two scores. Wolves OS and Game MVP Brandon Burnside caught 10 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. Jeff Cogell caught one pass for 15 yards and a touchdown, added a sack and four tackles on the night to earn Ironman of the Game honors. QB Kevin Carty passed for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns. SERIES NOTABLES: This is the fourth meeting between the two clubs and first of 2003...Last year the Brigade won all three contests, but only by an average of 7.3 points.

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Mohegan Wolves Head Coach Mark Stoute, on the team's recent scrimmage against Albany on Mar. 28: "I thought we looked real sharp today," Stoute said. "I was pleased with everyone's intensity and focus. I know I have some tough choices to make now on who to keep because in all honesty, they're all good football players."

MILESTONES:
· First game of second season for Wolves
· First af2 game for Wolves' coach Mark Stoute
· Ninth home game in Mohegan Wolves history

DROPBACK: First game of the season.

FORWARD MOTION: Next week the Wolves will play the WB/Scranton Pioneers. WB/Scranton is a second-year franchise and this will be the first of a three-game season series with the Pioneers. WB/Scranton finished at 6-10 last season.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

Tough Man Returns: Last year's "Built Ford Tough Man of the Year", Jeff Cogell, is back in action with the Wolves this season. The Wolves lineman led the team in 2002 in sacks (7.5) and tackles for a loss (eight)...Finished fifth on the team with 35 total tackles...Offensively, had four receptions for 38 yards and two touchdowns.

New Haven's Best : New Haven's loss has turned into Mohegan's gain. Seven of the Ninjas' top performers from 2002 have joined the Wolves in 2003. With the Ninjas going dark this season, players Cy Butler, Anthony Comer, Kazmell Minott, Allistair Sebastien, Eric Bouris, LaJhon Jones and Brian Watson are all slated to see action with Mohegan. Watson, however, is currently on short-term injured reserve and will be unavailable for the season opener.

Home Openers: The Mohegan Wolves will look to have a more promising start to their season than what happened a year ago. In 2002, the Wolves came up short in their first game in franchise history, losing 29-14 to the Albany Conquest.

PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Wolves WR/DB Cy Butler: Butler enters his second af2 season with high expectations. After a promising first game with the Ninjas in 2002, the 5-foot-7 dynamo injured his knee and sat out the rest of the year. He has looked strong in preseason workouts and may be poised to be one of the most dominant offensive weapons in af2.

Brigade OS Martino Theus: If not for Albany's Corey Hill, Martino Theus had a season like none other. All totaled, Theus was second only to Hill in catches (160) and yards receiving (1,753). He also hauled in 21 touchdowns.

Wolves FB/LB Jeff Cogell: Cogell returns to the Wolves for his second stint in midseason shape and with a chip on his shoulder. After a stellar season in 2002 in which he won the league's prestigious "Built Ford Tough Man of the Year" Award, Cogell earned a spot in training camp with the AFL's Las Vegas Gladiators. After being a late training camp cut with Las Vegas, the Wolves gladly welcome back their best player from a year ago.

KEY DATES IN TEAM HISTORY:

· July 19, 2001: Mohegan Sun Arena and Dr. Eric Margenau announce agreement to bring af2 to southeastern Connecticut

· Nov. 1, 2001: 1st Season Tickets sold, Margaret Lidden becomes first Wolves Season Ticket holder

· Dec. 12, 2001: Team Name and logo unveiled

· Dec. 12, 2001: Jeff Cogell, Randy Hart, Greg Gildea and Mike Thomas become first Mohegan Wolves signees

· Jan. 5, 2002: Team Holds Inaugural Player tryout

· Jan. 14, 2002: Wolves sign Andy Macaione, Heron O'Neal, Daniel Porter

· Jan. 25, 2002: Wolves sign Kevin Carty, and Mondez Haire

· Jan. 28, 2002: Wolves Hold Inaugural Cheerleader Tryouts at Stashes Café on Super Bowl Sunday

· Feb. 5, 2002: Wolves sign Mike Zawilinski, Edwin Moore, Gary Bolden, Anthony Giovingo, and Bryan Sparacino

· Mar. 1, 2002: Single Game Tickets go on sale at Mohegan Sun Box Office as well as tickets.com

· Mar. 7, 2002: Opening night April 5th vs. the Albany Conquest dubbed "Pride of America Night"

· Mar. 19, 2002: First practice in Mohegan Wolves history, held at Workout World in Waterford

· Mar. 19, 2002: First practice in Mohegan Wolves history, held at Workout World in Waterford

· Aug. 8, 2002: Wolves OL/DL Jeff Cogell wins the prestigious af2 "Built Ford Tough Man of the Year" Award after leading the Wolves in sacks (7.5) in their inaugural season

· Nov. 13, 2002: Wolves announce the hiring of Connecticut resident and AFL coaching veteran Mark Stoute as the second coach in team history

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