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Mohegan Wolves Game Notes

July 21, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Mohegan Wolves News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Mohegan Wolves (10-5) at Albany Conquest (12-3)
Date: 7/26/03
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Pepsi Arena (13,901)
National Anthem: n/a
Coin Toss: n/a
Officials: n/a
Radio: Webcast on www.albanyconquest.com
TV: none
Series Record: Albany leads 4-1
Last Meeting: ALBANY 60, Mohegan 36 (6/28/03)
Streaks: Wolves W 1, Conquest W 1
Coaches: Mark Stoute (10-5, first season) Pete Costanza (16-15 overall, first season with Albany)

THE STAKES: This is the 16th game of the season for the Wolves and 16th for the Conquest. A Wolves victory would make them 11-5 overall and 7-2 against Northeast Division foes. A Wolves win would also give them the opportunity to host a home playoff game.

THE SERIES: Tonight's game is the sixth all-time meeting between the Wolves and Conquest. Albany currently leads the series 4-1.

THE Ifs:

If Mohegan defeats Albany, it would ...
· Give Mohegan a 2-4 series record against the Conquest
· Give Mohegan a 11-5 record in 2003
· Give Mark Stoute a 11-5 record as coach of the Wolves and a 11-5 overall record as an af2 coach

HEAD COACHES: In his first season as an af2 head coach, Mark Stoute is leading the Wolves through their second season of af2 play. For the last two seasons, Stoute coached the AFL's Toronto Phantoms. Stoute's best year was in 2001 when he led Toronto to an 8-6 regular season record and the Eastern Division Championship.

Albany's Pete Costanza is in the midst of his first season as head coach of the Conquest. Costanza replaced 2002 af2 Coach of the Year, Ron Selesky, who accepted a position with the Tampa Bay Storm (AFL). In 2002, Costanza coached the Columbus Wardogs (af2) of the American Conference-Eastern Division. He inherited a 0-16 club from 2001 and improved their record to 4-12, while having the fifth-ranked defense in the league.

LAST MEETING: ALBANY 60, Mohegan 36

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 28, 2003) – Albany QB and Game MVP Ryan Vena threw seven touchdowns, three to WR/DB Phil Taylor, as the Conquest defeated the Mohegan Wolves, 60-36, in front of 5,578 fans at the Pepsi Arena. Taylor, who was named the Ironman of the Game, caught six passes for 141 yards and grabbed one tackle and two pass breakups on defense. Taylor has scored three touchdowns in seven different games this season and leads the team with 21 total touchdowns. Mohegan OS Mel Long led all receivers with 10 catches for 160 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, DS Allistair Sebatien recorded 6.0 tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups. Albany's John Stuart led all defenders with 6.5 tackles and four pass breakups, bringing his season total to 26 and keeping him in the af2 top ten. Ljubomir Stamenich was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game, recording 3.0 tackles and recovering a fourth quarter fumble for his second touchdown of the season. WR/Db Jamie Ware picked up his team-leading fourth interception, while also amassing 3.5 tackles and three breakups. Vena, who has now been name Game MVP eight times in 2003, completed 19-of-29 pass attempts for 292 yards and seven touchdowns. OS Corey Hill hauled in a team-high seven passes for 81 yards and scored two touchdowns.

SERIES NOTABLES: This is the sixth all-time meeting between the Wolves and Conquest. Albany currently leads the series 4-1.

MILESTONES:

· 16th game of second season for Wolves
· 16th af2 game for Wolves' coach Mark Stoute
· Wolves gunning for their fourth road win and a home wildcard playoff game

DROPBACK: Sixteenth and final game of the 2003 regular season. The Wolves are currently 10-5 overall (7-1 home, 3-4 road). Mohegan won its home finale on June 18 against W-B/Scranton, 63-53. The win guaranteed the Wolves a spot in the 2003 af2 playoffs.

FORWARD MOTION: Mohegan knows it will be making its first-ever appearance in the playoffs, but as of now the Wolves don't know where they will be playing. They will most likely either square off against the Florida Firecats or the Macon Knights.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

Sacks Piling Up: A year after recording just 18 sacks in 16 games, the Mohegan Wolves are third in the league with 29 in 2003. Last year's total was one of the lowest in the league (T-29th).

New Haven's Best: New Haven's loss has turned into Mohegan's gain. Five 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, and LaJhon Jones have all played a big part in Mohegan's 10-5 record. Another New Haven player, DS Damon Richardson, is also on the Wolves roster and has played in four games this year.

Long Haul-in In Touchdowns: Rookie OS Mel Long has been the Wolves most outstanding offensive performer this season. He leads the Wolves in receptions (73), yards receiving (1,157) and touchdown receptions (26). He also leads the team in scoring with 162 points (26 TDs, 3 2-Pt conversions).

Jones In A Rush: A year after not having one carry as part of the New Haven Ninja offense, Wolves FB/LB LaJhon Jones has been Mohegan's best running back in 2003. His most impressive performance to date came in the Wolves 63-53 win vs. W-B/Scranton on July 18. In that contest, Jones scored a career-high three rushing touchdowns to go along with 30 yards rushing. The former Rhode Island standout has shattered two team records this year - most yards rushing in a season (238) and most rushing touchdowns in a season (17).

Milestones/Team Records:

Allistair Sebastien – Needs one interception to break the team record of six held by Heron O'Neal

LaJhon Jones – Broke the 200-yard rushing mark on July 11 at Richmond...Currently has 238 yards rushing

Mel Long – Is the first Wolves rookie and second player in team history to reach the 1,000-yard plateau in receiving yards (1,157)

Cy Butler – Has compiled over 1,000 all-purpose yards for the season (1,158)

Anthony Comer – Has compiled over 1,000 all-purpose yards for the season (1,050)

PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

Wolves Receivers: From 1-4, the Wolves have some of the sharpest receivers in the league. QB Greg Smith doesn't have one go-to guy – he has four. Mel Long leads the pack with 1,157 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns. Kazmell Minott, Cy Butler and Anthony Comer, however, are always a threat to go deep as well. Wolves OL/DL vs. Conquest OL/DL: This battle in the trenches should play a major factor in the outcome of Saturday's game. Mohegan's defensive front is extremely hard to handle. Charlie Cook (ranks second in the league with 11.5 sacks) and company are eager to test the Albany offensive line. Whoever dominates this matchup should have a distinct advantage in the game.

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

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

· 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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