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Nighthawks Game Notes

April 29, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Norfolk Nighthawks News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Mohegan Wolves (2-2) at Norfolk Nighthawks (0-3)
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2002
Kickoff: 7:10pm
Site: Norfolk Scope
National Anthem: Stacie Lewis
Coin Toss:
Officials: Terry Haney (Referee), William Fealey (Umpire), Dave Holland (Head Linesman), Lou Hammond (Line Judge), Mel Plummer, Jr. (Back Judge)
Radio: 6:55pm on WTJZ AM 1270 w/ Andy Mashaw (Play-by-Play)
Series Record: 0-1
Last Meeting: 4/12/02 Mohegan, 47-29
Streaks: Norfolk (Lost 3), Mohegan (Lost 1)
Coaches: NOR: Tony Missick (1st Year, 0-3)
MOH: Gary Porter (1st Year, 2-2)

THE STAKES: In order for the Nighthawks to avoid their second consecutive 0-4 start, they will need to defeat the Wolves, a team they have already lost to in 2002. The Nighthawks are the only team in the American Atlantic Division without a victory after five weeks. Richmond is setting the bar with their 5-0 start, and Cape Fear, Greensboro and Roanoke all have at least two wins. Following this week's action, The Nighthawks play their next two games against divisional opponents (Roanoke, Cape Fear) on the road. Needing to be one of the top two teams in the division to make the playoffs in 2002, Norfolk is facing some early season, must-win situations. Atlantic Division; Richmond (5-0), Cape Fear (2-1), Greensboro (2-2), Roanoke (2-2), Norfolk (0-3)

THE SERIES: This is the second installment of a newly created series in 2002 with the expansion Mohegan Wolves. The Nighthawks traveled to Mohegan just three weeks ago and played the Wolves on April 12, 2002. Mohegan took an early 21-0 lead and never looked back, en route to a 47-29 victory in the first game of the series. This is one the rare times when two non-divisional opponents will play a two-game season series.

THE IFs:

If NORFOLK defeats MOHEGAN, it would .
· Give NORFOLK 1-1 series record with MOHEGAN
· Give NORFOLK 1-1 home record in 2002
· Give Tony Missick his first win as a head coach
· Give NORFOLK 15 wins in 19 career home games
· Give NORFOLK first division win of 2002
· Give NORFOLK first win vs. expansion team in 2002

HEAD COACHES: Tony Missick was named the Nighthawks head coach on November 5, 2001. Missick held the position of defensive coordinator for the team in 2001 and led them to #4 in total defense in af2. Prior to coming to the Nighthawks, Missick held coaching positions with the Richmond Speed (2000), Virginia Union University and University of Kentucky. Missick played three years in the Arena Football League after spending the 1993 season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Gary Porter becomes the inaugural head coach of the Wolves after spending the 2001 season as head coach of the Peoria Pirates (af2). Porter led the Pirates to a fourth place finish and 7-9 record. They had the top-rated run defense in af2. He played college football at Oklahoma State and started as a true freshman in 1993.

LAST SERIES MEETING: The Nighthawks dropped their second game of 2002, 47-29 to the Mohegan Wolves in Uncasville, CT. The Nighthawks spotted the Wolves 21 points and never got closer than twelve for the rest of the night. Newly assigned QB Roy Johnson (Hampton U./Roanoke Steam) began the second quarter for the Nighthawks and marched the team downfield, finished by a 2-yard Farrel Payton TD run. Mohegan would answer right back when QB Cable Davis hit Melvin Phillips on a 24-yard toss and the Wolves maintained their 21 point advantage. Norfolk would be stopped on their next possession, but with 41 seconds to play in the half, WR/LB Jay Clarke intercepted a pass and ran 24 yards for the touchdown. Clarke's outstanding play brought the Nighthawks to within 12 heading into the half and with some much-needed momentum. The second half began promising as OL/DL Adrian Wideman blocked a Mohegan field goal attempt on their first drive. The Nighthawks were unable to put up any points following the block and gave it right back to the Wolves, who got a 1-yard TD run from Carl Wisniewski to go back up by 19. Still staying within striking distance, Johnson found OS Gary Briggs from 30 yards out for a touchdown, making the score 33-21 with a little over a quarter left to play in the game. After keeping the Burnside twins relatively in check for the majority of the game, Brandon made the biggest play of the game when he returned the ensuing kickoff 56 yards for a touchdown, ending the third quarter of play with the score 40-21, Mohegan leading. The Wolves finished with 47 points, fourteen coming off first quarter turnovers, and escaped with their first victory of the season. The Nighthawks had a few bright spots in the game, including; better offensive line play, strong debuts from QB Johnson (11-for-22, 153 yards, 2 TD) and WR/LB Jason Blevins (3 receptions, 40 yards, one tackle), and another solid game from WR/DB Dominic Banks (1 catch for 10 yards, 5 tackles (game-high), one INT, one recovered fumble, one pass breakup).

SERIES NOTABLES: NOR: OS Gary Briggs had five receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns in the first meeting. WR/LB Jay Clarke recorded 2.5 tackles, one INT return for a TD and one pass breakup.MOH: QB Cable Davis finished game one 19-for-31 with 211 yards and four TD's.OS Brandon Burnside had seven catches for 63 yards, six returns for 160 yards and two touchdowns.

YOUR TEAM INJURY REPORT: No Significant Injuries
Pos. Name Injury Status
DS Steven Carter Broken Finger Doubtful: Week-to-Week

MILESTONES:

· QB Will Burch needs five TD passes to give him 100 for his af2 career. He has 5,129 passing yards in two seasons.
· WR/LB Jay Clarke needs 3.0 tackles to move to #1 all-time in Nighthawks team history. He has amassed 85.0 tackles just over two seasons.
· DS Desmond Washington needs 4.5 tackles to become #1 in Nighthawks history. He led the team with 76 tackles in 2000. He reached 100 for his af2 career with five against Mohegan. Offensively, Washington surpassed the 1,500-yard mark in all-purpose yards with 29 return yards against Cape Fear in week one.

DROPBACK: The Nighthawks were beaten by the Richmond Speed, 75-12, behind Jeff Townsley's eight receptions for 178 yards and four touchdowns. Richmond (5-0) continued their roll through the af2 in 2002, amassing their highest scoring output in team history. The Nighthawks need to look no further than the red-zone for reasons why they didn't keep pace with the Speed in this "I-64 WAR" match-up. Norfolk was in the red zone five times in the first half and came away with zero points. On their first drive, they got a 35-yard reception form Travis Burns and found themselves on the Richmond 5-yard line in under a minute of play. On the very next play a fumble gave the ball right over to the Speed, who went 45 yards on five plays for Townsley's first score, this one from 34 yards out. The Nighthawks then used an eight play drive taking over five minutes off the clock to get to the Speed five yard line again. This time a missed field goal would squander another scoring opportunity for the Hawks. Townsley would come right back and haul in a 32-yard touchdown reception to make it 14-0. Again a turnover, Kevin Harvey's first of two interceptions, this one on the Nighthawks 6-yard line, led to six points for Richmond. Nighthawks quarterback Will Burch, who returned form a separated shoulder, took a sack in the endzone for a Speed safety, sending the score to 23-0 and ending the game for the QB in the second quarter. Norfolk kicker Matt McNew got the team on the board with his first of two field goals (39, 43) before halftime, making it 30-3 at the midway point. The second half was all Speed. Harvey came out on the first play of the second half and threw a receiver option pass to Earl Hicks for a 21-yard score. That play ended all hopes for the visiting Nighthawks. Norfolk would keep getting close, but keep turning it over whenever they got near the goalline. Richmond QB Bob Bees had an efficient night at the helm, finishing the game 15-for-26 for 273 yards and five touchdowns. Bees was rarely touched by the Nighthawks defensive line and gave Townsley all day to make Norfolk defensive backs look confused. Gary Briggs scored the lone touchdown for Norfolk on a 3-yard TD reception in the third quarter. Burns finished with six catches for 87 yards. Defensively, Jay Clarke and Tommie Dawson each grabbed their second interception of the season.

FORWARD MOTION: Next week, the Nighthawks will travel to Roanoke, VA to take on the Roanoke Steam (2-2). Norfolk is (4-0) lifetime against the Steam, but currently trail them by two games in the Atlantic Division. Their will be many familiar faces in this game and is sure to be very competitive. Last season the Nighthawks won 39-29 in Roanoke to gain their first victory of the season after a 0-4 start.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

Beware of the "Red-Zone": The Nighthawks may have had a chance to beat the best team in af2 last week in Richmond, if they could score form five yards away. The Nighthawks moved into Richmond territory the entire first half and came away with zero points. So far in 2002, Norfolk is only scoring 40% (4-10) of the time they are in the red-zone. They have fumbled the ball away twice and thrown an interception while attempting to score form close range. Defensively, the Nighthawks' opponents are 11-for-13 scoring in the red-zone against them.

Only one Way to go.: Since their inception into af2, the Norfolk Nighthawks have never been among the league leaders in most offensive categories, but they had a great defense that kept them in games and led them to the playoffs two seasons ago. 2002 has been nothing different, but is much more costly with the defense being ripped apart in three games. Norfolk ranks last in the af2 in total offense (140.7 yards/game) and are allowing a league worst 63.7 points per game. Look for these two numbers to be the key components to a big-time turnaround for the Nighthawks from here on out.

PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

Nighthawks WR/LB Travis Burns: In his first game back with the Nighthawks since week one, Burns had a decent game against the Richmond Speed defenders. Frequently open, but rarely seen, Burns caught six passes for 87 yards. On the first play of the game, Burns made a 34-yard catch to get into scoring position quick;y.

Norfolk Special Teams vs. Mohegan OS Brandon Burnside: If the Nightahwks are going to get their first win of 2002, they must contain the big-play ability of Brandon Burnside. In the first meeting Burnside finished with over 200 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, including a 56-yard kickoff return that broke Norfolk back in the third quarter. If the Nighthawks win, look for Burnside's numbers to tell the tale.

KEY DATES IN TEAM/LEAGUE HISTORY:

May 4, 2001 - After beginning 0-4, new head coach Mike Buck leads the Nighthawks to their first victory of 2001, a 39-29 win against the Roanoke Steam. The victory propelled the team to win five out of their next six games and reach .500 at 5-5.

May 4, 2001 (af2) - The Quad City Steamwheelers defeat Bossier City to raise their all-time record to 24-0. The 24-game winning streak is the longest win streak in professional football history and ties the second-longest undefeated streak in pro football history.

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