No Place Like First Place
Published on June 14, 2002 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release
CHICAGO â A pair of possible af2 playoff previews highlight Saturday's 14-game slate as Bakersfield (6-3) visits Peoria (8-2) and Augusta (8-1) travels to Tallahassee (6-3) in two duels between division leaders. If each team goes on to advance to the postseason and wins their first-round games, these matchups would make up two of the four conference semifinal contests.
Peoria and Bakersfield meet for the second time in a month, with fans hoping for the same drama provided by the May 18 overtime thriller, won by visiting Peoria 60-54 on a 22-yard touchdown pass from WALTER CHURCH to CORNELL CRAIG.
There were four lead changes and three ties in the game, and the winning TD in overtime was set up by an improbable series of events in the closing seconds of regulation. Peoria led 54-48 when Bakersfield QB CHAD ELLIOTT fumbled with five seconds left. A defensive holding penalty gave the Blitz another chance, and Bakersfield made the extra play count when a pass intended for RYAN SLOTH and tipped by Peoria's LINCOLN DUPREE found its way into the hands of STEVE WOFFORD in the back of the end zone, tying the game 54-54 with no time on the clock. But the game went into overtime when kicker ROBERT NYCZ missed the extra-point try. An apparent touchdown in OT by Wofford was called back after a tripping penalty and Peoria's GERALD NEASMAN made Bakersfield pay with an end zone interception on the next play. Five plays later, Craig scored the winning TD.
Since escaping Bakersfield, Peoria has run its winning streak to six games and can be the first National Conference team to clinch a 2002 playoff spot with a win or a Louisville loss at Wichita. The Midwest Division leaders also can clinch homefield advantage in the first round of the playoffs with a victory. Though Bakersfield has split its last four games (including the Peoria loss), the Blitz is one missed extra point and one defensive stop from a five-game winning streak and an 8-1 record. The Blitz comes off its first Western Division defeat of the season, a 46-43 loss to San Diego on a last-minute touchdown.
Most of the main characters return for the Pirates-Blitz rematch, with the big exception of Wofford, whose right knee contusion landed him on injured reserve this week (along with Blitz leading sacker RICKY LEUNG'WAI). Nycz and Neasman (both on injured reserve) also will miss the second installment of this new rivalry. With Wofford and his 838 receiving yards out of action, Sloth could be the primary target. He has 54 receptions for 664 yards and seven TDs this year. VAUGHN CORLEY (26 catches, 247 yards, five touchdowns) paces the rest of the Blitz receiving corps. Elliott leads the league with 261.0 passing yards per game (2,349 yards, 40 TDs, 10 INTs). The defense he faces is led by Dupree, the league leader with 10 interceptions, and sack masters ERIC JOHNSON (second in af2 with 10.5 sacks) and KENNETH BOUIE (fifth â 9.5).
On the opposite side of the ball, Church comes off one of his best performances, a 340-yard, seven-TD effort in last week's 64-50 win at Hawaii. He's the fifth-rated passer in af2, with 2,154 yards and 43 touchdowns against seven INTs. Craig owns top-10 rankings in receiving yards (1,059 â second), scoring (130 points â fifth) and receptions (71 â sixth). WR/LB JERMAINE SHEFFIELD, a playmaker on both offense and defense, has 41 catches for 572 yards and 13 TDs. For Bakersfield, J'SHARLON JONES (six interceptions, 19 pass breakups) leads the secondary charged with shutting down the Pirates.
Bakersfield and Peoria rank one-two in turnover margin, with the Pirates forcing a league-high 36 turnovers. Peoria outscores the Blitz 55.8 to 47.8 and allows 36.8 points compared to Bakersfield's 38.0. Both teams boast top-10 rankings in total offense and pass offense.
--------------------------------------------------------
In the other battle of first-place teams, American Conference titans collide in Tallahassee Saturday, as the Augusta Stallions tee it up with the Thunder at the Leon County Civic Center. Augusta holds a half-game lead over Macon for first in the Eastern Division, while the Thunder is one game up on Florida for Southern Division supremacy.
This game features two of the league's top offenses, as Augusta ranks fourth overall with a 55.2 points-per-game average and Tallahassee sits sixth, averaging 50.4 points a clip. GLEN GAUNTT leads the Stallions' charge and is one the best signal-callers in the league, with more than 2,200 passing yards and 50 touchdowns on the season. Gauntt's touchdown total has him on a pace to bust the all-time single-season mark of 86 set by MATT SAUK last year. Receivers TIM DUMAS, UNDRE WILLIAMS and CHRIS JOHNSON compose a potent trio, as each man has more than 500 yards to his credit. Dumas leads the pack with 781, but Johnson and Williams are right there with 570 and 556, respectively. Combined, they have provided 288 of the team's 497 points.
Williams also racks up the yardage on special teams, as he serves as the main return man for the Stallions. Last week, he had three runbacks for scores (two kickoff, one MFG), tying a league record and earning league Offensive Player of the Week honors in the process.
Tallahassee also possesses a triple-threat offense with JAMES DICKERSON, CAINON LAMB and MESIAH PORTER. Dickerson and Lamb handle the lion's share of the receiving duties, hauling in a combined 109 passes for 1,427 yards and 25 touchdowns, while Porter chips in with 24 receptions for 382 yards and nine scores. Porter also has added eight more scores on the ground and is over 100 yards rushing for the season.
Even though these teams utilize different styles on defense, they match up well, with Tallahassee allowing 44.8 points per contest and Augusta only slightly better at 42.1 points allowed per game. Augusta's defensive success is based on creating turnovers. They have gained 23 turnovers this season and are fifth in af2 with a +10 turnover ratio. LAVAR RAINEY has been a big part of that with seven interceptions, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. Tallahassee's defense thrives on getting to the QB. In fact, the Thunder leads the league with 31 sacks on the season. TYRONN JOHNSON leads his teammates with 10.5 (second in af2), but three other guys have five or more sacks.
This is the first of two meetings between these clubs this season. They've met once before (in 2000) with Augusta winning 56-54. They conclude the regular season series July 20 in Augusta.
--------------------------------------------------------
The Florida Firecats and Charleston Swamp Foxes engage in a key American Conference Southern Division tilt Saturday night at North Charleston Coliseum. Florida (5-4) currently holds second place in the division, which would put them in the playoffs, but Charleston isn't far behind at 4-5. A win by Charleston would give them a split in the season series with Florida after the Firecats took the first meeting 52-45 on June 1. That contest saw Florida jump out to a 23-0 lead before Charleston attempted a comeback, rallying for 45 points in the final 21 minutes. Overall this season, the Swamp Foxes fare a little better than the Firecats offensively, averaging 46.1 points per game to the Firecats' 37.1. But Florida holds the edge defensively, allowing 37.4 points per game (ninth in af2). Two of the biggest weapons for these clubs play on special teams. Florida's JASON KORNBLUE is fourth among all af2 kickers with 64 points, including a game-winning field goal with one second left last week at Mobile. Charleston 's BILLY COOK quickly has established himself as one of the top return men in the league, averaging 22.8 yards per kickoff return and 30.2 yards per missed field goal runback. QB MIKE BATH probably will get the start for the Foxes, but Head Coach JIMMY DUNN won't hesitate to play RAY ISAAC should Bath struggle. Dunn has alternated between the two all season, as Bath and Isaac have taken close to the same amount of snaps. The one constant for the Foxes at the position has been ball control, as only six interceptions have been thrown all season. Florida's offense, which will be without the services of leading receiver KENNY CAUSEY, will look for a spark from WR/DB ANTHONY DIXON, who has a TD catch in every game this season.
--------------------------------------------------------
Birmingham and Columbus square off in an interconference battle. The 7-2 Steeldogs are just one game behind Tennessee Valley in the National Conference Southern Division while Columbus (2-7) has some catching up to do in the American Conference Eastern Division. Birmingham's offense (48.6 ppg) and defense (36.7 ppg) are both ranked in the top 10 in the league. Columbus ' offense averages 34.0 points per game on offense, but has improved to 41.7 ppg over the last three games. The addition of CLIFTON ROBINSON has spark the Wardogs. The first-year player has 25 catches for 388 yards and five touchdowns in just four games. Defensively, the Wardogs have held opponents to just 217.9 yards of offense. SHEDRICK HARRIS has registered a team-high 38.0 tackles and 12 passes defended for Columbus. BILLY LUCKIE has been effective since taking over the play-calling duties for the Wardogs, passing for 1,201 yards and 23 touchdowns. Steeldogs QB MONTRESSA KIRBY has Birmingham in playoff contention. He has thrown for 1,761 yards and 39 touchdowns, 22 of which have been to leading receiver WAYNE THOMAS (735 yards). JERRY TURNER leads the Steeldogs' pass rush with 7.5 sacks.
--------------------------------------------------------
The Albany Conquest can improve to 9-1 and clinch a playoff berth with a win over the New Haven Ninjas Saturday night at the New Haven Coliseum. But according to New Haven Head Coach RICK BUFFINGTON, that won't happen. These teams met last week, with Albany exploding for its best offensive effort of the season in a 64-42 win, but Buffington believes he has figured out the Conquest and has even gone as far to guarantee victory this week. That bodes well for the Ninjas, who despite falling last week, still have a good shot to make the playoffs. They need to put together a string of wins, and with five division games remaining on the schedule, the opportunity for a serious bid is there. In order to start that win streak, the Ninjas will have to get past one of af2's top defenses in Albany, which allows only 31.6 points per game. Offensively, Conquest QB RYAN VENA hopes to repeat last week's success, which saw him toss a season-high seven touchdowns on 19-of-21 passing. The Nnjas will look to avoid falling into the 44-7 hole that did them in last week and build on their 35-point second-half effort. CHRIS ORTIZ and ANTHONY COMER will be the keys to that formula for New Haven. Last week, they combined for nine receptions, 193 yards and four scores.
--------------------------------------------------------
Richmond (8-1) is just one game ahead of Cape Fear in the Atlantic Division and visits a Norfolk squad that, despite a 3-6 record, is strong at home. The Nighthawks suffered a heartbreaking 40-37 loss at Charleston last weekend after winning their previous two games. Richmond rebounded from its first loss of the season to defeat Rochester 49-41 in Week 11 action. Richmond's second-ranked offense (56.4 ppg) and first ranked defense (29.0 ppg) will be on display. Norfolk scores 34.7 points a game on average, while its defense allows 48.4. The Speed is led by QB BOB BEES, who has thrown for 2,050 yards and 42 touchdowns. JEFF TOWNSLEY has 806 receiving yards and 16 scores to pace Richmond's receivers. RICHARD HOLLAND leads the Speed defense with 43.0 tackles, four interceptions and 16 passes defended. For Norfolk, CHRIS WALLACE will start under center. In four games with Norfolk, Wallace has accumulated 899 yards and 21 scores. The "Killer B's" (TRAVIS BURNS, GARY BRIGGS and DOMINIC BANKS) have combined for 30 of Norfolk's 33 receiving touchdowns. JAY CLARKE has five interceptions and 34.5 tackles in Norfolk's secondary.
--------------------------------------------------------
Since joining Cape Fear, MIKE GLUSKI has made the Wildcats serious ArenaCup contenders. When the former Macon QB arrived in Fayetteville, the Wildcats were 2-2. Now Cape Fear is 7-2 and riding a five-game winning streak. Gluski has posted a 8-0 overall record as a starter this season. Carolina (2-7) will look to put an end to Gluski's streak Saturday at the BI-LO Center awhile trying pull itself back into the playoff picture. The task will not be easy, with the Rhinos missing their leading receiver MAL LAWYER due to injury. In last weekend's loss to Roanoke, RAMONE ROBINSON started at the quarterback position for the third time this season. In his two games under center, Robinson has passed for 418 yards and four touchdowns and has added 117 yards and four scores on the ground. On defense, ARKEE THOMPSON has registered three interceptions, 14.5 tackles and one forced fumble in just four games in the Rhinos' secondary. E.J. BURT added three sacks last weekend to bring his season total up to 17.5. Burt has been a menace on defense with 25.5 tackles, and a league-high seven forced fumbles. MATT BURSTEIN caught six passes for 100 yards and two scores in last weekend's win over Greensboro.
--------------------------------------------------------
The Rochester Brigade (5-5) and Greensboro Prowlers (2-8) collide Saturday at the Greensboro Coliseum with both teams looking to end losing streaks. The Brigade's skid increased to two games last weekend with a 49-41 loss to Richmond while Greensboro's stands at six games. The Prowlers have revenge on their minds after losing 42-37 in Rochester three weeks ago. Rochester has a formidable offensive line that blocks for the league's fifth-ranked rushing offense (38.8 yards per game) and has given up only seven sacks on the year. Greenboro's offense has the scoring edge, with 47.1 points per game compared to the Brigade's 43.0. However, on defense, Rochester gives up an average of 10 fewer points a game than Greensboro (44.0 ppg compared to 54.3). Two of af2's leading receivers go head-to-head. Rochester's MARTINO THEUS has a league-high 108 receptions and 1,155 yards while Prowler ANTOINE CALLOWAY has caught 75 balls for 934 yards. MATT D'ORAZIO is the league's third leading rusher with 190 total yards on the ground this season. D' Orazio also has 11 rushing touchdowns in addition to his 33 through the air. RAFIK THOROSSIAN heads the Prowlers' ground attack with 10 scores and 109 yards. VONKEITH SPENCER has six interceptions to top the Brigade secondary while Greensboro's CRANSTON JOHNSON has five. ANTONIO DINGLE leads Rochester 's pass rush with five sacks.
--------------------------------------------------------
Mohegan and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (both 3-7) have been headed in opposite directions of late, with the Wolves in the midst of a two-game losing skid and the Pioneers riding a two-game winning streak. A victory would help keep both teams' playoff dreams alive. Mohegan looks to avenge last weekend's 49-40 loss to the Pioneers. The Wolves boast the league's top-ranked pass offense (256.0 ypg) and second-ranked pass defense (171.2 ypg). Wilkes-Barre/Scranton averages 37.8 points per game, but has found its form recently, scoring an average of 47.0 points in its last five contests. The Pioneers' secondary will look to shut down the tandem of CABLE DAVIS and BRANDON BURNSIDE who have combined on 19 touchdown plays. Davis has passed for 2,378 yards on the season and thrown for 34 TDs. Burnside is the Wolves' leading receiver with 959 yards through the air (third in af2), and averages 205.3 all-purpose yards, to rank second in the league. CARLOS McLAURIN has picked off four passes and recorded a team-high 53.5 tackles for the Wolves' defensive unit. BRYAN SNYDER has given the Pioneers stability at the quarterback position since joining the team five games ago. The former Tennessee Valley Viper has thrown for 1,014 yards and 24 scores in his short time with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. JOHN KNUST has converted from quarterback to receiver for the Pioneers and has settled into his new position quickly, catching 20 passes for 222 yards and eight touchdowns in just three games. RODRICK PRAYER leads the Pioneers with 52.0 tackles.
--------------------------------------------------------
The big news in Memphis with Quad City coming to town this week is the Steamwheelers' 97-7 victory over the Xplorers in the second week of the 2001 regular season. A nucleus of Xplorers' players and coaches remain from that humbling loss and have they've said it's been on their minds this week. Both teams would like to wipe out bad memories of recent struggles as Memphis (4-6) and Quad City (5-4) look to snap their current losing streaks. The Steamwheelers signed former NFL QB MIKE CAWLEY this week with the intention of playing him Saturday. His talented receivers include OS/KR IRA GOOCH, the league's all-purpose yards and touchdowns leader with 2,106 and 24, respectively, and WR/LB CHRIS ANTHONY, who ranks seventh with 869 receiving yards (he also has 16 TDs). Memphis OS RUSSELL COPELAND is probable after missing most of the last month with a sprained ankle. His 772 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns were at or near the top of the league when he went down. In Copeland's absence, CARLOS McNEARY (629 yards, 16 TDs) has been the primary target for QB TIM LESTER, whose 2,601 passing yards lead the league. His 48 touchdown passes rank second overall.
--------------------------------------------------------
Tennessee Valley (8-1) is fresh off of a 60-40 victory over nemesis Quad City and hopes to ride that momentum into Saturday's interconference matchup with Roanoke (5-5). The Steam ended a three-game losing skid last weekend with a 45-14 victory at Carolina. Tennessee Valley ranks ninth in scoring offense with 49.2 points per game and fifth in defense, holding its opponents to an average of 36.6 points. That 36.6 total is exactly what Roanoke averages; on defense, the Steam allows 41.2 points per game. WES COUNTS has been consistent all season long, throwing 30 touchdown passes compared to just four interceptions, including a season-best seven TDs last week at Quad City. His efficiency is the big reason for the Vipers' plus-15 turnover margin, which ranks second in the league. The Vipers may be without injured OS KELLY FIELDS, who could miss his second straight game. WR/DB REGGIE WORTHY (527 receiving yards) scored four of his 12 touchdowns in Fields' absence last week. KELLY SNELL leads Tennessee Valley's secondary with nine interceptions (second in af2) and KENNY BAILEY has registered a team-high 53.5 tackles. ANTHONY HINES is the Steam's leading receiver with 543 yards. SEAN PETERSON is expected to start under center for Roanoke after stepping into last week's game against Carolina in the second quarter and throwing for 155 yards and three touchdowns. COREY CLARK leads the Steam defense with 45.5 tackles.
--------------------------------------------------------
Bossier City heads to Tulsa hoping to close in on the Talons. At 6-4, the Battle Wings are second in the National Conference Central Division, just a half game ahead of Arkansas. Tulsa sits atop the division with a 8-1 mark and looks to put some distance between itself and the Battle Wings, who handed the Talons their only loss of the year. In fact, Bossier City held Tulsa to its lowest point total in team history when the Battle Wings upended the Talons 27-13 on April 13. Tulsa, the owner of a league-best seven-game winning streak and 16-game regular-season home win streak, will suit up newly-acquired OL/DL NOEL SCARLETT, a former Minnesota Vikings draft pick who most recently played for the Dallas Cowboys. The two-pronged attack of QBs ANTHONY BUICH and JOE PHEARS leads the Talons. The two have combined for 2,069 passing yards and 45 touchdowns. LARRY HOLLINQUEST has been a leader on defense for Tulsa, notching 56.0 tackles and five interceptions. CEDRIC ROBINSON, this week's ADT Defensive Player of the Week, heads the Battle Wings' defense with 44.5 tackles and six interceptions, including two crucial pickoffs in last week's win at Arkansas. Offensively for Bossier City, SHERARD POTEETE has thrown for 2,132 yards and 33 scores and added 223 yards and 15 scores on the ground. KEVIN STEVENSON has caught a touchdown in every game he has played this season and has 17 total.
--------------------------------------------------------
Louisville (1-8) and Wichita (3-7) meet Saturday at the Kansas Coliseum in a game with major playoff implications. Both teams are battling for the final playoff position in the Midwest Division behind 8-2 Peoria, which can clinch its spot this week. The Stealth currently holds a two game lead over the Fire in the win column. But this Saturday's game and the rematch in Louisville on June 29 could very well determine the Pirates' first-round playoff opponent. Since the addition of RON LOPEZ at quarterback, Wichita is 2-1 with the lone loss at 8-1 Tulsa. Lopez has helped increase the Stealth's scoring from 26.3 points per game to 32.2 overall, with Wichita averaging 46 points in Lopez's three games. On defense, the Stealth are ranked fifth, holding opponents to just 211.7 yards a game. Louisville scores just 30.9 points per game and concedes 48.0 on defense. This game features the return to Wichita of MATT HICKS, whom Lopez replaced at QB. In his Louisville debut last week at Birmingham, Hicks passed for 123 yards and two touchdowns in relief of DAN ENGLISH. ANTHONY PAYTON leads the Fire's receiving corps with 46 catches for 701 yards and 12 scores. DELVECCHIO WALLS paces the Louisville defense with 23.5 tackles, two interceptions and 11 passes defended. BRYAN HENDERSON has recorded 10.0 sacks (fourth in af2) to lead the Stealth pass rush. Wichita has 14 interceptions as a team.
--------------------------------------------------------
At 5-4, Arkansas remains very much in the hunt for one of the Central Division's two playoff spots, making Saturday's game at 3-7 Fresno crucial for the Twisters. It's important for the Frenzy, as well, with two straight losses dropping them two games behind second-place San Diego in the Western Division. Fresno has won three consecutive home games, and will count on OS/KR LAMONT WEBB to lead the way. Webb ranks first in af2 with 148 points and third with 1,994 all-purpose yards. He has 835 yards and 17 TDs as a receiver. QBs KENNY ROSE and ROB STEPHENSON split time the past two weeks. RICKY HEBERT (41 TDs, 15 INTs) is Arkansas' unquestioned leader at quarterback. His 2,111 passing yards rank sixth in af2. His receiving corps is deep, with six players catching 14 passes or more this season. Two-way talent LENNIE JOHNSON is the most dangerous threat with 578 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.
--------------------------------------------------------
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS FOR WEEK 12
ALBANY: Will clinch a playoff berth with a win.
AUGUSTA: Will clinch a playoff berth with a win combined with a Columbus loss.
MACON: Will clinch a playoff berth with a win OR a loss combined with losses by Carolina and Columbus.
PEORIA: Will clinch a playoff berth with a win OR a loss combined with a loss by Louisville. Will clinch homefield advantage in the first round of the playoffs with a win.
arenafootball2 Stories from June 14, 2002
- No Place Like First Place - af2
- Jarvis Davis Rejoins af2's Carolina Rhinos - Carolina Rhinos
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.
