Norfolk Nighthawks Game Notes
May 27, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Norfolk Nighthawks News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Mohegan Wolves (4-3) @ Norfolk Nighthawks (5-2)
Date: 5/31/03
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Site: Scope Arena (8,965)
National Anthem: TBA
Coin Toss: TBA
Officials: R Terry Haney, U William Fealey, HL John McDaid, LJ George Eason, BJ Keith Washington
Series Record: Norfolk leads 2-1
Last Meeting: NORFOLK 39, Mohegan 30
Streaks: Wolves L1, Nighthawks W 3
Coaches: Rick Frazier (4-2, first season) Mark Stoute (4-2, first season)
THE STAKES: The Norfolk Nighthawks (5-2), are on a true winning streak. They have won three in a row after falling back to .500 after four games. The stakes are simple: The Nighthawks are about to attempt on of the most difficult things to do in professional sports â win back-to-back against the same opponent. They accomplished this earlier this season against the Pioneers of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
The Pioneers must have seemed like easy prey for the Nighthawks, as QB Aaron Sparrow launched 6 touchdowns in each win. Can the team cruise again? The Nighthawks have only lost once at home this season (versus the Cape Fear Wildcats) and that was a last minute debacle.
THE SERIES:
Norfolk 39, Mohegan 30. Uncasville, Conn. (May 23, 2003) â The Norfolk Nighthawks defense withstood a late Mohegan rally attempt to earn a hardfought 39-30 road win Friday night at Mohegan Sun Arena. The loss was the Wolves first home setback of the season. Norfolk improved to 5-2 overall with the win, while Mohegan fell to 4-3. QB Aaron Sparrow clinched the Nighthawk win in the final minute when he found WR/DB Melvin Coleman for a 15-yard touchdown pass. Sparrow earned Game MVP honors for his 192-yard, fourtouchdown performance (three passing, one rushing).
NORFOLK 58, Mohegan 51 (OT) Norfolk, Va. (May 6, 2002) - Turnovers and penalties again were costly to the Mohegan Wolves (2-3) as they lost, 58-51, in overtime to the Norfolk Nighthawks (1-3). The Wolves turned the ball over four times and were penalized 17 times for 153 yards in the loss. Norfolk's Gary Briggs was named MVP. He recorded eight receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned two kicks for touchdowns.
Norfolk's Abdul Shabazz-Wiggins was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game while Travis Burns earned Ironman honors. Mohegan QB Cable Davis led Mohegan despite missing most of the 2nd quarter with an ankle injury. Davis passed for 208 yards and four touchdowns.
Backup QB Kevin Carty threw for two scores as well. Carty left the game at the half with a separated shoulder, forcing Davis back into duty. Wolves OS Brandon Burnside led all receivers with eight receptions for 142 yards and three touchdowns. In addition, Jeff Cogell recorded a sack, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown.
THE IFs:
If NORFOLK defeats the WOLVES, it would ...
⢠Give NORFOLK 3-1 all-time lead versus the Wolves
⢠Give NORFOLK a 4-0 win streak in the last four games
⢠Give NORFOLK even more steam as they chug toward the af2 playoffs
HEAD COACHES:
Rick Fraizer brings more than a quarter century worth of coaching experience to the Norfolk Nighthawks in his new capacity as the team's Head Coach. Frazier comes to Norfolk after spending the 2002 season with the Toronto Phantoms of the AFL. Frazier served the Phantoms as their Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator.
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.
LAST SERIES MEETING: Norfolk 39, Mohegan 30.
Uncasville, Conn. (May 23, 2003) â The Norfolk Nighthawks defense withstood a late Mohegan rally attempt to earn a hard-fought 39-30 road win Friday night at Mohegan Sun Arena. The loss was the Wolves first home setback of the season. Norfolk improved to 5-2 overall with the win, while Mohegan fell to 4-3. QB Aaron Sparrow clinched the Nighthawk win in the final minute when he found WR/DB Melvin Coleman for a 15-yard touchdown pass. Sparrow earned Game MVP honors for his 192-yard, four-touchdown performance (three passing, one rushing). Norfolk's defensive efforts were keyed by their defensive front, namely linemen Duane Williams and Ron Waife. Williams earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors for registering one sack and one forced fumble. Waife was also strong, contributing 3.5 tackles and 2.5 sacks on the night. Mohegan OS Cy Butler stood out for the Wolves individually, catching five passes for 63 yards and one touchdown. Butler also returned five kickoffs for a game-high 95 yards on his way to earn Ironman of the Game accolades.
FORWARD MOTION: Next week, the Nighthawks host the Mohegan Wolves back home at Norfolk Scope, May 31.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
NIGHTHAWKS: Kofi Smith, DS Offense might be the key to winning games in Arena Football, but ask any coach and they will tell you that without an effective defense, your team can score all they want and probably wind up loosing.
That is why the Nighthawks are lucky to have Defensive Specialist Kofi Smith. This speedy defender has been a force to be reckoned with through this 2003 season. In the Nighthawks' previous game against the Mohegan Wolves, Kofi Smith had three solo tackles and two assisted. Smith played a key role in shutting down the offensive firepower that the Wolves could have thrown the Nighthawks way. Smith will likely have to play in the same capacity if the Nighthawks have a chance of victory against the Wolves for the second week.
WOLVES: Wolves OS Cy Butler: Butler broke free for two touchdown receptions in his first start of the season at offensive specialist. The 5-foot-7 Rhode Island product also compiled 139 kickoff return yards, including a 54-yarder that set up another Mohegan touchdown. His offensive exploits should play a major factor against the Nighthawks.
Wolves QB Greg Smith: After using four different starting quarterbacks to start the season, the Wolves may have finally found a keeper in rookie Greg Smith. In his first career start, Smith tied a team record with six touchdown passes in Mohegan's most recent victory (56-43) on 5/16 vs. Richmond. The 6-foot-3 Dartmouth graduate also completed 12-of-17 passes for a team season-high 236 yards. Smith will need to continue his strong play on Friday against a tough Norfolk defense for the Wolves offense to perform well.
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