Renegades Game Notes
July 23, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Lubbock Renegades News Release
SO YOU SAY THERE IS A CHANCE!
GAME #16
WHEN: 7:00 PM (CST), SATURDAY, 7/28/07
WHERE: FORD CENTER, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
VS: OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (7-9)
BROADCASTS: RADIO: KKAM 1340 AM ONLINE WEBCAST: b2 Networks via www.lubbockrenegades.com
After a pair of losses to "Valley" teams, the Lubbock Renegades (6-9) are on a franchise tying three-game winless streak seeking to get out of a valley this week, as they close out the regular season against Oklahoma City (7-9). There are various playoff scenarios but the one true factor riding on this game is that for Lubbock to claim a spot into the playoffs, they must win by three or more points over Oklahoma City and must have Tennessee Valley win (at Louisville) and have Alabama (hosting Cincinnati) lose. Outside of that, there is about a %2 chance Lubbock could sneak in based on a drastic slide in strength of schedule percentages. The Renegades must also win and Alabama must lose for there even to be an opportunity for Lubbock to be playoff eligible. Oklahoma City also has playoff implications riding on this game. There are several scenarios that could play out for the Yard Dawgz, but they can outright clinch a spot with a victory over the Renegades.
RENEGADES RECAP
Lubbock 68, Rio Grande Valley 73
By Joey Hinojosa
Hidalgo, Texas - The Lubbock Renegades (6-9) recorded 54 points in the second half to launch a comeback bid against the af2 #2 ranked Rio Grande Valley Dorados (14-1), but it was not enough to overcome a 40-0 deficit, as RGV earned the 73-68 win Saturday night at Dodge Arena. Lubbock remains in the ninth spot in the National Conference and alive in the playoff race going into the final week of the regular season.
The Dorados came out with six touchdowns scores out of their seven first half drives while the Renegades were only able to reach the endzone on their final two drives of the half for a 47-14 score at the midway point.
Alvance Robinson led the way for Lubbock with six receptions and Renegade single-game franchise-highs of 196 yards and 5 touchdowns. Lubbock Quarterback Robert Kent tied his Renegade single-game franchise high of nine touchdowns while he also completed 18-of-31 pass attempts for 350 yards. Lubbock's James McCoy returned five kickoffs for 166 yards proving to be a bright spot on special teams.
The Dorados winning streak extends to a franchise-high 12 games, as Josh Kellett threw for 299 yards for seven touchdowns and completed 19-of-38 pass attempts. RGV's wide receiver George Williams collected 144 receiving yards and four touchdowns off of seven receptions. Williams also had a rushing score for a five-touchdown night.
Scoring 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Rio Grande Valley 12 35 7 19 73
Lubbock 0 14 40 14 68
RECEIVING: Williams, George (RGV) 7-144-4; Robinson, Alvance (LUB) 6-196-5 PASSING: Kellett, Josh (RGV) 19-38-1-299-7; Kent, Robert (LUB) 18-31-1-350-9
Schutt Offensive Player of the Game: George Williams (RGV) / Alvance Robinson (LUB)
ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Marcus Harris (RGV)
US Army Ironman of the Game: James McCoy (LUB)
Cutters Catch of the Game: Jermaine Carpenter (RGV)
RENEGADES RIVAL RUNDOWN
The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz have dropped five of their last six games but can still clinch a playoff spot this weekend with a win, as they look to build on a 7-8 record and a 4-3 home mark. Even a loss could possibly get them into the playoffs. The Yard Dawgz began the season on a good note opening with a 6-3 record before their recent downfalls. One the wins included a 64-61 win at Lubbock on May 19th, in which the Yard Dawgz won the game on the final play of the game. The Yard Dawgz offense ranks third in the af2 with an average of 295.5 yards per game. Their kickoff return team ranks third in the af2 with an average return of 20.4 yards with 4 kickoff returns for touchdowns, which ranks tied for second in the league. Quarterback Stan Hill leads the Yard Dawgz offense and ranks third in the af2 with an average of 285.8 yards of produced offense per game. He passes for an average of 283.9 yards per game which ranks second in the af2.
OKLAHOMA CITY'S LAST GAME RECAP
Oklahoma City 28, Arkansas 58
Oklahoma City, OK - The Arkansas Twisters defeated Oklahoma City 58-28 in front of 8220 fans at the Ford Center. Arkansas started the scoring in the first quarter with help from its defense. The Twisters stopped Oklahoma City on fourth down, and the offense turned it into points when Jon Schoonover caught an eight yard pass from Brian Villanueva to give the Twisters the early lead. The Twisters stopped the Yard Dawgz again on fourth down when Colby Clark sacked Oklahoma City quarterback Stan Hill. Arkansas scored on the next play when Terrance Freeney ran the ball three yards for the touchdown and the extra point put the Twisters up 14-0. Oklahoma City answered with their first touchdown of the game when Jarrail Jackson ran the ball in from five yards out to cut the Twisters lead in half through the first quarter. Arkansas began the second quarter with a bizarre play. Villanueva threw down field on third down from his own 17 yard line and Robert Kilow made a circus style catch in the endzone where the ball bounced off the wall, off the defender, but never appeared to touch the ground. The officials conversed about the play and awarded the Twisters the score and the extra point put Arkansas up 21-7. Oklahoma City drove down field on the ensuing drive and had the ball first goal at the eight yard line. Hill's short pass was intercepted by Jason Simpson and returned 41 yards for the touchdown. The extra point put Arkansas up 28-7 in the second and the Twisters led 28-14 at halftime. The Yard Dawgz closed within one score when they opened the second half with a touchdown. Allan Krutulis capped a long drive with a one yard run to pull Oklahoma City within 28-21. Arkansas ran off four unanswered touchdowns to pull away. Villanueva finished the game by completing 12 of his 28 passes for 148 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Robert Kilow had five catches for 58 yards and one touchdown. He eclipsed 1000 yards receiving for the season, joining Schoonover as the only set of Twisters teammates to accomplish the feat in the same season. Simpson finished the game with a game high 11.5 tackles, two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown and three pass breakups. He upped his season total to 132.0 tackles for the season to break the af2 record set by Florida's Levy Brown the week before. Pierre Thomas finished with 10.5 tackles to give him 101.0 tackles on the season to become just the second set of teammates with 100 tackles in the same season in league history.
af2 WEEK 17 REVIEW
Bakersfield Blitz 50, Stockton Lightning 36
Everett Hawks 45, Tri-Cities Fever 43
Boise Burn 77, Central Valley Coyotes 41
Tulsa Talons 52, Texas Copperheads 12
Rio Grande Valley Dorados 73, Lubbock Renegades 68
Tenn. Valley Vipers 58, Mahoning Valley Thunder 39
Spokane Shock 55, Amarillo Dusters 19
Corpus Christi Sharks 28, Laredo Lobos 14
Arkansas Twisters 58, Oklahoma Yard Dawgz 28
Alabama Steeldogs 71, South Georgia Wildcats 61
WB/Scranton Pioneers 50, Bossier Battle Wings 28
Manchester Wolves 69, Albany Conquest 56
Green Bay Blizzard 74, Louisville Fire 48
Quad City Steamwheelers 83, Cinn. Jungle Kats 33
af2 WEEK 18 PREVIEW
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Fort Wayne at Quad City 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at Albany 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Tennessee Valley at Louisville 6:00 p.m.
Green Bay at Mahoning Valley 6:05 p.m.
Florida at Manchester 6:05 p.m.
Cincinnati at Alabama 7:00 p.m.
South Georgia at Tulsa 7:00 p.m.
Amarillo at Arkansas 7:00 p.m.
Boise at Tri-Cities 7:00 p.m.
Lubbock at Oklahoma City 7:05 p.m.
Bossier-Shreveport at Laredo 7:05 p.m.
Rio Grande Valley at Texas 7:30 p.m.
Spokane at Everett 9:00 p.m.
Bakersfield at Central Valley 9:00 p.m.
Corpus Christi at Stockton 9:30 p.m.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE'S CENTRAL DIVISION STANDINGS
Team (Overall) W L T (Points) For Opp Pct Home Away Neut Streak ---- - - - --- --- --- ---- ---- ---- ------ Tulsa Talons........ 13 2 0 848 604 .867 6-1-0 7-1-0 0-0-0 Won 3
Arkansas Twisters... 11 4 0 771 602 .733 5-2-0 6-2-0 0-0-0 Won 2
Oklahoma Yard Dawgz. 7 8 0 765 799 .467 4-3-0 3-5-0 0-0-0 Lost 2
Lubbock Renegades... 6 9 0 781 802 .400 4-4-0 2-5-0 0-0-0 Lost 3
Amarillo Dusters.... 3 12 0 683 790 .200 3-5-0 0-7-0 0-0-0 Lost 3
NATIONAL CONFERENCE PLAYOFF STANDINGS
If the season ended today, the Lubbock Renegades would not be in the playoffs. Here is a look at the National Conference standings:
NATIONAL CONFERENCE STANDINGS
1. Rio Grande Valley (14-1) - xy - Clinched Southwest Division
2. Tulsa (13-2) - xy - Clinched Central Division
3. Florida (11-4) - y - Current South Division Leader
4. Arkansas (11-4) - y
5. South Georgia (10-5) - y - Owns HTH advantage over BSB
6. Bossier-Shreveport (10-5) - y
7. Oklahoma City (7-8) - Owns SOS advantage over TVV (tied with TVV in win % in common games: ALA, FLA, QCS)
8. Tennessee Valley (7-8)
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9. Lubbock (6-9) - Owns better win % in common games over ALA (OKC, TEX, TUL)
10. Alabama (6-9)
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11. Corpus Christi (5-10)
12. Amarillo (3-12)
13. Texas (2-13)
14. Laredo (1-14)
Playoffs
Sixteen teams qualify for the playoffs, eight from each conference (American and National). The eight qualifying teams in each conference consist of the three division champions and five Wild Cards, determined by best overall record. Seeding in each conference is based on overall record, with the top three seeds in each conference reserved for the division champions, regardless of record. In the First Round (August 3-5), the first three seeds in each conference are the three division winners. The next five teams are seeded by next best five overall records. Teams ranked 1-4 earn home playoff games with 1 hosting 8, 2 hosting 7, 3 hosting 6 and 4 hosting 5. In the Second Round (August 10-12), the winner of the 1-8 game plays the winner of the 4-5 game. The winner of the 2-7 game plays the winner of the 3-6 game. The home team is decided by the team with the higher seed. The winners of the Second Round will meet for the Conference Championships on the weekend of August 17-19. The team with the better overall record hosts the Conference Championship game. The winners of the Conference Championships face off in the 2007 ArenaCup on the weekend of August 24-26 at a site to be determined.
Tiebreaking Procedures
If, at the end of the regular season, two or more clubs in the same division are tied with identical won-lost percentages, the following steps will be taken to determine rank.
Two Clubs
1. Head-to-head (best won-lost percentage in games among clubs).
2. If teams split head-to-head games, the next tiebreaker will be the point differential in those two games.
3. Best won-lost percentage in common games, if applicable
4. Strength of schedule (strength up).
Three or More Clubs
- If two clubs remain tied after a third club is eliminated during any step, tiebreaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format.
- If one team wins multiple-team tiebreaker to advance to playoff round, remaining teams revert to step 1 of the two-club format.
- All teams must have played head-to-head for step 1 to be utilized in a multiple-team tie.
1. Head-to-head (best won-lost percentage in games among clubs).
2. Best won-lost percentage in common games, if applicable.
3. Strength of schedule (strength up).
4. Coin flip.
SCENARIOS
THIS IS GOOD
If Lubbock Wins by three or more points (OKC loses), Tennessee Valley wins and Alabama loses: Tennessee Valley would clinch the #7 seed and Lubbock would clinch the #8 seed since the Renegades would win the head-to-head tiebreaker advantage over Oklahoma City.
HOLD YOUR BREATH
If Lubbock Wins (OKC loses) and Alabama and Tennessee Valley loses: This is the most intriguing incident that could take place. First and foremost, Lubbock would have to win by three or more points. There would be a three-way tie between Oklahoma City, Tennessee Valley and Lubbock, which the deciding factor for the #7 seed would be the strength of schedule tiebreaker. Lubbock must have Tennessee Valley claim that tiebreaker so that it would set up a tiebreaker scenario between Lubbock and Oklahoma City for the #8 seed. A win by three or more would give Lubbock the tiebreaking advantage over Oklahoma City (if Tennessee Valley was to fill the #7 seed). Currently, Oklahoma City's strength of schedule is greater than Tennessee Valley by a matter of their opponents having four more wins than Tennessee Valley's opponents. A crucial game that could play a part in the strength of schedule is South Georgia at Tulsa, since South Georgia was Tennessee Valley's opponent and Tulsa was an opponent of Oklahoma City this season. Lubbock could also use wins by Everett (vs. Spokane), Florida (at Manchester) and WB/Scranton (at Albany), and losses by Corpus Christi (at Stockton), Boise (at Tri-Cities), Laredo (at Bossier-Shreveport) and Rio Grande Valley (at Texas) to help Tennessee Valley receive a better strength of schedule ranking than Oklahoma City. If Oklahoma City's strength of schedule is greater than Tennessee Valley then OKC would take the #7 seed and Lubbock would lose the tiebreaker against Tennessee Valley (based on strength of schedule).
NOT GOOD
If Lubbock Wins regardless of score (OKC loses), Alabama and Tennessee Valley wins: Lubbock would be eliminated from playoff contention because Tennessee Valley would clinch, leaving one spot remaining and either Oklahoma City or Alabama would receive the spot over Lubbock based on the strength of schedule tiebreaker.
If Lubbock Wins regardless of score (OKC loses), Alabama win and Tennessee Valley loses: This would create a four-team tie with the #7 and #8 spots up for grabs. Strength of schedule would be the only option to decide the tie breaker for the #7 seed and no matter who receives it, Lubbock's strength of schedule would prevent them from winning the tiebreaker. Regardless of which three teams then remain to decide the #8 seed, it would come down to a tiebreaker regarding strength of schedule and Lubbock would not win that battle, meaning Lubbock is eliminated from playoff contention.
If Lubbock Wins by less than three points: Regardless to whoever else wins or loses, Lubbock would lose all tiebreaking powers and tiebreakers would eliminate them from playoff contention.
If Lubbock Loses: Regardless to whoever else wins or loses, Lubbock would be eliminated from playoff contention based on the lack of wins.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
1-5 - Record - Lubbock is 1-5 this season when they win the coin toss this season. They are 5-4 when they lose the toss.
32.7 - Yards per Catch - Receiver Alvance Robinson caught a pair of 45-yard touchdown passes and ended the game with 196 yards on six catches with five touchdowns produced Saturday at Rio Grande Valley. The six catches averaged out to 32.7 yards per catch, which is an af2 single-game high for this season.
54 - Points - Lubbock hammered out 68 points in 30:54 seconds of work, including 54 points produced in the second half to nearly overcome a 40-0 deficit Saturday night at Rio Grande Valley.
RENEGADES PRACTICE TIMES
All practices this week are inside City Bank Coliseum: Tue-Thurs: 10-11:30 a.m.
ADDITIONAL INFO
Additional info can also be found by visiting the Renegades online at www.lubbockrenegades.com.
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