Rio Grande Valley Dorados game notes

June 8, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados News Release


Rio Grande Valley Dorados (4-5) vs. Amarillo Dusters (4-5)

Date: Saturday, June 10, 2006

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. CST

Site: Obra Homes Field at Dodge Arena

Coin Toss: Head Official

Dorados Radio: ESPN Radio 1240 (KSOX); free online audio at doradosfootball.com; streaming video at doradosfootball.com/af2tv.com.

TV: Televisa XERV-9, cable 19

Season Series Record: 1-0 AMA

Streaks: RGV lost 3

RGV Head Coach: Marty Hammond (1st Season)

DORADOS MEDIA CONTACT:

Dorados: Rich Bocchini (O: 956-843-7825, C: 956-227-4940), media@doradosfootball.com

THE SCENARIO: Tonight's game features two teams trying to maintain the chance for a playoff spot...Rio has lost three in a row, while the Dusters have dropped their last two...Rio's losing skid began May 13 at Bakersfield and continued with a loss at Amarillo and last week at Oklahoma City...The second half continues to be the downfall for RGV. Last week, they were outscored 29-0 in the final 30 minutes...The Dorados have not lost at home this season (3-0).

THE SERIES: This is the second all time meeting between the clubs...The last meeting featured the first-ever battle between two Canadian-born QB's in af2 history (JR Davies and Steve Panella).

OFF THE NET

- RGV QB Josh Kellett was injured early in the 2nd quarter of Week 7's game at Bakersfield and remains on the injured reserved list.

- JR Davies took over for Kellett in Week 7 and threw five TD passes, including a 37 yard toss to Mel Long and a 25-yard TD to Chris Canty. Since then he has thrown three TD's on 43 passes.

- The Dorados have lost five of six road games this season. The only road win was at Birmingham in Week 3, a 44-43 OT decision.

GOOD EATIN'

At each home game, the Rio Grande Valley Dorados will have tailgating outside the Dodge Arena sponsored by Budweiser and Dodge beginning at 4PM on game-days. Each tailgate event will feature a marquee food item for grillers and tailgaters to cook. Judges will give out prizes for the best of the selected food item prepared by fans. Go to doradosfootball.com to find out what's cookin' at the next Dorados home game.

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES courtesy of themonitor.com

Marty Hammond on JR Davies

"We've got to get this win no matter what," Hammond said. "J.R. knows he could have played better the last two games. He's a smart guy. He knows he's got to get better. He has to step up. If he doesn't, I won't hesitate to put Porter in. "We have to get a win."

Curtis Jeter on the team's recent struggles

"It's been all of us together that have been messing it up," he said. "If we don't block, he can't throw. We blew a lot of protections. I just think we have to get better at that. I don't think we've lost confidence. We've just got to get better up front."

NEW FACES

The Dorados added OL/DL Ahmad Bhatti and Frank Henson this week, and released Will Goodloe and Tony Agee. Bhatti is in his fifth af2 season and has spent time with Bakersfield and Fresno. Henson is a rookie out of Georgia Military and began the season with Everett.

DORADOS QB REPORT

Josh Kellett is out 4-6 weeks with an injured right throwing hand. He was among the leaders in af2 stats at the time of his injury. Kellett was first in pass attempts (261), 8th in pass TD's (32), and 3rd in completions (142).

JR Davies saw his first action of the season in the second half of Week 6 vs. Bossier-Shreveport. He was 7-for-10 with one interception and no TD's. He entered Week 7 at Bakersfield in the second quarter and threw for five TD's and 183 yards, going 11-for-20 with no picks.

DORADOS RECEIVING LEADERS

Dwight Counter leads the team with 64 receptions and is among af2 leaders in that category. His 15 TD's are also a team high. Mel Long is right on Counter's tail 45 receptions and 10 TD's. Travis McAlpine has 39 receptions and 10 TD's.

DORADOS DEFENSIVE LEADERS

Brent Withers leads the team with 49 tackles, 42 of which are solo. He and Mel Long lead the team with two interceptions. Corl Bucknor's seven pass breakups lead the team.

SECOND HALF BLUES

The Dorados have been outscored in the second half 216-147 including a 119-75 margin in the fourth quarter. They were outscored 29-0 in the second half in Week 10 at OKC.



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