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Saturday Night Matchups

May 15, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


MANCHESTER WOLVES (3-3) AT ALBANY FIREBIRDS (2-5)

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2009 - Times Union Center (13,901) 1 P.M. ET

Saturday's action kicks off with the Manchester Wolves visiting their long-time East division rival, the Albany Firebirds. This will be the 24th meeting between these two teams, and the second so far this season with two more to go. Manchester is currently in the midst of a two-game losing streak. The Wolves lost at home last week to the Quad City Steamwheelers, 50-48. Manchester looked prepared to dominate the Steamwheelers, scoring two touchdowns in each of the first three quarters, opening up a 42-28 lead going into the fourth. But the Steamwheelers rallied while Manchester only managed six points, sealing their two-point loss. The Wolves are starting off the year dominating on the ground, racking up nearly 40 yards rushing per game (37.5), mostly behind the legs of FB PAUL JEFFERSON. Jefferson is averaging 19 yards per rush, good for sixth highest in the league. He tallied 39 yards rushing against the Steamwheelers. QB JAMES PINKNEY is passing for 256.8 yards per game average and completing 61.5% of his passes, allowing him to tally up 30 touchdowns so far this season. Last weekend, Pinkney completed 16-of-29 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns while rushing twice for 27 total yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target was WR JASON MESSING, who nabbed six catches for 51 yards and one touchdown. Jefferson ran in another score. Defensively, DL BRYAN ROBINSON had a strong outing with four tackles, three tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles, one pass break up and three sacks. Robinson is averaging the third most sacks per game (1.2), the second most tackles-for-loss (1.4) and the most forced fumbles (.6) in the league. The Albany Firebirds are coming into this weekend's game on their first winning streak of the season. The Firebirds won their first game just two weeks ago, and notched another victory last weekend on the road over Bossier-Shreveport, 54-41. Albany overall has been struggling to find their rhythm this season, losing their first five games by margins as large as 44 and as small as five, all the while allowing their opponents an average of 53 points per game. QB STEPHEN WASIL had his second straight strong start last weekend. On all but one of the Firebirds' possessions, Wasil was behind an Albany score, throwing for six TDs and rushing in two more. WR CHRISTIAN WISE continued to impress as well, making 11 grabs for 190 yards and three touchdowns. Manchester may have won the first meeting this season between the two clubs (74-53 in Week 4), but the Firebirds aren't the same team they were four weeks ago. Expect this contest to be a real battle from start to finish.

BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLEWINGS (2-4) AT KENTUCKY HORESEMEN (3-3)

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2009 - Rupp Arena (23,000) 7:00 P.M. ET

The action continues when the BattleWings of Bossier-Shreveport travel north to Lexington, Kent. to face the Horsemen. This will be the first meeting for these two franchises. Coming off back-to-back winning seasons and playoff appearances, the BattleWings have underachieved so far in 2009 with just two wins so far this season. Bossier-Shreveport lost its most recent outing last weekend when the Albany Firebirds came to town and left with a 54-41 victory. QB KINSMON LANCASTER made his second start and didn't far quite as well as his first time out, completing just 20-for-35 passes for 201 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions. WR P.J. BERRY made five catches for 38 yards and returned four kickoffs for 88 yards. The offense also got help on the ground with two touchdowns by JASON SCHULE (36 yards rushing). Schule is averaging the fifth most rushing yards per game. WR BUCHIE IBEH leads the club in scoring (98 points) and receiving (31-344-16 TDs). LB DUSTIN JOHNSON (3 INTs, 3 FRs) and DL MARCUS PITTMAN (6 sacks) are two of the team's top defenders. This week the BattleWings will have their hands full again with the No. 11-ranked Kentucky Horsemen. The Horsemen score the third most points per game in the league with a 64.7 average. Former NFL QB JARED LORENZEN continues to impress, averaging 17.3 rushing yards per game and 220.3 passing. Last week against South Georgia, Lorenzen completed 16-of-28 passes for 224 yards and six touchdowns. LONNELL DEWALT has been an ideal target for Lorenzen. Last week the 6-foot-6 receiver caught seven passes for 97 yards and three touchdowns. Dewalt is averaging 8.33 receptions a game for 95.2 yards and has a team-best 17 touchdowns for the Horsemen. While the Horsemen are offensively strong, their defense has been struggling a bit this season. The defense is allowing 59.5 points per game, third most in the league. DL JAMUS MARTIN has been a strong point, however, averaging nearly one sack per game (.9) and 1.3 tackles-for-loss per game. Against South Georgia, Martin made 1.5 tackles, one tackle-for-loss, one pass break up, and one sack. Veteran DB MATT FORBES has been a bright spot as well as the league's all-time interception leader has a league-high six picks. The BattleWings will need a strong effort out of Lancaster if they hope to keep up with the hard-charging Horsemen at Rupp Arena (2-0 in 2009).

SPOKANE SHOCK (6-0) AT FLORIDA FIRECATS (3-4)

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2009 - Germain Arena (7,128) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Florida Firecats are in for a challenge this weekend, hosting the No. 1 Spokane Shock in the first meeting between the two clubs. Spokane has topped the polls for nine straight weeks. The Shock continue to show they are worth the hype, however, as they maintain their undefeated record at 6-0 with the hope of bringing it to 7-0 after this weekend. Their most recent game was their biggest scare of the season, only defeating the Boise Burn by two, 64-62. They rank sixth overall in scoring with an average of 61.3 points per contest. They also hold their opposition to just 43.5 points per outing. QB NICK DAVILA continues to rack up the statistics. Davila is averaging 267 passing yards per game and has the third best pass efficiency in the league. So far, Davila has thrown for 39 touchdowns. Versus the Burn, Davila went 27-for-45 and five touchdowns. The offensive line has done their fair share for Davila as well, allowing a league low three sacks. WR ANDY OLSON has been an offensive leader all season, grabbing an average of 8.5 receptions per game for 104.8 yards and 12 points per game. The defense has been doing their job, especially DL BEN MCCOMBS. McCombs ranks second in sacks with six on the season. K BRIAN JACKSON has excelled and on field goals so far (5/5) and has converted on 91.5% of his PATs. Florida slipped under .500 last weekend with a 55-42 road loss to Arkansas. QB CHRIS WALLACE continues to be one of the best in the league, averaging 256 passing yards per game and has thrown for 38 touchdowns. He has only been intercepted four times but is completing just 58.3 percent of his passes. His top target in 2009 has been WR CHRIS MCKINNEY who is making 8.33 catches per game and has tallied 17 touchdowns so far. McKinney is one of the Top-10 scorers in the league, putting an average of 18 points per game on the board. With their close call last weekend, the Shock will be ready to make sure that doesn't happen again. The Firecats, however, won't be intimidated at home. If Wallace plays well, this game could be closer than most may expect.

CORPUS CHRISTI SHARKS (1-5) AT AMARILLO DUSTERS (0-6)

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2009 - Amarillo Civic Center (4,870) 8:00 P.M. ET

The Corpus Christi Sharks visit Amarillo on Saturday night as the two clubs meet for the second time this season. Last time they faced each other in Week 3, the Sharks earned their only win of the year, 63-47. Corpus Christi lost a tough outing last week at home against the defending ArenaCup Champion Tennessee Valley Vipers, 44-36. QB GARY COOPER led Corpus Christi with 244 yards on 26-of-39 passing with three touchdowns and no interceptions. WR BRANDON HUSSEY had seven catches for 99 yards with two TDs. The Sharks are averaging 40.7 points per game while allowing 55.5. Cooper is averaging 251.5 yards passing per game, 12th best in the league. WR JONATHAN GRAHAM has been open for Cooper's tosses several times this season, so far grabbing 49 passes for 527 yards and seven touchdowns. Hussey is leading the team with nine touchdowns. Recent addition NATHAN FRICKE has played well since joining the club. Last week, Fricke threw for one touchdown, rushed for one touchdown, made eight catches for 79 yards and one touchdown, and returned seven kickoffs for 110 yards. Not only is Amarillo looking for their first victory over Corpus Christi, they are hoping to get their first win of the season overall. Last week the Dusters lost big on the road at Rio Grande Valley, 66-25. Among solid efforts from the Dusters were WR/LB JOHN KING's four tackles and two interceptions, WR BRENT CRAFT's 87 receiving yards and two scores and QB COLLIN DRAFT's four touchdown passes (with no interceptions). The Rio Grande Valley defense took advantage of five fumble recoveries and sacked Drafts four times. The Dusters are scoring the least points per game, averaging just 32.7 while allowing nearly 60 points (58.2). Amarillo has a chance to snap its losing streak this week against the Sharks, but the Dusters will need a breakout performance by their offense.

SOUTH GEORGIA WILDCATS (6-2) AT QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (4-2)

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2009 - i wireless Center (9,315) 8:00 P.M. ET

The South Division-leading Wildcats head to the Quad Cities this week for their first-ever meeting with the Steamwheelers. South Georgia is currently ranked No. 7 in the latest league coaches poll. The Wildcats are coming into this week's affair in god spirits after a narrow, 72-66, home win in Week 7 against division rival Kentucky. QB Darnell Kennedy threw a South Georgia single-game record 10 touchdown passes, including the eventual game-winner to WR Alvance Robinson with 29 second left to play that gave the Wildcats a 70-66 lead. On the Horsemen's ensuing offensive possession, the South Georgia defense would put the nail in the coffin as DE Courtney Young sacked Kentucky QB Jared Lorenzen in the end zone for a South Georgia safety that gave the Wildcats their final two points. Kennedy ended his record-setting night completing 60.9 percent of his passes (25-of-41) for 374 yards with one interception. Kennedy was named the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season on Wednesday. He is the only two-time league award winner in 2009. Kennedy is tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns (11), ranks fifth in passer rating (121.8) and is tied for third in the league in TD passes (43). Robinson led all receivers with nine receptions for 183 yards and five touchdowns against Kentucky. He also leads the club in receiving (48-694-18 TDs). As a team, the Wildcats defense ranks second in the league in interceptions (11), third in turnovers forced (20) and third in sacks (16). The offense is seventh overall in scoring at 61.2 points per game. Young is the team leader in sacks with 4.5 while DB DEMETRIE MCCRAY owns a team-best 44 tackles. The Steamwheelers, winners of two straight games, are currently ranked No. 10 in the league coaches poll. Last week they pulled off a big fourth quarter comeback on the road to defeat Manchester, 50-48. The Wolves looked in good position as they held a 42-28 lead heading into the final quarter. Quad City's defense, however, dug down deep and wore down the Wolves. Steamwheelers QB J.J. RATERINK finished with 290 yards passing with six TDs and one interception. He also had one rushing TD. WR JESSE SCHMIDT led all receivers with 13 catches for 205 yards and four TDs. He currently ranks among the league leaders in scoring (5th-122 points) and receiving (68-928-20 TDs). LB TERRANCE FREENEY led Quad City with 4.0 tackles and one tackle for loss while DB DEMARCUS ROBINSON had one interception. DL ANTON CEASER leads a group of three defenders with at least 3.0 sacks with 3.5 overall. As a team, the Steamwheelers are tied for fifth in sacks with 13. Quad City will need another solid outing from its defense in order to contain Kennedy and the Wildcats.

OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (4-2) AT TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (5-2)

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2009 - Von Braun Center (6,642) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Yard Dawgz face another tough road test this week when they travel to Huntsville, Ala. to tackle the Vipers of Tennessee Valley. These two teams have met just once with Tennessee Valley winning 77-37 on the final day of May in 2008. Oklahoma City, which began the season at 4-0 (best OKC start ever), has dropped its last two games. Last week the team lost at in-state rival Tulsa, 75-56. Yard Dawgz QB Robert Kent had a relatively quiet night with just four touchdown passes with one interception. He also had two rushing scores. WR Al Hunt had eight catches on 112 yards and one touchdown. New addition WR CRAIG FULTON, JR. had a team-best three touchdown grabs and 128 yards receiving (5 catches). DB FRED SHAW had 8.0 tackles and a fumble recovery to pace the defense. In the end, the Tulsa offense was just too tough to contain. As a team, the Yard Dawgz are tied for third in scoring at 64.7 points per game. Kent leads the league in a host of categories, including total offense (335.2 ypg), passer rating (145.5), completion percentage (77.4) and passing yards per game (310.5). Hunt is tied for the league's all-time scoring lead with 1,168 career points. He also leads the team in 2009 in scoring (104 points) and receiving 35-564-15 TDs). Another offensive weapon is FB FREDDIE ROLLINS (team-best 7 rush TDs, 111 rush yards). Shaw has been the team's top defensive playmaker with 36 total tackles, four interceptions (team-high) and three fumble recoveries (team-best). The Yard Dawgz are currently ranked No. 8 in the latest league coaches poll. The Vipers, winners of four straight games, have moved up in the coaches poll to No. 4. Their most recent result was a hard-fought 44-36 road victory in Week 7 at Corpus Christi. The Sharks held a 24-17 halftime lead before getting outscored 14-0 in the third quarter. Tennessee Valley QB Kevin Eakin paced the Vipers with 253 yards passing on 21-of-33 attempts for four scores without an interception. WR JEREMY GRIER led the Tennessee Valley receivers with seven grabs for 95 yards (1 TD). DB Desmond Foster had a game-high 10.5 tackles and two pass breakups to lead the defense. He leads the team in tackles (47) and pass breakups (13). The Vipers defense has been one of the best in the af2 through the first half of the season. They rank third in points per game allowed (42.1) and are tied for fifth overall in sacks (13). On the offensive side, Eakin has stepped up his play during the club's current win streak. After 13 touchdown passes and five interceptions in the team's first three games (1-2), the second-year signal caller has tossed 26 scores over his last four outings against just one interception. He currently ranks sixth in the league in passer rating at 119.6. WRs CHRIS BOCAGE and BRADLY CHAVEZ both share the team lead in touchdown receptions with 12. This should be a great game featuring two Top-10 teams. Oklahoma City wants to get back on the winning track, but that won't come easy against the streaking Vipers who are 3-0 at home this season.

TRI-CITIES FEVER (1-6) AT BOISE BURN (4-2)

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2009 - Qwest Arena (5,006) 9:15 P.M. ET

The Tri-Cities Fever head to Boise, Idaho this week to take on the Burn in the second of four head-to-head meetings among the two clubs this season. Boise got the better of things the first time out, cooling the Fever in Week 1, 48-15, in Kennewick, Wash. The loss would be the first of six straight for Tri-Cities before the team finally got in the win column last week against Stockton, 43-42. The Fever battled back from a 19-point fourth quarter deficit to claim their first victory of 2009. Defensively the Fever were led by DL Ben Alexander who accumulated 3.5 total tackles (2.0 sacks), one fumble forced and one fumble recovery. Offensively, league veteran RYAN PORTER, in his first start for Tri-Cities, threw six touchdowns for the Fever while WR TREMAYNE KIRKLAND finished with eight catches for 101 yards and four scores. Tri-Cities hopes the infusion of Porter will add some playmaking ability out of the quarterback position. The Fever have had back-to-back games with over 40 points for the first time all season, but they'll need to be better than that in order to be competitive on a weekly basis. Currently they rank second to last in scoring offense at 34.1 points per game. Tri-Cities has also allowed nearly 60 points per game (59.4) to its opponents. The club currently ranks near the bottom of the league standings in turnovers (22) and interceptions (13). Kirkland has been one of the team's bright spots so far this year. The rookie receiver, who has played in all seven games, leads the Fever in receiving (46-496-9 TDs) and scoring (60 points - 10 total TDs). The Burn are looking to bounce back this week after a tough two-point road loss to Spokane last Saturday, 64-62. Boise's only two losses this season have come against the Shock. The Burn enter this week's home tilt ranked No. 9 in the latest league coaches poll. Against the Shock, rookie QB TAYLOR THARP passed for a Boise record 347 yards on 28-of-32 attempts. He also threw a career-best eight touchdowns. His solid outing, however, was overshadowed by two two costly second-half interceptions, including one in the final minute of play as Boise was attempting to take the lead. Burn WR Nichiren Flowers had 156 yards receiving and four touchdowns, both game-bests. Flowers leads the team in scoring (90 points) and receiving touchdowns (14). LB LEVI MADARIETA recorded his team-leading fifth interception of the season to go along with four tackles against the Shock. DB TERRANCE SANDERS (team-high 38 tackles, 3 INTs) is another defensive playmaker for Boise. Outside of the team's two games with Spokane, the Boise defense has been rock solid. They rank second in points per game allowed at 41.7. Tri-Cities is certainly a better ball club than it was in Week 1, but so is Boise. The Fever may keep things close for awhile, but expect the Burn defense to make enough plays in the end to help the team win its fifth game of the year.

RIO GRANDE VALLEY DORADOS (5-1) AT STOCKTON LIGHTNING (1-5)

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2009 - Stockton Arena (9,737) 10:00 P.M. ET

The red-hot Dorados make their first-ever trip to Stockton, Calif. this weekend to tackle the Lighting. The Southwest Division leaders from Rio Grande Valley are currently ranked No. 5 in the latest league coaches poll. On Monday the Dorados scored a convincing 66-25 home triumph against Amarillo. The win was Rio Grande Valley's fourth in a row and helped the team maintain its hold on first place in the Southwest Division. Dorados rookie QB Nick Hill ran for four TDs and threw for four more on the night to lead Rio Grande Valley. WR Rod Windsor led the Dorados with three TD receptions on 11 catches and 142 yards. The Dorados led 35-13 at the half and added four rushing TDs in the final 30 minutes, including three by Hill. The Rio Grande Valley defense took advantage of five fumble recoveries and sacked Amarillo starting QB Collin Drafts four times. DB Craig Turner had a game-high 9.5 tackles and seven pass breakups for the Dorados while DL Valentine Chude had a game-best 2.5 sacks. Rio Grande Valley boasts one of the top offensive attacks in the af2. As a team, the Dorados are averaging over 63 points per game (63.2-5th in af2). Hill has done well in the first half of his first season as a professional. He ranks among the league's Top-5 in total offense (2nd-307.3 ypg), completion percentage (4th-69.8) and passing yards per game (4th-291.3). He is also eighth in passer rating at 118.5. Windsor, a fellow first-year player, currently leads the af2 in receiving yards per game (155.8). He also ranks second in receiving yards (935), tied for third in receiving touchdowns (22) and fourth in scoring (134 points). Besides a potent offense, another reason for Rio Grande Valley's success so far can be traced to the team's strong ranking in turnover margin (plus+5 - 15 gained, 10 lost). The Dorados offensive line has also played well, allowing just four sacks on the year. As hot as Rio Grande Valley has been, Stockton has not. The Lightning lost their fifth straight game last week at Tri-Cities, 43-42, squandering a 19-point fourth quarter lead. K Derek Pearson missed three long field goals in the final quarter. QB Chad Cavender, making his second start in place of the injured ANDY COLLINS, had a solid showing with 318 yards passing (27-of-40) and five touchdowns without an interception. WR Etu Molden, an Arena Football veteran playing in his first game with Stockton this season, caught a game-high 12 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns. DB TIM MCCULLOUGH recorded his first interception for the club in his second game played. DB NATHAN KENION leads the club in tackles with 27.5. Stockton's defense has been a problem area this season. The Lightning allow 60 points per game, a number which ranks 23rd out of 25 af2 teams. They also rank near the bottom of the league standings in turnover margin at minus-8 (18 lost, 10 gained). The Lightning hope they can reverse their fortunes in the near future thanks to a home-heavy schedule. This Saturday's contest is the first of four home games for Stockton in the next five weeks. For the Lightning to keep things close with the Dorados, however, they'll need to be efficient on offense and opportunistic on defense.

ARKANSAS TWISTERS (5-2) AT CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (3-3)

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2009 - Selland Arena (5,487) 10:00 P.M. ET

The Twisters travel to California this week for a game against the Central Valley Coyotes, the team that knocked Arkansas out of the 2008 af2 playoffs. This will be the third all-time meeting among the two clubs. The Twisters, currently ranked No. 6 in the latest league coaches poll, are currently a half game behind Rio Grande Valley in the Southwest Division standings. Arkansas rebounded from a Week 6 road loss with a 55-42 home win in Week 7 against Florida. After an even first half (28-27 Florida), Arkansas started the second half with two scores to jump out to a 41-28 lead and never looked back. The Twisters were led by the dangerous duo of veteran QB KYLE ROWLEY and rookie WR ROD HARPER. Rowley finished the game by completing 22-of-33 passes for 252 yards and five touchdowns. He also added one rushing touchdown. Harper continued his torrid receiving for the Twisters with a game-high 13 catches for 150 yards and four touchdowns. The Arkansas defensive effort was paced by DB Lawrence Richardson (44-yard INT return TD) and DB JAMES TODD (7.5 tackles, game-high four pass breakups). Rowley, the league's reigning Offensive Player of the Year, is again in the midst of a strong statistical season. He currently leads the af2 in passing yards (2,105) and completions (191) and ranks second in touchdown passes (44) and passing yards per game (300.7). His favorite receiver thus far has been Harper. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Murray State alum currently leads the league in scoring (156 points), total touchdowns (26), receiving touchdowns (26) and receptions (81). Harper is also tied for second in receiving yards per game (154.7) and tied for third in receiving yards (928). As a team, the Twisters rank in the Top-10 in scoring offense and scoring defense. DB BRANDON FREEMAN leads the club with three interceptions and ranks second in tackles (26.5). Arkansas could use some extra pressure up front, however, to help support the secondary. Entering Week 8 the Twisters rank last in the league in sacks with four. Central Valley enters this week's affair ranked No. 15 in the latest league coaches poll. The Coyotes, who enjoyed a bye in Week 7, got back to .500 with a 64-44 road win at Tri-Cities two weeks ago. The Fever kept things close for three quarters but were outscored by the Coyotes 28-7 over the final 15 minutes. Central Valley was led offensively by QB Jason Murrietta (24-of-32 passes, 253 yards, 8 TDs) and WR John Roberson (10-129-4 TDs). LB Wes Borba (7 tackles, 1 INT) and DL Donyell Booker (1.5 sacks) stood out for the Coyotes on defense. Murrietta ranks among the league leaders in total offense (5th-291.2 ypg), passing yards per game (5th-289.7) and passer rating (7th-118.6). One newcomer to the Coyotes that should see action this week is former Fever WR/LB PHIL GOODMAN. Goodman, who had 3.0 tackles and 11 catches for 82 yards against Central Valley in Week 6, was acquired via trade with Tri-Cities. His presence will help offset the loss of WR GEORGE WILLIAMS. The Coyotes will be without Williams for at least the next four weeks after placing the league's all-time leading scorer on injured reserve last Friday. Central Valley's points of concern lie on the defensive side (56 ppg allowed) and in pass protection (14 sacks allowed - 2.3 pg). If the Coyotes can force a few stops on the high-powered Arkansas offense, this should be one of the more tightly-contested games of the weekend.



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