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Semifinal recaps

August 16, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


FRIDAY, AUGUST 13

Florida Firecats 62, TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS 58 (Attendance: 3,576)

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The Florida Firecats (12-6) jumped out to a 31-0 lead, only to lose it in the final minute, take the lead back eight seconds later, and then stop the Tennessee Valley Vipers (12-5) on a goal line stand to win 62-58 and become the first team to win twice in one season at the Von Braun Center. Florida's 31-0 lead was sparked by the Firecats defense that forced four Vipers turnovers in the first quarter. The second quarter saw Tennessee Valley come alive, finishing the half outscoring the Firecats 24-7, with the Vipers scoring three touchdowns and converting all three two-point conversions each on rushes. Marquis Floyd caught three passes for 28 yards and two touchdowns, with both scores in this stretch in the second quarter. Floyd also added two interceptions on defense. Floyd's key interception came late in the fourth quarter when Florida had the ball and a five-point lead. Floyd intercepted a Ken Mastrole pass and went out of bounds at the Florida 11-yardline. Two plays later Josh Kellett ran in a Vipers touchdown on a draw play to give the Vipers their first lead of the game, 58-55 after the two-point conversion. Florida came right back with a one play drive, a 45-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Snead to give the Firecats a 62-58 lead. Kellett and the Vipers took the ball over with 49 seconds left and advanced all the way to the two-yardline. On two consecutive run plays Jerrian James and Dedric Maffett were stuffed by the Florida defense as the Firecats held on to the victory. Josh Kellett finished the evening 24 of 41 for 328 yards and seven touchdowns with two interceptions. Ken Mastrole completed 21 of 34 passes for 291 yards and six touchdowns with two interceptions. Florida, who battled Hurricane Charley just to get to the game, plays in the American Conference Championship game next week.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS 40, Cape Fear Wildcats 37 (Attendance: 5,113)

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (14-3) defeated the Cape Fear Wildcats (13-5) for the third time this season 40-37 at Wachovia Arena to advance to the American Conference Finals. The Pioneers won the game with their defense, with the game clinching play being an interception by Jurron Kelly at the Pioneers four-yard line with 14 seconds remaining in the game. The first half featured eight lead changes and five scores by each team. The final score of the first half was a blocked Cape Fear extra point that Jamie Hattley returned for two points for the Pioneers. The extra point would have put the Wildcats up 31-24, instead it made the score at halftime 30-26, a three-point swing, the same margin of victory for the Pioneers. The second half was highlighted by defense, with just three total scores in the half. Pioneers quarterback Tim Hicks completed 22 of 33 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Jake Eaton completed 28 of 37 passes for 260 yards and one interception. Backup quarterback Mike Gluski threw the other interception for the Wildcats. The Pioneers Leroy McFadden rushed five times for 23 yards and one touchdown while catching three passes for seventeen yards. While af2's regular season leader in receiving and points Matt Burstein did catch eight passes, the Pioneers limited him to just 61 yards on these eight catches and only one touchdown. The Pioneers host Florida next week for the right to represent the American Conference in the ArenaCup.

TULSA TALONS 49, Louisville Fire 42 (Attendance: 3,616)

TULSA, Okla - There was no miracle play this week for the Louisville Fire (10-8) as the Tulsa Talons (14-3) defeated them 49-42 at the Tulsa Convention Center. The Talons took an early 21-3 to jump ahead of the Fire. Louisville came back to get the game to 21-15 with only 24 seconds left in the first half. With Louisville getting the ball to start the second half they were in position to tie the game up in the third quarter, but the Fire defense couldn't hold the Talons in the final 24 seconds. Tulsa scored a touchdown in just nine seconds on a 19-yard reception by Robert Reed and then a nine-yard touchdown run by Corky Martin. This score pushed the game back to two possessions and made the Fire play catch-up the rest of the evening. On the night Reed finished with 10 catches for 126 yards and three touchdowns. Bjorn Barre had three catches for 33 yards and two touchdowns. Barre also recorded an interception on the evening. Talons quarterback Bob Bees finished 17 of 23 for 194 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions. Fire quarterback Matt Sauk threw for 197 yards and five touchdowns on 21 of 42 passing with one interception. Three of his touchdown went to Anthony Payton, who also recovered a fumble on defense for Louisville. Fire kicker Danny Kight made three field goal attempts, tying a record for made field goals in a playoff game. This was Louisville's most successful season, breaking the team record for regular season victories and winning their first ever playoff game last week. For the second straight season Tulsa will host the National Conference Championship Game, on Saturday night.

Peoria Pirates 38, BAKERSFIELD BLITZ 36 (Attendance: 5,094)

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - On a Henrik Juul-Nelson 28-yard field goal with only three seconds left, the Peoria Pirates (11-6) topped the Bakersfield Blitz (11-6) 38-36 at Centennial Garden. Peoria jumped out to an early 21-3 halftime lead behind a Milton Bowen interception returned 22 yards for a touchdown, a Jerald Burley 12-yard touchdown catch and an Andrew Webb two-yard run. Bakersfield, realizing their season was on the line, stepped it up in the second half. Chad Elliott found Eric Mahanke for a 45-yard touchdown and Steve Wofford for a 42-yard touchdown for the first two scores on the second half. Peoria and Bakersfield traded possessions until one minute remained. Eric Mahanke had just scored a touchdown for the Blitz on a seven-yard reception. With the Blitz down by six, instead of attempting an onside kick, the Blitz kicked deep. It was a good decision, they forced a field goal attempt, which was missed, and regained possession with under a minute left. On the first play Elliott found Steve Wofford for a 39-yard touchdown and the Blitz had their first lead of the game at 36-35. Only problem was, there were still 25 seconds on the clock. Peoria took the ball and moved it in position for Juul-Nelson's winning field goal to keep the Pirates' season alive, and end Bakersfield's season. Jerald Burley caught two passes for 35 yards, both for touchdowns. Lawrence Matthews caught seven passes for 105 yards and one touchdown. Eric Mahanke had a great game for the Blitz, catching twelve passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns, returning five kickoffs for 87 yards and intercepting a pass on defense. Peoria plays in the National Conference Championship Game for the second time in three seasons.

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