Swamp Foxes Strive for Third-straight Saturday
Published on June 19, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Charleston Swamp Foxes News Release
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC â After ten weeks of the 2003 arenafootball2 schedule, the Charleston Swamp Foxes stand at 5-5 overall, poised to make a run at what would be a team-first post-season appearance. Standing in the way this week is the 6-4, currently playoff-bound, Macon Knights.
The game will have a special start time of 6:00 pm this Saturday, June 21 at the North Charleston Coliseum. The tailgate zone starts at 3:30 with live music from local bluegrass band, Common Ground.
The Foxes and Knights have met just once during the regular season in the two teams collective history, with Macon defeating Charleston 52-43 in Georgia. However, the two teams did square off each other in a mid-week showcase prior to the 2003 season. Though stats and scores weren't official, the Knights finished the scrimmage with an obvious advantage over the youthful Foxes.
But times, rosters, and personnel change.
Out of the 30-plus players that garnered the blue-and-gold that fateful night in March, only 13 remain on the active roster. Add to the mix that each team is streaking in opposite directions, and Saturday night could be a toss up.
The Swamp Foxes, who started out with an 0-3 slump, have rallied back to even their record, marking only the second-time in team history that the Foxes have been at .500 this late in the season. Charleston has won two-straight, both in convincing fashion by an average of 23.5 points. The winning has been ushered in by the steady play of the af2's top-rated defense and much improved performances of the Swamp Foxes offense.
A month ago, during the bye week, Charleston's offense ranked a dismal 21st in total offense, only mustering up 214.7 yards per game. The "O" ranked 20th in pass offense (198.6 yds/gm) and 23rd in scoring offense (35.9 pts/gm). Entering Saturday night, the Foxes rank 11th in total offense (247.2 yds/gm), 10th in pass offense (227.9 yds/gm), and 16th in scoring offense, lighting up the scoreboard for over 42 points per contest.
Charleston has scored 50 or more points in four consecutive games, and has surpassed the half century plateau in five of their past six games.
The defense continues to pace the af2 in many statistical categories, including total defense. Charleston is only allowing opponents 213.0 yards of total offense, the best in the league. The Swamp Foxes also rank first against the rush (9.0 yds/gm) and in turnover margin boasting a +13 takeaway margin.
Macon, on the other hand, is slumping having dropped three of their past four games by an average of 19 points. However, the record and current slump can't downplay the talent and toughness of the Knights' squad.
Macon is a very solid football team, ranking in the Top 10 in 11 af2 statistical categories. The Knights have the fourth-rated offense (261.7 yds/gm), which includes the fourth-ranked passing attack (250.9 yds/gm). A very capable quarterback in Jermaine Alfred, who spent the AFL season on the practice squad with the Dallas Desperados, leads the offense. Since joining the Knights three games ago, Alfred has completed 63 passes for 706 yards and 10 touchdowns. He's also shown mobility with 11 rushes, six of which have gone for scores. In last week's loss to Florida, Alfred tossed four scoring strikes and scrambled for three on his own.
Alfred also has a lot of help on the offensive front in the form of offensive specialist Jacques Rumph. The 5-8, 180-lbs. receiver is in his second season with Macon, having caught 110 passes for 1,244 yards and 30 touchdowns in his rookie season. So far in 2003, Rumph has 84 receptions for 1,087 and 19 scores receiving, adding three TD rushes as well. He ranks tied for sixth in the league in scoring with 144 points and ranks third in receiving yards.
Macon is as menacing an opponent defensively as they are offensively. This season, the Knights rank seventh on the total defense list, surrendering 226.6 total yards per game. The stats improve versus the pass as they are only allowing opponents 250.9 yards through the air.
The Knights are led on defense by former Berkeley High School product, Denario Smalls. His four interceptions on the season rank him tied for fourth on the af2 ranking sheets and his 47.5 seasonal tackles put him tied for 11th.
For the Foxes, quarterback Johnny Turman will look to continue his hot streak that has seen him connect for 876 yards on 58 completions, including 18 scoring strikes over the past three games.
On the flip side, Charleston will again look to win the battle of turnovers to pick up a must-win to keep playoff hopes alive.
Following the game, the Swamp Foxes are proud to present six-time Dove Award winner, Christian music recording artist Jaci Velasquez LIVE in concert. Tickets are on sale now at the box office at the North Charleston Coliseum, on-line at www.ticketmaster.com, or by phone at (843) 554-6060. Group rates are available through the Swamp Foxes' offices at (843) 554-4321.
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