af2 arenafootball2

The deuce scoop

Published on April 14, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


STRONG OUT OF THE GATE: This season eight teams scored 60 or more points in their first game, going 7-1 in those contests. In the history of af2, only 12 other teams have opened the season scoring 60 or more points with an 11-1 mark in those games. Below is a look at the teams who have opened a season with 60 or more points.

SEASON TEAM POINTS PLAYOFFS
2000 Arkansas 86 NO
2001 Lafayette 71 NO
2001 Augusta 64 NO
2001 Macon 60* YES
2001 Birmingham 63 YES
2002 Memphis 60 NO
2002 Cape Fear 69 YES
2002 Richmond 68 YES
2002 Rochester 61 YES
2002 Charleston 67 NO
2003 Birmingham 63 YES
2003 Bossier City 72 NO

2004 Bossier-Shrev. 63
2004 Hawaii 68
2004 Quad City 71
2004 Tennessee Val. 60
2004 Oklahoma City 70
2004 Tulsa 63*
2004 Green Bay 67
2004 Cape Fear 70
*Lost game

ALL I DO IS CATCH TOUCHDOWNS: Green Bay's Randall Lane (Week 2 Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Week) became only the 13th player in af2 history to haul in six or more touchdown passes in a single game when he scored six against the San Diego Riptide on Friday night, and he was the first to do it in his team's first game of the season. Below is a look at the other players who have caught six or more touchdowns in a single game.

PLAYER TEAM DATE TDs
Eric Mahanke Bakersfield July 27, 2003 7
Wayne Thomas Birmingham June 29, 2001 7
Shon King Quad City May 26, 2000 7
Randall Lane Green Bay April 9, 2004 6
Anthony Hines Cape Fear July 19, 2003 6
Kevin Prentiss Memphis April 26, 2003 6
Cainon Lamb Florida April 26, 2003 6
Jeff Hewitt Quad City April 11, 2003 6
Chris Anthony Quad City June 29, 2002 6
Mitch Allner Tulsa May 11, 2002 6
Anthony Bright Jacksonville June 22, 2001 6
Charles Briggs Roanoke May 27, 2000 6
Carl Bond Tallahassee April 29, 2000 6

ATTENDANCE UP OVER 2003: The opening weeks of the 2004 season has seen a dramatic increase in attendance when compared to 2003. With a standing room only crowd at Rio Grande Valley's home opener (5,600) and crowds better than 9,000 at Arkansas' (10,552), Louisville's (9,111), Manchester's (9,005) and Oklahoma City's (10,012) home openers, af2 teams are reporting an average attendance of 5,578 after the first 20 games of the season. Through the first two weeks of the 2003 season, teams reported an average attendance of 4,930 (16 games) meaning this year's numbers are up over 13% when compared to the same time frame of a year ago. Compared to last year's overall regular season average of 4,626, this season's attendance average is up more than 20% over last year.

SACK MACHINES: The Rio Grande Valley Dorados, Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz and Wichita Stealth have already eclipsed double digits in team sacks, making one wonder if the all-time team sack record is in jeopardy this season. Even though it's still early, these three teams have set a blistering pace. The all-time record for the most team sacks in a single season is 52 by the 2001 Carolina Rhinos.
TEAM GP SACKS PACE
Rio Grande Valley 2 11 88
Oklahoma City 2 10 80
Wichita 2 10 80

LOUIE, LOUIE: Peoria Pirates and former NFL All-Pro kicker Louie Aguiar connected on a 52-yard field goal in the Pirates home opening win over Arkansas, setting a new Pirates team record for longest field goal.

STILL PERFECT: Coming in the 2004 season the Tennessee Valley Vipers, Tulsa Talons, Albany Conquest, Cape Fear Wildcats and Hawaiian Islanders all had never lost on opening night. With a win over the Bakersfield Blitz in Week 1, the Vipers earned their fifth opening night win. Cape Fear and Hawaii also extended their opening night wins streaks, meaning there are now only three teams in af2 history who have never lost on opening night. Below is a look:
OPENING NIGHT W L STREAK
Tennessee Valley 5 0 WON 5
Cape Fear 3 0 WON 3
Hawaii 3 0 WON 3

CONGRATS TO COACH HUMPHREY: With a 44-27 win over the Memphis Xplorers Saturday night, Birmingham head coach Bobby Humphrey became only the third coach in af2 history to reach 40 wins. Coach Humphrey, who is now 40-30 all-time, leads all active af2 coaches in wins. Several other active coaches are looking to hit their 30th career win. Below is a list:

HEAD COACH (Current Team) WINS
Kevin Guy (Tennessee Valley) 29
Gary Anderson (Arkansas) 29
Rich Ingold (Quad City) 26
Chris Seigfried (Cape Fear) 26
Bruce Cowdrey (Peoria) 26
Mike Hold (Macon) 22

CALL IT LUCK? The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers used a little fourth quarter magic to rally past the Columbus Wardogs 38-33 Saturday night and earn their first 1-0 start in team history. Backup QB Tim Hicks orchestrated the comeback, completing 7-of-12 passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns after taking over for start Mike Gluski late in the third quarter. Hicks also rushed for a 22-yard score, but the go ahead score came with 10 seconds left in the game when Hicks hit Rocco Forgione for a 17-yard touchdown strike. When asked about the game-winning play, Hicks replied, "I called the wrong formation in the huddle. Once the ball was snapped, I just rolled to my left and hoped Rocco could get open. I threw the ball and just prayed he could catch it. Luckily, everything worked out."

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