This week in af2

April 8, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release

Peoria Pirates (1-0) 30, Wichita Stealth (0-1) 21

Wichita, Kan. - Peoria overcame an early 9-0 deficit to defeat the Wichita Stealth Thursday night in front of 4,873 fans at the Kansas Coliseum.

The Pirates' WALTER CHURCH won game MVP honors, completing 16-of-34 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown, also running for a 40-yard score that gave Peoria a 10-9 halftime lead it never would relinquish. CARL RICHARDSON's 21-yard interception return pulled Wichita within 27-21 with 1:00 remaining in the game, but TODD KURZ kicked the last of his three field goals, this one from 24 yards, to clinch the victory.

The ADT defensive player of the game was Pirate LINCOLN DUPREE, who made eight tackles and nabbed one interception. Peoria's ROBERT MEYER, who made 2.5 tackles and scored on a 35-yard TD run, won the Ironman Award.

Albany Conquest (1-0) 29, Mohegan Wolves (0-1) 14

Uncasville, Conn. - The Mohegan Wolves dropped their inaugural home opener to the Albany Conquest by the score of 29-14. Albany OS COREY HILL was named game MVP, Albany DS HENRY BAKER was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game and OL/DL ALEX HOUSTON was named Ironman of the Game.

After a back-and-forth first half, Albany was the only team to score in the second half, tallying a touchdown in the third quarter to Hill and another in the fourth on a 4-yard plunge by SHCREE LEWIS.

Mohegan was led by QB CABLE DAVIS, who had 191 yards and two touchdowns in his first professional football game. ANDY MACAIONE led the Wolves' receiving corps with four receptions for 51 yards.

Albany was led by QB JOHN KRUEGER, who had 130 yards passing and two touchdowns while Hill recorded 14 receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown.

Memphis Xplorers (1-0) 60, Louisville Fire (0-1) 46

Memphis, Tenn. - A team-record crowd of 12,835 people saw Memphis (1-0) outscore the hometown Fire 33-14 in the middle two quarters to pull away for a 60-46 win.

The lead switched hands eight times through the first three quarters, but the Xplorers went on top to stay with back-to-back touchdown passes from TIM LESTER to CARLOS McNEARY that gave Memphis a 46-33 edge entering the final period.

McNeary scored five TDs (four receiving, one rushing) while Lester threw for 266 yards and six TDs on 23-of-33 passing, rushing for another score. Former Buffalo Bill RUSSELL COPELAND led all receivers with 11 catches for 153 yards, scoring twice.

MATT PIKE completed 16-of-34 passes for Louisville (0-1), throwing for five TDs and getting a sixth on the ground. The Fire's ANTHONY PAYTON caught eight passes for 132 yards and two TDs while ALFONZO BROWNING had five catches for 94 yards and two scores.

Cape Fear Wildcats (1-0) 69, Norfolk Nighthawks (0-1) 19

Norfolk, Va. - The expansion Wildcats did everything right Saturday night as they pounded the Nighthawks 69-19 at Scope Arena before a crowd of 6,550 people.

Cape Fear QB VIC PENN, playing in his first Arena Football game, completed 14-of-24 passes for 190 yards and four touchdowns before giving way to GARY SMECK to start the fourth quarter.

Penn's primary targets were NORMAN MASON (six catches, 75 yards) and LAVEL BAILEY (five catches, 58 yards), who each caught two touchdown passes. Mason also recovered a fumble in the end zone for a score.

Norfolk QB WILL BURCH left the game early after being sacked for a safety and injuring his shoulder. The Wildcat defense finished with five sacks, two safeties and two fumble returns for touchdowns on the night.

Cape Fear racked up 221 yards of total offense and held Norfolk to 80 total yards on 41 plays.

Tallahassee Thunder (1-0) 46, Pensacola Barracudas (0-1) 41

Tallahassee, Fla. - Pensacola's fourth-quarter rally wasn't enough to get past the Thunder, as the Tallahassee hung on for a 46-41 win over the Barracudas Saturday before a crowd of 2,844 fans at the Leon County Civic Center.

Pensacola led 21-4 in the first half before Tallahassee came back with six straight TDs. NICK THOMPSON's 5-yard TD reception put the Thunder ahead for good. It came with five seconds left in the first half, making the score 24-21.

Pensacola tried to make a late run, scoring the final 20 points of the game, but the Thunder held on for the win.

Thunder QB CHRIS WINDSOR completed 24-of-42 passes for 259 yards, and four TDs. He also added two rushing touchdowns, earning MVP honors for the game. MESIAH PORTER was named the game's Ironman, as he caught six passes for 51 yards and one score. Porter also recorded three tackles (2UT-2AT) in the contest.

Florida Firecats (1-0) 47, Mobile Wizards (0-1) 23

Estero, Fla. - The Florida Firecats used the passing of former Mississippi State quarterback DERRICK TAITE and former Alabama-Birmingham receiver KENNY CAUSEY to run past the Mobile Wizards in the season opener for both teams, and the Wizards' inaugural af2 game. The contest was played in Fort Myers, Fla., before an enthusiastic TECO Arena crowd of 5,821 people.

Taite completed 16-of-28 passes for 218 yards and three TDs, while KELVIN SIMMONS went 16-for-36 for 224 yards and two TDs. Causey led all receivers with eight catches for 106 yards and three TDs.

JOHNNY FROST, the game MVP, collected two TDs on six rushing attempts. He totaled 49 yards on the ground.

Augusta Stallions (1-0) 53, Jacksonville Tomcats (0-1) 44

Jacksonville, Fla. - The Augusta Stallions spoiled the opening night party for Jacksonville Saturday as they slipped past the Tomcats 53-44 before 6,004 people at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

After having a touchdown called back on a penalty one play earlier, CHRIS JOHNSON sealed the victory for Augusta with a 35-yard TD reception with 46 seconds left in regulation, thwarting any hope the Tomcats had for a late comeback.

Macon Knights (1-0) 54, Carolina Rhinos (0-1) 18

Macon, Ga. - Macon was firing on all cylinders Saturday, as they handled the Carolina Rhinos 54-18 before a crowd of 2,913 people at Macon Coliseum. The Knights improved to 1-0, while Carolina fell to 0-1.

The Knights never trailed. The closest Carolina got was in the first quarter when the Rhinos scored to make it a 7-6 game. Knights' QB MIKE GLUSKI went 18-for-26 for 274 yards. Carolina tried both RAMONE ROBINSON and PATRICK RINARD at QB, but neither was able to do much under the constant pressure of Macon's defense, which registered two sacks and several hurries. The Rhinos completed 15-of-38 passes for 179 yards and were picked off twice.

Richmond Speed (2-0) 68, Roanoke Steam (0-2) 19

Roanoke, Va. - Richmond improved to 6-0 all-time against Roanoke, as the Speed buried the Steam 68-19 Saturday night before 3,708 fans at the Roanoke Civic Center.

The Steam fell behind early as Richmond marched down the field with ease and built a 41-3 halftime lead. Speed QB BOB BEES was nearly flawless, completing 17-of-21 for 207 yards and seven TDs. Five of those TDs went to game MVP JEFF TOWNSLEY, who caught a total of eight passes for 119 yards. Roanoke QB AL CLARK was 18-of-32 for 182 yards and one touchdown.

Rochester Brigade (1-0) 61, New Haven Ninjas (0-1) 34

Rochester, N.Y. - The Rochester Brigade, led by MARTINO THEUS' three touchdowns, defeated the New Haven Ninjas 61-34 on Saturday in front of 6,123 fans at Blue Cross Arena.

Theus, who scored touchdowns of 27, 23 and 23 yards, finished the game with 97 yards on seven receptions. Ironman of the Game AARON FIX also contributed to the offense with two touchdowns, three rushes for 15 yards, three catches for 24 yards and three kickoff returns for 72 yards.

Rochester (1-0) jumped out to a 19-13 lead after the first quarter, spurred by touchdowns from Fix and Theus. Rochester retained the lead for the rest of the game, scoring on five consecutive drives in the first half. DS VONKEITH SPENCER was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game, registering three tackles (two solo), two pass breakups and one interception for a 15-yard return. The MVP of the game was QB MATT D'ORAZIO, who completed 17-of-26 passes for 204 yards and four touchdowns, and also rushed the ball five times for 10 yards.

Greensboro Prowlers (1-0) 42, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (0-1) 28

Wilkes-Barre, PA - The third-year Greensboro Prowlers recorded their first-ever road win Saturday, topping Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 42-28 before a sold-out crowd at First Union Arena at Casey Plaza.

The Pioneers held a 21-10 advantage at halftime, but Greensboro put up 32 unanswered points to take command. The Pioneers' fate was sealed when the Prowlers' DEE JEFFERSON intercepted a pass with 41 seconds remaining and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown.

Conquest OS ANTOINE CALLOWAY earned game MVP, while Pioneers KY O'DAY and ELLY SALAMO took the Ironman and ADT Defensive Player of the Game awards, respectively.

Tennessee Valley Vipers (1-0) 37, Arkansas Twisters (0-1) 28

North Little Rock, Ark. - Tennessee Valley (1-0) scored the final two touchdowns of the game to defeat the Arkansas Twisters 37-28 Saturday at the ALLTEL Arena.

Arkansas (0-1) scored on a 13-yard pass from RICKY HEBERT to GREG TAYLOR with 9:28 left in the fourth quarter to take a 28-23 lead. Tennessee Valley responded on the next possession as WES COUNTS hit REGGIE WORTHY with an 18-yard touchdown pass to give the Vipers a 30-28 advantage with six minutes left in the game.

After Tennessee Valley's ANTONIO SPEED blocked a would-be go-ahead field goal attempt with 1:31 left, the Vipers put the game away on Worthy's 1-yard touchdown run.

Worthy scored three touchdowns overall, rushing for 21 yards and totaling 77 yards on six receptions. Counts completed 16-of-30 passes for 175 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Arkansas' Hebert threw four touchdown passes, but had two interceptions, totaling 225 yards on 15-of-29 passing.

Quad City Steamwheelers (1-0) 39, Bossier City Battle Wings (0-1) 34

Moline, Ill. - HIAWATHA PHIFER recovered a goal-line fumble as time expired to preserve a Quad City victory and extend the Steamwheelers' home winning streak to 23 games.

A crowd of 7,831 fans saw Bossier City try three runs from the Quad City 3-yard line in the waning seconds. After Quad City turned back two attempts, a fumble by Battle Wings' fullback LARRY HOLLOWAY and Phifer's recovery ended the upset bid. Phifer earned game MVP honors.

Quad City led 39-21 early in the fourth quarter, but SHERARD POTEETE connected with DENNIS SHORT on TD passes of seven and 30 yards to pull the Battle Wings within five.

Quad City quarterback TONY ZIMMERMAN finished 17-of-34 for 213 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions, including a goal-line INT by Bossier City' s VAL MORRIS that set up the Wings' near-miss final drive. Ironman of the Game CHRIS ANTHONY caught six passes for 98 yards and three touchdowns for the Steamwheelers.

Tulsa Talons (1-0) 55, Birmingham Steeldogs (0-1) 42

Tulsa, Okla. - ANTHONY BUICH threw three touchdown passes and scored twice on short runs, leading Tulsa to a 55-42 victory over Birmingham before 6,096 fans.

The Talons (1-0), who were outgained 312-170, converted three Steeldog turnovers into 16 points while playing an error-free game themselves. Tulsa won its third consecutive season opener and improved to 14-3 in regular season home games

Birmingham (0-1) took a 21-19 lead into the locker room at halftime, scoring on TD catches by WAYNE THOMAS (44 yards) and ANTHONY JORDAN (33 yards) in the final 2:52 of the first half

But Tulsa took command in the third quarter, taking a 42-28 lead on a 2-yard run by Buich and a 14-yard TD catch by WES CASWELL (eight catches, 83 yards). MITCH ALLNER, the game's Ironman, set up Caswell's score with an interception deep in Tulsa territory.

Buich was 18-of-35 passing for 156 yards and three touchdowns. Birmingham's MONTRESSA KIRBY went 17-of-29 for 290 yards and five TDs, but had two costly interceptions in his af2 debut. Steeldogs' OS Thomas caught 11 passes for 164 yards and three TDs.

Bakersfield Blitz (1-0) 49, San Diego Riptide (0-1) 43 - overtime

San Diego, Calif. - Bakersfield overcame San Diego's 27-3 late second-quarter advantage to win 49-43 in overtime as 9,747 fans watched at the San Diego Sports Arena Saturday.

Blitz OS STEVE WOFFORD caught the game-winning 19-yard touchdown with 4:22 left in overtime to complete the longest game in af2 history (70:38 of game play) and the first in the history of both franchises.

The Blitz (1-0) converted three second-half interceptions thrown by KANE CLAUNCH into 20 points and held the Riptide (0-1) to just 100 total yards of offense after halftime.

After both teams missed field goals in OT, Bakersfield WR/DB J'SHARLON JONES set up the winning score by intercepting a tipped pass at the Blitz 15. Quarterback CHAD ELLIOTT hit Wofford for the game-winner four plays later.

Riptide OS MARTY GRAHAM was named the game's MVP after compiling the largest all-purpose yardage night in af2 history with 401 yards (197 receiving yards/199 return yards/four rushing yards) and four touchdowns.

Bakersfield's RYAN SLOTH (11 rec., 148 yards, one TD/2.5 tackles and one pass breakup) earned game Ironman honors.

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