Top-ranked Wolves look to avenge only loss of the season vs. #3 Florida
June 17, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Manchester Wolves News Release
MANCHESTER, N.H. (June 17, 2005) - The Manchester Wolves face their toughest road test of the season this Saturday (June 18) when they travel to Estero, FL for a rematch with their East Division rivals, the Florida Firecats (9-1). The No.1-ranked Wolves (9-1) are looking to avenge their only loss of the season, which came against Florida on April 8 at Verizon Wireless Arena. A Wolves win would be their 10th straight and guarantee the team a spot in the postseason. Tomorrow night's game kicks off at 8:00 p.m. at Germain Arena.
Fans who want to cheer on the Wolves from their homes in New Hampshire can listen to the action live on WFEA AM 1370. Local radio veteran Dick Lutsk will provide the play-by-play. Also, thanks to TEAMLINE, fans from around the world can listen to the Wolves on the internet for FREE. It doesn't matter where you are, anyone with internet access can hear all the live action of a Wolves game by visiting manchesterwolves.com and clicking on the TEAMLINE link at the lower left corner of the page. It's that easy. Fans can also access the Wolves' game broadcasts using any telephone for a minimal fee by calling TEAMLINE at 1-800-846-4700 and entering Team Code: 4084.
Saturday's match up at a glance - Manchester Wolves (9-1) at Florida Firecats (9-1)
The Firecats currently sit in first place in the American Conference, South Division and are ranked No.3 overall in the latest league coaches poll. After a surprising 28-22 road defeat at Bossier City on May 14, the defending ArenaCup champion Firecats have won five games in a row. Florida's most recent victory this past Saturday didn't come easy as the Firecats fended off a game South Georgia squad on their home turf, 45-40, thanks to QB Chris Wallace's 11-yard TD pass to Cainon Lamb with six seconds remaining in the game. On the season, Wallace leads the Florida offense with 2,199 yards passing and a league-high 57 touchdowns. His favorite target is OS Magic Benton. Benton leads the squad in all major pass catching categories, including receptions (70), receiving yards (917) and touchdown receptions (28). Florida also boasts the No.1 running attack in the league, led by FB/LB Steve Gorrie, who leads the league with 299 yards rushing. On defense, Kelly Snell is the Firecats' leading tackler with 68.5 total stops. Snell, a defensive specialist, also ranks first in the af2 in passes defended with 26 (23 breakups, 3 INTs). As a group, Florida's defense is tied with Manchester's as the third-stingiest in the league, allowing just 38.9 points per game. The winner of this game will improve to 10-1, own the best overall record in the American Conference, and automatically clinch a postseason berth. The Firecats won the ArenaCup championship in 2004 under the guidance of current Wolves head coach Ben Bennett.
The Wolves are the hottest team in the league, having won nine straight games. Manchester's lone loss, however, came at the hands of the Firecats in the Wolves' home opener on April 8, 32-26, in overtime. The Wolves are driven on offense by the stellar duo of QB Jake Eaton and WR/LB J.J. McKelvey. Eaton has been on target all season, connecting on a league-leading 73.8 percent of his passes. The former University of Maine signal caller is also among the league's top quarterbacks in passer rating (1st - 131.5) and passing touchdowns (T-3rd - 54). McKelvey has been Eaton's favorite target and leads the league with 89 receptions. He's also among the league leaders in scoring with 202 points on 33 touchdowns (31 receiving) and two 2-pt conversions. As a group, Manchester's offensive unit ranks sixth in the league in scoring, averaging 51.9 points per game. On defense, William "Roc" Haith and Allistair Sebastien are impact players in the secondary. Haith leads the league in tackles with 81.5 and is among the top-5 in passes defended with 23. Sebastien is currently tied for fourth in the af2 in interceptions (6).
Wolves Game 10 Recap - 6/11/05 - The Manchester Wolves used their usual mixture of efficient offense and stifling defense to cool off the Green Bay Blizzard, 62-48, last Saturday at the Resch Center in Green Bay, WI. The Wolves win was their ninth in a row, improving the team to 9-1 on the season. Manchester also now holds a three-game lead in the American Conference, East Division standings. The Wolves' usual suspects of QB Jake Eaton and WR/LB J.J. McKelvey again proved to be too much for the opposition. Eaton was impressive from start to finish, connecting on a franchise record 31-of-39 passes for 287 yards and six touchdowns, with one interception. McKelvey, who caught nine passes for 99 yards, was on the receiving end of five of Eaton's six scoring tosses. McKelvey also had a touchdown run and a 2-point conversion to finish with a franchise-record 38 points scored. The second-year player from Clemson earned the Offensive Player of the Game Award for his efforts. The Wolves also received a solid outing from their new kicker Rich Ehmke, who connected on 2-of-3 field goals (34, 40 yards) and 6-of-7 extra points. Manchester's defense was just as impressive, stopping Green Bay on downs inside the 10-yard line on four occasions.
The Wolves next home game will be Friday, June 24 against the Quad City Steamwheelers at the Verizon Wireless Arena. Fans, come join us for "Not Your Typical Team Photo Night," presented by Citizens Bank. All fans through the doors that night will receive a FREE team photo. The 168 Magazine pre-game concert series begins outside on the plaza at 6:00 p.m. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
To get in the game, purchase your tickets today at the Verizon Wireless Arena box office or through Ticketmaster at 603-868-7300, at Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Adult seats start as low as $14.25 in the upper bowl while youth (12-and-under) and senior (65-and-over) tickets start at just $9.75. The Wolves also have great group offers and birthday party packages available. Contact the Wolves at 603.627.WOLF (9653) or visit them on the web at www.manchesterwolves.com and make your plans with us today!
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