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Trio of Friday Night Tilts on Tap

April 3, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


CHICAGO. - Three more af2 teams get things rolling Friday night as the Birmingham Steeldogs host the Cincinnati Swarm, the Bossier City Battle Wings welcome the Peoria Pirates and the Quad City Steamwheelers meet the Hawaiian Islanders. Kickoff for all three contests is at 8:30 p.m. ET. The Swarm and Pirates both lost their openers last weekend, while the Islanders look to go 2-0 on the young season.

CINCINNATI SWARM (0-1) AT BIRMINGHAM STEELDOGS (0-0)
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2003 - BIRMINGHAM-JEFFERSON CIVIC CENTER (15,000) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Cincinnati Swarm, led by first-year head coach CHRIS MACKEOWN, remain on the road for the second straight week, looking for win No.1 in team history. To get it, they'll have to power past the powerful Birmingham Steeldogs. Birmingham finished the 2002 season one win away from an ArenaCup appearance, and head coach BOBBY HUMPHREY (4th season) is hungry for another shot this season. Playing in a new conference this season, the Steeldogs will also rely on a new quarterback to get them back to the postseason. QB JEFF AARON is set to guide a Steeldog offense that has been one of the league's best over the past two seasons, averaging 54.0 points per game during that span. The Steeldogs will also look to a rookie at the offensive specialist position, since all-time af2 leading scorer WAYNE THOMAS is no longer with the team. ARYVIA HOLMES, a former Samford College standout, will get the start at OS this week. The Swarm offense got off to a slow start last week in Louisville but WR/LB JAMES SCOTT and OS RYAN RUSSELL shined with Week 1 performances. Scott hauled in seven balls for 101 yards (both 2nd best in af2 last week) and scored one touchdown, while Russell tallied two rushing scores. This is the first and only meeting between the Swarm and Steeldogs this season. Birmingham is 1-2 in season openers, but boast 12-1 all-time mark against first-year teams.

PEORIA PIRATES (0-1) AT BOSSIER CITY BATTLE WINGS (0-0)
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2003 - CENTURYTEL CENTER (12,500) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Peoria Pirates head to Bossier City this week looking for their first win after a heart-breaking three-point loss to the Tulsa Talons at home last Friday night. The Pirates, led by second-year head coach BRUCE COWDREY, head to CenturyTel Center for the second time in team history. Quarterback CHARLIE PETERSON had a solid outing in his Pirate debut last week, connecting on 17-of-25 for 252 yards and four scores without a single interception. Peterson managed to spread it out last week, hitting three different receivers for touchdowns. Leading the way was Ironman of the Game JACK WALKER, who had four catches for 121 yards and two scores. One of those strikes was a 46-yarder. VERSIE GADDIS (6 REC, 58 YDS, 1 TD) and DAVAREN HIGHTOWER (5 REC, 64 YDS, 1 TD) also had notable efforts. The big news out of Bossier City this offseason was the hiring of MARCUS DUPREE as general manager. The big question is whether this proven winner and head coach CHAD CARLSON have assembled a winner in Bossier City. Last year's squad, led by QB SHERARD POTEETE came within one win of a postseason appearance. Poteete had a monstrous 2002, passing for 3,730 yards, 60 touchdowns and rushing for 405 yards with 24 scores. Poteete is the all-time leading rusher in af2 history and he is back in Bossier for 2003. This is the lone meeting between these two teams this season. Bossier City owns the all-time series with a 2-0 advantage over the Pirates.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDERS (1-0) AT QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (0-0)
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2003 - THE MARK (9,200) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Hawaiian Islanders travel to Moline, IL to take on the Quad City Steamwheelers Friday night. For the Islanders, it is their second game of the season, after a 48-37 win over expansion Green Bay last Sunday. The Islanders, led by first-year head coach CAL LEE, relied on two stats of 2002 to get things done in Week 1. Quarterback DARNELL ARCENEAUX tossed four touchdowns and ran for another in the win. Three of the passing strikes went to WR/DB NIAN TAYLOR, who has averaged better than two touchdowns a game in an Islanders' uniform. The Steamwheelers are led, for the second straight season, by head coach RICH INGOLD, who guided the 'Wheelers to a 10-6 mark last season. Back under center for Quad City is TONY ZIMMERMAN, who was red-hot last season before suffering a broken leg seven games into the year. Zimmerman was on a pace to toss 82 touchdowns before his injury sidelined him. Last time Zimmerman faced the Islanders he tossed seven touchdowns in a 69-39 win. Hawaii also has a win in this series; meaning Friday's winner takes a one-game advantage in the all-time series. The Steamwheelers are looking to improve to 22-2 all-time at home. The two teams face each other again on June 28 at Hawaii.

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