Twisters vs Battlewings Game Preview
July 24, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Arkansas Diamonds News Release
ARKANSAS TWISTERS (11-4) AT BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLE WINGS (10-5)
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2009 - CenturyTel Center (12,500) 8:00 P.M. ET
The Twisters close out their season on the road in Bossier City, La. against the BattleWings in a battle for the Southwest Division title. This is the third meeting of the year among these two clubs. To date each has won once on their respective home turfs. Arkansas has the advantage in the all-time series, 10-6. Last week against the Central Division leading Tulsa Talons, the Twisters put forth a remarkable performance and won their home season closer, 81-55. The Twisters attacked the Talons strong and held their opponents, who rank No. 1 in scoring offense, to only two touchdowns in the first half. With a 40-14 lead at the break, Arkansas was able to showcase its strengths and drive the Talons to their third loss of the season. QB KYLE ROWLEY, who earned the Russell Athletic Offensive Player honor last week, had an extraordinary performance. He completed 24-of-36 passes for 275 yards and nine touchdowns, rushed five yards for a touchdown of his own, and had zero interceptions and zero sacks.
Six of Rowley's nine touchdown passes were caught by WR AARON FAIROOZ (12-118). The defensive effort was just as impressive with three interceptions (all of which were in the first half of the game) and one sack. DB TRAVIS ROLAND topped the defensive statistics with 7.5 tackles (7 solo, 1 assisted) and two interceptions. Arkansas' win in Week 17 propelled the club to a No. 5 finish in the final league coaches poll. The Twisters have won four straight games. The No. 10-ranked BattleWings have been just as hot as the Twisters, if not hotter. Bossier-Shreveport has won six straight games, including last week's 60-35 road victory at Corpus Christi. QB ANDRICO HINES kept his composure throughout the game, passing at 71% (12-of-17) and earning 217 yards and five touchdowns. WR/KR P.J. BERRY led the team with five total touchdowns (3 receiving, 1 rushing, 1 kickoff return). He finished with five catches for 85 yards and three touchdowns. The defensive statistics also favored the BattleWings as DB PIERRE LEE took the game's top spot with eight tackles (6 solo, 4 assisted) and one interception. Arkansas' Rowley will be looking this weekend to break an af2 single-season passing record and can do so with a 282-yard passing effort. With a division title on the line and a top three seed in the National Conference playoff standings, expect this game to be close all the way through.
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