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Week 12: Thursday Night Matchup

Published on June 10, 2009 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS (8-2) AT MANCHESTER WOLVES (4-6)

THURSDAY, June 11, 2009 - Verizon Wireless Arena (9,650) 7:30 P.M. ET

Week 12 gets off to a great start this week as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers head to Manchester on Thursday to face the Wolves. This will be these two teams' 25th all-time match-up. The teams last met in Week 6 in a game that saw the Pioneers squeak by the Wolves (53-50) in a thrilling conclusion as the Pioneers defense forced a fumble in the final two minutes of the game. Last week, the Pioneers were handed just their second loss of the season on the road against the Tulsa Talons. The Pioneers typically explosive offense was shut out in the first quarter by Tulsa. And for the rest of the game, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was playing catch-up. Tulsa won the turnover battle with the Pioneers, 2-0. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton QB RYAN VENA completed 25-of-42 passes for 308 yards and five TDs with one pick. He connected with WR IRVING CAMPBELL eight times for 132 yards and a touchdown. WR J.J. OUTLAW also had nine catches for 82 yards and four total TDs (3 receiving, 1 rushing). FB KIRBY GRIFFIN has been a weapon on the ground for the Pioneers all season. Last week he had four carries for 41 yards with one rushing TD. He currently ranks second in the league in rushing with 266 yards and 14 rushing TDs. DB MICHEAUX ROBINSON had a team-high 7.0 tackles in the game. He leads the league in interceptions (8) and passes defended (27) and is also fourth in tackles (63.5). Defensive lineman ROYCE MORGAN and JUSTIN PARRISH, who both rank in the league's Top-5 in sacks, were shut out against the Talons. Despite not recording a sack last week, the Pioneers still lead the league overall with 30 so far in 2009. Like Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Manchester lost last week as well. The defeat came at home against Albany, 48-46. It was the team's fifth loss in the last six games. Trailing by nine points (48-39) with just under 30 seconds to play, Wolves WR EMERY SAMMONS returned a kickoff 55 yards for a score to bring the team within two points. Manchester's ensuing on-side kick attempt, however, was unsuccessful as the Firebirds recovered and ran out the rest of the clock. Sammons finished with 305 all-purpose yards (166 receiving, 139 kick return yards) and four total touchdowns (3 receiving, 1 kick return) to lead the Wolves. Rookie QB MIKE POTTS was interception-free in his first start in the af2, completing 24 passes for 303 yards and four touchdowns. DB BRANDON ISAAC paced the defensive effort with two interceptions and 9.5 tackles. He also broke up six passes. This week's game should be a fierce battle as both clubs want to rebound from their recent losses.

PIONEERS WOLVES SERIES LEADER Wilkes-Barre/Scranton leads 14-10

LAST MEETING Wilkes-Barre/Scranton won 53-50 on 5/1/09

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 1-4

LAST GAME Lost at Tulsa 48-66 on 6/6/09 Lost vs. Albany 46-48 on 6/5/09

LEADERS PIONEERS WOLVES PASSING Vena: 210-308-6; 2611; 54 TDs Pinkney: 186-301-6; 2375; 49 TDs

RECEIVING Campbell: 75-1004; 14 TDs Sammons: 62-926; 19 TDs

RUSHING Griffin: 47-266; 14 TDs Jefferson: 40-174; 5 TDs

TACKLES Robinson: 63.5 Phillips: 66.5

SACKS Morgan: 10 Robinson: 7

INTERCEPTIONS Robinson: 8 Green: 5

KICKING Davis: 82-85 PAT; 4-6 FG; 94 PTs Koepplin: 58-70 PAT; 6-11 FG; 76 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 62.6 PPG; 304.2 YPG 52.8 PPG; 290.3 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 39.4 PPG; 244.7 YPG 48.8 PPG; 283.6 YPG

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