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Week 13: Saturday Night Matchups

June 19, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


SOUTH GEORGIA WILDCATS (8-3) AT KENTUCKY HORSEMEN (6-5)

SATURDAY, June 20, 2009 - Rupp Arena (23,000) 7:00 P.M. ET

Week 13 gets off to an exciting start as the Wildcats travel to Rupp Arena to face South Division rival Kentucky. This week's contest is the second time these two teams have met. South Georgia won the first head-to-head battle in a back-and-forth epic, 72-66, back in Week 7. South Georgia, who slipped from No. 3 to No. 6 in this week's coaches poll, suffered a critical, 44-27, loss last week to their hard-hitting conference opponents, the Tennessee Valley Vipers. The defeat kept the Wildcats from claiming the outright division lead. The 27 points scored by South Georgia was the team's lowest point output of the season. Although South Georgia is ranked six spots above Tennessee Valley in scoring offense (No. 10 vs. No. 16), and also in total offense (No. 12 vs. No. 18), the Wildcats were not able to capitalize and put big numbers on the board. Their opponents held them to only four total touchdowns, never scoring more than seven points per quarter. QB CECIL LESTER, who replaced DARNELL KENNEDY midway through the second quarter after Kennedy was injured, completed 16-of-28 passes with three touchdowns and one interception and rushed for a total 25 yards. WR CLENTON RAFE caught 12 passes for 140 yards and scored three touchdowns. ALVANCE ROBINSON leads the Wildcats receivers with 65 catches for 975 yards and 21 TDs. Defensively, the Wildcats' mid-ranked defense was not able to stop the Vipers in their path. DB QUENTIN BURRELL, who ranks No. 2 in terms of team tackles at 40.5, racked up nine against Tennessee Valley. He is also tied for the team lead in interceptions with three. The Kentucky Horsemen had a very different experience during their last game against Quad City, outscoring the Steamwheelers, 75-56. The Horsemen currently rank third in scoring at 62.2 points per game. QB JARED LORENZEN, who leads the team in both rushing and passing and individually ranks No. 6 for average rushing yards per game, took charge against the Steamwheelers, completing 9-of-12 passes with five touchdowns and no interceptions. WR HARRY LEWIS caught five passes for 110 yards and three scores. DB WILLIAM MULDER, who ranks No. 3 in kickoff return average, did his part as well. He returned four kickoffs for 157 yards, including a 56-yard return for a touchdown in the second quarter. Defensively, Mulder earned five solo tackles and one pass breakup. DL FERNANDEZ SHAW also contributed two sacks and one forced fumble. If Kennedy is healthy, expect this to be another up-and-down affair much like it was the first time these two teams took the field against one another in early May.

WILDCATS HORSEMEN SERIES LEADER South Georgia leads 1-0

LAST MEETING South Georgia won 72-66 on 5/9/09

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-2

LAST GAME Loss vs. Tennessee Valley 27-44 Won vs. Quad Cities 75-56

LEADERS WILDCATS HORSEMEN PASSING Kennedy: 185-302-5; 2463; 54 TDs Lorenzen: 172-288-8; 2058; 49 TDs

RECEIVING Robinson: 65-975; 21 TDs Dewalt: 79-916; 25 TDs

RUSHING Kennedy: 42-160; 15 TDs Lorenzen: 41-190; 16 TDs

TACKLES McCray: 60.0 Haskins: 48.5

SACKS Turner: 5.5 Martin: 5.5

INTERCEPTIONS Burrell and Richmond: 3 Mulder: 7

KICKING Guberman: 80-90 PAT; 0-1 FG; 80 PTs Daniels: 81-93 PATs; 3-9 FGs; 90 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 57.8 PPG; 285.1 YPG 62.2 PPG; 294.9 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 50.0 PPG; 266.2 YPG 56.3 PPG ;294.3 YPG

CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (3-8) AT WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS (9-2)

SATURDAY, June 20, 2009 - Wachovia Arena (7,950) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Central Valley Coyotes make a rare journey east across the United States to Pennsylvania to challenge the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers in their fifth all-time matchup of the series. As the Coyotes look to halt their five-game losing streak, they face a tough test ahead in the high-powered Pioneers. In last week's game 63-52 home loss to Florida, the Coyotes began to feel their opponents quickly pull away after a one-point lead in the first quarter. Central Valley came out strong, scoring a touchdown in the first 39 seconds of the game. The Coyotes, defense, however, couldn't find an answer to stopping the Firecats offense. Central Valley didn't record any interceptions or sacks in the contest and Florida scored on its first nine possessions. Coyotes QB RYAN O'HARA completed 13-of-23 passes for 156 yards and five touchdowns, but had one interception, which ultimately led to a Florida touchdown in the second quarter. WR/DB JOHN ROBERSON caught six passes for 86 yards and three touchdowns. He also had five kickoff returns for 131 yards. Defensively, DBs RUCHARD DODD-MASTERS and ROBERT DALY had five tackles each. The Pioneers enter this week's contest ranked No. 3 in the latest league coaches poll. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton would clinch a playoff berth and its third straight East Division title with a win this week. The Pioneers are coming off a 63-34 road win last week at Manchester. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was able to overpower the Wolves both offensively and defensively. QB RYAN VENA completed 16-of-25 passes for 204 yards and four touchdowns and earned one rushing touchdown. DB CHRIS ROYAL dominated the game defensively with eight solo tackles and two breakups. DB MICHEAUX ROBINSON, who has a total of 70.5 tackles and nine interceptions (league-high), earned seven solo tackles and one interception against the Wolves. In this exciting Week 13 non-conference, the Coyotes will need O'Hara to be smart and sharp from start to finish if they hope to keep things close with the Pioneers.

COYOTES PIONEERS SERIES LEADER W/B Scranton leads 3-1

LAST MEETING W/B Scranton won 48-34 on 5/30/09

LAST FIVE GAMES 0-5 4-1

LAST GAME Loss vs. Florida 52-63 Won vs. Manchester 63-34

LEADERS COYOTES PIONEERS PASSING Murrietta: 185-261-5; 1885; 38 TDs Vena: 226-333-6; 2815; 58 TDs

RECEIVING Jones: 108-1159; 23 TDs Campbell: 79-1029; 14 TDs

RUSHING Stinson: 18-58; 2 TDs Griffin: 50-274; 15 TDs

TACKLES Ealy: 41.5 Robinson: 70.5

SACKS Birkley: 5.0 Morgan: 10.0

INTERCEPTIONS Joseph: 2 Robinson: 9

KICKING Hooper: 23-31 PAT; 4-6 FG; 38 PTs Davis: 91-94 PATs; 4-6 FGs; 103 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 49.3 PPG; 281.6 YPG 62.2 PPG; 297.4 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 57.6 PPG; 248.4 YPG 38.9 PPG ;251.1 YPG

ALBANY FIREBIRDS (5-6) AT PEORIA PIRATES (2-8)

SATURDAY, June 20, 2009 - Peoria Civic Center (9,873) 8:00 P.M. ET

This week, the Albany Firebirds will fly to the Midwest's Peoria Civic Center to take on the Pirates for the first game of their back-to-back series this season. The overall series is tied at 1-1. The Firebirds will look to the strength of their defense to pull them ahead 2-1 in the series. After a record-breaking 11 interceptions during their last game against the Mahoning Valley Thunder, five of which were by WR/LB ALVIN RAY JACKSON, the Albany defense has been a significant factor in the team's two-game winning streak. QB STEPHEN WASIL, who was involved in seven of the team's nine touchdowns, threw 22-of-36 passes for 302 yards. Along with Jackson's impressive defensive statistics, his contributions to the team's offense were also notable. He caught seven passes for 76 yards and two TDs. Although the Firebirds had a solid offensive performance, it was the team's defense that really caused a stir in the league this week. WR/DB JAMEL RAMSAY led the team and the league in tackles with 9.5, and also clinched a spot on the week's top performance list with two interceptions, along with teammate DB E.J. WHITLEY, who had three interceptions. The Peoria Pirates, who suffered a disappointing 2-point loss (49-47) in their last game against the Green Bay Blizzard, took the much-needed bye week not only to recover, but also to restack their team with new players that will hopefully turn their losing season around. Despite starting off the first quarter with a six point lead and kept the score close throughout the game, the Pirates could not contain the Blizzard in the fourth quarter, as they scored 21 points to the Pirates' 10. QB LUKE DRONE completed 23-of-33 passes for 292 yards and six touchdowns. WR DANTE RIDGEWAY led the team with 11 receptions for 124 yards and three TDs. The Pirates defense was able to slow the Blizzard in their path with two interceptions in the first half. DBs JOSH FERGUSON and JOSH HARRIS led the team in tackles, Ferguson with nine (8 solo, 2 ast.) and Harris with 7.5 (6 solo, 3 ast.). Each player also had an interception. The upcoming game between the two clubs will surely be exciting, especially if the Pirates decided to use their newest assets, veteran WR Jon Schoonover and DL WALTER FISHER.

FIREBIRDS PIRATES SERIES LEADER Series tied 1-1

LAST MEETING Albany won 55-54 on 4/13/09

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 1-4

LAST GAME Won vs. Mahoning Valley 62-28 Loss vs. Green Bay Blizzard 47-49

LEADERS FIREBIRDS PIRATES PASSING Wasil: 147-238-7; 1897; 40 TDs Drone: 120-209-10; 1327; 29 TDs

RECEIVING Wise: 80-1221; 17 TDs Albrooks: 45-502; 16 TDs

RUSHING Wasil: 19-51; 4 TDs Kent: 27-129; 5 TDs

TACKLES Jackson: 43.0 Phillips: 44.5

SACKS Tash: 5 Campbell: 2.0

INTERCEPTIONS Jackson: 7 Golder: 5

KICKING Umstead: 57-63 PAT; 3-10 FG; 66 PTs Longest: 33-41 PAT; 4-12 FG; 45 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 45.3 PPG; 280.5 YPG 51.3 PPG; 243.7 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 51.2 PPG; 262.5 YPG 62.6 PPG; 297.7 YPG

AMARILLO DUSTERS (2-9) AT ARKANSAS TWISTERS (7-4)

SATURDAY, June 20, 2009 - ALLTEL Arena (6,820) 8:05 P.M. ET

For the second time this season, the Amarillo Dusters will play the Southwest Division-leading Arkansas Twisters. Arkansas leads the all-time series between the two clubs, 7-1. Amarillo just missed out on its second straight win with JULIAN REESE at quarterback last week, losing at home by two points in overtime to Bossier-Shreveport, 79-77. Reese was excellent on offense for the Dusters with 10 TD passes and one TD run. He completed 22-of-38 passes for 377 yards. A botched extra point in overtime that was returned for two points by the BattleWings was the difference in the game. WR DUVAUGHN FLAGLER, who had 10 receptions for 175 yards and five touchdowns, was able to keep the BattleWings' defense under constant pressure as the score bounced back and forth throughout the game. Defensively, the Dusters were not as strong as their opponents, intercepting zero passes and earning zero sacks. WR/LB JOHN KING had the 6.5 total tackles (4 solo, 5 ast) individually. Arkansas, currently ranked No. 7 in the coaches poll this week, fell to No. 2 Tulsa last week 56-47. The Twisters, who average 59.1 PPG, were held to only 47 points, even after outscoring the Talons in both net passing yards (304 to 220) and total offensive yards (301 to 237). QB KYLE ROWLEY, who ranks No. 2 in passing average per game and No. 3 in total offense, completed 29-of-48 passes for 304 yards and five touchdowns, but threw three interceptions and one sack. Arkansas' offense may still be trying to adjust after the departure of ROD HARPER, a rookie receiver who earned a recent contract with the New Orleans Saints. The Twisters have lost their last two contests without Harper in the lineup. Although the Twisters defense countered last week with two interceptions, it wasn't enough to overcome their own mistakes. DB LAWRENCE RICHARDSON led the team individually with six tackles and one interception. If Reese can continue his strong play, this game could be a lot closer than some may expect.

DUSTERS TWISTERS SERIES LEADER Arkansas leads 7-1

LAST MEETING Arkansas won 45-24 on 4/4/09

LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 3-2

LAST GAME Overtime loss vs. Bossier 77-79 Loss at Tulsa 47-56

LEADERS DUSTERS TWISTERS PASSING Drafts: 80-176-6; 912; 18 TDs Rowley: 289-430-12; 3336; 69 TDs

RECEIVING Hair: 47-558: 10 TDs Bergeski: 47-454; 2 TDs

RUSHING Bassuener: 30-124; 5 TDs Cook: 33-126; 6 TDs

TACKLES Newberry: 56.0 Hailstock: 32.0

SACKS Ray: 2.0 Turner: 3

INTERCEPTIONS King: 3 Richardson: 3

KICKING Iizuka: 33-47 PAT; 4-18 FG; 45 PTs Paul: 72-93 PAT; 2-3 FG; 78 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 41.7 PPG; 246.4 YPG 59.1 PPG; 321.9 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 57.3 PPG; 293.0 YPG 51.5 PPG; 255.8 YPG

CORPUS CHRISTI SHARKS (2-9) AT OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (6-5)

SATURDAY, June 20, 2009 - Cox Convention Center (10,595) 8:05 P.M. ET

The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz host the Corpus Christi Sharks this week for their second meeting of the 2009 season. Of the Sharks two wins this season, one came against the Yard Dawgz back in Week 9, 65-62. Since then, however, Coprus Christi has lost three games in a row. While enduring five sacks in a 51-48 loss to the Dorados last week, QB SEDALE THREATT was only able to complete 19-of-34 passes and two touchdowns. The rookie signal caller, however, did manage to accumulate 45 yards rushing and three touchdowns in his af2 debut. DB HENRY HALL led the Sharks in tackles for the game with five and also had two pass breakups. He also had 141 yards on seven kickoff returns The Oklahoma State alum has 19.5 tackles and five pass breakups in seven games this season. In order to pull out another victory against the Yard Dawgz, the Sharks are going to need to focus on their defense. The No. 12-ranked Yard Dawgz are coming off a 63-28 home win against Milwaukee last week. QB ROBERT KENT is the team's leader on offense. The veteran signal caller ranks No. 1 in the league in passing efficiency and within the top three for total rushing, passing average per game and total offense. In last week's convincing win against the expansion Iron, the Yard Dawgz were able to hold Milwaukee to only seven points per quarter. Kent completed 19-of-34 passes for 217 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 37 yards, earning one touchdown. WR CRAIG FULTON, JR. also proved to be valuable to last week's win, receiving eight passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns, while also returning three kickoffs for 58 yards. On the defensive end, the Yard Dawgz were able to force a couple fumbles and four interceptions, three of which were by DB FRED SHAW. The Oklahoma City defensive line also harassed QB TODD HAMMEL all night, recording seven sacks in total. If Oklahoma City's defense can create half as much havoc as it did last week, the Yard Dawgz have a great opportunity to even the all-time series against the Sharks.

SHARKS YARD DAWGZ SERIES LEADER Sharks lead 2-1

LAST MEETING Sharks won 65-62 on 5/25/09

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 2-3

LAST GAME Loss vs. Rio Grande Dorados 48-51 Won vs. Milwaukee Iron 63-28

LEADERS SHARKS YARD DAWGZ PASSING Cooper: 220-376-17; 2468; 39 TDs Kent: 216-315-9; 3083; 59 TDs

RECEIVING Graham: 84-831; 13 TDs Hunt: 62-908; 25 TDs

RUSHING Cooper: 38-58; 12 TDs Kent: 41-289; 9 TDs

TACKLES Felando: 31.5 Burns: 62.5

SACKS Robinson: 4.5 Chavers: 6.5

INTERCEPTIONS Mingo: 2 Shaw: 7

KICKING Gatto: 46-60 PATs; 7-16 FGs; 67 PTs Hendrix: 56-72 PATs; 5-9 FGs; 71 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 43.4 PPG; 263.5 YPG 58.1 PPG; 316.9 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 59.0 PPG; 290.9 YPG 51.9 PPG; 263.3 YPG

BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLEWINGS (6-5) AT RIO GRANDE VALLEY DORADOS (6-4)

SATURDAY, June 20, 2009 - Dodge Arena (5,500) 8:30 P.M. ET

Bossier-Shreveport travels to Hidalgo, Texas this week for the third and final meeting of the season between the BattleWings and Dorados. They've split the season series so far at 1-1 with each team winning on their home turf. The all-time series is tied at 6-6. Bossier-Shreveport won the most recent meeting in Week 9, 76-59. In that contest, QB ANDRICO HINES completed 19-of-29 passes for 274 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception. Five different receivers caught TDs. Dorados' QB NICK HILL threw for 385 yards and nine TDs but had two INTs. WR ROD WINDSOR caught seven of Hill's nine scoring passes and finished with 15 catches for 224 yards. Overall, Bossier-Shreveport has rebounded nicely after a subpart start to the season. The BattleWings have won four of their last five games after beginning the year 2-4. Hines' play has been a key factor in the team's resurgence. The veteran signal caller has 33 TD passes in that span against just three INTs. The BattleWings are currently ranked No. 13 in the latest league coaches poll. Last week Bossier-Shreveport edged Amarillo on the road in overtime, 79-77. Hines had 324 yards passing and seven TDs without an interception. P.J. BERRY amassed 240 all-purpose yards (125 receiving, 115 kick return) and three total touchdowns (2 receiving, 51-yard KO return). Another player to watch for the BattleWings is FB JASON SCHULE. Schule has now moved into second place on the af2 career rushing list with 1,174 yards and trails another former BattleWings player, SHERARD POTEETE, who has 1,346 yards. He currently leads the af2 in rushing yards in 2009 with 442 and in rushing TDs with 17. Schule is also just 58 yards shy of the league single-season record for rushing yards. As a team, Bossier-Shreveport ranks fifth in the af2 in scoring (60.8 ppg) and fifth in turnover margin (plus+11). The Dorados come into this week's important Southwest Division showdown on a high note after ending their three-game losing streak last Saturday with a 51-48 win at Corpus Christi. Hill (248 yards passing, 5 TDs, 56 rush yards, 2 rush TDs) and WR BRET SMITH (7-94-4 TDs) paced Rio Grande Valley in the victory. DL VALENTINE CHUDE led the Dorados defense with two sacks (one for safety) and two forced fumbles. Rio Grande Valley is currently ranked No. 11 overall in the latest league coaches poll. The Dorados victory came despite not having Windsor in the lineup due to injury. Windsor, in nine games played, ranks second in scoring (230 points), receptions (119) and receiving yards (1,474). He also ranks third in total touchdowns (37) and receiving touchdowns (37). Hill leads the af2 in passing yards per game (317.8) and ranks third in TD passes (67). Overall, Rio Grande Valley ranks sixth in scoring (59.3 ppg) but rank 18th in scoring defense (57.6 ppg). It's a well-known fact that these two teams don't like each other very much. Expect another tense yet high-scoring and highly-entertaining affair this week.

BATTLEWINGS DORADOS SERIES LEADER Tied 6-6

LAST MEETING Bossier-Shreveport won 76-59 on 5/22/09

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 2-3

LAST GAME Won vs. Amarillo Dusters 79-77 Won vs. Corpus Christi Sharks 51-48

LEADERS BATTLEWINGS DORADOS PASSING Hines: 176-293-10; 2200; 53 TDs Hill: 241-360-14; 3169; 67 TDs

RECEIVING Berry: 59-867; 15 TDs Windsor: 119-1474; 37 TDs

RUSHING Schule: 70-442; 17 TDs Hill: 36-154; 10 TDs

TACKLES Cola: 56 Turner: 53.5

SACKS Pittman: 6 Chude: 6

INTERCEPTIONS Cola: 6 McAlpine: 4

KICKING Carmody:79-89 PATs; 4-11 FGs; 91 PTs Rubio: 26-34 PATs; 0-1 FGs; 26 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 60.8 PPG; 278.9 YPG 59.3 PPG; 336.9 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 52.0 PPG; 330.8 YPG 57.6 PPG; 306.0 YPG

FLORIDA FIRECATS (5-6) AT TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (8-3)

SATURDAY, June 20, 2009 - Von Braun Center (6,642) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Firecats head to Huntsville, Ala. this week to take on the Vipers, their long-time South Division rivals. Tennessee Valley currently owns a slight edge in the all-time series, 8-7. The Vipers have also won four of the last five. This is the second of three meetings between these two clubs in 2009. Tennessee Valley won the first affair in Week 5, 69-43. Vipers QB KEVIN EAKIN guided the way on offense, completing 25-of-33 passes for 245 yards and seven touchdowns, with three each going to WRs CHRIS BOCAGE and BRADLY CHAVEZ. Florida QB CHRIS WALLACE completed 26-of-46 passes for 254 yards and six touchdowns with one interception. Most recently the Firecats earned their fifth win last week at Central Valley, 63-52, capping off the longest road trip in team history. Wallace tossed five touchdowns and ran for another score while FB BRANDON ISAIAH, in his first game with the Firecats this season, ran for a pair of touchdowns and 28 yards on seven carries. CHRIS MCKINNEY led all receivers with 11 catches for 122 yards and three scores. DB JAMES MCCOY chipped in with a kick return for a touchdown, the Firecats first of the season, and nearly returned an interception for a score but was stopped three yards shy of the end zone. Florida currently ranks No. 14 in the latest league coaches poll. Wallace ranks fourth in the league in TD passes with 64. McKinney ranks sixth in TD catches with 26 and eighth in receptions with 86. Tennessee Valley, currently tied for first place in the South, ranks No. 5 overall according to the latest league coaches poll. Last week the defending ArenaCup Champion Vipers used a dominating defensive effort to defeat South Georgia, 44-27. The 27 points scored by the Wildcats was their lowest point output of the season. Eakin was extremely efficient for Tennessee Valley, completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for 215 yards and four touchdowns. WR JEREMY GRIER led all receivers with 15 receptions for 109 yards and four touchdowns. DBs VINCE HILL and TRAVIS BLANCHARD both had interceptions to pace the Vipers defense. As a team, Tennessee Valley ranks second in the league in scoring defense, allowing opponents just 37 points per game. The Vipers are also extremely disciplined and rank second only to Spokane for fewest turnovers with 13 overall. Eakin ranks seventh in TD passes (56) and 10th in passer rating (113.1). Tennessee Valley is especially tough at home. The Vipers are 5-0 at the Von Braun Center in 2009 and have held opponents to under 26 points per game (25.6). The Firecats will need to find a way to finish drives with touchdowns if they hope to charm the Vipers on their home turf.

FIRECATS VIPERS SERIES LEADER Tennessee Valley leads 8-7

LAST MEETING Tennessee Valley won 69-43 on 4/25/09

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 2-3

LAST GAME Won vs. South Georgia 44-27 Won vs. Central Valley 63-52

LEADERS FIRECATS VIPERS PASSING Wallace: 237-388-11; 2834; 64 TDs Eakin: 256-393-6; 2587; 56 TDs

RECEIVING McKinney: 86-962; 26 TDs Bocage: 78-676; 14 TDs

RUSHING Bear: 46-123; 7 TDs Blanchard: 26-46; 6 TDs

TACKLES Hodges: 63.5 Foster: 63.5

SACKS Edwards and Blakely: 2.5 Scott and White: 5.5

INTERCEPTIONS Tisdale: 3 Blanchard: 4

KICKING Rivas: 41-58 PATs; 0-2 FGs; 41 PTs Hayes: 63-77 PATs; 2-6 FGs; 69 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 51.2 PPG; 279.8 YPG 49.4 PPG; 254.2 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 55.3 PPG; 272.5 YPG 37.0 PPG; 256.6 YPG

STOCKTON LIGHTNING (4-7) AT BOISE BURN (9-2)

SATURDAY, June 20, 2009 - Qwest Arena (5,006) 9:10 P.M. ET

The Lightning head to Boise, Idaho this Saturday to face the fiery Burn at Qwest Arena. The Lightning last beat Boise back in 2007, but since then it has been the Burn in every other matchup. They lead the series 6-1. Another reason the Lightning will certainly be looking for redemption on Saturday is that they dropped last week's game to the league-leading Spokane Shock, 88-27. Their offensive attack was shut down by the number one defense in the league, which caused all sorts of headaches for Stockton QB CHAD CAVENDAR, who had a rough outing, throwing six picks in the game, including on the first two Stockton possessions. The Lightning also fumbled the ball three times for a total of 9 turnovers for the game. Cavendar did account for most of the Stockton offense, throwing 23-41 for 276 yards and 4 TDs. Stockton WR BRANDON HORACE grabbed 11 passes for 142 yards and two TDs. A bright spot for the Stockton Lightning is their league-leading rush defense, which has kept teams to just 122 yards and 11 TDs this season. The Boise Burn, who've just moved up to fourth in the league coaches' poll, have been cutting a swath through the league this season. The team's only losses have come against the No. 1-ranked Spokane Shock. Last week, the Burn won a divisional road game at Tri-Cities, 56-21. For the third straight week, Boise DB TERRANCE SANDERS put on another dazzling display, returning a missed field goal 55 yards for a TD. Sanders has become this year's af2 version of Devin Hester. The two-year veteran is leading the league in kick returns, with 23 returns for 741 yards and six TDs. Sanders needs just 2 more TD returns to tie the league record of eight. Boise FB DAMIAN WALKER is setting records as well; his 3 rushing TDs put him in the team record books for most rushing TDs in a season. Boise QB RUDY CARLTON went 15-26 for 179 yards and 2 TDs, hitting WR JERARD RABB 5 times for 77 yards and the 2 TD receptions. The Boise defense, ranked 4th in the league, was solid, limiting the Fever to just 21 points. On the season, they are keeping teams to 39.2 points per game. Boise DB TREMAINE TYLER recorded 5.5 tackles, one interception, and two pass breakups. Boise State alum, DL ALEX GUERRERO, added two sacks. He has a team-high six on the season. The Lightning offense will have to perform better against a tough defense if they hope to contend on Saturday night.

LIGHTNING BURN SERIES LEADER Boise leads 6-1

LAST MEETING Boise won 59-44 on 5/23/09

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 5-0

LAST GAME Loss vs. Spokane 27-88 Won vs. Tri-Cities 56-21

LEADERS LIGHTNING BURN PASSING Cavendar: 172-297-12; 2095; 41 TDs Tharp: 163-240-15; 2053; 46 TDs

RECEIVING Taplin: 90-1203; 28 TDs Wilson: 59-652; 11 TDs

RUSHING Collins: 25-155; 7 TDs Walker: 47-121; 12 TDs

TACKLES Kenion: 36.5 Sanders: 67.5

SACKS Robinson: 2 Guerrero: 6

INTERCEPTIONS Many tied with 2 Sanders: 6

KICKING Irvine: 24-31 PATs; 3-5 FGs; 33 PTs Scott: 64-75 PATs; 3-6 FGs; 73 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 49.3 PPG; 292.9 YPG 58.1 PPG; 245.1 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 59.6 PPG; 309.5 YPG 39.2 PPG; 272.4 YPG

TRI-CITIES FEVER (1-10) AT SPOKANE SHOCK (10-0)

SATURDAY, June 20, 2009 - Spokane Arena (10,653) 10:00 P.M. ET

The Fever will be looking for the upset in Spokane on Saturday night as they face off against the perfect Spokane Shock. The Shock head into Week 13 as the only undefeated team in the af2. The last time these two teams met in Week 10, Spokane took control of the game, winning 61-20. The Fever are coming off another tough National Conference West matchup last week against the 9-2 Boise Burn, losing 56-21. The Boise defense held the Fever scoreless in the 1st and 3rd quarters, as the first five Fever possessions resulted in no scores. However, Fever QB TOMOTSUNA INOUE ended up going 23-45 for 215 yards and 3 TDs connecting with WR FINAS RABB 7 times for 63 yards and 2 TDs. Inoue also hit WR/DB RAY LITTLE 7 times for 76 yards and a TD. DB JAMIE HATTLEY led the Fever defense with 8 tackles, an interception, and a pass break up. Hattley is second on the team in tackles with 41.5 and has 3 picks on the year. WR/DB EMERY BECKLES was solid on both sides of the ball, returning 5 kickoffs and a missed field goal 120 yards while adding 3 tackles on defense. The Fever do boast the 4th best pass defense in the league - allowing an average of 227.4 yards per game. They'll need that defense against the Shock who currently lead the league in passing efficiency and are 5th in overall passing offense, averaging 274.1 yards per game. The Shock have held the top spot in the weekly league coaches poll for a record-tying 14th consecutive weeks. Spokane's offense was dynamite last week against the Stockton Lightning, scoring a team-record 88 points in an 88-27 victory. QB NICK DAVILA completed 22-of-32 passes for 310 yards and 7 TDs with no interceptions. Davila was also one of three Shock players with rushing TDs. Shock backup CASEY HANSEN replaced Davila for the fourth quarter and was perfect, going 7-for-7 and recording 3 TD passes of his own. WR RAUL VIJIL was a favorite target of the night with 9 catches for 149 yards and 5 TDs. Vijil now has 16 TD receptions against the Lightning this season, and 24 TD overall. The Shock defense was no less impressive, forcing 9 turnovers. DB STANLEY FRANKS tied a team record for interceptions with three in addition to his 6.5 tackles. The Fever would love to hand Spokane its first loss of the season, but to do that they'll have to execute perfectly against the powerful Shock.

FEVER SHOCK SERIES LEADER Spokane leads 6-1

LAST MEETING Spokane won 61-20 on 5/30/09

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 5-0

LAST GAME Loss vs. Boise 21-56 Won vs. Stockton 88-27

LEADERS FEVER SHOCK PASSING Ayoob: 70-149-6; 577; 9 TDs Davila: 208-303-4; 2464; 54 TDs

RECEIVING Kirkland: 60-699; 13 TDs Vijil: 75-905; 22 TDs

RUSHING Harrell: 13-31; 2 TDs Nikolao: 45-144; 6 TDs

TACKLES Walker: 50.5 Franks: 73

SACKS Alexander: 4 McCombs: 12

INTERCEPTIONS Hattley: 3 Three tied with 6

KICKING Braunstein:34-42PATs;11-28FGs;67 PTs Jackson: 68-78 PATs; 7-9 FGs; 89 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 31.4 PPG; 219.6 YPG 60.9 PPG; 296.3 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 60.3 PPG; 247.2 YPG 36.8 PPG; 271.9 YPG

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