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Week 14 matchups

June 26, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


LOUISVILLE FIRE (7-5) AT MAHONING VALLEY THUNDER (2-10)

FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2008 - Chevrolet Centre (6,100) 7:05 P.M. ET

Week 14 kicks off on Friday night with the Louisville Fire traveling to Ohio to take on the Mahoning Valley Thunder. These two clubs have met three times overall including one head-to-head meeting earlier in 2008. The Fire won that affair, 53-22, in mid-May. QB AARON MARSHALL threw five touchdown passes, four to WR RICARDO LENHART (7-99). Thunder QB SHANE ADLER struggled with five interceptions, two by the Fire DB MATT FORBES, the league's all-time leader in career interceptions (45). Louisville enters Week 14 currently ranked No. 12 in the latest league coaches poll and tied for second place in the Midwest Division. The Fire's most recent outing was a, 54-50, come-from-behind home win against I-64 rival Lexington. Louisville led the contest by 11 points (32-21) in the third quarter before three straight Lexington scores put the Horsemen in front by 11 (43-32) early in the fourth quarter. With the Fire still trailing by 10 points (50-40) late in the game, backup QB MATT BASSUENER tossed an 18-yard pass to WR LONNELL DEWALT for his third score of the game. A last minute fumble recovery by LB JEROME JONES gave the Fire a chance to take the lead. With 16 seconds to play Bassuener connected with WR TYMERE ZIMMERMAN for the game-winning score. Forbes ended Lexington's last chance for a touchdown with an interception at the front of the end zone as time expired. Bassuener finished the game 9-of-12 with four TDs and 116 yards passing. Forbes contributed 2.5 tackles, a game-high three pass breakups and also had a 53-yard missed field goal return for a touchdown as time expired in the first half. QB DANNY SOUTHWICK started the game for the Fire and completed 13-of-21 passes for 151 yards with three TDs. Dewalt caught three touchdowns to lead Louisville's receiving corps (5-99). Mahoning Valley has had a frustrating season so far. The Thunder have won just two games overall with their last victory coming a month ago against Albany. Since then the club has lost three straight, including last week's 69-28 road loss at Green Bay. Adler completed just 20-of-49 passes against a tough Blizzard defense with 180 yards passing, two touchdowns and two interceptions. WR CLENTON RAFE caught a game-high nine passes for 130 yards and two TDs. Rafe has been one of the few bright spots for the Thunder lately with 13 TD catches in the last three games. He currently leads the squad with 15 on the season. The team's top performers on defense have been FB/LB JOHN TACKMANN (team-high 49.5 tackles), ROYCE MORGAN (8.5 sacks) and KELLEN DRISCOLL (11.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks). One of the reasons behind Mahoning Valley's troubles in 2008 has been turnovers. The Thunder have forced a league-low 17 total turnovers from their opponents while giving losing 41 (-24 turnover margin - 28th out of 29 teams). If Louisville gets off to a hot start and puts pressure on Adler, expect the Fire to quiet the Thunder once again.

FIRE THUNDER

SERIES LEADER Louisville leads 3-0

LAST MEETING Louisville won 53-22 on 5/17/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 1-4

LAST GAME Won 54-54 vs. Lexington on 6/23/2008 Lost 28-69 at Green Bay on 6/20/08

LEADERS FIRE THUNDER

PASSING Bassuener: 119-217-9; 1337; 14 TDs Adler: 59-153-12; 699; 7 TDs

RECEIVING Dewalt: 74- 843; 14 TDs Tolbert: 44-509; 13

RUSHING Bassuener: 65-297; 17 TDs Murphy: 38-262; 4

TACKLES Ross: 60 Tackmann: 49.5

SACKS Speaks: 6 Morgan: 8.5

INTERCEPTIONS Forbes: 12 Multiple with 1

KICKING Kight: 58-75 PAT; 6-16 FGs; 76 PTs Schorejs: 22-25 PAT; 0-2 FGs; 22 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 47.0 PPG; 213.9 YPG 40.2 PPG; 180.3 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 39.4 PPG; 212.9 YPG 53.2 PPG; 240.1 YPG

ALBANY CONQUEST (4-8) AT MANCHESTER WOLVES (5-7)

FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2008 - Verizon Wireless Arena (9,650) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Albany Conquest travel to Manchester, New Hampshire this week for a pivotal Friday night East Division matchup against the Wolves. The Wolves have won four out of their last five games, but look to bounce back after falling to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers last Saturday, 69-40. Manchester QB JAMES PINKNEY struggled to a 19-of-37 showing with four interceptions and could not get the Wolves on track. The Pioneers gained a 31-6 advantage in the second quarter and never looked back. Manchester WR STEVEN SAVOY was one of the few bright spots catching eight passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns. A win this week would be very important for the Wolves as the team is currently 9th in the American Conference playoff standings, just one game behind the 6-6 Quad City Steamwheelers. Albany heads into the contest after a victory last week at home against Daytona Beach, 59-49. The win stopped a string of seven straight previous losses for the Conquest. WR ANTWUN WILLIAMS had eight catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns to lead all receivers as QB DAN COLE had 216 yards in the air with five touchdowns. Cole also contributed had two rushing touchdowns. The Albany defensive attack was lead by VERNARD ABRAMS who had two fumble recoveries and one interception. Both teams need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive in the second game of their three game season series. Albany won the first meeting (64-54) back on April 18th in Manchester. The Wolves rank second in total offense and hope to rebound this week against Albany's defense which has struggled most of the season. Manchester's defense has been just as inconsistent. With two solid offenses going at it, whichever team's defense steps up will likely come out on top. Expect this contest to be another hard-hitting affair between the two rivals. The winner could come down to who has the ball last.

CONQUEST WOLVES

SERIES LEADER Manchester leads 12-8

LAST MEETING Manchester won 66-62 on 5/23/2008

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 4-1

LAST GAME Won 59-49 vs. Daytona on 6/20/2008 Lost 40-69 at WB/Scranton on 6/21/08

LEADERS CONQEST WOLVES

PASSING Cole: 253-468-8; 2842; 56 TDs Pinkney: 146-237-7; 2025: 40 TDs

RECEIVING Williams: 75-953; 27 TDS Chavez: 71- 907; 21 TDs

RUSHING Cole: 39-155; 7 TDs Pinkney: 46-182; 13 TDs

TACKLES Taylor: 56. 5 Singfield: 42.0

SACKS Lewis: 4.5 Crear: 7.0

INTERCEPTIONS Taylor: 6 Brown: 3

KICKING Frailicker: 42-59 PAT; 1-4 FGs; 45 PTs McCormic: 32-41 PAT;7-12 FGs;53 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 46.0 PPG; 222.2 YPG 51.9 PPG; 255.8 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 56.3 PPG; 259.9 YPG 57.6 PPG; 245.7 YPG

GREEN BAY BLIZZARD (9-3) AT QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (6-6)

FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2008 - i Wireless Center (9, 315) 8:00 P.M. ET

The Green Bay Blizzard travel to Moline, Ill. this Friday to tackle Midwest Division rival Quad City at the i Wireless Center. This week's affair is the 12th all-time meeting between the two teams. Last time these two squads faced each other Green Bay won at home, 52-35, in late April. Quad City leads the series 6-5 and look to extend that lead this weekend. After losing 55-35 last week at home tp Tennessee Valley, the Steamwheelers are looking to turn their luck around in a season that has certainly had its share of ups and its downs. In the fourth quarter last week Quad City's defense was unable to hold off the high-powered Vipers attack, giving up two late scores to give Tennessee Valley the eventual win. At 6-6 and in the middle of the pack for their playoff chances, QB J.J. RATERINK and the Steamwheelers are looking to move above .500 this weekend. Raterink (258-422-16; 65 TDs) has come on of late with a strong performance against the Vipers last weekend. He was also a recent Schutt Offensive Player of the Week Award winner. Raterink went 20-of-37 with four touchdowns and no interceptions last week. WR DEONTRAE JOHNSON (9-99, 2 TDs) was the recipient of two of the touchdowns. WR/LB JESSE SCHMIDT (102-1375, 30 TDs) leads the Steamwheelers in receiving, giving Raterink two options against a strong Green Bay defense. On defense Quad City has had consistent play from WR/DB MALIK JACKSON (59.5 Tackles) and LB TYUS JACKSON (9 Sacks), both of whom will play crucial roles in stopping the Blizzard scoring attempts. Green Bay is coming off a 69-28 home win over the Mahoning Valley Thunder. The Blizzard were able to give QB COLLIN DRAFTS (12-19; 126 Yards; 4 TDs) some rest after a stellar performance. Leading receiver SCOTT BURNOSKI (65-876; 19 TDs) has been a steady performer each week averaging 87.6 yards/game. FB/LB TYRE YOUNG, the af2's leading rusher, exemplifies the balanced running attack that Green Bay presents with his seven rushing touchdowns. FB/LB GUS TYSON has six rushing scores. Green Bay also boasts the league leader in sacks in DL JOE SYKES (16). Green Bay's league-leading defense (37.9 PPG; 171.2 YPG) has shut down opponents and Sykes has been a major factor. DBs NATE GREEN and RUSTY MIDLAM will have the responsibility of slowing down the Steamwheelers' passing attack. Both players rank among the team leaders in tackles (Green: 67, Midlam: 44.5) and interceptions (6 each) this season. If the Blizzard defense can continue its strong performance against the pass and against the rush, Raterink and the Steamwheelers could have a tough time scoring. However, if Raterink continues to play well, this should be a fun game to watch this weekend.

BLIZZARD STEAMWHEELERS

SERIES LEADER Quad City leads 6-5

LAST MEETING Green Bay won 35-52 on 4/25/2008

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 3-2

LAST GAME Won 69-28 vs. Mah Val. On 6/20/2008 Lost 35-55 vs. Ten Valley on 6/20/08

LEADERS BLIZZARD STEAMWHEELERS

PASSING Drafts: 90-154-5; 1069; 22 TDs Raterink: 258-422-16; 3211; 65 TDs

RECEIVING Burnoski: 65-876; 19 TD Schmidt: 102-1375; 30 TDs

RUSHING Young: 48-232; 7 TD Monk: 23-42; 3 TDs

TACKLES Green: 67 Jackson, M.: 59.5

SACKS Sykes: 16 Jackson, T.: 9

INTERCEPTIONS Green and Midlam: 6 Adams and Davis: 3

KICKING Forstrom:57-73 PAT; 14-31 FGs; 99 PTs Pearson: 54-71 PAT; 0-5 FGs; 54 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 48.6 PPG; 214.5 YPG 48.2 PPG; 270.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 37.9 PPG; 171.2 YPG 51.3 PPG; 229.8 YPG

STOCKTON LIGHTNING (2-10) AT TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (8-4)

FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2008 - Von Braun Center (6,642) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Stockton Lightning travel to Huntsville, Ala. this week for their first-ever head-to-head meeting with the Tennessee Valley Vipers. After a season-opening road win at Tri-Cities, Stockton has lost 10 of its last 11 contests. The Lightning are currently in the midst of a four-game losing skid. Stockton's most recent loss was one of the most disheartening of the season for the club as they let a 10-point fourth quarter lead slip away in the final seconds to the Boise Burn, falling 55-51. One of the bright spots for the Lighting in the decision last week was QB ANDY COLLINS, who accounted for seven touchdowns (5 passing, 2 rushing). Collins completed 22-of-37 passes for 265 yards and one interception. WR JUSTIN TAPLIN led the Lightning receiving corps with eight catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively speaking, DB SHANNON DAVIS (game-high 11.5 tackles) and LB JAJUAN HUDDLESTON (2 sacks) stood out individually. Boise QB Royal Gill burned Stockton with a TD pass to Casey Allen with 11 seconds left in the contest. One positive of the contest is that the Lightning offense broke the 50-point plateau for the first time in 2008. Stockton scores just 32.8 points per game which ranks next to last in the league, ahead of Texas' 32.3 average. Turnovers have also doomed Stockton as the club has 42 turnovers lost as opposed to just 26 gained. Collins has added a little life to the Lightning attack with 17 total TDs (12 passing, 5 rushing) in just three games played. Taplin is another new player with AFL experience who has played well in Stockton. He currently leads the team in receiving yards with 472 and ranks second in receiving TDs with nine in just five games played. Tennessee Valley enters this Week 14 non-conference tilt after a 55-35 road win at Quad City. Vipers QB KEVIN EAKIN, the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game, finished with four touchdowns and 188 yards on 16 completions. He also rushed for 57 yards and one touchdown. WR MAURICE BROWN was the team's leading receiver with nine catches and 111 yards, while ALONZO NIX had two touchdown grabs on four catches and 48 yards. The Vipers defense recorded seven sacks including three by the ADT Defensive Player of the Game, TERRANCE FORD. DB DEMETRIUS DERICO contributed a game-high nine tackles for Tennessee Valley. The Vipers are currently ranked No. 7 in the latest league coaches poll. On the offensive side, the squad ranks sixth in scoring at 53.9 points per game. Brown leads the league in receptions with 105 and leads the Vipers in receiving yards (1,252), receiving TDs (26) and scoring (156). Linemen ERIC SCOTT (15 sacks) and Ford (10 sacks) anchor a formidable defensive line. As a team they rank third overall in sacks with 39. Tennessee Valley is moving in on its first playoff berth since its return to the af2 in 2006. If the Vipers play up to their capability, expect the squad to move one step closer to reserving a spot in the postseason.

LIGHTNING VIPERS

SERIES LEADER No previous meetings

LAST MEETING No previous meetings

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 4-1

LAST GAME Lost 51-55 vs. Boise on 6/21/2008 Won 55-35 at Quad City on 6/30/2008

LEADERS LIGHTNING VIPERS

PASSING Elliott: 134-248-16; 1358; 19 TDs Eakin: 158-254-4; 1705; 35 TDs

RECEIVING Thomas: 54-449; 10 TDs Brown: 105-1252; 26 TDs

RUSHING Tuialuuluu: 33-75; 6 TDs Eakin: 12-127; 3 TDs

TACKLES Huddleston: 51.5 Derico: 57.5

SACKS Sykes: 16 Scott: 15

INTERCEPTIONS Huddleston and Hunt: 6 Derico: 8

KICKING Walls: 40-53 PAT; 4-9 FGs; 52 PTs Hayes: 74-87 PAT; 9-21 FGs; 101 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 32.8 PPG; 205.2 YPG 53.9 PPG; 249.6.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 52.5 PPG; 223.1 YPG 45.9 PPG; 217.0 YPG

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