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Week 17 af2 quick hitters

July 20, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


POINTS GALORE: Last Friday the Albany Conquest defeated the Green Bay Blizzard 88-82 to combine for 170 total points, the highest scoring game in af2 history. The contest featured four kickoff returns for touchdowns, two interception returns for touchdowns and two recoveries off the net for touchdowns. Green Bay quarterback JOHNNY TURMAN threw seven touchdowns and Albany signal caller D BRYANT threw eight and rushed for one more. JEREMIAH POPE grabbed 12 passes for 160 yards and five touchdowns. The halftime score of 55-54 Green Bay accounted for the most combined points in a half ever (109). The game saw 25 total touchdowns scored.

FIRST FOR MEMPHIS: The Memphis Xplorers clinched the Midwest Division with a 83-26 victory over the Manchester Wolves on Saturday night. This is the first time in franchise history the Xplorers have won their division. The team they beat, Manchester, can also win a division championship for the first time in franchise history as they hold a two-game lead over Louisville for first place in the East Division.

TULSA MEANS PLAYOFF FOOTBALL: The Tulsa Talons clinched their sixth playoff berth in six seasons last week. Their six-playoff appearances are the most in league history. If they win on Saturday to clinch the West Division, they will have won four straight division championships. This would tie Quad City and Tennessee Valley for most division championships for a single franchise.

HE KEEPS GOING AND GOING...: With a kickoff return of 57 yards for a touchdown against Central Valley lst week, San Diego's STEVE GONZALEZ has now returned a kickoff for a touchdown in four straight games. He returned a kickoff 56 yards two weeks ago and a kickoff 57 yards for a score against the Dorados in Week 13. In Week 12 against Tulsa he returned a first quarter kick 55 yards for a touchdown. Gonzalez also caught five touchdowns last week.

THE 50 "HUMP": Rio Grande Valley head coach KEVIN GUY currently has 49 career coaching victories. (including the post season) This mark is good enough for second best in af2 history. He had a chance last week to become only the second head coach with 50 wins and tie Birmingham BOBBY HUMPHREY for all-time head coaching victories. But not only did Guy and the Dorados come up short against Tulsa, Birmingham defeated South Georgia so now Humphrey is two ahead of Guy. Guy can still become only the second coach in af2 history to win 50 games with a victory this week against Oklahoma City.

RICKY YOU'RE SO FINE: Former af2 quarterback RICKY RAY is the Canadian Football League's top passer. The Edmonton Eskimo has thrown for 1,421 yards and six touchdowns with six interceptions on 112-of-176 passing. Edmonton is currently 3-1 and tied for second place in the Western Division. He led the Eskimos to the Grey Cup Championship in 2003. Ray played with the Fresno Frenzy in 2002.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE: Former af2 lineman JOE MINUCCI was signed by the NFL's Tennessee Titans earlier this week. Minucci played in 2004 with the Tennessee Valley Vipers earning ALL-af2 First Team honors at OL/DL. This past season he played with the AFL's Nashville Kats where he was named to the AFL's All-Rookie team.

ANATOMY OF A RECORD: Last weekend Tulsa OS DONOVAN MORGAN brought in ten passes for 125 yards and five touchdowns. His five scores passed JACK WALKER JR.'s previous mark of 45 touchdown receptions in a season and SHON KING's 2000 record of 284 points scored in a season. Morgan currently has 46 receiving touchdowns. Look below to see week-by-week how Morgan earned the receiving touchdowns record.

WEEK OPPONENT REC YARDS TD
1 at Amarillo 5 129 4
2 at Bossier-Shreveport 10 105 5
4 at San Diego 6 113 5
5 Oklahoma City 5 65 2
6 Central Valley 14 195 6
7 at Bakersfield 5 94 2
8 Macon 9 105 4
9 Bakersfield 6 67 2
10 at Central Valley 9 87 0
11 at Rio Grande Valley 10 145 5
12 San Diego 4 75 3
13 Arkansas 10 136 3
15 at Memphis DNP DNP DNP
16 Rio Grande Valley 10 125 5
17 Amarillo
18 at Oklahoma City
Totals: 103 1,441 46

RECORDS UPDATE: The end of the season is the time for records to fall. DONOVAN MORGAN was first, breaking the touchdown reception and scoring record this past week. MATT SAUK completed 30 passes to bring his completion total to 362 this season, five better than the previous record of 357. Both Sauk and KYLE ROWLEY completed 357 passes last season to share the record before this season. JOE MASSEY has already set the record for blocked kicks in a season and teammate JULIAN REESE is one shy of the af2 record for rushing touchdowns in a season. The Dusters play Tulsa this week. Look below to see who else is nearing af2 records.

PLAYER (TEAM) CATEGORY RECORD (HOLDER) CURRENT TOTAL ON PACE FOR

William Haith (MAN) Tackles 121.0 (Rico Curtis, SAN, 2002) 106.0 121.0
Jake Eaton (MAN) Completion % 71.5% (Jay McDonagh, QUA, 2001) 70.7% 70.7%
Matt Sauk (LOU) Passing Yards 4,462 (Ryan Vena, ALB, 2003) 3,937 4,499
Matt Sauk (LOU) TD Passes 93 (Tony Zimmerman, QUA, 2003) 84 96
Matt Sauk (LOU) Completions 357 (Matt Sauk, LOU, 2005)* 362 413
Julian Reese (AMR) TD Rushes 28 (Wilmont Perry, CPF, 2003) 27 30
Donovan Morgan (TUL) Scoring 294 (Donovan Morgan, TUL, 2005)* 266 304
J.J. McKelvey (MAN) Scoring 294 (Donovan Morgan, TUL, 2005)* 258 294
Donovan Morgan (TUL) TD Receptions 46 (Donovan Morgan, TUL, 2005)* 46 52
Joe Massey (AMR) Blocked Kicks 8 (Joe Massey, AMR, 2005)* 8 9
*Records set this season.

BLOCK THAT KICK: It is worth taking a closer look at Amarillo FB/LB JOE MASSEY's blocked kick record. His eight total blocked kicks this season is three better than the previous individual record of five by FRANK TRENTADUE of Quad City in 2002. Even more impressive, only one team in af2 history has blocked more kicks in a season than Massey has in 2005. Look below to see the leader board in blocked kicks in a season by an individual and a team. RANK INDIVIDUAL NO. TEAM NO. 1 Joe Massey, AMR, 2005 8 Richmond, 2002 12 2 Frank Trentadue, QUA, 2002 5 Amarillo, 2005 11 3 Abdul Shabazz-Wiggins, NOR, 2002 4 Florida, 2004 8

4 Reggie Cooley, ARK, 2004 4 Norfolk, 2002 8 5 Comone Fisher, FLO, 2004 4 Memphis, 2004 7

TEAM RECORDS IN DANGER TOO: Yes, even team records are falling this season. Just last week Amarillo broke the record for rushing touchdowns in a season, with four at Quad City. Louisville also broke af2 records for first downs and passing first downs in a season last week against Oklahoma City.

TEAM CATEGORY RECORD CURRENT TOTAL ON PACE FOR
South Georgia Pass Attempts 649, Arkansas, 2000 609 696
Amarillo Rushing Touchdowns 47, Amarillo, 2005* 47 53
Louisville Pass Completions 373, Columbus, 2004 364 416
South Georgia Pass Completions 373, Columbus, 2004 353 403
Quad City Pass Completions 373, Columbus, 2004 343 392
Manchester Pass Completions 373, Columbus, 2004 336 384
Tulsa Touchdown Passes 97, Tulsa 2004/Quad City 2003 86 98
Manchester Pass Completion % 69.9%, Cape Fear, 2003 70.6% 70.6%
San Diego Kickoff Returns 116, Bossier City, 2003 105 120
San Diego Kickoff Return Yards 2,296, Bossier City, 2003 2,286 2,612
San Diego Combined Return Yards 2,563 (2,198 ko, 365 mfg), Charleston, 2002 2,417 2,762
Louisville First Downs 310, Louisville, 2005^ 310 354
Louisville First Downs, Passing 224, Louisville, 2005# 224 256
Amarillo First Downs, Rushing 71, Bossier City, 2002 71 81

*Passed 2002 Bossier City's mark of 46 rushing touchdowns in a season last week
^Passed 2003 Albany's mark of 305 first downs in a season last week.
#Passed 2003 Albany's mark of 213 passing first downs in a season last week

PLAYOFF SCENARIOS FOR WEEK 17: American Conference: Florida can clinch the No. 1 seed with a win and a loss by Manchester. Louisville can clinch the No. 3 seed with a win. Green Bay can clinch the No. 4 seed with a win and a loss by Macon and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

National Conference: Memphis can clinch the No. 1 seed with a win and a loss by Tulsa. Tulsa can clinch the West Division with a win or a loss by Rio Grande Valley Rio Grande Valley can clinch a playoff spot with a win. A win combined with a Quad City or Amarillo loss gives the Dorados a home playoff game. Oklahoma City, Amarillo and Quad City can all clinch playoff spots with wins and a loss by Central Valley.

AND THE WINNER IS...: With three weeks remaining in the regular season till the ArenaCup Playoffs it is time to start thinking about the end of the season awards. Look below for potential candidates for each award and their credentials. Candidates are listed in no particular order and are not the official nominees.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: J.J. McKelvey - OS - MAN - Leads the league in receptions (118), second in receiving touchdowns (39). Jake Eaton QB - MAN - Leads the league in passer rating (123.6) and completion percentage (70.7). Has thrown for 74 touchdowns and 3,590 yards. Julian Reese - QB - AMR - Currently has 27 rushing touchdowns and has the record for rushing touchdowns in a season in his sights. Donovan Morgan - OS - TUL - Holds the record for receiving touchdowns and scoring in a season. Only a rookie this season. Brian Jones - QB - MEM - Has 19 rushing touchdowns to go with his 61 passing touchdowns and only six interceptions. Jarrial Jackson - OS - OKC - Second in the league in receptions (112) and receiving yards (1,452). His 25.9 yards per kickoff return is second in the league. Matt Sauk - QB - LOU - On pace to set records for passing yards and touchdown passes in a season. Has already set the record for completions in a season. Kevin Prentiss - OS - MEM - Third in af2 in scoring (234 points), second in the league in all-purpose yards (2,669).

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Khreem Smith - OL/DL - MEM - Leads the league in sacks with 16.0. Has forced six fumbles, blocked two kicks and recorded one safety. Dahnel Singfield - DS - MEM - Leads the league with 51 passes defended and leads the league in interceptions with ten. William Haith - DS - MAN - Has the record for tackles in a season in his sights, currently leads the league with 106.0. Tied for third in the league in passes defended. Ryan Bowers - DS - GBB - Tied for second in the league in interceptions (9) and fifth in the league in tackles (88.0). Matt Forbes - DS - QUA - Has taken three of eight picks back for touchdowns. Sixth in the league in tackles (76.5). Alex Wallace - DS - BAK - Second in the league in passes defended (35); tied for second in the league in interceptions (nine). Asi Faoa - OL/DL - SAN - Second in the league in sacks (10.0). Has registered a stat in every defensive category but interceptions. Jamie Hattley - DS - WBS - Tied for second in the league in tackles (96.0), 3.5 tackles for a loss, 21 pass break ups, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

U.S. ARMY IRONMAN OF THE YEAR: Matt Jackson - WR/DB - MAC - Leads the team in interceptions with eight and tied for second in tackles with 56.5. On special teams, five field goal returns for 137 yards and one touchdown and 41 kickoff returns for 860 yards and three touchdowns. Marquis Floyd - WR/DB - RGV - Leads the team in receiving with 90 receptions for 1,229 yards and 24 touchdowns. Also has two rushing touchdowns. The Dorados' second leading tackler (41.0), leads the team in interceptions with nine. Chris Robinson - FB/LB - RGV - Leads team in sacks (4.0), third on team in tackles (36.5). On offense, 197 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. Terrell Adams - WR/DB - MEM - Two sacks, three interceptions and ten passes broken up to go with 28.5 tackles. Memphis' second leading receiver with 51 receptions for 718 yards and 14 touchdowns. Nian Taylor - WR/DB - SAN - Leads the team in receiving with 85 receptions for 941 yards and 25 touchdowns. Second on team in interceptions (three), and fourth in tackles (33.5). B.J. Barre - WR/DB - OKC - 14 receiving touchdowns and one rushing touchdowns. Leads team in interceptions (five), passes broken up (13). Also has two fumble recoveries and 2.5 tackles for loss. Jack Walker Jr. - WR/LB - QUA - Two interceptions, four fumble recoveries (tied for league high) and 32.0 tackles on defense. On offense, 81 receptions for 759 yards and 14 touchdowns. Manwell Talbert - WR/DB - ALB - 83 receptions for 1,177 yards and 25 touchdowns on offense. Two sacks, an interception and three fumbles recovered on defense with 27.0 tackles.

KICKER OF THE YEAR: Eric Houle - RGV - League leading 16 made field goals. 63-of-74 (85.1%) on extra points. Made game winning field goal against Tulsa, made field goal with under a minute to play against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Brian Hazelwood - BOS - Second in the league in made field goals with 13. 63-of-79 (79.7%) on extra points and 13 touchbacks. 10-of-14 on two-point extra point attempts. John Gockman - CEN - The rookie is 11-of-19 on field goals and has made 70-of-83 (84.3) extra points. Danny Kight - LOU - Made a 61-yard field goal at Albany and game winning field goal against South Georgia. Eight field goals made. 73-of-92 (79.3%) on extra points. Didn't play last week. Kimo Naehu - SAN - Eight made field goals and 62-of-75 (82.6%) on extra points. Made a 37-yard field goal to beat Birmingham 58-57 with no time remaining.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Donovan Morgan - OS - TUL - Leads the league in touchdown receptions and scoring and has broken both records. Julian Reese - QB - AMR - Has thrown for 3,224 yards and 59 touchdowns with just seven interceptions to go with his 27 rushing touchdowns. Khreem Smith - OL/DL - MEM - League leading 16.0 sacks along with six forced fumbles, two blocked kicks and one safety. Josh Blankenship - QB - TUL - Has adjusted quickly to the arena game with 3,232 passing yards and 78 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. Matt Jackson - WR/DB - MAC - The former Florida Gator has made contributions on offense, defense and special teams. Rob Mager - OS - LOU - Leads the Fire in receiving with 109 catches for 1,225 yards and 34 touchdowns despite playing in only 11 games. Chavis McCollister - OS - AMR - His 103 catches for 1,607 yards (league high) and 31 touchdowns lead the Dusters. All while playing in only 12 games. Asi Faoa - OL/DL - SAN - From UCLA, is second in the league in sacks (10.0). 24.0 tackles and five tackles for a loss.

LINEMAN OF THE YEAR: Khreem Smith - MEM - Leads the league with 16.0 sacks. Has also registered four hits on the quarterbacks, six forced fumbles and one safety. Asi Faoa - SAN - Second in the league in sacks with 10.0. Has also forced and recovered a fumble, blocked a kick and scored a safety. Shawn King - BAK - Third in the league in sacks with 6.0. Also has forced and recovered a fumble and broken up three passes. C.J. McClain - ARK - 6.5 tackles for a loss. Has registered 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two recovered fumbles. Oby Arah - ALB - Leads the team with 4.0 sacks. Has 17.0 tackles (14UA-6AT), six hits on the quarterback and two safeties. John Culp - QUA - Has 13 hits on the quarterback to go with 2.0 sacks. One of the league leaders in forced fumbles with four. Ja'Dae McGurie - LOU - Has totaled 19.5 tackles, one sack, one recovered fumble and two block kicks. Part of an offensive line that has given up a league best seven sacks this season. Joe Peters - GBB - Team has given up ten sacks this season (tied for second in the league). Has totaled two sacks, four passes broken up, one interception and one blocked kick.

INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Allistair Sebastien -DS - MAN - Dominican Republic - Leads team in interceptions with six. Second on the team in tackles with 70.0. Khreem Smith - OL/DL - MEM - Jamaica - Leads the league in sacks with 16.0. Has forced six fumbles, blocked two kicks and recorded one safety. Henrik Juul-Nielsen - K - GBB - Denmark - Is 6-of-12 in field goals of 20-to-39 yards in length. Has registered 28 touchbacks on kickoffs. 81-of-94 on extra points. Green Bay's leading scorer. Steve Panella - QB - AMR - Canada - Backup for most of the season in Amarillo. Threw for three touchdowns and ran for three touchdowns in his victorious lone game as a starter. J.R. Davies - QB - RGV - Canada - Second string quarterback for Rio Grande Valley most of the season. In his one start he threw for 263 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Dorados to a win. Jason Cedeno - OL/DL - QUA - Trinidad - Has played 13 games this season for the 'Wheelers, has totaled five solo tackles, four hits on the quarterback and one pass broken up.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Bob Landsee - GBB - Has guided Green Bay to their first playoff berth in franchise history. Ben Bennett - MAN - Turned a 5-11 team last season into an ArenaCup favorite. Kevin Bouis - FLO - Has the Firecats thinking back-to-back championships. South Division Champions. Danton Barto - MEM - The Xplorers have improved each season under his guidance. Midwest Division Champions.. Kevin Guy - RGV - Has the Dorados in position for a playoff berth in just their second season.

ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR: Rickey Foggie - AMR - Offensive Coordinator - The former AFL quarterback guides the highest scoring offense (58.4 ppg) in the league. Mitch Allner - TUL - Offensive Coordinator/Director of Player Personnel - Went from player to coach to guide the league's second highest scoring offense (57.0 ppg). Main offensive threats (Blankenship and Morgan) are both rookies. Adam Shackleford - LOU - Offensive Coordinator - Has the Fire gunning for an ArenaCup appearance and has quarterback Matt Sauk on track to break several passing records. Keith Easley - MAN - Defensive Coordinator/Director of Football Operations - Has his defense giving up only 41.3 points per game, third best in the league. Has been involved with af2 since its inaugural season.

IF THE SEASON ENDED TODAY: In 2005 six teams from each the American and National Conference qualify for the playoffs. The six qualifying teams in each conference consist of the two division champions and four Wild Cards, determined by best overall record. Seeding in each conference is based on overall record, with the top two seeds in each conference reserved for the division champions, regardless of record. In the First Round (August 5-7), the two division winners in each conference receive a bye. The top-seeded Wild Card team hosts the lowest-seeded Wild Card team, while the No. 2 seeded Wild Card team hosts the No. 3 seeded Wild Card team. In the Second Round (August 12-14), the division winners who had byes in the First Round host the winners from the First Round. The top seeded division champion plays the lowest seeded team advancing from the First Round, while the second-seeded division winner plays the other winner from the First Round. The winners of the Second Round will meet for the Conference Championships on the weekend of August 19-21. For this round seeding no longer matters, meaning the team with the better overall record hosts the Conference Championship game. The winners of the Conference Championships face off in the 2005 ArenaCup on August 27 at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City, Louisiana televised on FOX Sports Net.

AMERICAN CONFERENCE
1. Florida (12-2) - x
2. Manchester (11-3) - y
3. Louisville (9-5) - y
4. Green Bay (8-6) - y
5. Macon (7-7) - y - Holds HTH advantage over WBS
6. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (7-7) - y
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7. Albany (4-10)
8. Arkansas (3-11) - Holds HTH point differential tiebreaker over SGW
9. South Georgia (3-11)
10. Birmingham (2-12)
First Round games would be: WBS @ LOU; MAC @ GBB; FLO, MAN receive bye

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
1. Memphis (11-3) - x
2. Tulsa (10-4) - y
3. Rio Grande Valley (9-5)
4. Oklahoma City (8-6) - Holds HTH tiebreaker over AMR, QUA
5. Amarillo (8-6) - Holds HTH point differential over QUA
6. Quad City (8-6)
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7. Central Valley (7-7)
8. Bakersfield (5-9) - Currently holds HTH advantage over SAN
9. San Diego (5-9)
10. Bossier-Shreveport (3-11)
First Round games would be: QUA @ RGV; AMR @ OKC; MEM, TUL receive bye
x - clinched division championship and first round bye, y - clinched playoff spot



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