Week 17 Game Recaps

July 22, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release

Richmond Speed (12-3) 36, Cape Fear Wildcats (12-3) 35

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. â The Richmond Speed put itself in control of its destiny in the American Atlantic Division and ended the Cape Fear Wildcats' 10-game winning streak with a 36-35 victory Friday night at the Crown Coliseum with 6,106 fans in attendance.

Richmond did not take its first lead until 25 seconds remained when JEFF TOWNSLEY caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from BOB BEES. GARY KRAL's 38-yard field goal attempt stuck the left upright and fell wide as time expired, handing Richmond the win.

The Speed trailed 22-15 and 29-22 in the fourth quarter, but each time Richmond responded with tying touchdowns. JEFF HIGGINS' 13-yard touchdown reception from MIKE GLUSKI gave Cape Fear a 35-29 lead with 4:07 left. Richmond began the game-winning drive on its 13-yard line before stalling at the Wildcats' 19. Facing 4th-and-12, Bees completed a pass to Townsley, who made a fingertip grab at the five-yard line. After a holding penalty pushed the Speed back to the 15, Bees found Townsley in the left corner of the end zone for the deciding score.

Bees completed 23-of-38 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns. Townsley caught 14 passes for 191 yards and two scores, including a 32-yarder on the first play of the second half. Gluski completed 14-of-27 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns before leaving with a broken collarbone suffered on the Wildcats' last-gasp drive. Gluski had been 13-0 as a starter this season prior to Friday's loss.

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Rochester Brigade (7-8) 28, Mohegan Wolves (3-12) 18

UNCASVILLE, Conn. â MARTINO THEUS set a new af2 record for receptions in a season as the Rochester Brigade defeated Mohegan 28-18 and earned its first-ever playoff spot in front of 4,950 fans at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The Brigade sealed the victory with 55 seconds remaining in the game. Going for it on 4th and 2 on the Wolves' 22-yard line, MATT D'ORAZIO connected with Theus for a historical touchdown. With his 149th catch of the year, Theus set the league record for receptions while propelling Rochester to the playoffs.

The Brigade took a 14-6 lead when MARK HERRON recovered a fumble that led to a 23-yard LAMONTE COLEMAN rushing score with a minute left in the first half. After a scoreless third quarter, the Wolves closed the gap to 14-12 as KEVIN CARTY hooked up with BRANDON BURNSIDE on a five-yard touchdown pass, but the two-point conversion failed. DEREK BAKER returned the ensuing kickoff 56 yards for a touchdown, giving the Brigade a 21-12 lead with 10:07 to play, and Mohegan drew no closer than 21-18 on BRIAN SHUBIN's 11-yard touchdown catch with 4:51 left.

Burnside was the game MVP with 10 receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown. His teammate JEFF COGELL earned Ironman recognition with a touchdown reception, four tackles, a sack and a blocked kick. Coleman was the ADT Defensive Player of the Game with 2.5 tackles.

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Jacksonville Tomcats (7-8) 39, Mobile Wizards (0-15) 35

MOBILE, Ala. â LAWRENCE PULLEN caught a 10-yard touchdown pass with 1:06 left in the game to erase a four-point deficit and give the Jacksonville Tomcats a 39-35 victory over Mobile before a home finale crowd of 2,636 fans at the Mobile Civic Center.

The Wizards had a shot to win the game, but KELVIN ROBINSON was unable to connect with KENDRICK LEE in the end zone on 4th and 7 at the Tomcats' 16. Jacksonville ran out the clock to end the game.

The Wizards opened up a 21-10 halftime lead on two Lee touchdown receptions and a Robinson rushing score. However, the Tomcats bounced back in the first five minutes of the third quarter. Pullen returned the opening kickoff of the second half 50 yards for a touchdown, then DOMINIC ROSS caught a 19-yard touchdown pass and MARCELLE HOUGH returned an interception 28 yards for a score to give Jacksonville a 31-21 lead with 10:15 left in the third period.

A 15-yard TD catch by Lee and CHARLES POOL's one-yard rush into the end zone gave Mobile a 35-31 lead with 3:28 left in the game. But Pullen's score capped a three-play, 30-yard drive to complete Jacksonville's season sweep of the Wizards.

Jacksonville QB DAVID EDGERTON passed for 138 yards and two touchdowns. JAMES ADDERLY led the Tomcats with 47 receiving yards on four catches. Game MVP Robinson, starting in place of injured Wizards' QB MELVIN HILL, rushed for a Wizards' record 69 yards and completed 12-of-27 pass attempts for 147 yards and three touchdowns. Lee caught all three TD passes and finished the night with 82 yards in receptions and 117 yards on five kickoff returns. Hough was the ADT Defensive Player of the Game with two interceptions, including a TD, and 4.5 tackles.

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Florida Firecats (9-6) 55, Columbus Wardogs (3-12) 44

COLUMBUS, Ga. â Florida secured its first ever-postseason berth with a 55-44 victory over Columbus in front of 3,850 fans at the Columbus Civic Center Saturday.

Florida and Columbus exchanged scores through most of the first half, but the Firecats took a 30-26 advantage into the halftime break after DEDRIC MAFFETT capitalized on a botched onside kick attempt by Columbus and caught a five-yard BRYAN SPARACINO pass. In the second half, Florida extended the lead to 41-36 with a Sparacino one-yard run, a safety and a BRANDON KORNBLUE 22-yard field goal.

Three PHIL TAYLOR touchdown receptions in the final period helped reduce Florida's lead to 10 points, but Florida responded to two of Taylor's TDs with a MAGIC BENTON 37-yard reception and a Maffett nine-yard run, his second rushing score of the game.

Sparacino ended the game with 260 passing yards and four touchdowns. Benton caught a team-high six passes for 133 yards and two scores while Taylor's 145-yard performance for Columbus included four touchdowns on four catches. DERYL LANE had two tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble to lead the Firecats' defense. For Columbus, JAMAINE MORSE recorded 5.5 tackles and an interception. QBs JEFF WELSH and BILLY LUCKIE combined for 322 passing yards and five touchdowns.

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Peoria Pirates (10-5) 34, Louisville Fire (2-13) 24

LOUISVILLE, Ky. â Peoria snapped a three-game losing streak as former Fire quarterback MATT PIKE made his return to Louisville and led the Pirates to a 34-24 win in front of 10,275 fans at Freedom Hall.

Louisville set the tone in the first quarter as ANTHONY SHELMAN scored on a one-yard run with 10:36 remaining. PAUL CZERNIAK extended the lead to 10-0 with a 23-yard field goal at the 5:59 mark. In the second quarter, Peoria's KRAIG BAKER hit a 45-yard field goal at the 12:50 mark and, six minutes later, DERRIC COAKLEY scored on a seven-yard run to tie the score. The Pirates took a 12-10 lead with 41 seconds left before halftime with a DESMOND GIBSON safety.

The Fire regained the lead in the third quarter when ANTHONY PAYTON caught a nine-yard pass from DAN ENGLISH. However, the Pirates stormed back in front as Pike threw a 42-yard pass to CHARLES SHEFFIELD. Sheffield fumbled after a hit by MIKE SUMMERS on the two-yard line, but game MVP CORNELL CRAIG scooped it up for the Peoria score. Coakley ran for the two-point conversion, making the score 20-17. BRYAN ARCHIBALD then intercepted an English pass at the Louisville eight-yard line and returned it for a Peoria touchdown and a 27-17 lead. Both teams added late touchdowns, with the Pirates holding on for the 10-point win.

Pike passed for 111 yards on 10 completions with one touchdown and one interception. English had two TDs and two INTs, totaling 177 yards through the air. LINCOLN DUPREE recorded nine tackles and two passes defended to be named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game. ROBERT MEYER was named Ironman of the Game after recording 2.5 tackles, a sack and fumble recovery on defense and rushing three times for 25 yards and a touchdown on offense.

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New Haven Ninjas (5-10) 55, Norfolk Nighthawks (8-7) 42

NEW HAVEN, Conn. â The New Haven Ninjas took advantage of five Norfolk turnovers to produce a 55-42 victory with 2,650 fans in attendance at the New Haven Coliseum Saturday.

The Ninjas opened up a 36-23 halftime lead largely because of a strong defensive effort. After DOMINIC BANKS gave Norfolk a 14-13 lead early in the second quarter, RYAN BRADY's fumble recovery for a touchdown started a 16-0 New Haven run. An ERIC BOURIS safety and KERRY TAYLOR seven-yard scoring reception completed the run. A RYAN BLAND 36-yard reception sandwiched between an ANTHONY STRINGFIELD touchdown and MATT McNEW field goal gave New Haven a 13-point lead at the break.

In the second half, Norfolk cut the deficit to 36-30 on TRAVIS BURNS' one-yard run. But two TDs by TERRANCE QUADDLEBAUM and another by Bland, combined with three takeaways by the New Haven defense, preserved the 13-point halftime advantage.

New Haven's CHRIS BODEN was the game MVP, completing 21-of-37 passes for 240 yards and six scores. Norfolk's CHRIS WALLCE threw for 345 yards and five touchdowns in defeat. With four receptions for 82 yards and two touchdowns on offense and 2.5 tackles on defense, Bland was named Ironman of the Game. Banks caught a game high 11 passes for 147 yards and three touchdowns. Brady was awarded ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors with two tackles and two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown.

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Augusta Stallions (12-3) 65, Tallahassee Thunder (9-6) 45

AUGUSTA, Ga. â The Augusta Stallions defeated the Tallahassee Thunder 65-45 to end a two-game losing streak and put the Stallions back in contention for homefield advantage in the playoffs. A crowd of 5,380 people was on hand Saturday.

Tallahassee's MESIAH PORTER tied up the score 14-14 with a one-yard run at the beginning of the second quarter, but a GLEN GAUNTT one-yard run and a 15-yard CHRIS JOHNSON reception doubled Augusta's lead to 28-14. Each team scored twice in the final minute of the half to send the Stallions into halftime with a 42-28 lead.

STEVEN GREEN's 40-yard four-point field goal midway through the third quarter closed the gap to 45-39, but Gauntt and Johnson again gave Augusta breathing room with another one-yard run by Gauntt and a 15-yard strike to Johnson for a 58-39 lead with 11:36 to play. Tallahassee, despite the last of three CAINON LAMB touchdowns, didn't threaten the rest of the way.

Gauntt threw for 236 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for three more to be named game MVP. CARL LYLES led the Stallions with 63 yards and two touchdowns receiving. Thunder QB VIC PENN completed 21-of-38 passes for 270 yards and five scores. Ironman of the Game Johnson had three catches for 45 yards and two touchdowns, adding two solo tackles and an interception on defense. ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors went to Augusta's ADRIAN JONES with five total tackles, an interception and five passes defended.

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Carolina Rhinos (4-11) 60, Charleston Swamp Foxes (7-8) 48

GREENVILLE, S.C. â The Carolina Rhinos scored 40 first-half points, including 23 in the final 5:15 of the second quarter as part of a 26-0 scoring run, to beat the Charleston Swamp Foxes 60-48 Saturday for their second straight home win.

With the game tied 17-17 early in the second quarter, CALEB SLOVER scrambled for a one-yard touchdown to open the Rhinos' scoring run. After MIKE BATH fumbled the ball out of the Charleston end zone for a safety, RAMONE ROBINSON tossed strikes to ROBERT GARTH and MAL LAWYER to give the Rhinos a 40-17 lead at half.

Charleston rallied with 19 unanswered points on a two-yard Bath run and a 17-yard catch by MICHAEL BROWN in the third quarter and a six-yard run by BEN CHRISTOPHER in the fourth period, leaving the Rhinos ahead 43-36 with 13 minutes remaining. But JARVIS DAVIS ran back a fumble 11 yards for a touchdown to snap Charleston's scoring run. MIKE CHANDLER and Brown both scored again for the Swamp Foxes, but a NICK JOHNSON 57-yard kickoff return and a safety helped seal the win.

Johnson earned MVP honors with eight receptions for 102 yards, 80 kickoff return yards and 171 all-purpose yards. Lawyer was named the game's Ironman with an assisted tackle and an interception on defense, as well as the 45-yard touchdown catch and 113 all-purpose yards. Slover and Robinson split time under center and combined for 217 yards and three scores. Charleston's JAMIE HATTLEY was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game with 9.5 tackles. Brown totaled 138 yards receiving yards and four touchdowns while Bath completed 12-of-28 passes for 229 yards and five scores for Charleston.

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Birmingham Steeldogs (10-5) 48, Macon Knights (12-3) 46

MACON, Ga. â Birmingham erased a 46-36 deficit with two unanswered scores in the final six minutes to earn a 48-46 victory over Macon in front of 4,172 fans at the Macon Centraplex.

MONTRESSA KIRBY hit ERNEST ROSS with a 36-yard touchdown pass, then connected with HERMAN BELL on a 19-yarder to give Birmingham the victory. On the kickoff following Bell's score, JEFF HANNAH forced a JAQUEZ RUMPH fumble that DEJUAN WASHINGTON recovered, allowing Birmingham to run out the clock and end Macon's eight-game winning streak.

Back-to-back MARTEZ WESLEY touchdown receptions at the end of the second quarter and start of the third turned a 16-13 deficit into a 27-16 Knights lead. After a Bell 28-yard TD catch, NORMAN MASON broke off a 43-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to give the Knights a 40-30 lead heading into the fourth quarter. CEDRICK BUCHANNON helped the Steeldogs avert disaster, recovering a Kirby fumble in the end zone to make the score 40-36. JOHN RAYBORN's one yard rush made it 46-36, setting up Birmingham's game-closing comeback.

Bell earned MVP honors with a 105-yard receiving performance and three touchdowns. In addition to his fumble recovery TD, Buchannon caught seven passes for 81 yards and recorded three tackles en route to being named Ironman of the Game. Macon's BYRON DOUZART was recognized as the ADT Defensive Player of the Game with five tackles. Despite throwing for just 153 yards, Rayborn finished the game with five passing scores and a rushing touchdown. Kirby completed 23-of-31 passes for 275 yards and four touchdowns in the victory.

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Roanoke Steam (8-8) 46, Greensboro Prowlers (3-13) 22

ROANOKE, Va. â Two rushing touchdowns by RUSSELL BENDITT and two interceptions by RICHARD HOLLAND helped propel the Roanoke Steam to a 46-22 victory over Greensboro in its finale to the 2002 season.

Greensboro led 14-9 early on touchdown passes from CHRIS WEIBEL to THOMAS STARCK and ANTOINE CALLOWAY, but Roanoke reeled off 35 unanswered points, kickstarted by RUSSELL BENDITT's six-yard TD run. MIKE VOLARVICH ran for a score and passed for another during the streak, which also included a 26-yard fumble return for touchdown by MILLARD VINING.

Volarvich, who was named game MVP, completed 14-of-29 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Weibel, who was forced to leave the game due to injury in the third quarter, finished 8-of-20 for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Holland was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game with two timely interceptions and 8.5 tackles. Benditt, who notched the first two touchdowns of his Arena Football career, was named Ironman of the Game.

Calloway finished with five receptions for 90 yards to lead the Prowlers. JERMAINE TONEY had a strong defensive performance for Greensboro, registering 10.5 tackles, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and an interception for 15 yards.

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Albany Conquest (12-3) 58, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (6-10) 36

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. â Fueled by RYAN VENA's six touchdown passes, the Albany Conquest defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers 58-36 in front of 6,088 fans at the First Union Arena.

Albany jumped out to a 10-0 lead on COREY HILL's 25-yard scoring reception and pushed the advantage to 23-7 on another Hill touchdown catch and a SHCREE LEWIS five-yard run with 4:58 left in the first half. In the final minute of the second quarter, the Pioneers got touchdowns from OPIE GARY and JOHN KNUST, but Albany's JOHN STUART also scored to make it 30-21 Conquest at halftime.

Albany took a 44-36 edge into the fourth quarter, where unanswered touchdowns by Hill and ADRIEL LINYEAR sealed the victory for the Conquest.

Vena completed 28-of-39 passes for 277 yards. His primary target was Hill, who hauled in 12 catches for 118 yards and three scores. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton QB BRYAN SNYDER completed 14-of-30 passes for 156 yards with three scores. Knust caught four passes for 34 yards with two scores and Gary added another touchdown to go with his six receptions.

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Pensacola Barracudas (10-5) 55, Bossier City Battle Wings (9-6) 52

BOSSIER CITY, La. â A 45-yard DAVE ADAMS' field goal with 51 seconds remaining proved to be the winning score as the Pensacola Barracudas upset Bossier City 55-52 Saturday in front of 4,269 fans. The loss dropped Bossier City to 6-1 at home this season.

DENNIS SHORT's 25-yard touchdown catch gave Bossier City a 33-32 lead early in the third quarter. But a one-yard run by JASPER PENDERGRASS and an 18-yard pass from CHARLIE PETERSON to WILL PETTIS put Pensacola on top 45-33 entering the final period. Adams' field goal answered a seven-yard pass from SHERARD POTEETE to KEVIN STEVENSON that trimmed the margin to 52-45. Poteete hooked up with LARRY NIXON on a 35-yard scoring strike in the final minute, but Bossier City turned over the ball on downs after an Adams miss with 22 seconds remaining.

Poteete set a team record with 69 rushing yards in the game. His two rushing touchdowns also tied his career high of 23 in a season. Stevenson led the Wings with nine receptions for 113 yards, including a spectacular one-handed touchdown grab late in the second quarter. Short was the game Ironman with four catches for 58 yards and two scores. CEDRIC ROBINSON recorded a game-high 12.0 tackles and a forced fumble to lead the Battle Wings' defensive effort.

Peterson was the game MVP after completing 19-of-30 passes for 282 yards and seven touchdowns. Pettis ended the game with 12 receptions for 175 yards and four touchdowns to lead all receivers.

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Tennessee Valley Vipers (13-2) 81, Memphis Xplorers (5-10) 31

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. â The Tennessee Valley Vipers set a team record for most points scored and tied another team mark with 11 touchdowns in an 81-31 pounding of the Memphis Xplorers 81-31 in front of 5,889 fans at the Von Braun Center.

The Vipers broke open a 21-13 game with 28 consecutive points courtesy of RODNEY BROWN and REGGIE WORTHY. Worthy caught touchdown passes of 36 and three yards from QB JERMAINE ALFRED while Brown rushed for a one-yard score, then opened the second half with a 19-yard TD catch for a 49-13 Tennessee Valley lead.

Brown, the game MVP, later added a 30-yard touchdown reception and a 55-yard kickoff return that boosted the advantage to 70-25 in the fourth quarter. An 11-yard TD run by Worthy and two ANDY FULLER safeties gave Tennessee Valley its record point total, topping the 74 points scored at Bossier City last year. Kicker TODD LATOURETTE booted 11 extra points, breaking MICHAEL PROCTOR's team record of nine against Tallahassee in 2000.

Brown caught 10 passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns in addition to his rushing TD and kick return TD, his third in as many weeks. Worthy Worthy caught five passes for 62 yards with two receiving touchdowns and one rushing TD. He made six tackles on defense to be named Ironman of the Game. Alfred completed 22-of-31 passes for 291 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions.

Fuller totaled three sacks, including his two safeties, to earn ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors. KENNY BAILEY added two interceptions of Memphis QB TIM LESTER, who passed for 204 yards and four touchdowns. CARLOS McNEARY caught five passes for 83 yards and three TDs for the Xplorers.

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Tulsa Talons (13-2) 57, Wichita Stealth (6-10) 36

VALLEY CENTER, Kan. â The Tulsa Talons outscored Wichita 15-0 in the fourth quarter to earn a 57-36 victory over the Stealth in front of 7,012 fans, the largest crowd of the season at the Kansas Coliseum.

Game MVP ANTHONY BUICH threw touchdown passes to KEONTA GOLSON (six yards) and MITCH ALLNER (15 yards) to ice the victory. The Stealth, which trailed 28-22 at halftime, had pulled within 42-36 heading into the fourth quarter on RON LOPEZ's 42-yard TD pass to WILLIE GRISSOM.

The Stealth and the Talons battled back and forth for the majority of the first half. The Talons took a nine-point lead after Buich connected with co-ADT Defensive Player of the Game HENRY STEPHENS (he had a sack and fumble recovery) for a four-yard touchdown with 53 seconds left in the half. But the Stealth closed the gap to six points at halftime with a PHIL AGUILAR 22-yard field goal as time expired.

Lopez ended the night with 279 yards passing and five touchdowns. Buich ended with 335 yards and seven touchdowns on 26-of-36 passing. Golson hauled in six catches for 93 yards and three touchdowns on his way to the Ironman award. Tulsa defensive specialist LARRY HOLLINQUEST was named co-ADT Defensive Player of the Game with 4.5 tackles and one pass breakup. COREY McCOY was the top receiver for the Stealth, catching seven passes for 91 yards. WILL SULLIVAN finished with four catches for 44 yards and two touchdowns.

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Arkansas Twisters (10-5) 45, San Diego Riptide (7-8) 42

SAN DIEGO, Calif. â The Arkansas Twisters won their fifth straight game and set up a winner-take-all final-week battle at Bossier City for af2's final playoff spot with a 45-42 victory over San Diego in front of 7,108 fans at the Sports Arena.

The Twisters scored 20 straight points to turn a 21-12 deficit into a 32-21 lead. LENNIE JOHNSON, the Ironman of the Game, caught touchdown passes of 29 and 22 yards as Arkansas took control, with DEADERICK CAIL's 14-yard interception return for touchdown giving the visitors the lead for good at 25-21.

San Diego twice climbed within four points on KANE CLAUNCH touchdown passes to MARK BUTLER and ALTIE PARKER, but RICKY HEBERT's 39-yard touchdown pass to Johnson with 11:47 left in the game proved to be the winning points. Parker added a touchdown with 1:00 left to pull the Riptide within three, but Arkansas was able to run out the clock.

Johnson also scored on a net recovery of a first-quarter kickoff to go with his 109 receiving yards and three TDs. Hebert passed for 196 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions to earn game MVP honors while Twisters OL/DL GREG TAYLOR racked up 3.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles to be named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game.

Claunch threw for 279 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions, both by Cail. Butler and Parker each caught two touchdown passes, with Butler totaling 105 yards on five receptions. San Diego WR/LB RICO CURTIS set the af2 single-season record for tackles with eight in the game, upping his season total to 118.5

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Bakersfield Blitz (9-6) 45, Fresno Frenzy (4-11) 7

FRESNO, Calif â The Bakersfield Blitz won the Western Division championship with a 45-7 win at Fresno Saturday, snapping the Frenzy's four-game home winning streak. Fresno's point total tied for the sixth-lowest in af2 history.

Overall, the Blitz defense created six turnovers, forcing and recovering five fumbles in addition to an interception by J'SHARLON JONES, his 11th of the season. The defense forced a turnover the first time it stepped on the field, as JULIAN YEARWOOD fell on a JON COOPER fumble. Blitz QB CHAD ELLIOTT found STEVE WOFFORD for a 35-yard touchdown on the next play to put Bakersfield on top 7-0.

After a blocked field goal gave Bakersfield possession at the Frenzy three-yard line, Elliott hit lineman NOAH DRUCKER for a three-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 14-0. On Fresno's next possession, Yearwood forced a fumble and recovered it in the end zone to make the score 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Blitz took a 35-0 lead into halftime thanks to a one-yard run by Yearwood and a GABE CRECION fumble recovery in the end zone as time expired in the first half. The teams traded TDs in the third quarter, with Bakersfield going up 42-0 on Wofford's 30-yard catch before the Frenzy got on the scoreboard with 19 seconds left in the third period on KENNY ROSE's 33-yard touchdown pass to ERIC MAHANKE. JON BAKER tacked on a 45-yard field goal in the fourth quarter for the final margin.

Yearwood was named the Ironman of the Game with his two TDs, 4.5 tackles, two pass deflections, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Elliott was named Game MVP, completing 9-of-16 passes for 122 yards and three touchdowns. Wofford caught five passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns while Mahanke led Fresno receivers with 83 yards and a TD on six catches. Rose completed 7-of-22 passes for 102 yards and one score. Jones earned the ADT Defensive Player of the Game award with two solo tackles, two pass breakups and his interception.

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Hawaiian Islanders (4-11) 56, Quad City Steamwheelers (9-6) 55

HONOLULU, Hawaii â DARNELL ARCENEAUX connected with TAULIA LAVE for a two-point conversion with six seconds left to give the Hawaiian Islanders a 56-55 win over the Quad City Steamwheelers before 5,185 fans at the Neal Blaisdell Arena. Arcenaeux's nine-yard touchdown pass to NIAN TAYLOR put the Islanders in position to win the game.

Quad City still had one last chance, but BRIAN HEGNAUER's 50-yard field goal attempt went wide right as time expired.

Quad City jumped out to a 21-0 lead and led 48-31 with 14:46 left in the game after MIKE CAWLEY hooked up with CHRIS ANTHONY for a six-yard score. But the game took a dramatic turn when Cawley was flagged for intentional grounding, resulting in a safety. On the ensuing kickoff, Taylor raced 54 yards for a touchdown, cutting the lead to 48-40. Two plays into Quad City's next drive, Cawley tossed his second interception, this time to NIKO VITALE, who raced 25 yards for another score. The two-point conversion by Arceneaux tied the game at 48.

Cawley hit IRA GOOCH, the game MVP, with a 39-yard touchdown pass with 55 seconds left to put Quad City back out in front. But Hawaii responded with a six-play, 32-yard drive to win the game.

ADT Defensive Player of the Game DARRELL JONES of Hawaii had 4.5 tackles, a fumble recovery and a 30-yard interception return TD that brought the Islanders within 41-31 entering the fourth quarter. Arceneaux added to his af2 single-season record with 39 rushing yards, also passing for 200 with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Taylor caught eight passes for 120 yards and three TDs.

Cawley threw for 351 yards and seven touchdowns. Gooch caught nine passes for 186 yards and four touchdowns. He had 279 all-purpose yards in the game. Anthony caught eight passes for 110 yards and two scores. Quad City FB/LB FRANK TRENTADUE, the Ironman of the Game, had 1.5 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

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THIS WEEK IN af2 HISTORY

7/24/00: Memphis announces that it will join af2 for the 2001 season and that it will play at the new Desoto Center across the border in Mississippi.

7/24/01: af2 announces the addition of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to the 2002 expansion class. The team is granted to the operating partnership of GREG SMITH, president of Smith Sports International, LTD, and JOHNNY UNITAS, a Pennsylvania native and Pro Football Hall-of-Famer.

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PLAYOFF QUALIFIERS/SCENARIOS FOR WEEK 18

ALBANY: Clinched playoff berth. Clinched Northeast Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs. Can clinch second-round home game (if victorious in first round) with win vs. Mohegan AND Cape Fear loss at Charleston AND Richmond loss at Carolina.

ARKANSAS: Can clinch playoff berth with win at Bossier City.

AUGUSTA: Clinched playoff berth. Clinched second-round home game (if victorious in first round). Can clinch Eastern Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs with win vs. Norfolk AND Macon loss at Tennessee Valley.

BAKERSFIELD: Clinched playoff berth. Clinched Western Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs.

BIRMINGHAM: Clinched playoff berth.

BOSSIER CITY: Can clinch playoff berth with win vs. Arkansas.

CAPE FEAR: Clinched playoff berth. Can clinch Atlantic Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs with win at Charleston AND Richmond loss at Carolina. Can clinch second-round home game (if victorious in first round) with win at Charleston OR Albany loss vs. Mohegan.

FLORIDA: Clinched playoff berth. Can clinch American Conference Southern Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs with win at Pensacola AND Tallahassee loss vs. Jacksonville.

MACON: Clinched playoff berth. Clinched second-round home game (if victorious in first round). Can clinch Eastern Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs with win at Tennessee Valley OR Augusta loss vs. Norfolk.

PEORIA: Clinched playoff berth. Clinched Midwest Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs. Clinched second-round home game (if victorious in first round).

RICHMOND: Clinched playoff berth. Can clinch Atlantic Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs with win at Carolina OR Cape Fear loss at Charleston. Can clinch second-round home game (if victorious in first round) with win at Carolina OR Albany loss vs. Mohegan.

ROCHESTER: Clinched playoff berth.

SAN DIEGO: Clinched playoff berth.

TALLAHASSEE: Clinched playoff berth. Can clinch American Conference Southern Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs with win vs. Jacksonville OR Florida loss at Pensacola.

TENNESSEE VALLEY: Clinched playoff berth. Clinched National Conference Southern Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs. Can clinch homefield advantage throughout National Conference playoffs (if victorious in first two rounds) with win vs. Macon OR Tulsa loss at Bakersfield. Can clinch homefield advantage throughout entire playoffs with win vs. Macon.

TULSA: Clinched playoff berth. Clinched Central Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs. Can clinch homefield advantage throughout entire playoffs with win at Bakersfield AND Tennessee Valley loss vs. Macon.

WICHITA: Clinched playoff berth.

arenafootball2 Stories from July 22, 2002

Week 17 Game Recaps - af2
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Steve Smith Leaving af2's Carolina Rhinos For NFL's New Orleans Saints - Carolina Rhinos
Nighthawks Streak Ends on the Road, 55-42, at New Haven - Norfolk Nighthawks

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