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Week 18 Saturday night matchups

July 30, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


NO. 11 LOUISVILLE FIRE (9-6) AT NO. 9 QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (9-6)
SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2004 - THE MARK (9,437) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Louisville Fire travel to Moline, Illinois to face the Quad City Steamwheelers with the division title up for grabs. For the winner of this game, it is very simple, they are in the playoffs. If the Steamwheelers win they are Midwest Division champions. If the Fire pull out the game, they need a Peoria loss to be named division champions. For the loser, the 30 possible playoff scenarios come into play and through a multitude of tiebreakers, may not make the playoffs. It is an interesting contrast of quarterbacks in the game. Quad City quarterback RONNIE GORDON is able to use his arm and his legs. He has thrown for 3,689 yards and 62 touchdowns while rushing for 147 yards and 23 touchdowns. Louisville quarterback MATT SAUK is a straight passer, throwing for 4,120 yards and 72 touchdowns this season. Sauk is also as dependable as they come, taking every snap under center for the Fire this season. Both passers have some quality receivers. Gordon's main targets are TIM DODGE and JEFF HEWITT. They have combined for 46 touchdown receptions and 194 of Quad City's total 258 receptions this season. Meaning they account for 75% of the Steamwheelers passing offense. Sauk's main targets are JAMES SCOTT and ANTHONY PAYTON. While they don't have the mammoth numbers Dodge and Hewitt do, they make a dependable duo for Sauk to look to. TONY STALLINGS makes up the Fire rushing offense, having rushed for 139 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. With the first meeting this season coming down to the wire, this game looks to have all the makings of an af2 classic. If Louisville can win, and Peoria loses, it will be the first tine in af2 history that a team from Illinois doesn't win a division championship.

KEY MATCHUP

Louisville QB Matt Sauk vs. Quad City DS Matt Forbes

It will be Matt against Matt at The Mark on Saturday. Matt Forbes is one of the best defensive specialists in the league with 77.0 tackles (70UA 14A), six interceptions, 29 passes broken up and three forced fumbles, to lead the Steamwheelers in each of those categories. While players like Tim Dodge and Chazz Moore make contributions also, Matt Forbes is the leader of the Quad City defense. He will be tested by one of the best quarterbacks in the af2, Matt Sauk. His career stats are impressive, 12,403 passing yards and 242 passing touchdowns, one of only five members of the 10,000/200 club. Sauk is a gunslinger and doesn't worry about throwing an interception so even if Forbes makes some plays early Sauk won't be intimidated.

EXTENDED SERIES HISTORY

The Quad City Steamwheelers hold a 4-1 all-time series lead over the Fire, but the lone Louisville victory came this season in Week 10. The four Steamwheelers victories, coming in the 2002 and 2003 seasons, were all blowouts, with Quad City winning by an average of 22 points. This season it is different Fire team, and the win in Week 10 proved that. In a back and forth battle Anthony Payton caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Matt Sauk with 52 seconds left to go up 62-55. The Steamwheelers came right back and scored on a Tim Dodge 19-yard touchdown catch with 34 seconds left. But Ryan Geisler missed the extra point to keep the score at 62-61. After Louisville missed a field goal giving Geisler a shot for redemption with a 51-yard field goal attempt, but it came up short, giving Louisville their first ever win over the Steamwheelers and setting up the tilt this week.

ARENACUP PLAYOFF HISTORY

Louisville: This will be the first season in franchise history the Louisville Fire have qualified for the ArenaCup Playoffs. Quad City: The Steamwheelers are the only team to have won multiple ArenaCups, winning in 2000 and 2001. Last season Quad City entered the playoffs as the number one seed and favorites to win the ArenaCup again, but lost at home to Arkansas 63-61 in the National Conference Semifinals.

TRENDS AND NOTES

-Louisville quarterback Matt Sauk is 1-3 all-time against the Steamwheelers.

-If Louisville can pull out the victory they would finish 4-4 on the road this season.

-Quad City WR/DB Tim Dodge has won U.S. Ironman of the Game award six straight games.

-A victory by the Steamwheelers would give them ten wins, they have won at least ten games each season in franchise history.

-The Fire rank sixth in the af2 in turnover margin, holding a plus ten mark this season. The Steamwheelers rank second at plus fifteen.

OUT DUE TO INJURY

Louisville: WR/DB Ryan Russell, WR/DB Demont Smith
Quad City: WR/LB Danny Thomas, DS Michael Lewis, OL/DL Brandon Lewis, OL/DL
Bear Brown, WR/LB Carmelo Ocasio, OL/DL Pete Traynor.

A LOOK AT THE HEAD COACHES

Tommy Johnson (13-15, 2nd Year, 0-0 Playoffs) Tommy Johnson has been with the Louisville Fire since their inception in 2001. He became head coach of the Fire during the 2002 season. In college he was a defensive back on the 1992 Alabama team that won the NCAA title. He played three seasons in the AFL, two with the Albany Firebirds and one with the Carolina Cobras.

Rich Ingold (33-15, 3rd Year, 0-1 Playoffs) Rich Ingold has led the Steamwheelers to a winning record every year he has been at the helm. He brings AFL playing and coaching experience to the Steamwheelers. He won the 1988 ArenaBowl as the starting quarterback for the Detroit Drive. He also held the position of offensive coordinator for the AFL Pittsburgh Gladiators in 1990 and defensive coordinator for the 2001 New Jersey Gladiators of the AFL.

EXTRA POINT

If the Steamwheelers can jump out to an early lead, the Fire could be in some trouble as the Steamwheelers are 8-1 this season when leading at halftime.

ALBANY CONQUEST (6-9) AT NO. 3 CAPE FEAR WILDCATS (11-4)
SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2004 - CROWN COLISEUM (8,920) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Albany Conquest take on Cape Fear Wildcats in a Northeast Division mathcup. Last week the Conquest defeated the Wolves 54-47 in Albany to close out the home portion of their schedule. Cape Fear lost last week to the Pioneers, with the Pioneers taking the Northeast Division. While they don't have a bye, the Wildcats have clinched the No. 4 seed in the American Conference playoffs, meaning they will have a home playoff game at the Crown Coliseum. Cape Fear has taken the two previous meetings this season between the two clubs. The Wildcats won the season opener for both teams on April 10 by a score of 70-55. MATT BURSTEIN brought in seven passes for 149 yards and four touchdowns. TONY LOCKE grabbed one touchdown reception. In their next meeting, a 78-51 Cape Fear win, Burstein had four touchdown catches and Locke had one touchdown catch. On the season Burstein and Locke are number one and two in scoring. Burstein has 42 touchdowns on the season and Locke has 40. Considering only two of Locke's touchdowns have come against the Wildcats, Cape Fear has done a good job of containing Locke. Burstein ranks first in the league in receiving yards with 1,575 while Locke is third with 1,440. Looking to continue to hold down Locke will be ANTWON ROBINSON. On the season Robinson has five interceptions and 22 passes broken up, which leads the team. Albany's ROB GREEN and TRAVIS COLEMAN will look to control Burstein. Green and Coleman are tied for the team lead in interceptions with JAMIE WARE with four. Green also has two forced fumbles to his name while Coleman leads the team in pass breakups with 25.

NO. 10 MEMPHIS XPLORERS (9-6) AT COLUMBUS WARDOGS (6-9)
SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2004 - COLUMBUS CIVIC CENTER (7,600) 7:30 P.M. ET

A few weeks ago this game between the Memphis Xplorers and the Columbus Wardogs looked like it was going to have major playoff implications. Now that the game is here the Xplorers have already secured their first playoff birth in team history and the Wardogs are eliminated from contention. While Columbus is obviously not pleased to be out of the playoffs they have played some quality football at home, owning a 5-2 record in Columbus. Memphis is coming off of the biggest win in franchise history, in front of the largest crown in team history last week. The 37-12 victory over Macon put the Xplorers into the playoffs. They currently hold the No. 6 spot in the American Conference but if they win and Birmingham loses this week they would take the No. 5 spot. Offensive specialist KEVIN PRENTISS is almost unstoppable. With 96 catches he leads the team and is four receptions away from 100. 31 of his 96 receptions have gone for touchdowns. On kick returns he has 1,188 return yards and eight touchdowns on 41 returns. One more kickoff return for a touchdown will break the record for kickoff returns for a touchdown in a season. Six games ago Memphis 4-5 and in the middle of the pack in the af2. Then came MICHAEL WALL, who has turned the Xplorers from a good team, into a great team, winning five of their last six games. In these six games Wall has passed for 1,394 yards and 29 touchdowns on 93 completions. He also has thrown only three interceptions. The Ironman of the Xplorers is RYAN KARR, who is second on the team in tackles with 51.0 (36UA 30A) and receptions with 45. Karr has made some big plays on defense, as he has five forced fumbles to his name and 1.5 tackles for a loss. Columbus two-way star has turned into ADRIAN COCKFIELD. Cockfield, who leads the af2 in receptions with 121 has taken on a two-way role since the emergence of TROY BERGERON. In just eleven games Bergeron has caught 70 passes for 1,101 yards and 24 touchdowns. Columbus won the only other meeting between these two clubs, 26-25 at Columbus last season.

NO. 4 TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (11-4) AT NO. 5 FLORIDA FIRECATS (10-5)
SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2004 - GERMAIN ARENA (7,182) 7:30 P.M. ET

Two of the best teams in af2 face off as the Tennessee Valley Vipers travel south to face the Florida Firecats. This has all the makings of a great game. First off, the stakes are clear, the winner earns the No. 2 seed in the American Conference and gets a bye in the first round. Second, both teams are playing well. The Vipers have won six of seven games, including a 62-35 victory last week, highlighted by a seven touchdown zero interception performance by JOSH KELLETT. Florida has won seven of nine games, including a 43-26 victory on Monday over Columbus, highlighted by three touchdown catches by ANTHONY SNEAD. Third, there is a revenge factor in play in this game. In Week 8 Florida entered the Snake Pit and left with a 53-30 victory, something very few teams accomplish. Also, there is a chance to see history in Florida as STEVE GORRIE can reach 500 yards rushing in the season with just 25 rushing yards. The Vipers defense features stars in HENRY FREEMAN and TRAVIS MCALPINE, who are tied for the team lead in interceptions with four. Combined they have five fumble recoveries. Freeman leads the team in tackles with 69.0 (48UA 42A), McAlpine is third with 29.5 (16UA 27A). MARQUIS FLOYD leads the team passes in broken up with seventeen. These guys will be doing their best to control quarterback KEN MASTROLE and his 3,051 passing yards and 69 touchdowns. Florida played last week without leading receiver CAINON LAMB due to a death in his family, but with him expected back the Firecats feel confident they can wrap up the No. 2 seed. This is only the fourth meeting between these two clubs, Tennessee Valley won the first two last season.

NO. 12 BIRMINGHAM STEELDOGS (9-6) AT MACON KNIGHTS (3-12)
SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2004 - MACON COLISEUM (7,182) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Macon Knights host the Birmingham Steeldogs in a South Division mathcup. Birmingham has already clinched a playoff spot but they have been reeling of late. After starting the season 7-1, they have won only two of their last seven games. While a victory wouldn't change their playoff positioning greatly, only keeping them at the No. 5 spot, a victory would be important in gaining momentum and confidence as they enter the ArenaCup Playoffs. The Macon Knights are coming off of a 37-12 loss to Memphis last week. It was a rare blowout for the Knights in the past month or so. They defeated the Firecats in Week 13 and played close games against Cape Fear and Tennessee Valley. Despite only three victories they have players Birmingham needs to keep an eye on. JAMAAL GARMAN has 89 catches for 991 yards and 22 touchdowns to lead the Knights in receiving. The Knights will be without quarterback WILL BURCH, who was placed on the injured list this season. TIM OLMSTEAD will likely get the start in place of Burch. LANEY HOSEA leads the Knights defense in tackles (63.5), interceptions (4), and pass breakups (13). For the Birmingham defense, ANTHONY JORDAN leads in tackles (6.05), interceptions (8), and pass breakups (11). These two clubs met earlier in the season, Week 6 in Birmingham. The Steeldogs controlled the game, holding a 27-6 lead at half time and eventually winning by a score of 55-27. JEFF AARON threw two touchdown passes and KENTON EVANS threw two. DETRONN HARRIS, who left the Steeldogs to join the Carolina Panthers, rushed for three touchdowns and caught another one for the Steeldogs. The win gave the Steeldogs a 3-2 advantage all time with the Knights.

BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLE WINGS (5-10) AT ARKANSAS TWISTERS (3-12)
SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2004 - ALLTEL ARENA (16,058) 8:00 P.M. ET

It is the final game of the season for both the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings and the Arkansas Twisters as they face off in Little Rock. The Battle Wings have been struggling of late. After starting out 2-7 the Battle Wings won three straight game to keep their playoff hopes alive. But now three games later, all loses, the Battle Wings are now just looking to finish off the season on a good notes. Arkansas is looking to the same, but they are playing better of late. They started 1-10 and now have won two of their last four games. One of these wins came four weeks ago when Arkansas traveled to Louisiana to defeat the Battle Wings 67-61 in an overtime barnburner. KEVIN WILLIAMS scored a 30-yard touchdown reception with 49 seconds left to take the lead by one point. The Battle Wings came back and scored a touchdown with 20 seconds left. The Twisters wouldn't be outdone, as Williams caught a seven-yard touchdown pass with no time remaining to tie the game. In overtime it was Williams again on a 16-yard touchdown reception for a touchdown to win the game. Williams' play has been a highlight for the Twisters this season. He started the season out as the Twisters starting quarterback. Since he started the season under center he is still the teams leading rusher and passer. Now, if he can rack up 117 receiving yards against the Battle Wings he can also become the team's leader in receiving yards. The player ahead of him, TED ALFORD, cannot increase his numbers as he left to Twisters to play in the CFL. Looking to slow down Williams will be REGGIE PERKINS and the rest of the Battle Wings defense. In just seven games Perkins has two interceptions, seven total passes broken up and 24.5 tackles (20UA 9A). This will be Battle-Wings quarterback SHERARD POTEETE's final game of his af2 career, as he plans to either move up to the AFL or retire after this season. He is currently the af2's all-time leader in passing and rushing yards.

GREEN BAY BLIZZARD (5-10) AT NO. 7 PEORIA PIRATES (9-6)
SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2004 - PEORIA CIVIC CENTER (9,772) 8:00 P.M. ET

With a possible Midwest Division championship on the line, the Peoria Pirates host the Green Bay Blizzard. You can talk all you want about turning a season around, but no team has done it quite like the Peoria Pirates have. Sitting at 2-5 and winners of one out of their last four Green Bay came up with 44-24 victory over a then streaking Albany Conquest team in Week 9. Since then they have only lost one game, and now have a six game-winning streak. Now with a win over Peoria and a Louisville victory the Steamwheelers they would be Midwest Division Champions. Not too shabby for a team that stated out 2-5. Green Bay is a team that has never fully recovered from the loss of RANDALL LANE to injury. In just eight games Lane caught 61 passes and 24 touchdowns. His 1,114 receiving yards still leads the team. ROBERT GARTH and DERONN FINLELY have both done a solid job in making up for the Lane's lost numbers, as they have combined for 146 catches and 48 touchdown catches, but its very difficult to fully make up the contributions Lane can bring. The success of Peoria has really been a team effort, and it starts on the defensive side of the ball. The veteran FRANK WEST leads the team in tackles with 57.0 (46UA 22A) and in interceptions with seven. MILTON BOWEN has broken up fifteen passes and is third on the team in tackles with 46.5 (38UA 17A). LAWRENCE MATTHEWS has three interceptions, while making contributions on offense also. He is the Pirates' leading receiver with 59 catches for 674 yards and nine touchdown receptions. ANDREW WEBB has taken the quarterback position of late, throwing for 355 yards and eight touchdowns with one interception. If Webb keeps finding Matthews Peoria could find themselves as division champions.

RIO GRANDE VALLEY DORADOS (5-10) AT WICHITA STEALTH (8-7)
SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2004 - KANSAS COLISEUM (9,686) 8:00 P.M. ET

The Rio Grande Valley Dorados close out their inaugural season looking for their sixth victory of the season at Wichita, as the Stealth look to make the ArenaCup Playoffs. With there being 30 different playoff scenarios the Stealth have a lot to keep an eye on this weekend, but if they don't defeat the Dorados then none of the scenarios mean anything to the Stealth. Wichita got a needed win last week in Laredo. The Stealth defense forced nine Law turnovers, including NORMAN MASON registering three interceptions. Granted these interceptions came against two Law quarterbacks taking their first ever snaps in the af2, but Mason and the Stealth defense did what they needed to do to win. It was their first win in five tries and kept them in the playoff hunt. The Dorados lost at home last week to the Twisters, 42-28. The Dorados and Stealth have played twice this season, with the two teams splitting the two games. Wichita won the first meeting in Week 6 35-28 with the Stealth taking control of the game in the second half during a 21-0 run. Four weeks ago the Dorados got their revenge in a 49-34 victory over Wichita. The Dorados were down by fourteen points at halftime, but they scored 35 in the second half and allowed only six Stealth points to take the game. CRAIG COLE caught two touchdown passes for the Dorados in the game. On the season Cole has 49 catches for 671 yards and 16 touchdowns in just eight game for Rio Grande Valley. EDDIE MOTEN had two interceptions in this game. On the season he has seven to lead the Dorados. For the Stealth DAVID HURST leads the Stealth in sacks with eight.

LAREDO LAW (3-12) AT NO. 2 TULSA TALONS (12-3)
SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2004 - TULSA CONVENTION CENTER (7,111) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Laredo Law take on the Tulsa Talons and the two teams have opposite records. Tulsa is currently on a nine game winning streak. Their last loss came to the Laredo Law in Week 7. The 57-48 victory for the Law over the Talons was their first win in franchise history. Laredo led most of the game and P.J. WINSTON recorded six receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Winston is the leading receiver for the Law with 63 catches for 1,006 yards and fifteen touchdowns on the season. MARC SALDANA will get his second af2 start this week under center for the Law. He struggled last week, throwing five interceptions. One star for the Law last week was TRACO RACHAL. On the season he has nine interceptions and 72.5 tackles (55UA 35A) to lead the team in both categories. Last week Rachal picked off two passes and blocked a kick to earn ADT Defensive Player of the Week honors, to become the first Law player to win a weekly award. The Talons don't have any questions about their quarterback position. BOB BEES will stay under center for the Talons as he has yet to lose in a Talons uniform. The Talons are winning without one of the best players ever to step foot on an af2 field, MITCH ALLNER, who injured himself after the eighth game for the Talons and is out for the season. In only these first eight games Allner recorded 62 catches for 916 yards and 22 touchdowns. Tulsa has made up for him in a variety of ways. CORKY MARTIN has thirteen touchdown rushes, ROBERT REED has 100 catches and 32 receiving touchdowns, and the Talons defense has returned seven fumbles for a touchdowns to help make up for Allner. Tulsa is still alive for the top record in the af2, which could possibly mean the ArenaCup at the Tulsa Convention Center. Last season Tulsa hosted the ArenaCup, and came out as champions.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDERS (8-7) AT NO. 8 BAKERSFIELD BLITZ (10-5)
SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2004 - CENTENNIAL GARDEN (9,000) 10:00 P.M. ET

If the Hawaiian Islanders won last week against the Central Valley Coyotes this game with the Bakersfield Blitz would have had the West Division on the line. Now the Bakersfield Blitz have the West Division locked up with the Islanders' lost last week, but the Blitz still have a lot on the line. A win by Bakersfield would mean the No. 2 seed in the and bye in the first round for the Blitz. The Islanders have their playoffs lives on the line. They need a win and other things to fall into place to make the playoffs. But first they need to win. The three previous games between the Islanders and Blitz have been very close with an average margin of victory of five points. The Islanders won the first meeting in Week 4, 45-40, with a late goal line stand. Behind eight CHAD ELLIOTT touchdown passes Bakersfield won the next meeting 52-44. The Blitz then switched things up in their last meeting in Week 15, winning on four rushing touchdowns and only one Elliott touchdown pass. Chances are with receivers like ERIC MAHANKE, STEVE WOFFORD and RENNARD REYNOLDS the Blitz wont be held to one touchdown pass again this week. For the Islanders, SHAWN WITHY-ALLEN will get the start at the helm. DARNELL ARCENEAUX started the season as the quarterback, but Withy-Allen has assumed the role of late. In seven games Withy-Allen has completed 89 of 133 passes for 1,195 yards and 18 touchdowns with six interceptions. He has two talented receivers in NIAN TAYLOR and ANTHONY ARCENEAUX. Arceneaux leads the team in touchdown receptions with 26, while Taylor leads the Islanders in receptions with 993. Bakersfield has yet to lose two consecutive games this season, so the Islanders will need to buck the trend if they want to make the playoffs.



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