Week 7: Quick Hitters

Published on May 7, 2009 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release

GAMES ON - af2TV FREE ONLINE NETWORK CONTINUES IN 2009: Thanks to a unique league partnership with Network Foundation Technologies (NFT), all the hard-hitting, fast paced action of arenafootball2 is once again available to fans worldwide. The FREE-for-View online network called "af2TV" showcases every game of the league's 10th anniversary season live over the Internet. The process to view games is easy. To obtain the free af2TV player, fans should first click on the af2TV advertisement located on the upper right corner of the league's web site, www.af2.com. Following the link will bring fans to a special landing page which includes simple directions on how to download and place the af2TV player icon on your desktop. The action continues this week (Week 7) with a 12-game slate that will be available to fans at no charge.

SHOCK TOP WEEK 7 COACHES POLL: The Spokane Shock continue their monopoly on the No. 1 ranking in the Week 7 Coaches Poll, the arenafootball2 (af2) league office announced on Wednesday. Spokane collected all possible points with 384 and 24-of-25 first place votes in securing the top spot for the eighth consecutive week. Spokane (5-0) is the only remaining undefeated team in the league. The Shock stayed perfect in 2009 thanks to a 49-30 home win on Saturday against Iowa. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (5-1, 323 points, 1 first place vote) moved up a spot to No. 2 after their narrow 53-50 home victory against division rival Manchester. Tulsa rejoined the Top-5 this week after a 58-43 win at Amarillo. The Talons (5-1, 319 points) moved up three spots to No. 3. Oklahoma City (4-1, 283 points) fell to fourth overall after the Yard Dawgz lost their first game on Friday to Rio Grande Valley, 74-73. Tennessee Valley (4-2, 275 points) earned its way back into the Top-5 on the strength of a decisive 54-28 home win against South Division leader South Georgia. Arkansas, last week's No. 5, slipped one spot to No. 6 after a road loss to Bossier-Shreveport.

DOWN TO ONE: Through the first six full weeks of the 2009 season, only one of the league's 25 teams remain unbeaten -the Spokane Shock. The Shock are currently 5-0. Oklahoma City, which was off to its best start in the team's six-year history entering Week 6, lost for the first time in 2009 on Friday at home to Rio Grande Valley, 74-73. The Shock's best start to a season came last year (2008) when the club won its first 11 games.

IRON PLAYER SIGNS WITH NFL TEAM: The Milwaukee Iron announced on Tuesday that DL ANTHONY HARRIS has signed an NFL contract with the New York Jets. The 6-foot-3, 290-pound defensive lineman was playing his first season in the af2. Harris appeared in two games for Milwaukee this season and recorded three solo tackles and one sack. Harris was at the Jets' rookie mini-camp last weekend. The former Western New Mexico standout doubles as a long snapper, which enhances his chances of making the team. He was signed by Carolina last season but waived before training camp. Harris joined the Iron after working out for the Packers in Green Bay. As a senior at Western New Mexico in 2004, Harris had 41 tackles, including 5.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss.

HOT RODS: Two of the league's top receivers so far this season have been a pair of rookies named Rod - Arkansas' ROD HARPER and Rio Grande Valley's ROD WINDSOR. Harper, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound Murray State alum, continued his stellar play for Arkansas in the team's Week 6 road game at Bossier-Shreveport. Despite the result (69-61 loss), Harper had a record-setting night for the Twisters, catching an af2 single-game best 22 passes for 251 yards and six touchdowns. Harper's receiving yard total, which set an Arkansas single-game record, ranks as the fourth-highest single game total in league history. His six receiving scores also tied a Twisters single-game record. He currently leads the league in total touchdowns (22) and receiving touchdowns (22). Harper is also second in the af2 in scoring (132 points), receptions (68) and receiving yards per game (155.6) while also ranking third overall in receiving yards (778). The Twisters are currently in second place in the Southwest Division at 4-2. Windsor has been a big reason behind the Dorados' early season success. Rio Grande Valley currently leads the Southwest Division at 4-1. Windsor, a 6-foot-2, 208-pound Western New Mexico alum, is also coming off a record-setting performance in the Dorados' Week 6 upset win at Oklahoma City. Windsor caught a team-record 19 passes for 210 yards and a team-record tying six touchdowns to help Rio Grande Valley hand the Yard Dawgz their first loss of the season. Windsor currently leads the af2 in receptions (69) and receiving yards per game (158.6). He also ranks second in receiving yards (793), third in receiving touchdowns (19) and tied for third in scoring (116 points).

NEW COACHES, SIMILAR RESULTS: Mahoning Valley's Brennen Booth and Tri-Cities' PAT O'HARA both lost their af2 head coaching debuts last Saturday night. The Thunder lost on the road at Albany, 50-41, while the Fever fell at home to Central Valley, 64-44. Mahoning Valley is now 1-5 on the season while Tri-Cities is still winless at 0-6. Booth took over command of the Thunder after beginning the season as the team's defensive coordinator and offensive line coach. O'Hara came to Tri-Cities after three seasons as the offensive coordinator of the AFL's Tampa Bay Storm (2005, 2007-08). Their next chance at a first win will come this weekend. The Thunder host Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday night while the Fever host Stockton on Saturday.

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON'S HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: Wachovia Arena, the home of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers, has become a visiting team's worst nightmare in recent years. The Pioneers have won 21 straight regular season home games, a streak that dates back to 2006. Counting the playoffs, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has won 25 of its last 26 home games. The last time the Pioneers lost a regular season home game was on July 8, 2006 when the Florida Firecats edged Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 56-51. The next opportunity for the Pioneers to extend their current home win streak is in Week 9 when Wilkes-Barre/Scranton hosts Green Bay. While Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's current streak has been impressive, it hasn't yet approached the all-time best home win streak set by the Tulsa Talons at their previous home, the Tulsa Convention Center. The Talons won 26 consecutive regular-season home games from 2000-03. Tulsa won its final two home games of the 2000 season and 24 straight over the next three years.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATE: This season the af2 continues to maintain its strong international development program, which began in 2003. Currently the league has international athletes from 14 countries on team rosters. This past week (Week 6) 18 international players saw action around the league. Two players who stood out from the af2's international talent pool were Stockton DB TAKASHI MIYAKE (Japan) and Boise OL/DL MARK WEIVODA (Canada). Miyake tallied 3.0 total tackles and two pass breakups in Stockton's road loss to Boise. Weivoda recorded 1.5 tackles, including one sack, to help the Burn defeat Stockton, 68-18.

NOTABLE NUMBERS FROM WEEK 6: Four players had some impressive individual efforts in Week 6. The notable performances are detailed below.

478 Passing yards by Arkansas QB Kyle Rowley at Bossier-Shreveport (highest single-game total in af2 history)

62 Pass attempts by Arkansas QB Kyle Rowley at Bossier-Shreveport (highest single-game total in af2 history)

39 Pass completions by Arkansas QB Kyle Rowley at Bossier-Shreveport (2nd highest single-game total in af2 history)

22 Receptions by Arkansas WR Rod Harper at Bossier-Shreveport (highest single-game total in af2 history)

251 Receiving yards by Arkansas WR Rod Harper at Bossier-Shreveport (4th highest single-game total in af2 history)

19 Receptions by Rio Grande Valley WR Rod Windsor at Oklahoma City (3rd highest single-game total in af2 history)

5 Field goals made by Green Bay K Bob Forstrom (2nd highest single-game total in af2 history)

TURNER, HARPER, JOHNSON, MUSINSKI, HODGES EARN WEEK 6 HONORS: Rio Grande Valley defensive back CRAIG TURNER, Arkansas wide receiver ROD HARPER and Bossier-Shreveport linebacker DUSTIN JOHNSON have been named the JLS Ironman, Russell Athletic Offensive Player and Aaron's Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for Week 6 of 2009, the af2's 10th anniversary season. In addition to these three awards, the af2 is also highlighting the player who makes the best catch and the best hit of the week. The Big Game Catch of the Week Award for Week 6 goes to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton wide receiver RICH MUSINSKI and the NiFTy Hit of the Week is awarded to Florida defensive back DEMETRIUS HODGES.

Turner (5-9, 195, Southern Illinois), in his rookie af2 season, had a stellar all-around effort for Rio Grande Valley (4-1) in the team's Week 6, road win at division rival Oklahoma City, 74-73. The Southern Illinois alum was a factor in all three phases of the game (offense, defense and special teams) to help the Dorados hand the Yard Dawgz their first loss of the season. Turner had two rushing touchdowns (game-high) on offense and 5.5 total tackles on defense. He was also special on special teams, returning two kickoffs for touchdowns (58, 54). Turner finished with an af2 season-high 271 kick return yards on eight total returns. This is the first Ironman of the Week Award of Turner's career and his second weekly league honor of the year. He earned the NiFTy Hit of the Week for Week 4. Turner currently leads the af2 in kick return average (30.8). He also leads the Dorados in tackles (35.5). Harper (6-1, 205, Murray State), in his first af2 season, continued his stellar play for Arkansas in the team's Week 6 road game at Bossier-Shreveport. Despite the result (69-61 loss), the Murray State alum had a record-setting night for the Twisters, catching an af2 single-game best 22 passes for 251 yards and six touchdowns. Harper's receiving yard total, which set an Arkansas single-game record, ranks as the fourth-highest single game total in league history. His six receiving scores also tied a Twisters single-game record. This is the first weekly league honor of Harper's career. He currently leads the league in total touchdowns (22) and receiving touchdowns (22). Harper also ranks second in the af2 in receptions (68) and receiving yards per game (155.6) and third overall in receiving yards (778). The Twisters are currently in second place in the Southwest Division at 4-2. Johnson (5-11, 190, Salisbury) was a major player on defense in Bossier-Shreveport's, 69-61, Week 6 home win against Arkansas. The veteran defender, in his third af2 campaign, accumulated 4.5 total tackles and two pass breakups to help the BattleWings earn their second win of the season. Johnson also intercepted two Kyle Rowley passes, both of which went for touchdowns. His first return touchdown was a 47-yarder early in the first quarter to spot Bossier-Shreveport a 14-0 lead. His second was a 14-yard return early in the third quarter as the BattleWings built a 42-14 advantage. This is the first af2 weekly award of Johnson's career. He currently leads Bossier-Shreveport (2-3) in fumble recoveries (3) and is tied for second in interceptions (3). Musinski (6-0, 205, William & Mary), a second-year af2 player, is the Week 6 recipient of The Big Game Catch of the Week Award. Musinski's catch was a 15-yard, one-handed touchdown grab early in the first quarter of the Pioneers' 53-50 home win Friday against East Division rival Manchester. The William & Mary alum finished with five catches on the night for 58 yards as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton improved to 5-1 overall, two games ahead of the Wolves in the East Division standings. Musinski currently leads the Pioneers in receiving touchdowns (12) and is tied for the team lead in scoring (72). He also ranks second on the squad in receptions (34) and receiving yards (495). Hodges (5-9, 195, East Carolina), in his first af2 season, is the fifth recipient of the NiFTy Hit of the Week Award, a new weekly honor that highlights the player who makes the best hit or tackle of the week. Hodges' hit came in the second quarter on Friday night in Florida's 66-48 home win against Corpus Christi. On a second-and-goal play from the Firecats' 10-yard line, Sharks QB Gary Cooper threw a quick screen to Nathan Fricke in the right flat. Hodges, covering Jonathan Graham, read the play right away and reacted by breaking off Graham to engage Fricke just as he caught the ball. Hodges' hit popped the ball loose and sent Fricke right off his feet onto his back. The Sharks recovered the fumble. Hodges finished with a game-high 12 tackles. The East Carolina alum leads the club in tackles (34.5) and is tied for the team lead in pass breakups (4)

MCCOMBS SACKS LEAGUE ALL-TIME MARK: League veteran and current Spokane Shock DL BEN MCCOMBS became the af2's all-time leader in career sacks in the team's Week 5 road win at Stockton. McCombs, in his sixth af2 season, currently has six sacks in 2009 and 47 for his career. C.J. MCLAIN owned the previous all-time, league-high sack total with 44.5. McCombs entered the year with 41 career sacks. Below is a breakdown of the leading sack artists in af2 history:

Most Sacks, Career

47.0 Ben McCombs, BAK 2004, 2006-07, RGV 2005, CVC 2008, Spokane 2009*

44.5 C.J. McLain, Arkansas 2000, 2005-06, Tulsa 2007-08

38.5 Jerry Turner, Birmingham 2001-02, 2004, Bakersfield 2006, Arkansas 2009*

37.5 Greg Taylor, Arkansas 2000-02, Tulsa 2003

27.5 E.J. Burt, Cape Fear 2002

27.0 Eric Scott, Alabama 2007, Tennessee Valley 2008-present*

26.5 Donyell Booker, Central Valley 2006-present*

26.5 Darnell Small, Arkansas 2000-2005

26.5 Ernest Certain, Tallahassee 2000-01

26.5 Lawrence Lewis, Richmond 2000, 2002-03, Cape Fear 2004

25.0 Quinton Staton, Rio Grande Valley 2007-present*

* Active in 2009

WALLACE FIRST TO 500: Florida Firecats veteran CHRIS WALLACE became the first quarterback in league history to throw 500 career touchdown passes in a 68-62 home win against Kentucky in Week 4. Wallace hit the 500-mark with a 15-yard strike to WR James Panui early in the fourth quarter. He entered the contest with 495 career touchdown passes and added seven against the Horsemen to up his total to 502. He currently has 517. Wallace also holds af2 career records for passing yards (23,645), completions (1,920) and attempts (3,222). He became the league's all-time passing yards leader in a 32-27 road win at Albany in Week 3. Wallace began his af2 career with the Carolina Rhinos in 2000. He played for the AFL's Orlando Predators in 2001 and 2003. Prior to joining the Firecats midway through the 2004 season, he played for the af2's Norfolk Nighthawks and Cape Fear Wildcats.

VENA PASSES LOFTY BENCHMARKS: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton QB RYAN VENA passed two impressive career milestones in the Pioneers' Week 2 home win against Albany - 20,000 passing yards and 400 touchdown passes. The veteran signal caller from Colgate, currently in his sixth af2 season (third with the Pioneers), joins CHRIS WALLACE and CRAIG STRICKLAND as the only quarterbacks in league history to reach those lofty totals. The af2's top three career passer totals for yards and touchdowns are shown below:

Most passing yards, career

23645...Chris Wallace, CAR 2000, NOR 2002-03, CPF 2004, FLA 2004-present

22688...Craig Strickland, Tulsa 2000-01, 2003, Oklahoma City 2004-06

21238...Ryan Vena, Albany 2002-03, 2006, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 2007-present

Most touchdown passes, career

517...Chris Wallace, CAR 2000, NOR 2002-03, CPF 2004, FLA 2004-present

481...Craig Strickland, Tulsa 2000-01, 2003, Oklahoma City 2004-06

428...Ryan Vena, Albany 2002-03, 2006, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 2007-present

VENA PASSES 80 RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS: Over his career, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton QB RYAN VENA has hurt many opponents with his arm (21,238 yards passing, 428 touchdowns), but he has also proven to be an adept runner as well. With his 1-yard touchdown run in a Week 3 road loss to Kentucky, Vena became just the second player in af2 history to record 80 career rushing touchdowns. He now has 82 and stands just five rushing scores shy of tying SHERARD POTEETE's league record of 87.

FORNEY AND VENA HAVE A GRAND IN THEIR SIGHTS: Kentucky FB/LB DEMETRIUS FORNEY and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton QB RYAN VENA are closing in on 1,000 career rushing yards. Forney, who has gained 40 rushing yards so far in 2009, has 971 for his career. Vena has 34 this year and 925 for his career. Below is a breakdown of the af2 leaders in career rushing yards:

Most Yards Gained, Career

1346.... Sherard Poteete, Bossier City 2001-03, CBS 2003, Bossier-Shreve. 2004

1086.... Darnell Small, Arkansas 2000-05, Oklahoma City 2007

971...... Demetrius Forney, Louisville, 2002-05, 2007-08, Manchester 2006, Kentucky 2009

925...... Ryan Vena, Albany 2002-03, 2006, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 2007-present

865...... Julian Reese, AMA 2005, 2008, EVE/SGW 2006, SGW 2007

INGOLD WINS 80: With Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Week 6 home win against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, RICH INGOLD improved his league-leading, all-time coaching win total reached 80. His overall record currently stands at 80-31 (.721). Ingold is in his seventh season overall and fourth with the Pioneers. Twisters Head Coach CHRIS SIEGFRIED currently ranks second overall in career wins with 72. Amarillo's BEN BENNETT (64) ranks third on the all-time win list. Below is a breakdown of the leaders in career af2 coaching victories:

TOP ALL-TIME COACHING VICTORIES

NAME WINS

1. Rich Ingold* 80

2. Chris Siegfried* 72

3. Ben Bennett* 64

4. Danton Barto* 63

5. Tommy Johnson 55

6. Kevin Bouis* 53

7. Kevin Guy 52

8. Bobby Humphrey 51

9. Fred Biletnikoff, Jr.* 47

10. Richard Davis 46

* denotes active coaches

LEAGUE'S ALL-TIME SCORING RACE HEATING UP: Central Valley WR GEORGE WILLIAMS is the league's current all-time leading scorer with 1,168 points. Williams entered the year ranked second to Florida WR MAGIC BENTON. Benton is currently No. 3 overall with 1,130 points. Oklahoma City WR AL HUNT moved into second place with a 36-point effort in Friday's loss to Rio Grande Valley. Hunt has 1,162 career points. Former league standouts KEVIN WILLIAMS and JARRAIL JACKSON fill out the Top-5. Below is a breakdown of the leading scorers in af2 history:

MOST POINTS SCORED, NON-KICKING, CAREER

PTS PLAYER YEARS PLAYED

1,168 George Williams* 2001, 2003-present

1,162 Al Hunt* 2003-present

1,130 Magic Benton* 2001-present

958 Kevin Williams 2001-2008

932 Jarrail Jackson 2000-2001, 2005-2008

930 Chavis McCollister* 2005-present

906 J.R. Thomas 2004-2008

900 Jack Walker, Jr.* 2002-2003, 2005-present

816 Kris Peters* 2004-present

794 Antwone Savage* 2005-present

788 Robert Garth* 2002-present

* Active in 2009

WILLIAMS ALSO LEADS TIGHT ALL-TIME TD RACE: In addition to taking over the all-time scoring lead, Central Valley WR GEORGE WILLIAMS also moved past Florida WR MAGIC BENTON earlier this season for first place on the all-time touchdown list. Williams currently has 193 total touchdowns. Oklahoma City WR AL HUNT moved past Benton into second place with a 6-touchdown performance on Friday in a one-point loss to Rio Grande Valley. Hunt currently has 191 total touchdowns. Benton ranks third with 185 career touchdowns. Despite his recent slip in the all-time scoring and all-time touchdown race, Benton still owns bragging rights for being the league's career leader in receiving touchdowns, receptions and receiving yards. Below is a breakdown of the leading touchdown makers in af2 history:

Most Touchdowns, Career

193 George Williams*

191 Al Hunt*

185 Magic Benton*

157 Kevin Williams

155 Chavis McCollister*

154 Jarrail Jackson

149 J.R. Thomas

146 Jack Walker, Jr.*

134 Kris Peters*

131 Antwone Savage*

129 Robert Garth*

128 Tim Dodge*

* Active in 2009

arenafootball2 Stories from May 7, 2009

• Sharks E-Newsletter Message - Corpus Christi Sharks
• Dusters with pair of public appearances this weekend - Amarillo Venom
• Friday Night Matchups - af2
• Week 7: Quick Hitters - af2
• Yard Dawgz Fall to 4th After Suffering First Loss of Season - Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz

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