Week 7: Saturday Night Matchups

Published on May 8, 2009 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release

KENTUCKY HORSEMEN (3-2) AT SOUTH GEORGIA WILDCATS (5-2)

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009 - Albany Civic Center (8,034) 7:30 P.M. ET

Saturday night begins with the Kentucky Horsemen visiting the South Georgia Wildcats in Albany, GA in the first-ever meeting among the two clubs. Only in their second year, Kentucky has gotten off to another strong start, especially behind the arm of QB JARED LORENZEN. In their last game, the Horsemen exploded for 93 points in a 93-72 road win at Peoria. Kentucky ranks third in the league in scoring offense, averaging 64.4 points per game. Lorenzen completed 13-of-22 passes against the Pirates with four TD passes and four TD rushes. WR LONNELL DEWALT proved to be his go-to man that evening, making 12 catches for 119 yards and three touchdowns. DB MATT FORBES had two interceptions (one return TD) as he continues to add to his impressive defensive statistics. Forbes its tied for the league lead in interceptions (5). DB WILLIAM MULDER ranks second in passes defended overall with 14 (13 PBUs, 1 INT). Overall, the Horsemen defense ranks No. 13 in pass defense, limiting their opponents to 246.6 yards per game. They are tied for the league lead in interceptions with 13. While Kentucky's air assault is proving effective against other teams, their rushing defense isn't any easier to sneak by. Kentucky is only allowing 15.6 yards per game on the ground to their opponents and a mere 262.2 yards per game in total offense. This staunch defense, both on the ground and in the air, has allowed Kentucky to limit the other teams to only 85 first downs so far this season. Lorenzen South Georgia is starting off their season strongly, so far winning five of their seven games. In their last outing, they lost to is tied for the league lead with South Georgia's DARNELL KENNEDY in rushing touchdowns with 11. He also has 25 TD passes against just four interceptions. The Horsemen enter this week's game ranked No. 11 in the latest league coaches poll. Their opponent South Georgia is ranked No. 8 overall. The Wildcats lost for just the second time in seven games last week at Tennessee Valley, 54-28. The 28 points scored by the Wildcats is well below their average of 59.7 points per game, seventh highest in the league. Kennedy completed just 23-of-42 passes for 248 yards and four touchdowns (1 INT). WR ANTWONE SAVAGE made nine catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Much like Kentucky, South Georgia is a dominating defensive force when it comes to the passing game. With the No. 5 passing defense in the league, the Wildcats only allow 219.7 yards per game. DL ERIC TURNER ranks among the league leaders in tackles for loss and sacks. He had two tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and one sack against the Vipers. Savage and ALVANCE ROBINSON are the team's two top receivers. Savage has team-highs in receptions (40) and receiving yards (592) while Robinson ranks first in receiving TDs (13) and second in receptions (39) and receiving yards (522). As a team the Wildcats rank seventh in scoring (59.7 ppg). This should be a back-and-forth affair with the winner likely being the team whose defense comes up with a crucial late game stop.

HORSEMEN WILDCATS SERIES LEADER First time these teams are meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meetings

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-2

LAST GAME Win at Peoria, 93-72 on 5/2/09 Loss at Tenn. Valley, 28-54 on 5/2/09

LEADERS HORSEMEN WILDCATS PASSING Lorenzen: 91-148-4; 1098; 25 TDs Kennedy: 120-191-2; 1490; 33 TDs

RECEIVING Dewalt: 43-474; 14 TDs Savage: 40-592; 12 TDs

RUSHING Lorenzen: 26-91; 11 TDs Kennedy: 29-123; 11 TDs

TACKLES Forbes: 26.5 McCray: 40

SACKS Martin: 3.5 Turner: 4

INTERCEPTIONS Forbes: 5 Burrell: 3

KICKING Daniels: 38-44 PAT; 2-6 FG; 44 PTs Guberman: 52-59 PAT; 0-1 FG; 52 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 64.6 PPG; 310.4 YPG 59.7 PPG; 266.4 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 57 PPG; 262.2 YPG 47.9 PPG; 249.4 YPG

QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (3-2) AT MANCHESTER WOLVES (3-2)

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009 - Verizon Wireless Arena (9,650) 7:30 P.M. ET

The action continues with the second place team in the Midwest Division (Quad City) visiting the second place team in the East Division (Manchester). These two teams will both be looking for a win to help push them closer to the top of their divisions. In their last outing, the Quad City Steamwheelers defeated a strong Iowa team on the road, 33-29. QB J.J. RATERINK threw completed 29-of-39 passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns. Raterink rates in the top-10 in passing yards per game (263.3). His favorite target against the Barnstormers was WR JESSE SCHMIDT, who made 12 grabs for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Schmidt is averaging 12 catches per game for 144.6 yards. So far this year he has tallied 16 touchdowns and averages 19.6 points per game. Statistically, Quad City ranks among the bottom 10 teams in scoring, averaging only 49.2 points per game. Although they have the fourth most sacks in the league with 12, they also have the fourth most against them with 13. The Steamwheelers currently rank No. 14 in the latest league coaches poll. Manchester enters the week ranked No. 9 overall. The Wolves suffered a hard-fought 53-50 road loss last week at division leader Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. QB JAMES PINKNEY completed 20-of-40 passes for 276 yards and six TDs without an interception to pace the Wolves offense. WR Emery Sammons (9-150-3 TDs) was Pinkney's top target. Sammons is averaging 7.6 receptions and 111 yards per game so far this season. Defensively, RAMEL MEEKINS made his impression on the game, tallying three tackles and one sack. The defense is limiting the opposition to 45.2 points per game, sixth best in the league. Although these two teams are statistically similar so far this season, the Manchester Wolves proved they could hang with stiff competition. Quarterback play will decide the winner of this contest. Whoever is able to manage the game best and limit mistakes will likely lead their team to victory.

STEAMWHEELERS WOLVES SERIES LEADER Quad City leads 4-1

LAST MEETING Manchester won 79-48 on 7/28/06

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-2

LAST GAME Won at Iowa, 33-29 on 4/25/09 Lost at W-B/Scranton, 50-53 on 5/1/09

LEADERS STEAMWHEELERS WOLVES PASSING Raterink: 125-183-5; 1318; 27 TDs Pinkney: 104-166-4; 1332; 27 TDs

RECEIVING Schmidt: 55-723; 16 TDs Sammons: 38-555; 11 TDs

RUSHING Monk: 7-21; 1 TD Pinkney: 25-84; 4 TDs

TACKLES Brooker: 20.5 Phillips: 32.5

SACKS Petty: 3 Robinson: 3

INTERCEPTIONS Goines: 2 Green: 5

KICKING Denny: 29-31 PAT; 1-5 FG; 32 PTs Koepplin: 31-37 PAT; 305 FG; 40 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 49.2 PPG; 264 YPG 54.8 PPG; 288.4 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 54.4 PPG; 270 YPG 45.2 PPG; 270.2 YPG

MILWAUKEE IRON (1-5) AT PEORIA PIRATES (1-4)

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009 - Peoria Civic Center (9,873) 8:00 P.M. ET

The Milwaukee Iron visit Peoria to take on the Pirates on Saturday in a battle of Midwest Division foes. This will be the second meeting between the two teams this season. The Pirates got the better of the Iron the first time out, 50-34, back in Week 4. In their first year, Milwaukee is struggling to find a consistent winning formula. The team's only win to date came against Mahoning Valley in Week 2. In their last game, the expansion Iron lost at home to their new in-state rivals, the Green Bay Blizzard, 56-28. Milwaukee QB TYLER DONOVAN and WR Antoine Burns were the driving forces behind the Iron offense with two touchdowns each. Donovan, however, threw four interceptions and was sacked eight times by the Blizzard defense. WR SCOTT BURNOSKI contributed four catches for 43 yards. Burnoski is averaging 7.83 receptions for 101.5 yards per game. Defensively, Milwaukee seems to be solid. The Iron limit their opposition to just 211.3 yards of offense per game. Milwaukee also limits their opponents to only 192.7 passing yards per game, a league-best. The trouble for Milwaukee comes on the offensive side of the game, where they are only averaging 40.8 points per game and 208.3 passing yards. The Pirates haven't faired much better than their opponent so far in 2009. The team's only win of the year was against the Iron three weeks ago. In their last game, Peoria lost to the Kentucky Horsemen in a high-scoring duel, 93-72. QB KENT SMITH threw for 227 yards and six touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to topple the Horsemen. Half of his touchdown passes fell into the hands of WR MOSES HARRIS, who made seven catches for 92 yards. WR BRIAN ALLBROOKS continues to impress as well. He managed six grabs for 46 yards and 277 all-purpose yards. 230 of those yards came from kickoff returns. Allbrooks has accumulated 17 touchdowns on the season for an average of 20.8 points per game. Peoria has shown it can score points, but the team's defense hasn't shown it can stop the opposition from scoring almost at will. The Pirates allow a league-high 67 points per game on average, and the fifth highest passing yards per game (281.8). They have also had trouble protecting the quarterback, allowing 12 sacks to be made against the quarterback while only tallying three themselves. The best news for these two teams who are in desperate need of a win is that one team will actually get one this weekend.

IRON PIRATES SERIES LEADER Peoria leads 1-0

LAST MEETING Peoria won 50-34 on 4/17/09

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 1-4

LAST GAME Lost vs. Green Bay, 28-56 on 5/1/09 Lost vs. Kentucky, 72-93 on 5/2/09

LEADERS IRON PIRATES PASSING Donovan: 66-130-10; 756; 10 TDs Drone: 54-96-6; 592; 14 TDs

RECEIVING Burnoski: 47-609; 9 TDs Albrooks: 34-358; 13 TDs

RUSHING Young: 28-96; 4 TDs Smith: 13-64; 3 TDs

TACKLES Aldridge: 31.5 Golder: 22

SACKS Miller: 2 Stokes: .5

INTERCEPTIONS Stepter: 4 Golder: 3

KICKING Walls: 32-34 PAT; 3-12 FG; 41 PTs Palkovic: 18-27 PAT; 2-7 FG; 24 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 40.8 PPG; 236.2 YPG 54 PPG; 260.2 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 55 PPG; 211.3 YPG 67 PPG; 303.2 YPG

TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (4-2) AT CORPUS CHRISTI SHARKS (1-4)

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009 - American Bank Center (7,498) 8:00 P.M. ET

The Tennessee Valley Vipers travel to Texas this week to take on the Corpus Christi Sharks for the first time in team history. The defending ArenaCup Champions have gotten their bite back with three straight wins after starting the year 1-2. Tennessee In their last outing, the Vipers looked impressive at home in defeating the South Division leading South Georgia Wildcats, 54-28. Tennessee Valley QB Kevin Eakin completed 18-of-30 passes for 212 yards and five touchdowns with one interception. WR Jeremy Grier paced the Vipers with 10 catches for 88 yards and a touchdown. Two other players who turned in notable performances for Tennessee Valley were WR/LB BRADLY CHAVEZ (6.0 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries for 29 yards - 1 26-yard FR TD, 1 INT) and DB DEMETRIUS DERICO (4.5 tackles, 1 fumble recovery - in end zone for TD, 1 pass breakup). WR CHRIS BOCAGE has racked up 14 touchdowns so far this season and is averaging 7.67 receptions per game. On the ground, WR/DB TRAVIS BLANCHARD is making an impression with a team-best four rushing scores. He is also averaging 27.1 kick return yards per game and 4.4 tackles. Tennessee Valley leads the league in kickoff return average (24.2). They are also tied for fourth in the league in sacks with 12. DL ERIC SCOTT has a team-best three sacks individually. Corpus Christi hasn't gotten off to the start they had hoped for this season with just one win over the team's first five outings. The Sharks most recent loss came last week at Florida, 66-48. QB GARY COOPER played admirably with 307 yards passing and four touchdowns, but it wasn't enough overall. WR BRANDON HUSSEY continued to make offensive moves, tallying nine catches for 126 yards and three touchdowns. The Sharks' subpar start can be attributed to an inconsistent offense (41.6 points per game - 20th out of 25 teams) and turnovers (16; 3.2 per contest). However, the defense has trouble containing opponents as well, allowing 258.8 passing yards per game and 57.8 points per game. If recent trends continue and Tennessee Valley doesn't look past the Sharks, the Vipers should run their current win streak to four in a row.

VIPERS SHARKS SERIES LEADER First time these teams are meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 1-4

LAST GAME Won vs. S. Georgia, 54-28 on 5/2/09 Lost at Florida, 48-66 on 5/1/09

LEADERS VIPERS SHARKS PASSING Eakin: 140-202-6; 1509; 34 TDs Cooper: 109-190-7; 1265; 15 TDs

RECEIVING Bocage: 46-434; 11 TDs Graham: 39-461; 6 TDs

RUSHING Blanchard: 15-26; 4 TDs Hussey: 7-42; 0 TD

TACKLES Foster: 36.5 Thomas: 16.5

SACKS Scott: 3 Robinson: 2.5

INTERCEPTIONS Blanchard: 2 Mingo/Wilson/Thomas: 1

KICKING Hayes: 39-48 PAT; 0-2 FG; 39 PTs Gatto: 21-28 PAT; 3.7 FG; 30 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 55.2 PPG; 281.5 YPG 41.6 PPG; 275.8 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 43.3 PPG; 275.2 YPG 57.8 PPG; 283.2 YPG

ALBANY FIREBIRDS (1-5) AT BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLEWINGS (2-3)

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009 - CenturyTel Center (12,500) 8:00 P.M. ET

The Firebirds go for two wins in a row this week but face a tough test ahead with the BattleWings in Bossier City, La. This is just the second all-time meeting between the two clubs. Last week Albany earned its first win of 2009, 50-41, against division rival Mahoning Valley. The Firebirds first victory was engineered largely by the efforts of QB Stephen Wasil and WR Johnnie Butler. The duo combined for five touchdowns, three of which came in the second half. Wasil, in his first start since suffering an injury in the team's season-opener, finished 26-of-40 with 278 yards and six touchdowns. He was also only sacked once. Albany had allowed 17 sacks in the team's first five games. Butler finished with nine receptions for a game-high 154 yards and five scores. Albany's defense, which gave up 34 first half points, buckled down in the second half allowing only 14 Thunder points. DB Lawrence Wade came up with the game-clinching play, picking off Mahoning Valley QB Blake Powers with under 30 seconds remaining in the game. The team's most consistent performer so far has been WR/LB ALVIN RAY JACKSON. Jackson has five touchdown catches (18-109) to go along with 20 total tackles, two fumble recoveries and one interception. DL REGGIE PARAMOURE leads the club with 5.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. The key to the Firebirds is the play of Wasil and the offensive line. Turnovers are always a factor as well. Currently Albany ranks near the bottom of the league standings with 17 total turnovers (2.83 per game). The Firebirds will be tested in all facets this week by a confident bunch of BattleWings who are coming off a 69-61 home win against Southwest Division rival Arkansas. Rookie QB KINSMON LANCASTER, in his first af2 start, played like a veteran with eight total touchdowns (6 passing, 2 rushing). Lancaster replaced ANDRICO HINES, who struggled through his first four starts with seven interceptions and a completion percentage of less than 55 percent. WR CHAVIS MCCOLLISTER was Lancaster's top target with eight catches for 110 yards (1 TD). WR MANWELL TALBERT finished with three touchdowns on three receptions for 65 yards. LB DUSTIN JOHNSON's two interception return touchdowns led Bossier-Shreveport's defensive effort. DB Phillip Geiggar also played a big part on defense with 14 total tackles, one interception and three pass breakups. Overall, the BattleWings defense has been solid so far this season. The team currently ranks sixth in takeaways with 16 and is tied for sixth in scoring defense, yielding 45.2 points per game to opponents. If Lancaster plays well again in his second start, Bossier-Shreveport has a good opportunity ahead to even its record at 3-3.

FIREBIRDS BATTLEWINGS SERIES LEADER Albany leads 1-0

LAST MEETING Albany won 68-53 on 6/4/05

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 2-3

LAST GAME Won vs. Mah. Valley, 50-41 on 5/2/09 Won vs. Arkansas, 69-61 on 5/2/09

LEADERS FIREBIRDS BATTLEWINGS PASSING Bednarik: 97-195-8; 1153; 14 TDs Hines: 77-141-7; 928; 20 TDs

RECEIVING Rodriguez: 43-368; 3 TDs Ibeh: 28-299; 13 TDs

RUSHING Bednarik: 24-41; 5 TDs Schule: 18-87; 3 TDs

TACKLES Williams: 29 Geiggar: 29

SACKS Paramoure: 3.5 Pittman: 5

INTERCEPTIONS Horne: 1 Johnson: 3

KICKING Umstead: 23-26 PAT; 3-8 FG; 32 PTs Carmody: 27-34 PAT; 1-7 FG; 30 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 36.3 PPG; 253.5 YPG 52 PPG; 240 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 55.2 PPG; 259.2 YPG 45.2 PPG; 317.2 YPG

FLORIDA FIRECATS (3-3) AT ARKANSAS TWISTERS (4-2)

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009 - ALLTEL Arena (6,820) 8:00 P.M. ET

The Firecats play this Saturday at Arkansas in what is their second out-of-conference contest in as many weeks. These two clubs have only met twice before with Florida winning both games. The Firecats, ranked No. 15 in the coaches poll, evened their record at 3-3 with a 66-48 home win against the Corpus Christi Sharks. Veteran QB Chris Wallace set a new team record with 363 yards passing and also matched a single-game best by tossing nine touchdowns in the win. The Firecats defense recorded five tackles for loss including four sacks and three forced fumbles in the victory. WR CHRIS MCKINNEY had a big night as well with 10 catches for 184 yards and five touchdowns. DB DEMETRIUS HODGES paced the defense with a game-high 12 tackles and one forced fumble. Wallace has 33 touchdown passes this year so far with just three interceptions. He's been a bit off target, however, completing just 58.6 percent of his passes. As a team the Firecats have forced just eight turnovers (1 interception) on the season. On the positive side, however, they have just six turnovers of their own. Hodges leads the club in tackles (34.5) and is tied for the team lead in pass breakups (4). The Twisters come into this week's game off their second loss of the season. Last Saturday Arkansas got bested by Bossier-Shreveport, 69-61. Despite the result, WR Rod Harper led the Twisters with an af2 single-game record 22 receptions 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 also ranks second in the af2 in receptions (68) and receiving yards per game (155.6) and third overall in receiving yards (778). QB KYLE ROWLEY, despite his four costly interceptions, still managed an af2 single-game record 478 yards passing. He completed 39-of-62 passes with nine touchdowns. Arkansas ranks eighth in scoring at 57.3 points per game. DB BRANDON FREEMAN is the team leader in interceptions (3) and tackles (26.5). With two experienced ball clubs with strong coaching on both sides, this game should be a close encounter from start to finish.

FIRECATS TWISTERS SERIES LEADER Florida leads 2-0

LAST MEETING Arkansas won 50-41 on 7/9/05

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-2

LAST GAME Won vs. Cor. Christi, 66-48 on 5/1/09 Lost at Boss.-Shrev., 61-69 on 5/2/09

LEADERS FIRECATS TWISTERS PASSING Wallace: 123-210-3; 1558; 33 TDs Rowley: 169-255-7; 1853; 39 TDs

RECEIVING McKinney: 42-515; 14 TDs Harper: 68-778; 22 TDs

RUSHING Bear: 28-69; 5 TDs Cook: 9-38; 2 TDs

TACKLES Hodges: 34.5 Freeman: 26.5

SACKS Edwards: 2 Turner: 2

INTERCEPTIONS Tisdale: 1 Freeman: 3

KICKING Rivas: 26-37 PAT; 0-2 FG; 42 PTs Paul: 38-50 PAT; 2-3 FG; 44 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 50.5 PPG; 275.3 YPG 57.3 PPG; 325.8 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 52.7 PPG; 271.2 YPG 50.5 PPG; 250.2 YPG

OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (4-1) AT TULSA TALONS (5-1)

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009 - BOK Center (6,777) 8:00 P.M. ET

One of the af2's best rivalries will be featured on Saturday night in Tulsa, Okla. as the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz visit the Tulsa Talons. This will be the 14th time these two clubs have played overall. Tulsa currently holds an 8-5 edge in the series. Oklahoma City and Tulsa are both ranked in the Top-5 in the latest league coaches poll. The No. 4-ranked Yard Dawgz lost their first game of the season last Friday in a nail biter to the Rio Grande Valley Dorados, 74-73, at Cox Convention Center. The game was also the highest scoring game in Dawgz history with a total of 147 points between the two teams. After Dorados WR ROD WINDSOR grabbed what would be the game-winning touchdown with 10 seconds left, Oklahoma City put its hopes on the leg of K David Hendrix. Hendrix, however, missed a field goal wide right as time expired. Yard Dawgz QB ROBERT KENT (82 rush yards, 1 TD, 22-of-29 passing, 395 yards, 9 TDs) and WR AL HUNT (1 rush TD, 8 catches, 159 yards, 5 TDs) both turned in amazing individual efforts for Oklahoma City in defeat. The Yard Dawgz currently lead the af2 in scoring at 66.4 points per game. Kent is the league leader in passer rating at 145.5. He also leads the league in completion percentage (77.2; 98-for-127), total offense (329.8) and ranks third in passing yards per game (301.0). Hunt is battling to become af2's all-time scoring leader. With 1,162 career points scored, the former Talon is just six points shy of Central Valley's George Williams (1,168). Defensively, Oklahoma City ranks eighth in scoring defense, yielding 45.4 points per game to opponents. DB FRED SHAW has been a consistent playmaker for the team. Shaw currently leads the Yard Dawgz in interceptions (4) and ranks second in tackles (28). Defensive linemen AARON CHAVERS (3.5 sacks) and MONDRE DICKERSON (3 sacks) are the team's top pass rushers. The No. 3-ranked Talons won their fourth straight game last week at Amarillo, 58-43. The Dusters actually held a 43-42 lead early in the fourth quarter before Tulsa scored the last 16 points of the contest. QB JUSTIN ALLGOOD finished with 18 completions in 26 attempts for 249 yards, six touchdowns and one interception. WR JEFF HUGHLEY caught eight passes for 109 yards with four scores. Charlese Franklin had seven catches for 120 yards with two touchdowns. DL Terrance Carter led the Talons defense with two sacks. As a team Tulsa ranks fourth in scoring offense (63.3 ppg) and fifth in scoring defense (43.3 ppg allowed). They also lead the af2 in turnovers forced (21 - 13 interceptions, 8 fumbles). Both clubs boast a league-high turnover margin of plus+10. Individually, Allgood leads the af2 in touchdown passes (43), ranks second in passing yards per game (302.7) and ranks fourth in passer rating (122.5). Hughley is the league's scoring leader with 134 points. He also leads the af2 in all-purpose yards (1,533) and receiving yards (853). Another player to watch for Tulsa is LB JAMAR RANSOM. Ransom is tied for the league lead in interceptions (5). He also leads the Talons in tackles (41.5). Expect this matchup to be as intense as ever with two Top-5 teams battling it out at the BOK Center.

YARD DAWGZ TALONS SERIES LEADER Tulsa leads 8-5

LAST MEETING Oklahoma City won 58-57 on 7/19/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 4-1

LAST GAME Lost vs. Lubbock, 73-74 on 5/1/09 Won at Amarillo, 58-43 on 5/2/09

LEADERS YARD DAWGZ TALONS PASSING Kent: 98-127-3; 1505; 33 TDs Allgood: 145-207-7; 1816; 43 TDs

RECEIVING Hunt: 27-452; 14 TDs Hughley: 59-863; 20 TDs

RUSHING Kent: 23-143; 6 TDs Floyd: 9-46; 1 TD

TACKLES Burns: 35 Ransom: 41.5

SACKS Chavers: 3.5 Jackson: 5

INTERCEPTIONS Shaw: 4 Ransom: 5

KICKING Hendrix: 33-44 PAT; 3-4 FG; 42 PTs Phillips: 10-13 PAT; 1-3 FG; 13 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 66.4 PPG; 345.2 YPG 63.3 PPG; 325 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 45.4 PPG; 279 YPG 43.3 PPG; 223.8 YPG

BOISE BURN (4-1) AT SPOKANE SHOCK (5-0)

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009 - Spokane Arena (10,653) 10:00 P.M. ET

The Burn travel to Spokane, Wash. this week for their second West Division showdown of the season with the No.1-ranked Shock. These two clubs tackled each other three weeks ago in Boise, Idaho and Spokane pulled away for a 63-45 win. The loss is Boise's only blemish of the season so far. The Burn got singed by Shock QB Nick Davila who threw for 320 yards and eight touchdowns without an interception. WR Patrick Bugg had a game-high four touchdowns on six catches for 116 yards. WR CASEY ALLEN led the Burn with eight catches for 116 yards and one score. QB TAYLOR THARP had four touchdown passes but threw two interceptions as well. The Burn enter this week's contest ranked No. 7 in the latest league coaches poll. Their most recent result was a 68-18 home win against Stockton. WR JOMO WILSON started the game on offense but stole the show on defense with a career-high three interceptions. He returned one of his three picks 49 yards for a touchdown. Tharp had seven TD passes for Boise while WR Nichiren Flowers led the team in receiving with six catches for 120 yards and three scores. A big reason behind the Burn's strong start has been the team's defense which leads the league in only allowing 37.2 points per contest. They are also tied for the top spot in interceptions (13) and second overall in turnovers forced with 17. DB TERRANCE SANDERS, who had a 57-yard kick return TD against Stockton, leads the league in kick return average (31.6 ypr). He also leads the Burn in tackles (32.5). The Shock, currently the only unbeaten team in the af2, won their fifth straight game last week at home against Iowa, 49-30. WR Andy Olson, who missed the two previous weeks due to injury, led the team with 13 catches for 138 yards and two scores. WR Charles Dillon led the team in touchdown receptions with three. Davila completed 28-of-35 passes for 320 yards and six touchdowns without an interception. Spokane's defensive line accounted for three sacks, including two from DL Ben McCombs. DB Sergio Gilliam also recorded his second interception of the season. The Shock rank third in scoring defense (39.8 ppg allowed) and sixth overall in scoring offense (60.8 ppg). They are also tied for third in turnover margin at plus+9 (13 gained, 4 lost). Individually, Davila makes the offense go. He's been stellar in Spokane's first five games. With 34 TD passes against only one interception, he ranks second to only Oklahoma City's Robert Kent in passer rating at 133.3. Veteran WR RAUL VIJIL leads the club in receiving with 37 catches for 483 yards and 11 TDs. McCombs, the league's all-time sack leader, is tied for the league lead this season with six sacks overall. The Shock, who have yet to lose to Boise in six all-time meetings, likely have the advantage again this week playing at home. If the first game between these two teams is any indication, however, expect another tough battle.

BURN SHOCK SERIES LEADER Spokane leads 6-0

LAST MEETING Spokane won 63-45 on 4/18/09

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 5-0

LAST GAME Won vs. Stockton, 68-18 on 5/2/09 Won vs. Iowa, 49-30 on 5/2/09

LEADERS BURN SHOCK PASSING Tharp: 63-103-7; 844; 19 TDs Davila: 103-149-1; 1317; 34 TDs

RECEIVING Allen: 31-433; 5 TDs Vijil: 37-483; 11 TDs

RUSHING Allen: 15-58; 1 TD Nikolao: 24-84; 3 TDs

TACKLES Sanders: 32.5 Franks: 34

SACKS Guerrero/Staton: 2 McCombs: 6

INTERCEPTIONS Madarieta: 4 McCullough/Gilliam: 2

KICKING Scott: 19-22 PAT; 2-3 FG; 25 PTs Jackson: 38-40 PAT; 4-4 FG; 50 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 53.4 PPG; 225 YPG 60.8 PPG; 295.6 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 37.2 PPG; 264.8 YPG 39.8 PPG; 288.4 YPG

STOCKTON LIGHTNING (1-4) AT TRI-CITIES FEVER (0-6)

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009 - Toyota Center (5,700) 10:00 P.M. ET

The Lightning travel to Washington this week for a West Division affair against the Fever. Stockton currently leads the all-time series 3-2. After starting the season with a win, the Lightning have lost their last four contests. The team also lost starting QB ANDY COLLINS two weeks ago in a home loss to Spokane. Rookie backup Chad Cavender got his first start last week at Boise. Cavender's first test didn't go so well as the former Sioux Falls standout completed just 21-of-49 passes for 198 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions. He was also sacked three times as the lost 68-18. WR JUSTIN TAPLIN led the Lightning with game-highs in catches (12) and yards (132). He also had two receiving touchdowns. DB BRANDON HORACE had 4.5 tackles and an interception to pace the defense in his Stockton debut. Overall, the Lightning defense has been the main reason behind the team's subpar start. The team ranks second to only Peoria in points per game allowed at 63.4. Stockton is also near the bottom of the standings in turnover margin at minus-8 (8 gained, 16 lost). Taplin has been the team's top offensive performer so far with 56 catches for 684 yards with 14 TDs. Tri-Cities will play its second game this week under new head coach PAT O'HARA. O'Hara inspired the Fever last week but it wasn't enough to get their first win as the club was outscored by the Coyotes 28-7 over the final 15 minutes in a 64-44 loss. WRs Chase Reed (6-71 receiving; 2 rush TDs) and WR Tremayne Kirkland (5-53; 1 TD) led the club offensively. QB Jimmy Collins, in his second start, completed 23-of-44 passes for 214 yards with one touchdown and one interception. K Michael Braunstein (3-4 FG; 5-5 PAT) also performed well in the loss. The Fever were led defensively by DB Jamie Hattley (7.5 tackles, 1 PBU). DL Ben Alexander tacked on 2.0 sacks and LB Jo'Artis Ratti added 1.0 sack. This week Tri-Cities tried to upgrade their quarterback situation by acquiring league veteran RYAN PORTER in a trade with Central Valley. He'll in uniform Saturday night. The Fever has lost 13 straight games, the last five by 20 or more points. Tri-Cities, despite a season-high 44 points in last week's loss to Central Valley, still has the af2's lowest scoring offense at 32.7 points per game. The Fever rank 23rd out of 25 teams in passing offense (187.5 yards per game) and is second-to-last in total offense (200.5 ypg). The team has just 15 touchdown passes from its quarterbacks this season to go with 12 interceptions. If Porter makes positive plays, this could be the week that Tri-Cities sees its streak finally come to an end.

LIGHTNING FEVER SERIES LEADER Stockton leads 3-2

LAST MEETING Stockton won 66-40 on 7/19/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 0-5

LAST GAME Lost at Boise, 18-68 on 5/2/09 Lost vs. Cen. Valley, 44-64 on 5/2/09

LEADERS LIGHTNING FEVER PASSING Collins: 81-124-5; 931; 18 TDs Collins: 56-106-6; 605; 6 TDs

RECEIVING Taplin: 56-684; 14 TDs Kirkland: 38-395; 5 TDs

RUSHING Collins: 25-155; 7 TDs Bennett: 6-19; 0 TD

TACKLES Kenion: 25.5 Walker: 23

SACKS Robinson: 2 Alexander: 2

INTERCEPTIONS Kenion: 1 Goodman: 1

KICKING Naehu: 10-16 PAT; 0-1 FG; 10 PTs Braunstein: 17-22 PAT; 9-17 FG; 44 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 47.3 PPG; 303.4 YPG 32.7 PPG; 200.5 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 63.4 PPG; 296.2 YPG 62.3 PPG; 237.7 YPG

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