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Week eight Saturday night matchups

May 20, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


MEMPHIS XPLORERS (6-1) AT ALBANY CONQUEST (2-4)

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2005 - PEPSI ARENA (13,901) 7:30 P.M. ET

With a 5-1 record the Memphis Xplorers travel to the Pepsi Arena to face the Albany Conquest. It has been a week of change for the Albany club. Head coach RICHARD DAVIS was released and DAVE BROCHETTE has taken over in an interim role. Last week was an especially tough loss for the Conquest. They had Manchester on the ropes with kicker MARC SAMUEL lining up for a 24-yard field goal with three seconds on the clock. But the kick went wide right and Manchester won, 48-47. Memphis is coming off of a 46-60 win over Amarillo. They were up by as many as 27 points in the game but let the Dusters fight back. The win has given Memphis sole possession of first place in the Midwest Division. If defense wins championships then watch out for the Xplorers in late August at ArenaCup. Memphis gives up an average of 32.1 points per game, a league best. They depend on their ability to force turnovers as they lead the league in takeaways with 24. Of the 24 takeaways, 14 have been interceptions. Rookie SCOTT CUNNINGHAM leads with five, veteran DAHNEL SINGFIELD has four, DEON GIDDENS has three and TERRELL ADAMS has two. Veteran CY BUTLER and his three interceptions highlight Albany's secondary. TRAVIS COLEMAN has recorded two picks and seven passes broken up. PETER MCBRIDE has also broken up seven passes but has yet to record an interception. They will be challenged as Memphis quarterback BRIAN JONES has thrown only three interceptions this year. This is the first ever meeting between the two clubs.

XPLORERS CONQUEST SERIES LEADER First meeting
LAST MEETING NA
LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 2-3
LAST GAME Won vs. Amarillo 46-40 Lost vs. Manchester 48-47
2005 STATISTICS XPLORERS CONQUEST PASSING Jones: 182-118-3; 1604; 33 TDs Bryant: 196-130-7; 1358; 25 TDs
RECEIVING Prentiss: 52-779; 22 TDs Talbert: 43-549; 11 TDs
RUSHING 32-105; 11 TDs Bryant: 28-64; 5 TDs
TACKLES Karr: 30.0 Coleman: 25.0
SACKS Smith: 10.0 Arah: 2.0
INTERCEPTIONS Cunningham: 5 Butler: 3
KICKING Azar: 29-38 PAT; 8-11 FG 53 Pts Samuel: 30-38 PAT; 2-11 FG 36 PTs
TEAM OFFENSE 53.4 PPG (4); 250.9 YPG (13) 45.7 PPG (13); 239.5 YPG (15)
TEAM DEFENSE 32.1 PPG (1); 221.3 YPG (2) 47.3 PPG (10); 293.2 YPG (19)

FLORIDA FIRECATS (5-1) AT LOUISVILLE FIRE (4-2)

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2005 - FREEDOM HALL (15,646) 7:30 P.M. ET

In one of the best matchups of the week, the no longer undefeated Florida Firecats face the Louisville Fire at Freedom Hall. After seven weeks at the top of the af2 Coaches' Poll, the Firecats lost their first game of the season last week to the Battle Wings, 22-28. The Battle Wings used a grind it out offense focusing on getting first downs to win the time of possession battle and keep the ball out of Florida's hands. The Fire won't likely use this strategy against the Firecats as MATT SAUK has several talented receivers. ROB MAGER leads the team in receiving but CESARE MANNING and DENNIS FRYZEL are also dangerous. Manning has a knack for finding the endzone with 26 catches for 365 yards and eight touchdowns. Fryzel is more of a possession receiver with 30 receptions for 256 yards and two touchdowns. Sauk has avoided throwing interceptions for most of the season, but he threw three last week at Green Bay to bring his season total to five. Looking to increase that total will be one of af2's best secondaries. Former 2002 Defensive Player of the Year KELLY SNELL leads the team in tackles (41.0) and passes broken up (16). At the other DS, ROY STABLER returned last week from injury and recorded an interception. On offense, the Firecats will receive some help this week with the return from retirement of CAINON LAMB. Lamb is the team's single season record holder in receptions (110), receiving yards (1,297) and receiving touchdowns (31). He is also the career record holder for kickoff return yards (1,364) and combined return yards (1,507). This is the first ever meeting between the two clubs.

FIRECATS FIRE SERIES LEADER First meeting
LAST MEETING NA
LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 3-2
LAST GAME Lost at Bossier-Shreveport 29-22 Lost at Green Bay 65-49
2005 STATISTICS FIRECATS FIRE PASSING Wallace: 188-115-5; 1239; 30 TDs Sauk: 215-145-5; 1591; 29 TDs
RECEIVING Benton: 44-512; 16 TDs Mager: 35-419; 11 TDs
RUSHING 40-148; 3 TDs Stallings: 23-51; 6 TDs
TACKLES Snell: 41.0 Green: 27.5
SACKS Morant: 2.0 Forney: 1.5
INTERCEPTIONS Five players tied: 1 Stallings: 2
KICKING Kornblue: 27-35 PAT; 1-9 FG 30 Pts Kight: 29-38 PAT; 5-13 FG 44 PTs
TEAM OFFENSE 43.7 PPG (17); 248.0 YPG (14) 49.3 PPG (6); 276.2 YPG (5)
TEAM DEFENSE 33.8 PPG (2); 251.8 YPG (9) 49.2 PPG (12); 263.7 YPG (12)


CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (4-2) AT AMARILLO DUSTERS (4-2)

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2005 - AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER (4,870) 8:00 P.M. ET

Two 4-2 clubs face off as the Amarillo Dusters host the Central Valley Coyotes. Both teams are coming off difficult losses to division foes. Amarillo traveled to Memphis last week with hopes of taking a share of first place in the Midwest Division. Instead Memphis proved they were the elite team in the division, winning 46-40, and at one time holding a 27-point lead in the game. While the Dusters did make a furious comeback, it wasn't enough. The Coyotes hosted Rio Grande Valley last week and got upended 51-61. The loss forced a tie for first place in the West Division with Tulsa. With the Dorados now one game behind at 3-3, the Coyotes need to win to stay ahead in the race. The fortunes of the Coyotes often lie on the shoulders of quarterback JUSTON WOOD. Wood has shown the ability to have big games, with three games of six or more touchdowns this season, but when Wood can limit turnovers he really puts the Coyotes in the best position to win. The Coyotes are the best in the league when it comes to scoring in the red zone. They have scored on 16-of-17 possessions in the red zone. Of these 16 scores, 12 have been touchdowns and the only non-score was a missed field goal. On the flip side, Amarillo quarterback JULIAN REESE is the type of quarterback who makes plays. Reese leads the team in rushing and passing and has thrown or run in 43 of Amarillo's 47 offensive touchdowns. For Central Valley's defense, JOSHUA ROBINSON leads the team in tackles (32.0) and passes broken up (11). Amarillo's JIMMY GASTON has two interceptions and six passes broken up in addition to his team leading 30.5 tackles. This is their only meeting this year.


COYOTES DUSTERS SERIES LEADER First meeting
LAST MEETING NA
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-2
LAST GAME Lost vs. Rio Grande Valley 61-51 Lost at Memphis 46-40
2005 STATISTICS COYOTES DUSTERS PASSING Wood: 230-132-5; 1601; 32 TDs Reese: 194-124-3; 1563; 28 TDs
RECEIVING Williams: 33-493; 11 TDs McCollister: 36-515; 10 TDs
RUSHING Notoa: 15-69; 1 TD Reese: 40-81; 15 TDs
TACKLES Robinson: 32.0 Gaston: 30.5
SACKS Bhatti: 3.5 Hunnicutt/Massey: 2.0
INTERCEPTIONS Brown: 2 Davis: 3
KICKING Gockman: 31-38 PAT; 7-11 FG 52 Pts Hershey: 39-47 PAT; 1-7 FG 42 PTs
TEAM OFFENSE 50.0 PPG (5); 278.3 YPG (3) 56.0 PPG (1); 295.7 YPG (1)
TEAM DEFENSE 42.3 PPG (6); 238.5 YPG (6) 52.0 PPG (15); 257.0 YPG (11)


QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (3-3) AT GREEN BAY BLIZZARD (5-1)

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2005 - RESCH CENTER (7,995) 8:00 P.M. ET

The 3-3 Quad City Steamwheelers face their former division foe, the Green Bay Blizzard on Saturday night. In four previous meetings, Quad City has won all four games. At 3-3 Quad City is in a dangerous position. A loss would push them further behind Amarillo and Memphis in the division. Despite their 3-3 record, Quad City is an excellent team. Their three losses have come twice to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Amarillo, two of af2's best teams. The Steamwheelers are led by former AFL quarterback SAM CLEMONS. Spending most of his time as a backup, Clemons received few snaps in the AFL and has turned to af2 to gain experience. This season Clemons has completed 143 of 206 passes for 1,499 yards and 30 touchdowns with just four interceptions. His counterpart is another former AFL back up, JOHNNY TURMAN. In 2003 Turman earned af2 Rookie of the Year honors and has returned this season for more playing time. Turman's previous af2 experience is already paying off for the young Blizzard team. One of Green Bay's key players is MATT HUEBNER. The rookie has taken over the FB/LB position and made it his own. Last week against the Fire he rushed for three touchdowns and recovered a fumble for a touchdown. RYAN BOWERS leads the league in interceptions with seven. His two last week earned him ADT Defensive Player of the Week honors. He heads a defense ranked second in takeaways with 21 (7 fumbles, 14 interceptions). Green Bay OL/DL ASA FRANCIS knows all about these two teams. Francis is a former Steamwheeler who joined the Blizzard during the offseason. The Steamwheelers have a solid defense of their own though. Tied for second in the league in interceptions with five is MATT FORBES. The two clubs meet again this season, Week 15 at Quad City.

STEAMWHEELERS BLIZZARD SERIES LEADER Quad City leads series 4-0
LAST MEETING Quad City won 62-53 vs. Green Bay on 6/18/04
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 4-1
LAST GAME Lost vs. W-B/Scranton 63-55 Won vs. Louisville 65-49
2005 STATISTICS STEAMWHEELERS BLIZZARD PASSING Clemons: 206-143-4; 1499; 30 TDs Turman: 187-111-7; 1316; 27 TDs
RECEIVING Burns: 40-389; 8 TDs Mason: 27-398; 9 TDs
RUSHING 14-60; 1 TD Huebner: 29-78; 5 TDs
TACKLES Watson: 32.5 Bowers: 40.0
SACKS Barr: 2.5 Eggelston: 3.0
INTERCEPTIONS Forbes: 5 Bowers: 7
KICKING Gatto: 31-39 PAT; 2-12 FG 37 PTs Juul-Nielsen: 33-40 PAT; 2-11 FG 39 PTs
TEAM OFFENSE 45.5 PPG (14); 271.8 YPG (7) 46.5 PPG (11); 236.0 YPG (17)
TEAM DEFENSE 49.8 PPG (13); 277.3 YPG (15) 40.3 PPG (5); 275.7 YPG (14)

MACON KNIGHTS (2-4) AT TULSA TALONS (4-2)

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2005 - TULSA CONVENTION CENTER (7,111) 8:00 P.M. ET

The Macon Knights return to the scene of their 2003 ArenaCup 2003 as they travel to Tulsa to take on the Talons. The game will be the head coaching debut of DEREK STINGLEY. The former AFL star looks to turn around the Knights who sit at 2-4 after a 2-1 start. One of the best players on the Knights is a rookie from the University of Florida, WR/LB MATT JACKSON. His 29.0 (27UA 5A) tackles are second on the team while his three interceptions are first. On offense Jackson has 16 receptions for 254 yards and four touchdowns. Another rookie, quarterback LIONEL HAYES, started strong throwing 14 touchdowns and no interceptions in the Knights' first three games. In the last three games Hayes has thrown seven touchdowns to seven interceptions. His consistency is key to the Knights turning the season around. Chasing around Hayes will be one of af2's best defenses. Tulsa's 13 sacks are second in the league. Seven different players have registered a sack with four players recording 2.0 or more. Former NFL player CHRIS CANTY is second in tackles with 18.0 (14UA 8A), leads the team in passes broken up, but has yet to register an interception. The Talons have arenafootball2's best red zone defense. Of 23 opponent trips, the Talons have allowed scores on only 15 of those drives. The rookie-to-rookie combination of JOSH BLANKENSHIP to DONOVAN MORGAN powers the Talons' offense. Blankenship has thrown only three interceptions on the season, and two came in a win over San Diego. Morgan leads the league in scoring with 150 points on 25 touchdowns.

KNIGHTS TALONS SERIES LEADER Tulsa leads series 3-0
LAST MEETING Tulsa won 49-40 at Macon on 4/10/04
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 4-1
LAST GAME Lost vs. Albany 52-37 Won at Bakersfield 41-31
2005 STATISTICS KNIGHTS TALONS PASSING Hayes: 207-125-7; 1530; 23 TDs Blankenship: 164-106-3; 1380; 29 TDs
RECEIVING Johnson: 38-546; 8 TDs Morgan: 45-701; 24 TDs
RUSHING Lloyd: 12-38; 1 TD Martin: 17-72; 3 TDs
TACKLES Laney: 46.0 Davis: 29.5
SACKS Wangler: 2.0 McIver: 3.0
INTERCEPTIONS Jackson: 3 Davis: 3
KICKING Wilson: 13-19 PAT; 4-7 FG 25 Pts Browne: 33-43 PAT; 1-6 FG 36 Pts
TEAM OFFENSE 39.7 PPG (18); 263.5 YPG (11) 53.7 PPG (3); 279.3 YPG (2)
TEAM DEFENSE 43.7 PPG (7); 256.3 YPG (10) 46.5 PPG (9); 270.3 YPG (13)


BIRMINGHAM STEELDOGS (0-6) AT ARKANSAS TWISTERS (0-6)

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2005 - ALLTEL ARENA (16,508) 8:00 P.M. ET

The Arkansas Twisters host the Birmingham Steeldogs at Alltel Arena Saturday night with both teams still looking for their first win of the season. Arkansas' KEVIN WILLIAMS has been turning up his game of late. Last week he grabbed two touchdowns to bring his season total to seven. TRAVIS MOTLEY's other key receivers are ROBERT KILOW and TED ALFORD. Kilow is third on the team in tackles (13.5) to go with his 24 catches for 310 yards and three touchdowns. Despite their record, the Steeldogs roster is filled with talent. DETRONN HARRIS, an af2 veteran, leads the Steeldogs with 33 catches for 432 yards and four touchdowns. Rookie DRE FULGHAM has shown some promise. He is second in receiving with 23 catches for 336 yards and four touchdowns. On defense Fulgham has recovered a fumble and broken up one pass. In only two games GEORGE WILLIAMS has recorded 2.5 tackles for a loss. Don't look for Arkansas to try to run on the Steeldogs as Birmingham allows only 2.3 rushing yards per game, second best in the league. A win by Birmingham would give head coach BOBBY HUMPHREY his 50th career victory, an af2 record. Birmingham and Arkansas will play once more this season, Week 17 in Birmingham.


STEELDOGS TWISTERS SERIES LEADER Birmingham leads series 4-3
LAST MEETING Birmingham won 56-40 at Arkansas on 4/17/04
LAST FIVE GAMES 0-5 0-5
LAST GAME Lost at San Diego 77-44 Lost at South Georgia 62-48
2005 STATISTICS STEELDOGS TWISTERS PASSING Nelson: 115-63-5; 836; 8 TDs Motley: 151-76-5; 924; 17 TDs
RECEIVING Harris: 33-432; 4 TDs Williams: 28-373; 7 TDs
RUSHING Nelson: 15-71; 3 TDs Windsor: 11-31; 1 TD
TACKLES Hill: 24.5 Jackson: 16.0
SACKS Jackson: 2.0 Small: 1.5
INTERCEPTIONS Hill: 2 Three players tied: 1
KICKING Cirrincione: 14-19 PAT; 1-7 FG 17 Pts Nance: 21-25 PAT; 2-8 FG 27 Pts
TEAM OFFENSE 45.0 PPG (15); 268.3 YPG (9) 39.2 PPG (20); 238.0 YPG (16)
TEAM DEFENSE 63.2 PPG (20); 246.5 YPG (8) 62.3 PPG (19); 245.0 YPG (7)


WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS (4-2) AT RIO GRANDE VALLEY DORADOS (3-3)

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2005 - DODGE ARENA (5,500) 8:30 P.M. ET

In the first ever meeting between the two clubs, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers head south to Dodge Arena to face the Rio Grande Valley Dorados. After starting out 3-0 the Pioneers lost their next two games (50-58 to Louisville and 40-48 to Green Bay) before rebounding last week with a 63-55 road win over the Steamwheelers. Quarterback KYLE ROWLEY showed the accuracy and patience head coach LES MOSS expects from him, completing 25 of 33 passes for 323 yards and six touchdowns with zero interceptions. Rowley's performance supports Moss' decision to trade last season's starting quarterback TIM HICKS and go with the newcomer Rowley. Hicks led the Pioneers to within one game of the ArenaCup, meaning Rowley still has some big shoes to fill. The Dorados have a new quarterback this season as well. Head coach KEVIN GUY brought JOSH KELLETT with him when Guy became the Dorados head coach during the offseason. After throwing four interceptions in the Dorado's season opening loss to Louisville, Kellett has settled down, throwing only three picks over the last five games. Kellett's main target has been MARQUIS FLOYD. Floyd has eight receiving touchdowns on the season and has scored in every game this season. TRAVIS MCALPINE had his best receiving game of the season last week, catching ten passes for 105, but no touchdowns. It was the first game this season McAlpine failed to score a touchdown but he made up on defense though, picking off two passes. The Dorados' defense will want to focus on the 2004 Rookie of the Year, J.R. THOMAS. While ROCCO FORGIONE leads the team in receptions, Thomas leads the team in touchdown receptions with 15. The Dorados brought in af2 veteran NORMAN MASON this week to help slow down the Thomas and the rest of the Pioneers' receiving corps.

PIONEERS DORADOS SERIES LEADER First meeting
LAST MEETING NA
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-2
LAST GAME Won at Quad City 63-55 Won at Central Valley 61-51
2005 STATISTICS PIONEERS DORADOS PASSING Rowley: 193-131-6; 1614; 36 TDs Kellett: 212-114-7; 1384; 27 TDs
RECEIVING Forgione: 45-552; 12 TDs Floyd: 35-517; 8 TDs
RUSHING Austrum: 12-35; 1 TD Robinson: 23-96; 3 TD
TACKLES Hattley/Kaymore: 38.0 Brown: 27.5
SACKS Austrum: 2.0 Robinson: 2.0
INTERCEPTIONS Kaymore: 3 Floyd: 4
KICKING Davis: 35-42 PAT; 4-6 FG 47 Pts Houle: 21-29 PAT; 6-15 FG 39 Pts
TEAM OFFENSE 55.2 PPG (2); 278.0 YPG (4) 48.8 PPG (8); 254.0 YPG (12)
TEAM DEFENSE 45.5 PPG (8); 222.0 YPG (3) 54.0 PPG (17); 280.2 YPG (16)

BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLE WINGS (2-5) AT OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (2-4)

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2005 - FORD CENTER (17,884) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Ford Center will be rocking when the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz host the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings in a Midwest Division battle. If the af2 had a boxing type set up, the Battle Wings would be the current title holders. Last week the Battle Wings defeated the Florida Firecats 28-22. They became the first team to defeat the Firecats after they won the ArenaCup last season. The Firecats were the last undefeated team in the league and held the top spot on the af2 Coaches' Poll for seven straight weeks. Then they met the Battle Wings and now stand at number four on the poll. A big reason the Battle Wings won last week was the performance of FB/LB JOE WESLEY. The current U.S. Army Ironman of the Week, Wesley forced a fumble, recovered a fumble, broke up a pass and recorded 3.5 tackles. On offense Wesley rushed five times for 30 yards and a second quarter touchdown. He and the rest of the Battle Wings defense will need to step up against Oklahoma City just like they did against Florida as the Yard Dawgz have one of af2's most explosive offenses. The Yard Dawgz offense may be a step slower this weekend though as leading receivers JARRAIL JACKSON (37 catches for 487 yards and nine touchdowns) and BRANDON DANIELS (26 catches for 361 yards and eight touchdowns) both suffered pulled hamstrings in their last game and may not be 100% for the contest. For help, the Yard Dawgz brought in former AFL receiver CARLOS JOHNSON during the week. No matter who his receivers are, quarterback CRAIG STRICKLAND is always dangerous. These two clubs play once more this season, Week 12 at Bossier-Shreveport.

BATTLE WINGS YARD DAWGZ SERIES LEADER First meeting
LAST MEETING NA
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 2-3
LAST GAME Won vs. Florida 28-22 Lost at Memphis 38-43
2005 STATISTICS BATTLE WINGS YARD DAWGZ PASSING Hicks: 80-133-5; 862; 16 TDs Strickland: 229-125-6; 1585; 33 TDs
RECEIVING Smith: 38-564; 17 TDs Jackson: 37-487; 9 TDs
RUSHING Hicks: 16-72; 7 TDs Williamson: 3-26; 0 TDs
TACKLES Hill: 24.5 McCloud: 26.5
SACKS Jackson: 2.0 Duncan/Holloman: 1.5
INTERCEPTIONS Schexnader: 2 Barre/Joseph: 2
KICKING Hazelwood: 34-41 PAT; 6-15 FG 55 Pts Pohlman: 20-28 PAT; 3-5 FG 29 Pts
TEAM OFFENSE 45.0 PPG (16); 232.7 YPG (18) 46.8 PPG (10); 271.3 YPG (9)
TEAM DEFENSE 58.9 PPG (18); 315.9 YPG (20) 49.8 PPG (14); 282.0 YPG (18)



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