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Week four af2 game recaps

April 25, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


FRIDAY, APRIL 21

W-B/Scranton Pioneers 36, South Georgia Wildcats 33 (Attendance: 4,285)

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The W-B/Scranton Pioneers remained undefeated with a 36-33 win against the scrappy South Georgia Wildcats Friday night at the Wachovia Arena. Veteran Pioneers DS Matt Forbes played a critical part in the W-B/Scranton defensive effort for the second consecutive week. His recovery of a missed field goal in the end zone gave the Pioneers a 36-23 fourth quarter lead. They withstood a late South Georgia rally to hold on for the win. The Pioneers improved to 3-0, while the Wildcats fell to 0-3. The game was an intense affair that got heated at one point during the third quarter. Following a South Georgia score and missed extra point, flags were thrown and a scuffle began near the Pioneers bench. The scuffle quickly escalated until the officials and coaching staffs restored order. Six players in all, three from each team, were ejected as a result of the altercation. The Pioneers lost three of their lineman, Tyre Young, David Barnard and Rob McMackin, which left Keith Glover and James Davis to play every remaining snap of the game. The Wildcats had the ball in their possession with only 53 seconds left on their own 6-yard line. After South Georgia picked up a first down with 16 seconds to go, rookie QB Dondrial Pinkins spiked the ball to stop the clock, but a 10-second runoff due to a penalty left the Wildcats with just six seconds left. Pinkins' final heave hit the scoreboard and fell to the ground to end the game. W-B/Scranton rookie Mike Granieri was honored as the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game (196 yards passing, 2 TDs). Pioneers Jamie Hattley was awarded the ADT Defensive Player of the Game with six tackles, one tackle for loss and one interception. Doug Harding was named U.S. Army Ironman of the Game (2.5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble) for W-B/Scranton.

louisville FIRE 62, Birmingham Steeldogs 40 (Attendance: 5,127)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville Fire won their first game of the season in convincing fashion, defeating the Birmingham Steeldogs, 62-40, Friday night at Freedom Hall. The game was a big boost for the defending American Conference Champion Fire, who had stumbled a bit to start the season. Three team records were set by Louisville, two of which came as a direct result of rookie QB Brett Dietz. Dietz, who had struggled a bit in a Week 3 loss to Manchester, scorched the Steeldogs by completing 23-of-27 passes for 281 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions. His completion percentage of 85.2 set a new Fire single-game high. Dietz also broke the team record for the highest pass efficiency rating with a 158.3 performance. The Schutt Offensive Player of the Game award winner also scored a rushing touchdown. Louisville OS Rob Mager was Dietz's main target, catching a game-high 15 passes for a team-record 208 yards. Four of his receptions went for touchdowns. The Fire offense was red hot throughout the game, scoring touchdowns on nine out of 10 possessions. Their defense also played a big part in the win. Louisville's defense stepped up with four stops (two stops, one missed fg, one fumble) and four sacks. Steeldogs QB Ryan Hawk performed well despite the outcome, throwing for a game-high 355 yards and five touchdowns. OS Kerry Wright continued his strong early season as well, catching six passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns. Birmingham FB/LB Terrell Browden earned US Army Ironman of the Game honors with a solid overall showing that included 4.5 tackles, ione tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and one rushing touchdown.

Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz 44, GREEN BAY BLIZZARD 32 (Attendance: 6,576)

GREEN BAY, Wisc. - The Yard Dawgz (3-0) made the 16-hour bus ride to Green Bay and picked up their second road win of the season, 44-32, against a strong Green Bay squad. The Yard Dawgz struggled in the first quarter, falling behind 12-0. Midway through the second, however, things began to turn around for Oklahoma City, starting when QB Craig Strickland connected with WR/DB Jarrail Jackson on a 10-yard strike to put the Yard Dawgz on the board. Trailing 18-13 at the half, the Yard Dawgz looked like a new team coming out of the half and outscored Green Bay 21-6 in the third quarter. Oklahoma City's three scores came on two touchdowns from Jackson and one from Al Hunt. Jackson finished the night with five receptions for 59 yards and three touchdowns. Hunt has a solid all-around showing which included four receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown on offense, and three tackles and three pass breakups on defense. Anthony Dingle led all receivers with 10 catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Strickland was 19-of-33 for 248 yards and six touchdowns and was named Schutt Offensive Player of the Game for the second week in a row. OS Randall Lane, who caught nine passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns, led Green Bay offensively in the loss. Dontrell Jackson (team-high 5.5 tackles) and Whitney Bell (1.0 sack) stood out on defense for the Blizzard (2-2).

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

MANCHESTER WOLVES 59, Albany Conquest 45 (Attendance: 6,264)

MANCHESTER, N.H. - QB Kyle Rowley completed 19-of-23 passes for 150 yards and six touchdowns en route to a 59-45 Manchester Wolves win over Albany Saturday night on Brady Sullivan Field at Verizon Wireless Arena. Wolves OS Steve Gonzalez was Rowley's main target, as he hauled in 11 passes for 96 yards and five touchdowns. Gonzalez also collected 127 yards on five kick returns, including his first kickoff return for a touchdown this season, a 56-yard second quarter jaunt that put the Wolves up 18-14, a lead they would not relinquish. The Wolves defense proved its merit once again, holding the Conquest scoreless on five different drives. DS William Haith made 12 tackles, one shy of his franchise record. Manchester's defense also recorded its first three sacks of the season. The Wolves swept the post-game awards, led by Gonzalez, who earned Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors. Haith was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game, and Mark Kimener was tabbed the U.S. Army Ironman for his three-tackle, one-sack performance on defense to go along with a pair of rushing touchdowns on offense. Conquest QB Ryan Vena completed 28-of-47 for 298 yards and five touchdowns and two interceptions. WR/LB Manwell Talbert led the Albany receiving corps with 11 receptions for 107 yards and four touchdowns. Manchester improves to 2-1 on the season while Albany slipped to 2-2.

FLORIDA FIRECATS 60, Memphis Xplorers 55 (Attendance: 5,488)

ESTERO, Fla. - The Florida Firecats, down at one point 26-0, scored an impressive, 60-55, come-from-behind win against the defending ArenaCup champion Memphis Xplorers. Florida's victory, which knocked the Xplorers from the ranks of the unbeaten, came in front of 5,488 fans at Germain Arena. Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors went to OS Magic Benton, who caught five touchdowns to lead the Firecats (2-1) to the key win over their South Division adversaries. Memphis (3-1) jumped out to an early 20-0 1st quarter lead and stretched it to 26-0 after OL/DL Chris Eggleston's 34-yard interception return for a score. Florida finally got on the board when Wallace threw his first of seven touchdown tosses to Magic Benton with 7:05 to go in the 2nd quarter. Florida cut the deficit to 33-21 at the half and followed it up with a score to open up the 2nd half. Memphis came back with a quick score by WR/DB Terrance Quattlebaum to increase their lead to 39-27. The Firecats then added a pair of scores to take their first lead of the night, 41-39. The teams traded touchdowns down the stretch until Florida WR/LB Ethenic Sands came up with an interception of a Brian Jones pass in the endzone with 1:59 remaining in the game. Brent Burnside scored the game-winner for the Firecats on a 23-yard reception with just 18 seconds to play. Eggleston earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors with 2.0 tackles, one sack, and an interception return for a touchdown. Quattlebaum (9 catches, 97 yards, 4 TDs, 40-yard mfg return TD, 5.5 tackles) was named U.S. Army Ironman of the Game.

Spokane Shock 66, AMARILLO DUSTERS 62 (Attendance: 3,825)

AMARILLO, Texas - Spokane turned two Amarillo Dusters turnovers into 14 points and that proved to be the difference as the expansion Shock grabbed a 66-62 road win Saturday night in Texas. The first costly turnover of the game happened with just over six minutes remaining in the second quarter. Dusters' quarterback Steve Panella was hit while attempting to pass at his 15-yard line and fumbled. Spokane defensive lineman Jerome Stevens picked up the ball and ran seven yards for a touchdown that brought the Shock within one, 21-20. Then on the kickoff to begin the third quarter, Dusters' WR/KR Donta Bright fumbled at his own 18 and Spokane recovered. Four plays later Shock QB Alex Neist tossed a 11-yard TD pass to Antwone Savage to put the Shock on top, 40-35. Spokane's defense stopped the Dusters on the ensuing possession and Neist again hit Savage for a 17-yard TD that made it, 47-35. The teams traded touchdowns the rest of the way. Spokane, which won its fourth consecutive game by less than a touchdown, was led offensively by Neist and receivers Antwone Savage and Chris Stallworth. Neist completed 24-of-42 passes for 304 yards and eight touchdowns (tied an af2 season-high) and no interceptions. He earned Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors for his effort. Stallworth caught 10 passes for 134 yards and a pair of TDs while Savage had nine receptions for 98 yards and five TDs. For Amarilllo, Panella completed 16-of-27 passes for 194 yards and five touchdowns and no interceptions. He was under constant pressure, however, and was sacked four times. Spokane's Jerome Stevens won the ADT Defensive Player of the Game Award with 2.0 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one 17-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Dusters FB/LB Michael Broussard was named U.S. Army Ironman of the Game for his strong two-way play, which included four tackles on defense and two rushing touchdowns on offense. Amarillo (0-3) did enjoy an early 14-0 lead and held a 35-33 advantage at halftime.

TULSA TALONS 72, Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings 3 (Attendance: 5,886)

TULSA, Okla. - Tulsa just missed pitching the second shutout in af2 history and settled for an impressive, 72-3, victory over an injury-riddled Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings team in the Talons' 2006 home opener at the Convention Center. Tulsa's win was the most lopsided in franchise history. The Talons' largest previous winning margin was 48 points in a 76-28 win over Laredo on July 31, 2004. Brian Hazelwood kicked a 24-yard field goal with 8:39 left to provide the Battle Wings 3-point total, which tied for the second lowest total in an af2 game. Tulsa tied a franchise record by intercepting five passes -- two by Paul Cannings and one each by Darrell Wimberly, Don McGee and James Sadler, who returned his 22 yards for a score. Sadler also had 9.5 ackles and was the game's ADT Defensive Player of the Game. Wimberly scored a rushing touchdown, caught four passes and made four tackles to receive the Ironman Award as the best two-way player. The Talons sacked Bossier-Shreveport QB J.J. Raterink eight times, tying the fifth-highest game total in league history. Chaz Murphy had a team-high 2.5 sacks. Talons QB Mark Radlinski was almost flawless in his third start at quarterback, completing 14-of-18 passes for 233 yards and five TDs. He also ran 21 yards for a first-quarter score. WR/DB Stephen Battle had four catches for 114 yards and three touchdowns to earn Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors. Tulsa totaled 379 yards of offense, the second-highest total in franchise history. The Talons improved to 2-1 with the win while the Battle Wings slipped to 0-3. WR/DB Terrell Sutton had a game-high 10 catches for Bossier-Shreveport. He also recorded 4.0 tackles and two pass breakups on defense.

Stockton Lightning 60, QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS 46 (Attendance: 4,625)

MOLINE, Ill. - The expansion Stockton Lightning scored their first win in team history Saturday night, 60-46, against the Quad City Steamwheelers, one of the founding members of the af2. The Steamwheelers fell to 0-3 for the first time in franchise history. The game, played at Quad City, was marred by penalties (22 total for a combined 164 yards) and the ejection of Lightning head coach Richard Davis early in the third quarter. The ejection occurred after an on-field argument following a Stockton attempt at an on-side kick. Stockton's defense keyed the Lightning win by forcing three Quad City turnovers (2 fumbles, 1 INT) and one missed field goal. One fumble stopped a Quad City drive deep in Stockton territory near the end of the first half. That preserved the Lightning's lead at the half, 20-13. Stockton scored on its first drive to start the third quarter to increase the lead to 26-13. The Lightning offense was sparkling in the second half, scoring six times to maintain their lead. Stockton QB Josh Blankenship completed 21-of-40 passes for 216 yards and seven touchdowns to earn Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors. WR/DB George Williams led the Lightning receivers with 119 yards on nine catches. WR/DB Phil Goodman (3 catches, 31 yards, 2 TDs, 1.5 tackles, 1 fumble recovery) earned U.S. Army Ironman of the Game honors. Jerome Dennis led Stockton defensively with 10.5 tackles and an interception. Quad City QB Tim Hicks threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns. Sidney Lewis led the Steamwheelers on defense with eight tackles and one fumble recovery.

Macon Knights 58, TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS 55 (Attendance: 3,849)

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The Macon Knights won their first game of 2006 in a close battle on the road at Tennessee Valley, spoiling a stellar night by Viper WR/DB Terrence Jefferson. The Knights outscored the Vipers 58-55 despite Jefferson's five touchdowns. Macon improved to 1-2 while Tennessee Valley fell to 1-3. Jefferson (U.S. Army Ironman of the Game) scored on two 57-yard kickoff returns, two pass receptions (6 and 18 yards) and a 1-yard run. Macon offset Jefferson's heroics with the tandem of FB/LB Derrick Lloyd (10 carries, 44 yards, 4 TDs) and WR/DB James Hickenbotham (12 catches, 177 yards, 3 TDs). Hickenbotham earned Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors. Tennessee Valley led at one point in the first half, 28-10, and held an 11-point halftime edge (35-24). The Knights, however, outscored the home team 20-7 in the third period to enter the fourth quarter with their first lead, 44-42. The final period of play was back-and-forth all the way up until Hickenbotham's 18-yard game-winning touchdown catch with just 15 seconds left in the game. Jamaal Garman intercepted Tennessee Valley QB Roger Linn in the final seconds to preserve the win. Garman earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors. Newly-unretired Viper Andy Fuller, playing in his first game since 2004, returned an interception for a touchdown for Tennessee Valley. WR/DB Torrey Day also had a solid overall showing for Tennessee Valley, registering nine tackles and one touchdown catch.

RIO GRANDE VALLEY DORADOS 57, Arkansas Twisters 55 (Attendance: 5,010)

HIDALGO, Texas - The Rio Grande Valley Dorados defeated the Arkansas Twisters, 57-55, Saturday night at Dodge Arena. Rio Grande Valley's Curtis Jeter blocked a 50-yard field goal attempt by David Carlton with two seconds remaining in regulation to clinch the victory. The Dorados win was their third straight after opening the season with a loss at Central Valley. Both teams are now 3-1 on the season. Rio Grande Valley WR/DB and Schutt Offensive Player of the Game Dwight Counter caught the winning touchdown with 57 seconds remaining. He finished with 12 catches for 148 yards and three scores. Walter Church brought Arkansas back with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Schoonover with 27 seconds left in the game. The Twisters then stopped the Dorados on four downs to take the ball back with just 5 seconds to play. An 8-yard pass completion to Lennie Johnson set up Carlton's potential game-tying kick. Rio Grande Valley FB/LB Pierre Thomas rushed for a touchdown and made two tackles in his U.S. Army Ironman of the Game effort. The ADT Defensive Player of the Game was Brent Withers, who had two interceptions and four tackles. Rio Grande Valley signal caller Josh Kellett threw for 345 yards and six touchdowns. WR/DB Mel Long was also a big factor for the Dorados with seven receptions for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Church paced the Arkansas offense with 288 yards passing and eight touchdowns with two interceptions. Schoonover led the Twisters receiving corps with six catches for 100 yards and four touchdowns.

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