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Week four Friday night matchups

Published on April 21, 2005 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


LOUISVILLE FIRE (2-0) AT WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS (3-0)

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2005 - WACHOVIA ARENA AT CASEY PLAZA (7,950) 7:30 P.M. ET

In a matchup of two of af2's early season powerhouses, the Louisville Fire take on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers Friday night at Wachovia Arena. Both teams have yet to lose this season. In fact, the Pioneers have won their last seven straight regular season games. Behind the arm of QB KYLE ROWLY, who has already tossed 20 touchdowns this season, the Pioneers offense is averaging about eight points more per game than they did last season. Two of the Pioneers three wins have come against teams that were in the playoffs last season. Louisville gunslinger MATT SAUK is about as steady as they come in af2, as he has only thrown one pick against nine touchdowns. At 255 touchdowns for his career, Sauk is looking to reach 300 before season's end. These teams met twice last season, with the last meeting coming down to the final seconds as Sauk threw a 25-yard strike at the buzzer to give Louisville a one-point win with the extra point. Louisville has to feel pretty good about their chances if the came comes down to a kick, as DANNY KIGHT was the hero last week with a buzzer-beating field goal. The Pioneers have not had to rely on last-second heroics this season, as their three games have been decided by an average margin of 22 points. This is the only meeting between these two clubs this season, meaning this game could have big implications down the road as these two teams push for an August appearance in Bossier-Shreveport.

RIO GRANDE VALLEY DORADOS (0-2) AT BAKERSFIELD BLITZ (1-1)

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2005 - RABOBANK ARENA (9,000) 10:00 P.M. ET

It'll be the first-ever meeting for new division foes Rio Grande Valley and Bakersfield when the Blitz host the Dorados Friday night at Rabobank Arena. The Blitz come into this one on a high after their offense came to life last week against the San Diego Riptide. QB CHAD ELLIOTT threw for five touchdowns and rushed for another in the win. He completed touchdowns to four different receivers in the game, including two to ERIC MAHANKE. The Rio Grande Valley offense hasn't found its spark yet, but the talent they possess guarantees a breakout game isn't far away. Plus head coach KEVIN GUY is coming off a season in which his offense ranked ninth best in the league, so don't expect the Dorados to be held down very long. Guy has also had success against the Blitz, beating them last season by a 60-35 count. With the West Division race looking to be tight all season, both teams understand the importance of the early-season tilt. This is one of only two meetings between these teams with the final matchup occurring the last week of the regular season at Hidalgo, TX.

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