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Week Four: Quick Hitters

Published on April 16, 2009 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


GAMES ON - af2TV FREE ONLINE NETWORK BACK 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 4) with an 11-game slate that will be available to fans at no charge.

SHOCK TOP WEEK 4 COACHES POLL: The Spokane Shock have maintained their hold on the No. 1 ranking in the Week 4 Coaches Poll, the arenafootball2 (af2) league office announced on Wednesday. Spokane collected 382 of a possible 384 points and 23-of-25 first place votes in securing the top spot for the fifth consecutive week. The Shock improved to 2-0 with a 62-32 home win on Saturday against West Division and in-state rival Tri-Cities. Arkansas (3-0, 337 points, 1 first place) moved up one spot this week to No. 2 after a 77-64 home victory against Rio Grande Valley. Oklahoma City (3-0, 330 points) and Iowa (3-0, 314 points) also moved up one position apiece to No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, after notching impressive Week 3 wins. Boise is a new entry into the Top-5 this week. The Burn (2-0, 254 points, 1 first place vote) improved five spots from No. 10 to No. 5 after earning a respectable road win at Bossier-Shreveport, 54-45. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was the lone team to drop out of the Top-5 this week. The Pioneers (2-1) slipped from No. 2 to No. 7 after a 63-56 road loss at Kentucky.

WALLACE PASSES STRICKLAND IN YARDS: Florida Firecats veteran QB CHRIS WALLACE became the league's all-time passing yards leader on Friday in a 32-27 road win at Albany. Wallace, who needed just 129 yards heading into the game against the Firebirds, threw for 212 to take over the top spot which was held by former league standout and current Tulsa Talons offensive coordinator CRAIG STRICKLAND. Wallace's career total now stands at 22,772 yards. Strickland's career yardage total is 22,688 yards. Wallace also holds af2 career records for passing attempts (3,102), completions (1,852) and touchdowns (495). 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.

FIVE af2 UNBEATENS REMAIN: Through the first three full weeks of the 2009 season, only five of the league's 25 teams have yet to lose a game in the league's 10th anniversary campaign - Arkansas, Boise, Iowa, Oklahoma City and Spokane. The Twisters, Barnstormers and Yard Dawgz are 3-0 overall while the Burn and Shock are currently 2-0. Four of the five undefeated clubs are either off to their best starts ever (Boise, Iowa) or have tied their best start ever (Arkansas, Oklahoma City). Only Spokane can boast about beginning a season with such regular success. The Shock have started three of their first four seasons with at least a 2-0 record.

CHAVEZ, MCCOWN, WALKER, CODUTTI, LORENZEN EARN WEEK 3 HONORS: Tennessee Valley wide receiver/linebacker BRADLY CHAVEZ, Iowa wide receiver ERRICK MCCOWN and South Georgia defensive back TAKASHI WALKER have been named the JLS Ironman, Russell Athletic Offensive Player and Aaron's Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for Week 3 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 3 goes to Quad City offensive lineman NICK CODUTTI and the NiFTy Hit of the Week is awarded to Kentucky QB JARED LORENZEN.

Chavez (6-2, 205, Alabama-Birmingham), in his fourth af2 season, had a strong all-around effort for Tennessee Valley in the team's Week 3 road game against South Division rival South Georgia. Despite the result (55-33 loss), the veteran playmaker was a factor on both sides of the ball against the Wildcats. On offense, the UAB alum caught 11 passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns, all game-highs. He also contributed on defense with three tackles. This is the third Ironman of the Week Award of Chavez's career. He currently leads the Vipers in receiving (27-279-7 TDs) and is tied for the team lead in scoring with 42 points. Chavez won the af2's JLS Ironman of the Year Award in 2008 as a member of the Manchester Wolves. McCown (5-11, 180, Oklahoma State), in his third af2 season, led Iowa to a 53-38 Week 3 road win against Midwest Division rival Peoria. The Oklahoma State alum had his best game as a Barnstormer, amassing six total touchdowns and 217 all-purpose yards. McCown had a team-record four rushing touchdowns on just five carries for 34 yards. He also caught 10 passes for a game-high 140 yards and two touchdowns as the Barnstormers have raced out to a 3-0 start, their best beginning to a season in team history. This is the first af2 weekly award of McCown's career. He currently leads Iowa in scoring (54 points - 9 TDs), rushing (6-40-4 TDs) and receiving (21-250-5 TDs). Walker (6-0, 185, Eastern Kentucky) was a major player on defense in South Georgia's, 55-33, Week 3 home win against South Division rival Tennessee Valley. The third-year defensive back and veteran international player from Jamaica recorded 5.5 total tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery to help the Wildcats hold the defending ArenaCup Champion Vipers to their lowest point total of the season. Walker, who played collegiately at Eastern Kentucky, intercepted Tennessee Valley QB Kevin Eakin on his first pass attempt of the game and returned it 25 yards for the first score of the game. This is the first af2 weekly award of Walker's career. He is also only the third international player to win an af2 weekly award since the league's international program was developed in 2002, joining Takuya Furutani (Louisville; Ironman, WK6 of 2004) and Khreem Smith (Memphis; Defensive, WKS 1 & 16 of 2005). South Georgia is currently 3-1 overall and a perfect 3-0 in the South Division. Codutti (6-2, 315, William Jewell) is the Week 3 recipient of The Big Game Catch of the Week Award. Codutti's catch was a leaping, 8-yard touchdown grab on the Steamwheelers' final drive of the first half. The William Jewell alum, lined up at fullback instead of at his customary spot on the offensive line, was wide open near the goal line but had to use every ounce of athletic ability to get his 315-pound frame off the turf to snare QB J.J. Raterink's errant pass with one hand. After falling flat on his back at the 1-yard line, Codutti barrel rolled into the end zone untouched. Codutti's catch, his only one of the evening, capped a strong first half for Quad City as the team headed into the locker room with a 21-point advantage over Midwest Division rival Milwaukee, 41-20. The Steamwheelers scored four more times in the second half en route to a 69-48 home victory over the Iron. Lorenzen (6-2, 285, Kentucky), in his rookie af2 season, is the second 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. Lorenzen's hit came on a 3-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter of Friday night's home opener against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Lorenzen dropped back to pass but saw some open field along the right corner and decided to tuck the ball and run for the end zone. Bolstered by his burly 285-pound frame, the former University of Kentucky standout had no problem putting his head down to engage Pioneers' defender Justin Parrish as he approached Lorenzen near the goal line. Lorenzen delivered a near knockout blow to Parrish that sent the 255-pound defensive end's helmet flying as he fell hopelessly to the turf. Lorenzen ran over the prone defender and into the end zone for the score. Lorenzen accounted for seven total TDs (4 rushing, 3 passing) and was the catalyst behind Kentucky's, 63-56, upset win against the No. 2-ranked Pioneers.

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

22772...Chris Wallace, CAR 2000, NOR 2002-03, CPF 2004, FLA 2004-present

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

20417...Ryan Vena, Albany 2002-03, 2006, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 2007-present

Most touchdown passes, career

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

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

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

VENA REACHES 80 RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS: Over his career, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton QB RYAN VENA has hurt many opponents with his arm (20,417 yards passing, 410 touchdowns), but he has also proven to be an adept runner as well. With his 1-yard touchdown run in Saturday's road loss to Kentucky, Vena became just the second player in af2 history to record 80 career rushing touchdowns. He is now just seven 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 23 rushing yards so far in 2009, has 954 for his career. Vena has 19 this year and 910 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

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

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

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

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 2) 14 international players saw action around the league. Two players who stood out from the af2's international talent pool were Oklahoma City LB TITO JOSE (Nigeria) and Amarillo K KEITA IIZUKA (Japan). Jose recorded 4.5 tackles in Oklahoma City's 76-38 home win on Saturday against Central Valley. Iizuka converted 5-of-6 extra points and also recorded 1.5 tackles in Amarillo's 63-47 road loss to Corpus Christi.

SIEGFRIED TURNS 70: With Arkansas' 45-24 Week 2 win at Amarillo, Twisters Head Coach CHRIS SIEGFRIED earned his 70th career coaching victory. The veteran coach, now in his seventh season, currently ranks 2nd overall in career wins with 71. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Head Coach RICH INGOLD is the league's current all-time leader in career coaching wins with 77 (77-31 overall; .713). 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* 77

2. Chris Siegfried* 71

3. Ben Bennett* 64

4. Danton Barto* 61

5. Tommy Johnson 55

6. Kevin Guy 52

7. Bobby Humphrey 51

8. Kevin Bouis* 51

9. Richard Davis* 46

10. Fred Biletnikoff, Jr.* 45

Kevin Porter 45

* 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 1,132 points. Williams entered the year ranked second to Florida WR MAGIC BENTON. Benton has since slipped to No. 3 overall after being passed this past week by Oklahoma City WR AL HUNT. Hunt scored four touchdowns in a Week 3 home win against Central Valley to up his career total to 1,120 points. Benton, who was held scoreless in the Firecats' Week 3 road win at Albany, currently has 1,118 career points. Also of note is that Quad City WR JACK WALKER, JR. became the seventh player in league history to reach the 900-career point plateau this past week. Walker had two touchdowns in the Steamwheelers' 69-48 home win against Milwaukee. Below is a breakdown of the leading scorers in af2 history:

MOST POINTS SCORED, NON-KICKING, CAREER

PTS PLAYER YEARS PLAYED

1,132 George Williams* 2001, 2003-present

1,120 Al Hunt* 2003-present

1,118 Magic Benton* 2001-present

958 Kevin Williams 2001-2008

932 Jarrail Jackson 2000-01, 2005-2008

906 J.R. Thomas 2004-2008

900 Jack Walker, Jr.* 2002-03, 2005-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 187 total touchdowns. Oklahoma City WR AL HUNT moved past Benton last week to take over second place. Hunt had four scores against Central Valley to up his career total to 184 touchdowns, one ahead of Benton's 183. 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

187 George Williams*

184 Al Hunt*

183 Magic Benton*

157 Kevin Williams

154 Jarrail Jackson

149 J.R. Thomas

146 Jack Walker, Jr.*

132 Kris Peters*

* Active in 2009

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