Week Four: Saturday Night Matchups

Published on April 17, 2009 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release

ALBANY FIREBIRDS (0-3) AT MANCHESTER WOLVES (1-1)

SAURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009 - Verizon Wireless Arena (9,650) 7:30 P.M. ET

A Saturday night jam-packed with af2 action starts with the Albany Firebirds visiting the Manchester Wolves. The Wolves currently lead this old school East Division series, 14-8. In Albany's most recent outing, the Firebirds lost a close game at home to the Florida Firecats, 32-27. The Firebirds' defense made several key plays to help keep the game close, including two huge plays in the first quarter. LB ALVIN RAY JACKSON picked off a Florida pass in the end zone to keep the game scoreless, and ANTON LINDSAY recovered a fumble by Florida WR MAGIC BENTON a few short plays later. Albany was the first team to score, and brought the lead to 14-0 in the second quarter after QB ADAM BEDNARIK connected with Jackson. But Florida began its comeback and after a few deep passes, managed to cut the lead to five points at the half, 17-12. Florida was quick to capture control in the third, taking an 18-17 advantage on WR CHRIS MCKINNEY's third TD grab of the evening. The Firecats expanded the lead to 25-17 heading into the final quarter. Albany scored a field goal to put them within five, but Florida wasn't ready to let Albany get too close. The Firecats scored again, this time on a CHRIS WALLACE 2-yard run to up the lead to 12, 32-20. A rushing touchdown by Bednarik brought the Firebirds within five again in the final seconds, but Florida recovered and onside kick and wound the clock down before Albany was able to get the ball back. Bednarik leads the club in rushing and passing, but his offensive line hasn't protected him well. The Firebirds lead the league in most sacks allowed with 13. Bednarik has been put on his back 12 of the 13 times. The club also ranks near the bottom of the af2 rankings in scoring (24th - 29.7 ppg) and turnovers (23rd - 10). After a disappointing season-opening loss at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Manchester responded after a bye with a 53-28 road triumph at Green Bay. The Wolves defense played well in the contest, forcing four turnovers (3 INTs, 1 fumble) and six total stops. QB JAMES PINKNEY also rebounded from a subpar first game. Pinkney completed 25-of-32 passes against the Blizzard for 306 yards with three passing touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also had two rushing scores. WR STEVEN SAVOY was Pinkney's favorite target, collecting 10 catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns. DB ROB GREEN had two interceptions to pace the defense. This is the first home game of the 2009 season for the No. 11-ranked Wolves. If Pinkney plays well and the Manchester defense can get to Bednarik, the Wolves should be in good shape against the Firebirds.

FIREBIRDS WOLVES SERIES LEADER Manchester leads 14-8

LAST MEETING Manchester won, 70-49 on 7/18/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 0-5 3-2

LAST GAME Lost vs. Florida, 27-32 on 4/10/09 Won vs. Green Bay, 53-28 on 4/10/09

LEADERS FIREBIRDS WOLVES PASSING Bednarik: 60-121-5; 618; 7 TDs Pinkney: 46-69-3; 539; 6 TDs

RECEIVING Rodriguez: 28-215; 2 TDs Sammons: 17-191; 2 TDs

RUSHING Bednarik: 22-38; 4 TDs Pinkney: 8-25; 3 TDs

TACKLES Williams: 17 Phillips: 14.5

SACKS Paramoure: 2 n/a

INTERCEPTIONS Horne: 1 Green: 2

KICKING Limstead: 7-7 PAT; 2-5 FG; 13 PTs Koepplin: 10-10 PAT; 1-2 FG; 13 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 29.7 PPG; 231.3 YPG 40.5 PPG; 275.5 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 48.7 PPG; 232.7 YPG 43.5 PPG; 261.5 YPG

MAHONING VALLEY THUNDER (1-2) AT WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS (2-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009 - Wachovia Arena (7,950) 7:30 P.M. ET

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton hosts Mahoning Valley in an East Division affair at Wachovia Arena, a place where the Pioneers have won 19 straight regular season contests. The Pioneers are a perfect 5-0 so far against the Thunder in the all-time series. After a win to open the 2009 season, Mahoning Valley has lost its last two games. Last time out a week ago, the Thunder endured a 79-35 road loss to Tulsa. The Talons tied the most points allowed by Mahoning Valley in its three-year history and gave the Thunder its 13th consecutive road loss. Mahoning Valley an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter, but several key mistakes quickly diminished the advantage. QB DAVON VINSON had a hard time finding open receivers, and in the first quarter threw two quick interceptions. With a 27-14 halftime advantage, Tulsa's lead peaked at 67-21 in the fourth quarter. Due to an ineffective Vinson (15-of-30, 181 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs), the Thunder brought rookie backup QB BLAKE POWERS into the game. Powers completed 9-of-13 passes for 71 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, a performance good enough to prompt Head Coach MIKE HOLD to grant Powers his first start this week. WR Quorey Payne (8-123-2 TDs) was one of the lone bright spots for Mahoning Valley. DB CLARENCE CURRY had 8.0 total tackles and one pass breakup on defense. Curry leads the club with 19.5 total stops on the season while DB JAMAR LANDROM has a team-best two interceptions. LB MICHAEL ALSTON is another player to watch on defense (team-high 4.0 TFLs). Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is looking to rebound from its first loss of the season suffered last week at Kentucky, 63-56. The defeat caused the Pioneers to slip from No. 2 to No. 7 in the league coaches poll. Despite playing solid football in their first two games of the season, the Pioneers had an uncharacteristic effort against the Horsemen. The usually-potent offense had four turnovers and allowed QB RYAN VENA to be sacked six times. Vena still managed to complete 21-of-32 passes for 327 yards with seven touchdowns, while rookie WR Irving Campbell had 10 catches for 137 yards with four touchdown grabs. DB MICHAEUX ROBINSON had two interceptions and seven tackles on defense. DE JUSTIN PARRISH had 6.5 tackles and one sack. Powers will need to be in top form in order for the Thunder to stay with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on the Pioneers home turf. That may prove to be a near impossible mission for the first-year signal caller.

THUNDER PIONEERS SERIES LEADER Wilkes-Barre/Scranton leads 5-0

LAST MEETING Wilkes-Barre/Scranton won 62-33 on 7/19/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 3-2

LAST GAME Lost vs. Tulsa, 35-79 on 4/11/09 Lost vs. Kentucky, 63-56 on 4/11/09

LEADERS THUNDER PIONEERS PASSING Vinson: 45-73-4; 473; 9 TDs Vena: 57-91-2; 744; 18 TDs

RECEIVING Payne: 13-160; 3 TDs Campbell: 22-237; 5 TDs

RUSHING Vinson: 18-46; 4 TDs Griffin: 8-46; 3 TDs

TACKLES Curry: 15.5 Robinson: 25

SACKS Alston: 1.5 Morgan: 5

INTERCEPTIONS Landrom: 1 Robinson: 3

KICKING Schorejs: 10-13 PAT; 1-2 FG; 13 PTs Davis: 26-26 PAT; 1-1 FG; 29 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 32.3 PPG; 189.7 YPG 61.7 PPG; 266 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 40 PPG; 209 YPG 39.7 PPG; 257 YPG

KENTUCKY HORSEMEN (1-1) AT FLORIDA FIRECATS (1-2)

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009 - Germain Arena (7,128) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Horsemen make their first trip to Florida this week to take on the Firecats, their new South Division foe. This will be the first meeting between these two teams. Kentucky, currently ranked No. 9 in the latest league coaches poll, is coming off a 63-56 upset win at home against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Kentucky capitalized on four turnovers by the Pioneers and sacked All-af2 QB RYAN VENA six times. The Horsemen scored on all but three drives of the game, poking holes in the Pioneers' normally formidable defense. QB JARED LORENZEN threw three touchdown passes and ran for four scores (team record). WR LONNELL DEWALT led the Horsemen for the second straight game in receiving, catching nine passes for 89 yards with one touchdown. LB JAMUS MARTIN led the defense with eight total tackles, including 3.5 sacks. MATT FORBES, a veteran defensive back yet first-year player for Kentucky, also contributed to the cause with 5.5 tackles and one forced fumble. Forbes, the af2's all-time leader in interceptions, also leads the Horsemen in that category with two. After starting off their season with back-to-back losses versus South Georgia, the Florida Firecats finally managed to tally their first win of the season in their last outing. In a low-scoring contest, Florida defeated the Albany Firebirds, 32-27, in New York. Veteran QB CHRIS WALLACE became the league's career leader in passing yards (22,772) in the win. Wallace finished with 212 yards passing and four touchdowns. Albany started the game by pulling ahead 14-0 thanks to two Firecats turnovers. Florida, however, wasn't ready to go down without a fight as the team scored on its following five drives and held Albany to 13 points over the final 37 minutes. WR CHRIS MCKINNEY proved to be the biggest offensive threat to the Firebirds, as he had five catches for 76 yards and four touchdowns. McKinney leads the team in rushing and receiving through three games. DB BRYANT TISDALE has been a notable defender for the Firecats so far with 10.5 tackles and team-high marks in interceptions (1) and pass breakups (4). This is Florida's second home game of the season. The team opened up the year with a one-point home loss to South Georgia (53-54). If Wallace plays well, expect this game to be close throughout.

HORSEMEN FIRECATS SERIES LEADER First time these teams are meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting.

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 2-3

LAST GAME Won vs. W-B/Scran., 63-56 on 4/11/09 Won at Albany, 32-27 on 4/10/09

LEADERS HORSEMEN FIRECATS PASSING Lorenzen: 39-62-3; 374; 8 TDs Wallace: 55-90-2; 685; 11 TDs

RECEIVING Dewalt: 17-165; 3 TDs McKinney: 22-261; 7 TDs

RUSHING Lorenzen: 14-57; 5 TDs McKinney: 8-47; 1 TD

TACKLES Martin: 11 Hodges: 13

SACKS Martin: 3.5 Walker: 1

INTERCEPTIONS Forbes: 2 Tisdale: 1

KICKING Daniels: 10-14 PAT; 1-3 FG; 13 PTs Rivas: 7-13 PAT; 0-2 FG; 7 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 55.5 PPG; 268 YPG 42 PPG; 255 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 53.5 PPG; 271 YPG 45.7 PPG; 245.7 YPG

GREEN BAY BLIZZARD (1-1) AT QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (2-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009 - i wireless Center (9,315) 8:00 P.M. ET

The Blizzard travel to the Quad Cities this week to face the Steamwheelers in a tough Midwest Division tilt. These two foes have met 13 times overall. Quad City currently holds a slim advantage in the all-time series, 7-6. Green Bay is coming off a disappointing home loss to the Manchester Wolves last week, 53-28. Manchester held a lead nearly the entire game, with Green Bay only once jumping ahead, 20-18, just before halftime on a ROBERT GARTH 42-yard fumble return TD. Blizzard QB GINO GUIDUGLI had a rough evening overall, completing just 17-of-36 passes for 166 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. The outcome was a bit of surprise considering Green Bay outplayed the defending ArenaCup Champion Tennessee Valley Vipers in a 53-40 Week 1 home win. Guidugli had a solid outing in the victory with 19 completions in 33 attempts and four TD passes against just one interception. Rookie WR NATE FORSE leads the team with 19 catches for 221 yards and four TDs. DB RAYSHAUN KISER is the team's top tackler with 19.5 total stops. He also has a team-best three pass breakups. The Blizzard are currently ranked No. 10 overall in the latest league coaches poll. The Quad City Steamwheelers had a more successful outing in their most recent game, defeating the Milwaukee Iron, 69-48. After an even first quarter (14-13 QCS), the Iron took a short-lived lead early in the second quarter on WR Coco Blalock's 14-yard scoring catch from QB TYLER DONOVAN. The Steamwheelers, however, dominated the rest of the period by scoring on their next four possessions before the half. Milwaukee's offense, on the other hand, stalled under a stifling Quad City defense. The Iron were stopped on all three of their remaining first half drives (two on downs, one via a Donovan interception). In Donovan's defense, he was on the run from the Steamwheelers strong pass rush for most of the first half. He was sacked five times overall and hurried on a number of other occasions. The rookie signal caller from Wisconsin finished with 14 completions in 24 attempts for just 136 yards and three touchdowns before being relieved by SHANE ADLER in the second half. While Donovan was struggling, his counterpart for Quad City, J.J. RATERINK, was cruising. Raterink threw five of his seven touchdowns in the first half and also rushed for a touchdown as the Steamwheelers built a 41-20 halftime lead. Quad City WR JESSE SCHMIDT caught a game-high 14 passes for 116 yards and three touchdowns. The Steamwheelers defense was paced by DB FLETCHER TERRELL (9.5 tackles, 17-yard INT return TD) and DE JERMAINE PETTY (2 sacks). This will be Quad City's third home game in its first four outings. Quad City is currently ranked No. 12 in the league coaches poll. If Guidugli can hold steady against the Steamwheelers pass rush, this should be close game from start to finish.

BLIZZARD STEAMWHEELERS SERIES LEADER Quad City leads 7-6

LAST MEETING Quad City won 66-41 on 6/27/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-2

LAST GAME Lost vs. Manchester, 28-53 on 4/10/09 Win vs. Milwaukee, 69-48 on 4/11/09

LEADERS BLIZZARD STEAMWHEELERS PASSING Guidugli: 36-69-4; 389; 5 TDs Reterink: 62-98-1; 709; 17 TDs

RECEIVING Forse: 19-221; 4 TDs Schmidt: 31-429; 11 TDs

RUSHING Medlock: 18-59; 2 TDs Monk: 4-13; 0 TD

TACKLES Kizer: 19.5 Terrell: 16

SACKS Hoke: 1.5 Jackson: 2.5

INTERCEPTIONS Garth: 1 Golden: 1

KICKING Forstrom: 8-9 PAT; 3-4 FG; 17 PTs Denny: 21-23 PAT; 0-1 FG; 21 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 40.5 PPG; 261.5 YPG 53.7 PPG; 253 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 46.5 PPG; 326.5 YPG 59.3 PPG; 283 YPG

TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (1-2) AT ARKANSAS TWISTERS (3-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009 - ALLTEL Arena (6,829) 8:00 P.M. ET

The defending ArenaCup Champion Tennessee Valley Vipers travel to North Little Rock, Ark. this week for another tough road test, this time against the Arkansas Twisters. The Vipers lead the all-time series 7-1, but the two clubs haven't played head-to-head since the 2006 season. Tennessee Valley has gotten off to a bit of slow start with just one win in its first three outings. Both losses came on the road. An early Achilles heel for the Vipers has been turnovers. The team has had nine so far, including four last Saturday in their 55-33 road loss to South Georgia. Tennessee Valley QB Kevin Eakin finished 21-of-33 for 216 yards and three touchdowns but threw two interceptions. His first pass of the night was picked by Wildcats DB Takashi Walker and returned 25 yards for a touchdown. Vipers WR/LB Bradly Chavez led all receivers with 11 receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns. Chavez leads the club in receiving through three contests (27-279-7 TDs). Fellow two-way standout TRAVIS BLANCHARD has three rushing touchdowns and two interceptions, both team-high totals. The Vipers are currently ranked No. 13 according to the latest league coaches poll. This week's opposition, the Twisters, have had a much different start to their season. Arkansas, currently ranked No. 2 overall, is one of just five teams left in the league without a loss. The Twisters are led by veteran QB and reigning league offensive player of the year KYLE ROWLEY. Last week Rowley completed 19-of-33 passes for 200 yards and eight touchdowns as the Twisters downed the Rio Grande Valley Dorados, 77-64. Rookie WR Rod Harper had four touchdowns on seven total receptions (69 yards). He currently leads the team with seven touchdown catches in just two games played. The defense also played a big part in the team's recent win against Rio Grande Valley. DE VEGAS FRANKLIN came up with a few big plays (2.5 tackles, one sack). His best individual effort was his second-quarter interception of Dorados' QB Nick Hill that he snared at the line of scrimmage and returned seven yards for a score. DB BRANDON FREEMAN leads the Twisters in tackles (16) and interceptions (2). The key to this contest is turnovers. If Tennessee Valley can keep its mistakes to a minimum, this should be one of the most entertaining games of the week.

VIPERS TWISTERS SERIES LEADER Tennessee Valley leads 7-1

LAST MEETING Arkansas won 62-56 on 4/29/06

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 4-1

LAST GAME Lost vs. S. Georgia, 33-55 on 4/11/09 Won vs. Rio Grande, 77-64 on 4/11/09

LEADERS VIPERS TWISTERS PASSING Eakin: 68-98-5; 687; 13 TDs Rowley: 74-117-2; 747; 16 TDs

RECEIVING Chavez: 27-279; 7 TDs Bergeski: 28-265; 1 TD

RUSHING Eakin: 3-21; 0 TD Cook: 9-38; 2 TDs

TACKLES Foster: 14.5 Freeman: 16

SACKS White: 1.5 Turner: 1

INTERCEPTIONS Blanchard: 1 Freeman: 2

KICKING Hayes: 17-21 PAT; 0-0 FG; 17 PTs Paul: 17-23 PAT; 2-3 FG; 23 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 49 PPG; 281.3 YPG 53.7 PPG; 277.7 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 42.7 PPG; 293.3 YPG 42 PPG; 222 YPG

IOWA BARNSTORMERS (3-0) AT TULSA TALONS (2-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009 - BOK Center (6,777) 8:00 P.M. ET

In a rematch of an instant classic game played in Iowa in Week 2, this time the Barnstormers head to Tulsa to take on the Talons at the BOK Center. In their first meeting in Des Moines two weeks ago, Iowa held off the Tulsa, 73-68. A late Tulsa rally ended four yards short of the end zone as time expired. Barnstormers QB Brian Villanueva, in his first start for the team, completed 24-of-39 passes for 244 yards with seven touchdowns. He also ran for two more scores. His outing offset the individual showing from Tulsa's veteran QB JUSTIN ALLGOOD (31-42-406 yards, 9 TDs). The Talons struck quickly, jumping out to an early 13-3 but Iowa responded and closed out the first quarter ahead, 24-20. The back-and-forth continued in the second quarter and Iowa took a 48-45 lead into the locker room at halftime. The second half continued the offensive outburst. Tulsa WR/KR JEFF Hughley (12-168-5 TDs) and WR ZAC EDWARDS (11-143-4 TDs) and Iowa WR ERRICK MCCOWN (8-73-3 TDs) each hauled in two second half TD receptions while Iowa WR TIM DODGE (11-124-3 TDs) added his third with a 17-yard TD reception. Most recently, the Barnstormers outlasted Peoria on the road, 53-38. The Pirates, playing their home opener, kept the game close until the closing minutes but their efforts were hampered by offensive mistakes and a tough Iowa defense. The first half was back-and-forth for the two teams as they traded scores and the lead, going into halftime with Iowa up 20-19. Peoria trailed just 39-38 in the fourth quarter and 46-38 with less than a minute to play before rookie QB LUKE DRONE threw the final of his four interceptions into the end zone. Drone, who threw a team record eight touchdowns in his first af2 start for the Pirates in Week 1, struggled a bit in his second outing, completing just 18-of-39 passes for 226 yards and four touchdowns. Villanueva wasn't spectacular but steady enough with 18 completions in 28 attempts for 213 yards, two TD passes, two interceptions, and one rushing score. McCown was the real difference maker with six total touchdowns, four rushing and two receiving. He caught 10 passes for 140 yards had five carries for 34 yards. Defensively, DB Jordan Davis led all tacklers with nine and had two picks for the visiting Barnstormers. His teammate Tanner Varner had an interception and eight tackles. Iowa is currently ranked No. 4 in the latest league coaches poll. Tulsa rebounded from its loss at Iowa by coming home and scoring a convincing, 79-35, against Mahoning Valley last Saturday. The Talons defense forced six turnovers. Tulsa led 27-14 at halftime and made it a runaway by posting two defensive touchdowns in a 32-point third quarter. Allgood threw for 214 yards and six touchdowns, all in the first three quarters. LB Jamar Ransom led the defense, recovering a fumble and intercepting two passes, giving him three on the year. He returned one interception 45 yards for a score and was credited with eight tackles. Tulsa's lead peaked at 67-21 in the fourth quarter. DBs LaRico Stevenson and Carlos Campbell intercepted their first Talons passes in the first half, and Ransom recovered a fumble, enabling the Talons to get a good start. Hughley caught 11 passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns, totaled 317 all-purpose yards and won the JLS Ironman Award. Hughley also became just the second Talons player to go over 3,000 career receiving yards when he caught a 13-yard scoring pass from Allgood in the first quarter. Tulsa is currently ranked No. 8 in the latest league coaches poll. If the first head-to-head matchup between these two teams is any indication, this affair should be just as high-scoring and just as close.

BARNSTORMERS TALONS SERIES LEADER Tulsa leads 3-1

LAST MEETING Iowa won 73-68 on 7/26/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 2-3

LAST GAME Won vs. Peoria, 53-38 on 4/10/09 Won vs. Mah. Valley, 79-35 on 4/11/09

LEADERS BARNSTORMERS TALONS PASSING Villanueva: 50-85-2; 545; 11 TDs Allgood: 71-100-5; 834; 20 TDs

RECEIVING McCown: 21-250; 5 TDs Hughley: 30-434; 10 TDs

RUSHING McCown: 6-40; 4 TDs Floyd: 2-30; 0

TACKLES Davis: 23.5 Ransom: 21

SACKS Ripke: 2 Jackson: 2

INTERCEPTIONS Davis: 3 Ransom: 3

KICKING Glas: 21-26 PAT; 3-7 FG; 30 PTs Phillips: 10-13 PAT; 1-3 FG; 13 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 62 PPG; 209.7 YPG 66 PPG; 307.3 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 48 PPG; 308.3 YPG 52 PPG; 256.3 YPG

BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLEWINGS (1-2) AT RIO GRANDE VALLEY DORADOS (1-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009 - Dodge Arena (5,500) 8:00 P.M. ET

The BattleWings travel to Hidalgo, Texas this week to take on division rival Rio Grande Valley. These two clubs have developed a supreme dislike toward one another over the past two seasons. In that span, The Dorados and BattleWings have played five times with Bossier-Shreveport holding a 3-2 advantage. Except for the BattleWings' 50-30 win in Hidalgo last season, the other four games have been decided by a combined 14 points. Bossier-Shreveport knocked the Dorados out of the 2007 af2 playoffs while Rio Grande Valley slowed Bossier-Shreveport's eventual 2008 division title run with a 46-44 win at the CenturyTel Center with three weeks remaining in the regular season. This is the first of three head-to-head matchups among the two clubs in 2009. Bossier-Shreveport enters the contest under .500 after suffering a 54-45 home loss to Boise Saturday night. The BattleWings took an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter and extended the lead to 17-7 after K Art Carmody nailed a 32-yard field goal with 9:44 remaining in the first half. Bosser-Shreveport, however, saw its lead quickly dissipate. The BattleWings rebounded, however, and grabbed a 24-21 lead going into halftime. The halftime advantage did not last long as Burn WR/KR JOMO WILSON returned the opening kickoff of the third quarter 50 yards for a touchdown to give Boise a 28-24 lead. Fast forwarding to the fourth quarter, the BattleWings and Burn went back-and-forth but Bossier-Shreveport still trailed, 47-45. The BattleWings had some scoring opportunities at the end of the game but could not recover a Carmody onside kick and could not stop Boise QB Taylor Tharp from converting a 3-yard scoring run for the final score of the game. WR/KR P.J. BERRY (9-123-2 TDs, 232 all-purpose yards) earned Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game honors for the BattleWings. QB ANDRICO HINES, however, didn't have his best outing. He threw three costly interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown. Hines finished the game with 26 completions in 49 attempts for 277 yards and five touchdowns. Berry is the team's top playmaker through three games with 304 yards receiving and seven total TDs (5 receiving, 2 KO return). DB ROLAND COLA (19.5 tackles, 2 INTs; 1 INT return TD) is the team's top defensive back while DL MARCUS PITTMAN leads the squad in sacks (3). The BattleWings are currently ranked No. 15 in the latest league coaches poll. Rio Grande Valley's most recent result was a loss as well. The Dorados dropped a 77-64 road decision last week at Arkansas. Rio Grande Valley kept pace with the Twisters in the first 15 minutes and headed into the second quarter tied at 19-19. Arkansas, however, stormed ahead and outscored the Dorados 34-14 in the quarter to take a commanding 53-33 lead at the half. Rio Grande Valley's defense had a hard time slowing down the Twisters offense which scored on every possession until midway through the fourth quarter. Dorados rookie WR Rod Windsor caught 13 passes for 133 yards and five touchdowns. He has been the team's top receiver in the first two games (25-284-9 TDs). QB NICK HILL, another Rio Grande Valley rookie, finished with 302 yards passing (23-of-35) with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Dorados are currently ranked No. 14 in the latest league coaches poll. Rio Grande Valley can score points, but the defense let the team down last week. The Dorados, usually known as a solid defensive team with a strong pass rush, has yet to record a sack in 2009. Addressing that need, the team brought back QUINTON STATON on Thursday. Staton should help in that department as the veteran defensive lineman has recorded 22.5 sacks in 29 games over his first two af2 seasons (2007-08), both with Rio Grande Valley. The Dorados will keep pace with the BattleWings on offense, but this game will be won with defense. Expect this contest to be another close and intense encounter.

BATTLEWINGS DORADOS SERIES LEADER Rio Grande Valley leads 5-4

LAST MEETING Rio Grande Valley won 46-44 on 7/4/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 3-2

LAST GAME Lost vs. Boise, 45-54 on 4/11/09 Lost vs. Arkansas, 64-77 on 4/11/09

LEADERS BATTLEWINGS DORADOS PASSING Hines: 59-104-4; 668; 14 TDs Hill: 47-74-3; 630; 13 TDs

RECEIVING Berry: 19-304; 5 TDs Windsor: 25-284; 9 TDs

RUSHING Schule: 11-63; 5 TDs Gatlin: 1-4; 0 TD

TACKLES Cola: 19.5 Turner: 14

SACKS Pittman: 3 n/a

INTERCEPTIONS Cola, Lee, Thomas: 2 Singfield: 1

KICKING Carmody: 13-19 PAT; 1-4 FG; 16 PTs Rubio/Stevens: 4-5 PAT; 0-0 FG; 4 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 47.3 PPG; 240 YPG 52 PPG; 315 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 35.7 PPG; 242.7 YPG 55 PPG; 251 YPG

SPOKANE SHOCK (2-0) AT BOISE BURN (2-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009 - Qwest Arena (5,006) 9:00 P.M. ET

The Shock take to the road for the first time in 2009 this week to tackle the Boise Burn, their West Division rivals. This should be a great matchup featuring two of the five remaining unbeaten teams in the league. Spokane looked impressive in its last outing, taking down in-state rival Tri-Cities by 30 points, 62-32, last Saturday. The Shock showed off their defense by holding the Fever to just four touchdowns while scoring a touchdown of their own when DL Justin Warren picked up a fumble and returned it 35 yards to the end zone late in the second quarter. The Shock defense put constant pressure on Fever QB Joe Ayoob holding him to 175 yards passing, four touchdowns and a completion percentage of just 48 percent. Warren and DL Ben McCombs knocked Ayoob to the turf to record Spokane's two sacks on the night. DB Sergio Gilliam, who led the league in interceptions last year (16), took advantage of the QB pressure with three of the team's six pass breakups and picked off the team's only interception of the game late in the fourth quarter. QB Nick Davila accounted for six of the Shock's seven scores finding a variety of targets in the end zone including Raul Vijil, Charles Dillon, Lee Foliaki and Andy Olson. Olson caught six passes for 101 yards and a game-high four touchdowns. Olson, however, will likely miss this week's game after spraining his MCL (left knee) late in last Saturday's win. The Shock have held the top spot in the coaches poll for five straight weeks. They will be tested this week for sure by the No. 5 ranked Burn. Boise improved to 2-0 with a strong road win at Bossier-Shreveport last week, 54-45. The Burn defense forced Bossier-Shreveport QB ANDRICO HINES into three interceptions, including one returned 51 yards for a touchdown by DB TERRANCE SANDERS. WR/KR JOMO WILSON had a strong all-around game for the Burn with seven catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a 50-yard kickoff return to open the third quarter. Wilson leads the team in receiving through the first two games with 10 total grabs for 184 yards (18.4 ypc) and three TDs. Rookie QB TAYLOR THARP from Boise State should get the start under center after throwing three touchdowns (2 INTs) in the win against the BattleWings. In addition to Sanders, other Burn players to watch on defense include DB EARNEST JAMES (12 tackles, 2 INTs), LB LEVI MADARIETA (3 INTs) and DL ALEX GUERRERO (3.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks). Spokane has yet to lose against Boise so far in the series (5-0), but this Burn squad is new and improved. Expect a tight game throughout with a vocal crowd behind Boise for the team's first home game of the season.

SHOCK BURN SERIES LEADER Spokane leads 5-0

LAST MEETING Spokane won 63-48 on 7/26/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 3-2

LAST GAME Won vs.Tri Cities, 62-32 on 4/11/09 Won vs. Bos.-Shreve., 54-45 on 4/11/09

LEADERS SHOCK BURN PASSING Davila: 30-51-1; 417; 12 TDs Carlton: 12-28-0; 189; 4 TDs

RECEIVING Vijil: 13-161; 5 TDs Wilson: 10-194; 2 TDs

RUSHING Nikolao: 11-51; 1 TD Walker: 8-26; 0 TD

TACKLES Franks: 15.5 Sanders: 13.5

SACKS McCombs: 2.5 Guerrero: 2

INTERCEPTIONS Gilliam, McCullough: 1 Madarieta: 3

KICKING Jackson: 16-17 PAT; 1-1 FG; 19 PTs Aguilar: 9-15 PAT; 1-2 FG; 12 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 60.5 PPG; 251.5 YPG 51 PPG; 212 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 37 PPG; 277.5 YPG 30 PPG; 230 YPG

CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (1-2) AT STOCKTON LIGHTNING (1-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009 - Stockton Arena (9,737) 10:00 P.M. ET

The Coyotes travel upstate to take on West Division rival Stockton for the second time in 2009. These two clubs will face each other two more times after Saturday. The Lightning won the first head-to-head matchup three weeks ago in Fresno, 68-54. Stockton QB ANDY COLLINS sparked the Lightning by completing 24-of-28 passes for 309 yards and six touchdowns and also scored a career-high three rushing touchdowns. WR Justin Taplin was Collins' favorite target with 13 receptions for 168 yards and five touchdowns. Stockton's defense forced five total stops (INT, two fumble recoveries, and two turnovers-on-downs) and was led by DB Nathan Kenion (7.0 tackles, 50-yard INT return TD). WR John Roberson paced the Coyotes with a team-best 10 catches for 140 yards with one score. QB Jason Murrietta completed 26-of-43 passes for 321 yards, 5 TDs and 1 INT. He also had one rush TD. After a season opening win against Tri-Cities, the Coyotes have dropped two straight. Their most recent defeat came last week at Oklahoma City where the Yard Dawgz doubled up Central Valley, 76-38. Trailing by 10 (35-25) at the half, the Coyotes scored the first TD of the second half on DL Donyell Booker's fumble return for a touchdown. The touchdown would be the last time Central Valley would score until 5:57 left in the final quarter. Oklahoma City would go on a 41-6 run over the final two quarters. WR LAMONTE JONES had a game-high 16 catches for 133 yards and three scores for Central Valley while WR GEORGE WILLIAMS, the league's all-time leading scorer and touchdown maker, contributed 11 grabs for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Stockton enters Week 4 ranked No. 16 in the latest league coaches poll. The Lightning should be well rested after enjoying a bye last week. Their most recent game came two weeks ago at Spokane where the Shock won, 59-42. In a see-saw first half battle, the Lightning drew first blood on a 28-yard pass from Collins to WR Troy McBroom (11-120-3 Tds). Collins added four more TD passes and ended the night with 311 total passing yards. He also had 58 yards rushing. Although he didn't make many mistakes, Collins did make one crucial error at the end of the first half that proved to be a turning point for the Shock. The game-changing play came courtesy of LB Kevin McCullough who intercepted a Collins pass and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. The Shock defense forced a total of five stops against the Collins-led offense that proved to be the difference. LB JASON HUNT had one interception for Stockton as the Lightning had forced just two stops of Spokane. Central Valley has had the all-time edge over Stockton (8-3), but the Lightning have claimed the last two wins in the series. The Coyotes need a steady Murrietta and a much better effort from its defense (144 points allowed in last two games/72 ppg) if the team is going to reverse its losing trend and ground the improved Lightning.

COYOTES LIGHTNING SERIES LEADER Central Valley leads 8-3

LAST MEETING Stockton won 68-54 on 3/28/09

LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 3-2

LAST GAME Lost at Okla. City, 38-76 on 4/11/09 Lost at Spokane, 42-59 on 4/3/09

LEADERS COYOTES LIGHTNING PASSING Murrietta: 82-114-3; 824; 15 TDs Collins: 53-75-2; 598; 11 TDs

RECEIVING Williams: 31-311; 7 TDs Taplin: 24-280; 7 TDs

RUSHING Stinson: 3-13; 0 TD Collins: 13-85; 3 TDs

TACKLES Ealy: 16 Kenion: 12.5

SACKS Huddleston: 1.5 Hunt: 1

INTERCEPTIONS Borba: 1 Kenion: 1

KICKING Martinelli: 13-18 PAT; 0-0 FG; 13 PTs Naehu: 6-9 PAT; 0-1 FG; 6 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 46.3 PPG; 295.3 YPG 55 PPG; 339 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 60.7 PPG; 266.3 YPG 56.5 PPG; 295.5 YPG

SOUTH GEORGIA WILDCATS (3-1) AT TRI-CITIES FEVER (0-3)

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009 - Toyota Center (5,700) 10:00 P.M. ET

The Fever host the No. 6-ranked South Georgia Wildcats in a tough out of conference test Saturday night at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, Wash. South Georgia has won three of its first four games to open the season and are the current leaders of the South Division. Last week the Wildcats scored a big, 22-point home win against the defending ArenaCup Champion Tennessee Valley Vipers, 55-33. South Georgia QB Darnell Kennedy struggled in the first quarter going 3-of-10 and only passing for 22 yards. He found his rhythm in the final three quarters, however, going 16-of-24 for 223 yards with three touchdowns and rushing for three more scores. Kennedy earned the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game Award. Kennedy's counterpart, Tennessee Valley QB Kevin Eakin, finished the night 21-of-33 for 216 yards and three touchdowns but threw two interceptions. His first pass of the night was picked by Wildcats DB Takashi Walker and returned 25 yards for a touchdown. Walker (5.5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR) earned the Aaron's Defensive Player of the Week Award. WR Clenton Rafe paced the Wildcats with five receptions for 67 yards and one touchdown. ALVANCE ROBINSON currently leads the club in receiving with 23 catches for 316 yards and seven scores. Others to look out for on defense outside of Walker is fellow DB QUENTIN BURRELL (2 INTs) and LB ERIC TURNER (3 TFLs, 2 sacks). As hot as the Wildcats have started, Tri-Cities has been just the opposite. The Fever have had a frigid start to 2009 with three straight losses, but a big win against South Georgia would certainly warm them up a bit. Tri-Cities is coming off a 62-32 road loss at division rival Spokane last Saturday. The Shock held the Fever to just four touchdowns and pressured QB JOE AYOOB all evening. Ayoob was held to 175 yards passing with four touchdowns (1 INT) and a completion percentage of just 48 percent. Veteran WR/LB PHIL GOODMAN paced the team with three touchdowns on a total of five catches for 27 yards. Rookie LB Jo'Artis Ratti stood out for the team on defense with a team-high 5.0 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack. As a team, the Fever have forced just two turnovers in three games. They rank 24th out of 25 teams in turnover margin at -6 (2 gained, 8 lost). They also rank last in scoring at 28.3 points per game. Tri-Cities will need an inspired effort on both sides of the ball in order to keep things close with the Wildcats.

WILDCATS FEVER SERIES LEADER First time these teams are meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 0-5

LAST GAME Won vs. Ten. Valley, 55-33 on 4/11/09 Lost vs. Spokane, 32-62 on 4/11/09

LEADERS WILDCATS FEVER PASSING Kennedy: 71-116-1; 861; 17 TDs Ayoob: 65-137-6; 538; 9 TDs

RECEIVING Robinson: 23-316; 7 TDs Kirkland: 20-176; 1 TD

RUSHING Kennedy: 22-110; 8 TDs Ayoob: 8-18; 0 TDs

TACKLES McCray: 22.5 Walker: 16.5

SACKS Turner: 2 Clark: 1

INTERCEPTIONS Burrell: 2 McElrath: 1

KICKING Guberman: 29-32 PAT; 0-1 FG; 29 PTs Braunstein: 5-8 PAT; 6-9 FG; 23 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 55.8 PPG; 285.2 YPG 28.3 PPG; 183.3 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 48.3 PPG; 267.5 YPG 52.3 PPG; 219.3 YPG

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