Week Nine: Quick Hitters

Published on May 21, 2009 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release

GAMES ON - af2TV FREE ONLINE NETWORK CONTINUES 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 9) with a 9-game slate that will be available to fans at no charge.

AARON'S af2 DREAM TEAM ONLINE FAN VOTING HAS BEGUN:

The af2 and one of its new partners, Aaron's, announced on Monday that the online fan voting process for the Aaron's af2 Dream Team has officially begun. For the next 10 weeks fans can log onto af2.com and vote for their favorite af2 dance team member. The top 12 dancers with the most fan votes will represent the 2009 Aaron's af2 Dream Team at ArenaCup10 in August. The Aaron's af2 Dream Team, an exciting new addition to this year's ArenaCup festivities, will be involved in a number of ArenaCup10 activities including performing during halftime of the championship game and appearances throughout the weekend of events.

PIRATES NAME HOHENSEE NEW HEAD COACH:

The Peoria Pirates announced on Monday that they have hired former Chicago Rush head coach and Arena Bowl Champion Mike Hohensee to take over as head coach effective immediately. Hohensee replaces longtime Pirates head coach Bruce Cowdrey who was relieved of his coaching duties last week. One of the AFL's most-recognizable figures, Hohensee is the only head coach in Chicago Rush history. In his eight seasons at the helm, he guided the Rush to an 83-57 overall record, eight playoff appearances, four Central Division titles and the ArenaBowl XX title. Overall, Hohensee has spent 15 seasons as an AFL head coach. He is the league's third-winningest coach of all-time, posting a career 130-105 record. Hohensee's 130 wins ranks third all-time in AFL career coaching victories (behind Tim Marcum and Danny White) and is tied for fourth all-time with 12 postseason wins. In addition to the ArenaBowl XX victory in 2006, has led the Rush to four Central Division titles (2002, 2004, 2007, 2008) and five trips to the AFL semifinals (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007). During his 15 seasons as a head coach, his teams have reached the playoffs 12 times and won a division title seven times.

HOT RODS:

The league's top two receivers so far this season have been a pair of rookies named Rod - Arkansas' ROD HARPER and Rio Grande Valley's ROD WINDSOR. Harper, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound Murray State alum, continued his stellar play for Arkansas in the team's Week 8 road win against Central Valley. Harper had game-highs in receptions (12), receiving yards (172) and receiving touchdowns (5) in the Twisters' 68-51 victory. He currently leads the league in scoring (186 points), total touchdowns (31), receiving touchdowns (31) and receptions (93). Harper is also second in receiving yards per game (157.1) and second in receiving yards (1,100). The Twisters are currently in first place in the Southwest Division at 6-2. Windsor has been a big reason behind the Dorados' early season success. Rio Grande Valley currently sits a half game behind Arkansas in the Southwest Division at 5-2. Windsor, a 6-foot-2, 208-pound Western New Mexico alum, had a game-high 12 receptions for 169 yards and four touchdowns in Rio Grande Valley's 83-56 road loss at Stockton. Windsor currently leads the af2 in receiving yards (1,104) and receiving yards per game (157.7). He also ranks second in receptions (92), receiving touchdowns (26) and scoring (162 points). Through seven games both players are on pace to set league single-season records for scoring and receiving.

SHOCK TOP WEEK 9 COACHES POLL:

Nearly halfway through the regular season and the Spokane Shock continue to maintain their hold on the No. 1 ranking in the Week 9 Coaches Poll, the arenafootball2 (af2) league office announced on Wednesday. Spokane collected 381 of the 384 points possible and 22-of-25 first place votes in securing the top spot for the tenth straight week. The Shock (7-0), the only remaining undefeated team in the league, won on the road last Saturday at Florida, 49-38. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (6-1, 344 points, 3 first place votes) maintained their spot at No. 2 during their bye week. Tulsa ranks No. 3 this week after the team's 53-19 road win at Milwaukee last weekend. The Talons (7-1, 342 points) have won six straight games. The South Georgia Wildcats (7-2, 282 points) jumped up three spots to No. 4 as a result of their 56-49 road victory over Quad City in Week 8. Arkansas (6-2, 277 points) returns to the Top-5 this week as well. The Twisters defeated No. 16 Central Valley last Saturday, 68-51.

DUSTERS EARN FIRST WIN:

The Amarillo Dusters forced four turnovers and received solid special teams play to propel the squad to a 42-32 home victory over the Corpus Christi Sharks last Saturday night. This win was the Dusters first of the season. Amarillo had lost its first six games. The Dusters forced turnovers on Corpus Christi's first three possessions. Amarillo LB John King got the scoring started with a 12-yard interception return for a touchdown. In addition, Amarillo got an interception from Myron Newberry and fumble recoveries from Stanley Smith and Gerard Lewis to aid in their staunch defensive effort. Leading the Dusters on offense was QB COLLIN DRAFTS. Drafts had three touchdown passes (2 INTs) and one rushing TD.

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 8) 16 international players saw action around the league. Two players who stood out from the af2's international talent pool were Tri-Cities QB TOMOTSUNA INOUE and Stockton K STEPHEN IRVINE. Seeing his first action of the season, Inoue completed 3-of-5 passes for 54 yards after replacing starter RYAN PORTER in the second half of Saturday's 77-28 road loss to Boise. One of his completions was a 33-yard TD strike to TREMAYNE KIRKLAND. Inoue became just the second Japanese quarterback to throw a TD pass in an af2 game (Kenta Yagi - Albany, 2003). Irvine, in his second game played with the Lightning, connected on 11-of-12 extra points to help Stockton to an 83-56 upset win at home against Rio Grande Valley.

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON'S HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE:

Wachovia Arena, the home of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers, has become a visiting team's worst nightmare in recent years. The Pioneers have won 21 straight regular season home games, a streak that dates back to 2006. Counting the playoffs, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has won 25 of its last 26 home games. The last time the Pioneers lost a regular season home game was on July 8, 2006 when the Florida Firecats edged Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 56-51. The next opportunity for the Pioneers to extend their current home win streak is this Saturday, May 23, when Wilkes-Barre/Scranton hosts Green Bay. While Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's current streak has been impressive, it hasn't yet approached the all-time best home win streak set by the Tulsa Talons at their previous home, the Tulsa Convention Center. The Talons won 26 consecutive regular-season home games from 2000-03. Tulsa won its final two home games of the 2000 season and 24 straight over the next three years.

GETTING THEIR KICKS AT 50:

With his first of two field goals made last Friday, veteran kicker ALEX WALLS became just the second kicker in league history to make 50 career field goals. Walls, who currently plays for Milwaukee, had 49 career field goals made entering the Iron's Week 8 home game against Tulsa. Corpus Christi K NICK GATTO is another veteran who should reach the 50 career field goal plateau in 2009. Gatto connected on two field goals in Week 8 at Amarillo to up his season total to six and his career total to 49. BRIAN HAZELWOOD is the league's current all-time leader in made field goals with 58.

Most (Three-Point) Field Goals Made, Career

58 Brian Hazelwood, Bossier-Shreveport 2004-2007, Rio Gra. Valley 2008

51 Alex Walls, Tenn. Valley 2004, Birmingham 2005-06, Stockton 2007-08, Milwaukee 2009

49 Nick Gatto, Quad City 2005, Texas 2007-08, Corpus Christi 2009

42 Brandon Kornblue, Macon 2001, Florida 2001-05

38 Kimo Naehu, HAW 2002-04, SDG 2005, QCS 2006-07, AUS 2008, STK 2009

38 James Thomas, Greensboro 2000-03

CHAVEZ, CAVENDER, TAPLIN, THOMAS, RABB, JACKSON EARN WEEK 8 HONORS:

Tennessee Valley wide receiver/linebacker BRADLY CHAVEZ, Stockton players CHAD CAVENDER (QB) and JUSTIN TAPLIN (WR) and Tulsa defensive back PIERRE THOMAS have been named the JLS Ironman, Russell Athletic Offensive Players and Aaron's Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for Week 8 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 8 goes to Boise wide receiver JERARD RABB and the NiFTy Hit of the Week is awarded to Tulsa defensive lineman KAMAU JACKSON.

Chavez (6-2, 205, Alabama-Birmingham), in his fourth af2 season, had a stellar all-around effort for Tennessee Valley in the team's Week 8, 49-24, home win against Oklahoma City. The veteran playmaker was a factor on both sides of the ball to help the Vipers (6-2) win their fifth straight game. On offense, the UAD alum caught three passes, two for touchdowns, and finished with 40 yards receiving. He was also a major player on defense with two touchdowns (19-yard fumble return TD, 10-yard INT return TD), 5.5 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. This is the fourth Ironman of the Week Award of Chavez's career and his second earned this season (Week 3). He currently leads Tennessee Valley in scoring (102 points), total touchdowns (17), receiving touchdowns (14) and fumble recoveries (3). Chavez won the af2's JLS Ironman of the Year Award in 2008 as a member of the Manchester Wolves. Cavender (6-0, 190, Sioux Falls), in his first af2 campaign and Taplin (6-0, 185, Arizona State), in his third af2 season, both had career nights in Stockton's 83-56 upset win at home in Week 8 against Rio Grande Valley. Cavender, in his third career start, set a team record with 10 touchdown passes against the Dorados. The former Sioux Falls standout also completed 21-of-35 passes for a career-high 359 yards with just one interception. The rookie signal caller also had six rushes for 11 yards and one touchdown. The majority of Cavender's scoring passes on Saturday went to Taplin as the Arizona State alum set a Lightning single-game record with seven touchdown catches. He finished the night with nine receptions for a game-high 172 yards. Taplin leads Stockton in receiving (65-856-21 TDs) and ranks among the league leaders in points per game (3rd-21.7), receiving yards per game (4th-142.7) and receptions per game (4th-10.83). This is the first Offensive Player of the Week honor for both players. Thomas (5-10, 200, Missouri Western St.) was a major player on defense in Tulsa's 53-19 Week 8 road win at Milwaukee. The fifth-year defensive back from Missouri Western St. was a force for the Talons with nine solo tackles and two first-quarter interceptions. He returned his second interception 26 yards for a touchdown to help spot Tulsa a quick 14-0 lead. The Talons (7-1), winners of six straight games, lead the Central Division by 2.5 games over Oklahoma City (4-3). This is the second Defensive Player of the Week Award of Thomas' career (2007 - Week 12). He currently ranks second on Tulsa in interceptions (4) and tackles (38). Rabb (6-2, 200, Boise State), in his first af2 season, is the Week 8 recipient of The Big Game Catch of the Week Award. Rabb's catch was a 7-yard, one-handed touchdown grab at the end of the first quarter of the Burn's 77-28 home win against Tri-Cities. The Boise State alum finished with four catches, all for touchdowns, for 118 yards. Eight of Rabb's nine receptions on the season have gone for touchdowns. He is currently tied for second on the Burn in touchdown receptions. Boise is ranked second in the West Division at 5-2. Jackson (6-2, 285, Mississippi State), in his fifth af2 season, is the seventh 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. Jackson's hit came on Milwaukee's first drive of the second half on Friday night in Tulsa's 53-19 road win against the Iron. On a 4th-and-2 play from the Tulsa 10-yard line, Milwaukee QB Shane Adler dropped back looking to pass. Jackson, however, lineup up on the left edge, was left unblocked on the play. As a result, the Mississippi State alum came at Adler untouched and slammed him to the ground hard enough to knock the veteran signal caller out of the game. Jackson finished with 3.5 tackles and two sacks on the night. He is currently tied for the league lead in sacks with seven. Jackson also leads the Talons in fumble recoveries with three.

MCCOMBS SACKS LEAGUE ALL-TIME MARK:

League veteran and current Spokane Shock DL BEN MCCOMBS became the af2's all-time leader in career sacks in the team's Week 5 road win at Stockton. McCombs, in his sixth af2 season, currently has seven sacks in 2009 and 48 for his career. C.J. MCLAIN owned the previous all-time, league-high sack total with 44.5. McCombs entered the year with 41 career sacks. Below is a breakdown of the leading sack artists in af2 history:

Most Sacks, Career

48.0 Ben McCombs, BAK 2004, 2006-07, RGV 2005, CVC 2008, Spokane 2009*

44.5 C.J. McLain, Arkansas 2000, 2005-06, Tulsa 2007-08

40.5 Jerry Turner, Birmingham 2001-02, 2004, Bakersfield 2006, Arkansas 2009*

37.5 Greg Taylor, Arkansas 2000-02, Tulsa 2003

28.0 Eric Scott, Alabama 2007, Tennessee Valley 2008-present*

27.5 E.J. Burt, Cape Fear 2002

26.5 Donyell Booker, Central Valley 2006-present*

26.5 Darnell Small, Arkansas 2000-2005

26.5 Ernest Certain, Tallahassee 2000-01

26.5 Lawrence Lewis, Richmond 2000, 2002-03, Cape Fear 2004

25.0 Quinton Staton, Rio Grande Valley 2007-present*

* Active in 2009

WALLACE FIRST TO 500:

Florida Firecats veteran CHRIS WALLACE became the first quarterback in league history to throw 500 career touchdown passes in a 68-62 home win against Kentucky in Week 4. Wallace hit the 500-mark with a 15-yard strike to WR James Panui early in the fourth quarter. He entered the contest with 495 career touchdown passes and added seven against the Horsemen to up his total to 502. He currently has 527. Wallace also holds af2 career records for passing yards (24,088), completions (1,962) and attempts (3,295). He became the league's all-time passing yards leader in a 32-27 road win at Albany in Week 3. 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.

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

24088...Chris Wallace, CAR 2000, NOR 2002-03, CPF 2004, FLA 2004-present

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

21569...Ryan Vena, Albany 2002-03, 2006, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 2007-present

Most touchdown passes, career

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

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

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

VENA PASSES 80 RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS:

Over his career, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton QB RYAN VENA has hurt many opponents with his arm (21,569 yards passing, 435 touchdowns), but he has also proven to be an adept runner as well. With his 1-yard touchdown run in a Week 3 road loss to Kentucky, Vena became just the second player in af2 history to record 80 career rushing touchdowns. He now has 82 and stands just five rushing scores shy of tying SHERARD POTEETE's league record of 87.

FORNEY, SCHULE AND VENA HAVE A GRAND IN THEIR SIGHTS:

Kentucky FB/LB DEMETRIUS FORNEY, Bossier-Shreveport FB/LB JASON SCHULE and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton QB RYAN VENA are closing in on 1,000 career rushing yards. Forney, who has gained 61 rushing yards so far in 2009, has 992 for his career. Schule, who leads the league in rushing this season with 196 yards, has 928 for his career. Vena has 37 this year and 928 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

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

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

928...... Jason Schule, Bossier-Shreveport 2006-present

INGOLD WINS 80: With Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Week 6 home win against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, RICH INGOLD improved his league-leading, all-time coaching win total reached 80. His overall record currently stands at 81-31 (.723). Ingold is in his seventh season overall and fourth with the Pioneers. Twisters Head Coach CHRIS SIEGFRIED currently ranks second overall in career wins with 74. Amarillo's BEN BENNETT (65) 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* 81

2. Chris Siegfried* 74

3. Ben Bennett* 65

4. Danton Barto* 63

5. Tommy Johnson 55

6. Kevin Bouis* 53

7. Kevin Guy 52

8. Bobby Humphrey 51

9. Fred Biletnikoff, Jr.* 47

10. Richard Davis 46

* denotes active coaches

HUNT BECOMES LEAGUE'S ALL-TIME SCORING LEADER: With one touchdown in a Week 8 loss at Tennessee Valley, Oklahoma City WR AL HUNT moved into the No. 1 spot on the all-time scoring list with 1,174 career points. He entered

the week tied with Central Valley WR GEORGE WILLIAMS for the top spot with 1,168 career points. Florida WR MAGIC BENTON is currently No. 3 overall with 1,148 points. Former league standout KEVIN WILLIAMS and current Bossier-Shreveport WR CHAVIS MCCOLLISTER fill out the Top-5. Below is a breakdown of the leading scorers in af2 history:

MOST POINTS SCORED, NON-KICKING, CAREER

PTS PLAYER YEARS PLAYED

1,168 George Williams* 2001, 2003-present

1,168 Al Hunt* 2003-present

1,148 Magic Benton* 2001-present

958 Kevin Williams 2001-2008

954 Chavis McCollister* 2005-present

932 Jarrail Jackson 2000-2001, 2005-2008

906 J.R. Thomas 2004-2008

900 Jack Walker, Jr.* 2002-2003, 2005-present

828 Kris Peters* 2004-present

818 Antwone Savage* 2005-present

800 Robert Garth* 2002-present

* Active in 2009

WILLIAMS LEADS TIGHT ALL-TIME TD RACE: Oklahoma City WR AL HUNT and Central Valley WR GEORGE WILLIAMS are tied for first place on the all-time touchdown list with 193 total touchdowns. Hunt entered Week 8 one touchdown shy of Williams but scored a late touchdown at Tennessee Valley to reach the top spot. Florida WR MAGIC BENTON ranks third with 188 career touchdowns. 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

193 George Williams*

193 Al Hunt*

188 Magic Benton*

159 Chavis McCollister*

157 Kevin Williams

154 Jarrail Jackson

149 J.R. Thomas

146 Jack Walker, Jr.*

136 Kris Peters*

135 Antwone Savage*

132 Tim Dodge*

131 Robert Garth*

* Active in 2009

arenafootball2 Stories from May 21, 2009

• Firebirds Return to the Nest - Albany Firebirds
• Week Nine: Friday Night Matchups - af2
• Dusters to hold second annual Football Camp - Amarillo Venom
• Week Nine: Quick Hitters - af2
• Yard Dawgz Drop One Spot After Loss to Defending af2 Champs - Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz

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