af2 arenafootball2

Week nine Saturday night af2 matchups

Published on May 28, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


MACON KNIGHTS (2-5) AT CAPE FEAR WILDCATS (3-3)
SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2004 - CROWN COLISEUM (8,920) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Macon Knights travel to Fayetteville, North Carolina to face the Cape Fear Wildcats Saturday night at the Crown Coliseum. The Wildcats made a change this week under center by trading quarterback CHRIS WALLACE to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for former Wildcat signal caller MIKE GLUSKI. Gluski started every game for the Wildcats last season and led them to a 10-6 record. He will be looking to find that same magic, as he will get the start against Macon. One way to get the offense going is to find MATT BURSTEIN who leads the Wildcats with 40 receptions on the season and averages 103.2 receiving yards per game. The Knights are also dealing with a change at quarterback. Last week Macon traded CALEB SLOVER to Rio Grande Valley for WILL BURCH. Now this week they traded CECIL LESTER to Columbus for TIM OLMSTEAD. Changing both quarterbacks can be a difficult situation to handle, one person who could handle it is former AFL quarterback and Macon Head Coach Mike Hold. HOSEA LANEY leads the Macon defense with 32 tackles while registering two interceptions. One player Macon will need to keep an eye on is CHRIS MCKINNEY, who has three fumble recovers on the season to go with fifteen tackles (8UA 14A) and an interception which he returned 43 yards for a touchdown. The only other meeting between these two teams was last season when the Wildcats won 52-41 in Macon. They will play once more this season, July 10 in Macon.

BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLE WINGS (2-6) AT COLUMBUS WARDOGS (2-5)
SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2004 - COLUMBUS CIVIC CENTER (7,600) 7:30 P.M. ET

In the second of back-to-back games between the two teams, the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings travel to Columbus, Georgia to take on the Wardogs. Last week the Wardogs defeated the Battle Wings 54-50 to end a 17-game road losing streak that stretched back to the 2002 season. Much of the credit for the victory needs to go to WR/DB TERENCE SAMUEL who led the team with 122 receiving yards on six catches for three touchdowns while recording a forced fumble, fumble recovery, an interception and three pass break ups on defense. These numbers earned him the U.S. Army Ironman of the Week award. Credit also needs to go to KYLE ROWLEY who threw six touchdowns with no interceptions last week. On the season Rowley has thrown 30 touchdowns stepping in to lead a team that was supposed to be led by CHRIS WINDSOR, but a preseason injury to Windsor allowed Rowley to step in and make it his job. OS ADRIAN COCKFIELD's 68 receptions leads the af2, making him someone the Battle Wings will need to keep an eye on. WILLIE SHEPPARD will do his best to contain Cockfield. Sheppard has 33.0 tackles on the season, second on the team, along with twelve pass breakups and a forced fumble. BO SMITH leads the Battle Wings in receptions with 36 and touchdown receptions with thirteen. With Columbus' win last week they now lead the season series 2-1.

MEMPHIS XPLORERS (4-3) AT FLORIDA FIRECATS (4-3)
SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2004 - TECO ARENA (7,128) 7:30 P.M. ET

Two red hot teams face each other as the Memphis Xplorers travel to take on the Florida Firecats. The Xplorers are 4-2 over their last six games and the two losses came in close games to Tennessee Valley and Louisville. Last week Memphis defeated Bakersfield by 21 points to earn quarterback BRIAN JONES the Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Week honors. He threw for six touchdowns while rushing for three more to lead the Xplorers to their big victory. The Firecats are coming off of a big victory at Tennessee Valley. It was the last of four straight road games for the Firecats, who finished at 3-1 during the stretch. STEVE GORRIE plays a vital role for the Firecats. He leads the af2 in rushing with 168 total rushing yards along with six rushing touchdowns. On the other side of the ball he has 15.5 tackles, tied for third on the team. He also has recovered one fumble, recorded one sack and defended four passes. Gorrie will look to control Memphis OS KEVIN PRENTISS and his team leading 51 receptions. Prentiss not only makes things happen on offense, he also moves the ball on special teams as he averages 32.5 yards per kick off return to lead the league. His eighteen total touchdowns, twelve on offense and six on kickoff returns, puts him tied for sixth in the af2 in scoring. On defense for the Xplorers, DAHNEL SINGFIELD leads the team in pass breakups with thirteen and is third with 22 tackles. He also has two interceptions. Memphis won the earlier meeting between these clubs 54-51 in Week 3.

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS (6-1) AT LOUISVILLE FIRE (5-2)
SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2004 - FREEDOM HALL (15,646) 7:30 P.M. ET

In a rematch from a Week 5 matchup, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers travel to Louisville to take on the Fire. It is a battle of two of the best teams in the league with the Pioneers ranked number one in this weeks af2 Coaches' Poll and the Fire slotted fourth. MATT SAUK ignites the Louisville offense. His 41 touchdown passes is second in the af2. While he has thrown nine interceptions, second highest in the league, he has had the most opportunities to be intercepted, leading the league in pass attempts 253. Despite these interceptions the Fire are plus nine in turnovers, second best in the af2. Sauk moves the ball around as six different Fire receivers have ten catches or more. His main target is JAMES SCOTT and his 62 catches for 832 yards. The Fire do a great job protecting the Sauk as the Fire have given up only two sacks on the season, tied for best in the league. With all the touchdowns the Fire put up they are lucky to have a good kicking game with MARC SAMUEL. He has hit 49 of 56 point after attempts, best in the league. The Pioneers have their own playmakers also. TIM HICKS and his 30 touchdown passes lead the Pioneers. Like Scott is the go to guy for the Fire, J.R. THOMAS is the go to guy for the Pioneers. He has thirteen touchdowns on 53 catches in only six games. The Pioneers win with their defense though. Their pass defense is ranked fifth the af2 giving up only 196.6 pass yards per game. Opposing quarterbacks have a quarterback rating of only 96.5 against the Pioneers. With a quality pass defense against the arm of Sauk, this will be a match up of strength against strength.

ALBANY CONQUEST (3-4) AT PEORIA PIRATES (2-5)
SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2004 - PEORIA CIVIC CENTER (9,772) 8:00 P.M. ET

The streaking Albany Conquest travel to Peoria, Illinois to face the Pirates in a Week 9 matchup on Saturday at the Civic Center. After losing their first four games, the Albany Conquest have won their last three. D. BRYANT's athleticism is the major reason for the Conquest resurgence. In four games Bryant has thrown for 933 yards and seventeen touchdowns with, perhaps most importantly, only one interception. His quarterback rating stands at 129.17. In addition to using his arm, Bryant can the defense with his legs. He leads the team in rushing with 74 yards and six rushing touchdowns. TONY LOCKE leads the Conquest in receiving, but JAMIE WARE has shown the ability to makes plays also. Ware's 25 catches for 466 yards and seven touchdowns ranks second on the team behind Locke. Ware also has two interceptions on defense to add to his stats. RICH BARLETTE is tied for the team lead in sacks with two and has also recorded Albany's only safety on the season. Defense for the Pirates isn't a problem. The Pirates' defense gives up only 210.0 pass yards per game and allows only 38.9 points per game. CASEY URLACHER and his 3.5 sacks leads the Pirates pass rush. Urlacher also presents a challenge rushing the ball as he has 84 rushing yards on the season along with three rushing touchdowns. He has been the bright spot on a Peoria offense which has struggled this season. Former Ball State Cardinal TALMADGE HILL looks to step in and change things under center for the Pirates. This is the first ever meeting between the Conquest and Pirates.

LAREDO LAW (2-5) AT WICHITA STEALTH (5-2)
SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2004 - KANSAS COLISEUM (9,686) 8:00 P.M. ET

Two weeks ago the Laredo Law were 0-5 while the Wichita Stealth were 5-0, after two straight victories for the Law and two straight losses for the Stealth they meet in Wichita Saturday night. Not happy with losing two games in a row the Stealth have made a change at quarterback. Out is AARON SPARROW and in is former Kansas State quarterback JONATHAN BEASLEY. At Kansas State Beasley lead the Wildcats to victories in the 1999 Holliday Bowl and the 2000 Cotton Bowl. In the games he started at Kansas State he registered 21-4 record. Now he looks to bring this same winning edge to the Stealth. The Stealth made other changes as OS JONATHAN JACKSON and DS CHARLES JOHNSON are out and af2 veteran WR/DB NORMAN MASON has joined the Stealth. The Stealth feature one of af2's best defenses. DAVID HURST leads the team with 3.5 sacks but CLIFF HOLLOMAN and MARKEVIUS WOODS are close behind with three each. The Law are on a high after a last second win last week's road victory. Laredo's ROCKY PEREZ found FB/LB TREY MERKINS for a touchdown with no time left on the clock last week to top the Dorados. Perez has proven to be a dependable quarterback throwing for eighteen touchdowns while tossing only three interceptions. The defense of the Dorados is led by TRACO RACHAL. He leads the team in interceptions with three and his 36.5 tackles lead the Law and is good for sixth in the af2. Laredo and Wichita will meet once more on the season, July 24 in Laredo.

TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (5-2) AT BIRMINGHAM STEELDOGS (6-1)
SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2004 - BJCC (16,000) 8:30 P.M. ET

Another chapter will be entered in perhaps the af2's best rivalry when the Tennessee Valley Vipers head south to face in state rival Birmingham Steeldogs. Not many great rivalries are as lopsided as this one is, with Tennessee Valley leading the all time series 8-1, but that one victory was a big one. The 2002 ArenaCup playoffs saw Birmingham go into the Snake Pit and beat the Vipers 65-51 to end the Vipers' championship hopes. A new wrinkle to the rivalry is the switch of allegiances of Vipers' quarterback JOSH KELLETT. Last season Kellett was the quarterback of the Steeldogs, appearing in twelve games, including a trip to Tennessee Valley. In the meeting last season Kellett passed for a Steeldogs record 417 yards against his future mates while throwing seven touchdowns. It wasn't enough as the Vipers came out ahead 60-58. Despite never beating the Vipers in the regular season, the Steeldogs should be feeling confident. They are currently ranked second in the af2 Coaches' Poll and teams ranked second are 7-1 this season. They should also be confident because of the performance of players like ANTHONY JORDAN who leads the af2 in interceptions with seven. DETRONN HARRIS leads the team in receptions with 36 while also returning two kickoffs back for touchdowns. For the Vipers, JERRIAN JAMES makes plays on both sides of the ball. On defense he is third on the team in tackles with 15.0 and has recorded an interception, forced fumble and fumble recovery on the season. On offense he is the second leading receiver, catching 31 balls for 405 yards and seven touchdowns. The Vipers and Steeldogs will meet one more time this season, June 19 at the Snake Pit.

ARKANSAS TWISTERS (1-6) AT OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (5-2)
SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2004 - FORD CENTER (18,000) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Arkansas Twisters go on the road to face the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz at the Ford Center. Last week the Yard Dawgz earned a big victory over division rival Wichita to move into a first place tie with the Stealth. Arkansas won their first game of the season against San Diego and has yet to win again. There is talent on the Twisters' roster, notably in the name of TED ALFORD. Alford leads the Twisters in receiving with 41 catches for 515 yards and eleven touchdowns. He is also the Twisters second leading tackler with 15.5 (14UA 3A) and has an interception on the season. The leader of the Twisters defense though is DARNELL SMALL. He is third on the team in tackles with 14.5 (11UA 7A) while recording two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Where Small makes his mark is getting to the quarterback. He has five sacks, a team high and fifth in the af2, for a loss of 36 yards. He will need to be on his game to slow down the Yard Dawgz offense that averages 59 points a game, tied with Louisville for first in the league. Dawgz' quarterback CRAIG STRICKLAND's 119.5 quarterback rating is among the best in the af2 and his 1,897 passing yards is second. After winning the ArenaCup with Tulsa last season, Strickland's experienced combined with his talent makes him a natural to lead the Yard Dawgz. On defense, Oklahoma City has playmakers also. JAMES LANDERS has eight sacks to his name, tops in the af2. He leads an af2 defense that has 28 sacks on the season, a league high. This is the only meeting between Arkansas and Oklahoma City this season.

BAKERSFIELD BLITZ (4-3) AT CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (1-6)
SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2004 - SELLAND ARENA (8,300) 10:30 P.M. ET

It is a Western Division battle as the Bakersfield Blitz travel to Fresno, California to take on the Central Valley Coyotes. With the loss last week to Memphis, Bakersfield is now a game behind the Hawaiian Islanders and need a win over the Coyotes to keep up. Despite the Coyotes' record they have talent at key positions. KENYATTE MORGAN has 53 receptions for 651 for 14 touchdowns to lead the receiving corps. Morgan also adds 944 kickoff return yards with two returned for touchdowns. HALAKILAN MUAGUTUTIA leads the Coyotes in tackles with 26.5 and pass breakups ten. Also on defense, VONKEITH SPENCER returns after being out of the lineup last week to. His team leading five interceptions will be a lift to the Coyotes. He will have to keep an eye on Bakersfield receiver ERIC MAHANKE. Mahanke leads the Blitz in receptions with 53 for 640 yards and fourteen touchdowns. For good measure, he also has an interception on the season while being the third leading tacklers on the Blitz with twenty tackles. Staying on defense DELVIN MYLES, team leader in tackles, also leads the team with three forced fumbles. The last meeting between these teams was Week 2 of the season. In the game Bakersfield got out to a 35-12 lead they never gave up as the Blitz won 65-48. CHAD ELLIOT threw for 272 yards and seven touchdowns. At quarterback for the Coyotes, WES PHILLIPS got the start, but now this is KYLE BIGGS' team. The next meeting between the Blitz and the Coyotes is June 19 at the Centennial Garden in Bakersfield.

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