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Week One: Friday Night Matchups

March 26, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


ALBANY FIREBIRDS (0-0) AT MAHONING VALLEY THUNDER (0-0)

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2009 - Chevrolet Centre (6,100) 7:00 P.M. ET; Broadcast via af2TV Online

The Albany Firebirds visit the Mahoning Valley Thunder on Friday in the first of three face-offs between these two East foes in 2009. The Firebirds are back in Albany with new Head Coach Tony Bowick. Bowick and his young Firebirds bunch are out to try and snap a string of five straight losing seasons since the team formerly known as the Conquest won back-to-back division titles in 2002 and 2003. Bowick, who was an assistant with the Albany Conquest in 2006, played two seasons with the Firebirds (1996-1997). His new team looks nothing like the Conquest club that took the field in 2008. In fact, the Firebirds training camp featured 19 rookies and only two players who saw significant action in Albany last year - linemen Kevin Marchant and Norman Bauer. Marchant, in his second af2 season, played in six games with the Conquest in 2008 and posted eight total tackles, three sacks and three pass breakups before ending his season prematurely with an injury. The QB race looks to have been won by Stephen Wasil over rookie Adam Bednarik. Wasil appeared in eight games last year with the af2's Texas Copperheads. The Albion College product completed 122-of-264 attempts for 1,205 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2008. No matter who is under center, however, the team's offense will only be as good as its line play. Last season the Conquest led the af2 in sacks allowed with 59, an average of nearly four per game. One proven player the team will likely lean on to be a consistent playmaker in 2009 is Alvin Ray Jackson. Jackson registered 27 tackles, three INTs, four pass breakups and five fumble recoveries last year with the South Georgia Wildcats and also added three receiving TDs. The Thunder enter the new season with renewed hope despite a sub-par 2008 campaign. The team's trail to improvement will likely be paved by returning QB Davon Vinson. Vinson played well in three midseason appearances for the club in 2008. He completed 53-of-97 passes in that stretch for 708 yards with 18 touchdowns. After Vinson, the offensive unit looks brand new. Vinson's top receivers will be three-year veteran and 2008 late season addition Quorey Payne along with recent addition C.J. Brewer and rookies Jamar Landrum and Chris Schubert. Payne started all four games in which he appeared in 2008 and finished the year with a combined 49 catches for 656 yards and 12 TDs. Brewer spent both the 2006 and 2007 seasons with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. Prior to signing with San Francisco, Brewer played in three games for the Albany Conquest in 2006 (15 catches, 227 yards, 3 TDs). Coach Hold also has big shoes to fill at the fullback/linebacker position due to the departure of All-af2 performers Tim Murphy and John Tackmann. Rookie Michael Alston (Toledo) and second-year player Brenton Brady look to be the likely replacements for Murphy and Tackmann. Rookie tackling machine Tavarski Wallace should make an impact at mack linebacker. While there may be questions for Mahoning Valley on the defensive front, the team's strength looks to be in the defensive backfield. In addition to the returning Ray Williams, the Thunder welcome experienced defenders Brandon Taylor, Clarence Curry and Rob Carey to the fold for 2009. Taylor and Curry both played in Albany in 2008. Taylor led the Conquest in tackles (80.5) and interceptions (7) while Curry contributed 52 tackles, two interceptions and 10 pass breakups. If Vinson starts off in good form, the Thunder look to have a slight edge on their home turf against the young Firebirds.

FIREBIRDS THUNDER SERIES LEADER Mahoning Valley leads 4-1

LAST MEETING Mahoning Valley won, 44-31, on 5/31/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 1-4

LAST GAME Lost to WB/Scran., 37-51, on 7/25/08 Lost to Green Bay, 13-61, on 7/26/08

LEADERS 2008 FIREBIRDS* 2008 THUNDER PASSING Cole: 288-528-9; 3193; 63 TDs Adler: 100-250-16; 1206; 16 TDs

RECEIVING Williams: 88-1123; 29 TDs Tolbert: 44-509; 13 TDs

RUSHING Cole: 49-161; 9 TDs Murphy: 53-350; 5 TDs

TACKLES Taylor: 80.5 Matlock: 71

SACKS Lewis: 9 Morgan: 15

INTERCEPTIONS Taylor: 7 Bailey: 2

KICKING Frailicker: 42-59 PAT; 1-4 FGs 45 PTs Schorejs: 29-32 PAT; 2-6 FGs 35 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 44.5 PPG; 246.8 YPG 37.3 PPG; 214.9 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 55.1 PPG; 267.8 YPG 53.4 PPG; 264.7 YPG

* 2008 Firebirds stats are as Albany Conquest

MANCHESTER WOLVES (0-0) AT WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS (0-0)

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2009 - Wachovia Arena (7,950) 7:30 P.M. ET; Broadcast via af2TV Online

The clash of East Division rivals continues on Friday as the Manchester Wolves travel to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to take on the Pioneers. These two teams have played 21 times in seven years. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton leads the all-time series, 11-10. The Wolves and Coach Danton Barto enter 2009 with high expectations after last year's strong finish. Manchester has a solid group of cast members coming back from the 2008 team, most notable among them being QB James Pinkney. The veteran signal caller from East Carolina, now in his third af2 season, accounted for 74 total touchdowns (59 passing, 15 rushing) in just 12 regular season games played. Two of Pinkney's favorite targets are also back for another season, second-year WRs Emery Sammons and Steven Savoy. Sammons caught 85 passes for 1,156 yards and 21 TDs while Savoy caught 83 passes for 1,155 yards and 24 scores. The team is also high on the addition of Deyon Williams, a rookie receiver with good size and speed. On the opposite side of the ball, the Wolves will need to make up for the loss of two of their best players, DL Joe Crear and DB Dahnel Singfield. Crear led the club in sacks a year ago with 10. Singfield was the team's top tackler (60) and was also a strong cover man who had a team-high 13 pass breakups. Second-year DB Al Phillips along with LB Dwan Wilson are expected to make up for the loss of Crear and Singfield and be big contributors in 2009. Wilson ranked second on the team in sacks (6) in only 10 games. Phillips was a late season addition who showed great potential in the playoffs, recording 11 total tackles and an interception. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Head Coach Rich Ingold was able to bring back the majority of his club from last season, the same team that went 14-2 in the regular season and reached the American Conference Semifinals with QB Ryan Vena under center. Overall, the Vena-led offense averaged a whopping 63.6 points per game in 2008. In two years with the team, the veteran signal caller has guided the Pioneers to a 30-5 overall record. Despite missing the first three regular season games last year, the veteran gunslinger still threw 87 touchdowns and led the af2 in completion percentage (69.7). Also back in the mix from last year's potent offensive cast are receivers Rich Musinski, J.J. Outlaw and Larry Kendrick. All three recorded over 1,000 yards receiving and at least 25 receiving scores in 2008. Rookie WR Irving Campbell has impressed early on and has a good chance to make a name for himself, even with all the veteran talent back in town. As strong as the Pioneer's offense was, the club's defense was just as impressive. As a group, the Pioneers defense allowed the fewest points in the league (604 - 37.8 ppg), forced a league-best 53 turnovers and ranked second overall in sacks with 54. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton boasts a duo of returning lineman in Troy Blackwell and Justin Parrish. Together the pair registered 26.0 sacks. The bullies up front will also be bolstered by the addition of 2008 All-af2 Second Team member Royce Morgan. Morgan led Mahoning Valley last year with 15.0 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss. The secondary looks to be in good shape as well thanks to the return of DBs Micheaux Robinson (First Team All-af2, team-high 78.5 tackles and 14 INTs) and Allan Barnes (48.0 tackles, 2 INTs). Expect this game to be relatively close, however, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton should prevail in the end thanks to a distinct home-field advantage that has seen the team go 20-1 overall at Wachovia Arena in Vena's two years under center.

WOLVES PIONEERS SERIES LEADER Wilkes-Barre/Scranton leads 11-10

LAST MEETING Wilkes-Barre/Scranton won, 69-40, on 6/21/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 4-1

LAST GAME Lost to Tenn. Valley, 34-45, on 8/16/08 Lost to Tenn. Valley, 30-34, on 8/9/08

LEADERS 2008 WOLVES 2008 PIONEERS PASSING Pinkney: 220-342-12; 2877; 59 TDs Vena: 264-379-12; 3409; 87 TDs

RECEIVING Chavez: 86-1147; 28 TDs Outlaw: 99-1267; 31 TDs

RUSHING Pinkney: 10-287; 15 TDs Vena: 24-83; 6 TDs

TACKLES Singfield: 60 Robinson: 78.5

SACKS Crear: 10 Hilton: 15.5

INTERCEPTIONS Brown: 5 Robinson: 14

KICKING McCormick: 32-41 PAT; 7-12 FG 53 PTs Davis: 90-99 PAT; 4-10 FGs 102 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 52.6 PPG; 273.4 YPG 63.6 PPG; 273.9 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 52.8 PPG; 263.9 YPG 37.8 PPG; 244.8 YPG

IOWA BARNSTORMERS (0-0) AT MILWAUKEE IRON (0-0)

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2009 - Bradley Center (7,017) 8:00 P.M. ET; Broadcast via af2TV Online

The expansion Milwaukee Iron welcome Midwest Division opponent Iowa to the Bradley Center for the Iron's first official af2 game. Head Coach John Gregory and a lot of other familiar faces are back for the Barnstormers for their second year in Des Moines after restarting the franchise in 2008. Area fans should have cause for optimism with this group as impact athletes return on both sides of the ball. On the offensive side, it all starts at the quarterback position. The team has two experienced and talent QBs, including last year's returning starter Joe Brannen. Brannen, just a rookie in 2008, struggled a bit in the middle of the season but improved his decision making over his last four showings. During the club's final four games, he threw 18 touchdown passes with just one interception and had four rushing scores. Overall, Brannen finished with 70 total touchdowns (56 passing, 14 rushing) in 16 appearances. The Barnstormers also have another solid signal caller on the roster in three-year league veteran Brian Villaneuva. Villaneuva, who played in one game with Iowa in 2008, played for Gregory with the Arkansas Twisters in 2006 and 2007. In 2007, Villaneuva tossed 56 TD passes to help the Twisters to a 12-win season and second-place finish in the Central Division. This year's Iowa roster also boasts a group of skilled receivers, including returnees Errick McCown and Tim Dodge. New addition Ken Williams, an import from Bossier-Shreveport, could be another impact player as well. Williams had 32 catches for 371 yards and 13 TDs in 11 games in 2008 with the BattleWings. He also played admirably at jack linebacker, registering two interceptions and 38 total tackles. Speaking of defense, the Iowa defensive secondary is in good hands despite the loss of Daniel McLemore and his team-high 11 interceptions. That's because the Barnstormers benefit from having veterans like Jason Simpson and Tanner Varner back in town. Other DBs expected to make a difference are Jordan Davis and DeAndre Jackson. Moving up front, the defensive line looks in good shape with Mike Mathes (7 sacks) and Charles Johnson (6 sacks) leading the way. FB/LB Terrence Freeney's presence, however, will be missed. Freeney relocated to Quad City after leading Iowa in 2008 with 9.5 sacks. After eight years, Arena Football has returned to Milwaukee. Thanks to a group of young and excited local owners, the Iron were forged in October of 2008. The team is led by Gary Compton, a former AFL standout who had his best seasons in Milwaukee as a valuable player with the Mustangs. He has put his new team together with a large number of league veterans. These veterans aren't retreads, however. They can play. On defense, linemen Quartez Vickerson and DeMarcus Johnson are among the names that Iron fans will get to know. Vickerson played for Green Bay in 2008 and recorded 7.5 sacks in just 14 games played. Johnson saw action with the Daytona Beach ThunderBirds last season. The defensive secondary boasts Donnie Amadi, Lavar Stepter and James McCoy. The Iron look strong at linebacker as well with jack linebacker and Mahoning Valley transfer Kellen Driscoll (48.5 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 8 sacks, 6 FFs). On offense, Compton recruited a cast of capable playmakers, including Scott Burnoski (83-1103-24 TDs in 2008), Kellen Allen (65-836-22 TDs in 2008) and Antoine Burns (47-638-9 TDs in 10 games in 2008). Tyre Young will likely carry the rock around the goal line. In just seven games with Green Bay last year, he led the team with 241 rushing yards (8 TDs). Milwaukee's only question marks might be depth on the offensive line and experience at quarterback. The starting signal caller job will likely fall to rookie Tyler Donovan who is a former standout at Wisconsin. If Donovan plays smart to start on Friday night, Milwaukee fans should be entertained by a classic, high-scoring back-and-forth battle.

BARNSTORMERS IRON SERIES LEADER First meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 N/A

LAST GAME Lost to Tulsa, 41-64, on 7/26/08 N/A

LEADERS 2008 BARNSTORMERS IRON PASSING Brannen; 281-511-21; 3190; 56 TDs N/A

RECEIVING Kilow: 95-1026; 21 TDs N/A

RUSHING Payne: 33-128; 5 TDs N/A

TACKLES Varner: 91 N/A

SACKS Freeney: 11.5 N/A

INTERCEPTIONS McLemore: 11 N/A

KICKING Glas: 74-90 PAT; 14-45 FGs 116 PTs N/A

TEAM OFFENSE 45.0 PPG; 2254 YPG N/A

TEAM DEFENSE 47.5 PPG; 2876 YPG N/A

OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (0-0) AT AMARILLO DUSTERS (0-0)

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2009 - Amarillo Civic Center (4,870) 8:00 P.M. ET; Broadcast via af2TV Online

Central Division rivals Amarillo and Oklahoma City get their 2009 season started on Friday with a head-to-head matchup. These two clubs have played nine times since 2005 with Oklahoma City owning a 6-3 all-time edge. Almost two weeks ago the Dusters and Yard Dawgz played a preseason game and Amarillo came out ahead, 51-37. After Amarillo's most successful season in team history in 2008, the Dusters enter 2009 sporting a new look, a new coach and heightened expectations. This year's team is led by six-year coaching veteran Ben Bennett. The Dusters (No. 15 in WK1 Coaches Poll) currently have just three players back from their 2008 club that made a run to the National Conference Championship - WR/DB Craig Fulton, Jr., OL Aaron Turner and DL Jared Williams. Fulton, Jr. has been with Amarillo since the team's first af2 season in 2005. Last year he was the Dusters' top all-around player, recording 19 offensive touchdowns (10 receiving, 9 rushing) in 10 games while leading the team with 613 kick return yards (21.1 yards per return). Fulton, Jr., Turner and Williams may be the only players back from a year ago, but another name fans will be happy about seeing suit up in the Dusters new red and black uniforms is DB/KR Donta Bright. Last year Bright stood out with Oklahoma City, recording 38 total tackles and four interceptions in addition to leading the club in MFG return yards, KR yards and total return TDs (4 - 3 kick return, 1 missed field goal). On the defensive line, look for Williams along with league veteran Ranorris Ray to cause havoc up front. On offense, Bennett will likely test out both QBs - Matt Bassuener and Collin Drafts - to start the season. The receiving corps will be made up of Fulton and a collection of youngsters that include Brent Craft, Xavier Hair and Alex Watson. Sparky McEwen is back in 2009 for his second year with Oklahoma City (No. 13 in WK1 Coaches Poll). He worked hard in the offseason putting together a strong roster as the team vies for its first winning season since 2006. Among the last cast of returning players from 2008 include veteran WR/DB Al Hunt, FB Freddie Rollins and DBs Andre Burns, Travis Seaton and Fred Shaw. Hunt has been a major player for the Yard Dawgz since the beginning of the franchise in 2004. He earned a spot on the All-Ironman team last year after pacing Oklahoma City in receiving and total touchdowns. He also recorded 16 total tackles on defense. Rollins, in just nine games last year, led the Yard Dawgz with 227 rushing yards and 14 rush TDs. Burns, Seaton and Shaw were Oklahoma City's top three tacklers in 2008, respectively, with Burns leading the squad with 76 total stops and five interceptions. In addition to the team's capable cast of returnees, McEwen was also able to bring back one of the team's all-time best defensive linemen, Aaron Chavers. Chavers recorded 5.5 sacks with Tulsa in 2008. The team is also high on a trio of new additions: LB Kendrick Bournes, WR/LB Chris Maddox and QB Robert Kent. Bournes was a disruptive defender for Bossier-Shreveport in 2008 while Maddox showed great potential in his first af2 season with Tulsa. The player with the most promise and pressure, however, is Kent, a three-year veteran who spent the past two seasons with Lubbock. The Jackson State alum is coming off his best professional season. Last season Kent led the Renegades to their first playoff berth with 4,100 yards passing, 86 TD passes and a QB rating over 114. He also tied for the league lead in total touchdowns with 102 (86 passing, 16 rushing). One of the problems behind Oklahoma City's sub-par play in 2008 stemmed from inconsistency under center. Kent should be the answer. After a close preseason tilt less than two weeks ago, expect this Week 1 contest to be just as competitive.

YARD DAWGZ DUSTERS SERIES LEADER Oklahoma City leads 6-3

LAST MEETING Oklahoma City won, 57-51, in overtime on 7/26/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-2

LAST GAME Win over Amarillo, 57-51, on 7/26/08 Lost to Spokane, 49-79, on 8/16/08

LEADERS 2008 YARD DAWGZ 2008 DUSTERS PASSING Gray: 186-389-20; 2359; 47 TDs Reese: 239-402-4; 2712; 55 TDs

RECEIVING Hunt: 94-1343; 26 TDs Lukowiak: 124-1602; 38 TDs

RUSHING Rollins: 63-227; 14 TDs Reese: 56-233; 4 TDs

TACKLES Burns: 76 Washington: 66

SACKS Davis: 4 Mayfield: 4

INTERCEPTIONS Burns: 5 Williams: 12

KICKING Scott: 62-82 PAT; 8-27 FG 86 PTs Felton: 82-89 PAT; 7-25 FGs 103 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 43.2 PPG; 2109 YPG 46.5 PPG; 2571 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 57.1 PPG; 2639 YPG 47.7 PPG; 2516 YPG

BOISE BURN (0-0) AT TRI-CITIES FEVER (0-1)

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2009 - Toyota Center (5,700) 10:00 P.M. ET; Broadcast via af2TV Online

After a season-opening road loss last week, the Fever come home to host Boise in a West Division matchup at the Toyota Center. In five previous meetings, the Burn lead the all-time series, 3-2. After back-to-back 8-8 seasons without a playoff appearance in Boise, the Burn brought in longtime AFL assistant Brent Winter to take the team to the next level. Winter went to work early and has built the Burn back up with a roster made of a strong mix of experience, talent and youth. Boise enters Week 1 ranked No. 14 in the Coaches Poll. WRs Casey Allen and Ahmad Harris, DBs Terrance Sanders and Earnest James and linemen Mark Weivoda and Richard Seals are among the cast of experienced players who have returned to Boise. Allen led the team in receiving in 2008 with 86 catches for 1,073 yards. He also had seven rushing scores. Harris led the team in rushing yards (135) and ranked third in receiving (45-615-15 TDs) and scoring (128). Sanders and James combined for 15 interceptions and 128 tackles. Weivoda was a factor up front on defense with a team-best 13.0 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. Seals earned All-af2 honors in 2008 for his outstanding play anchoring the offensive line group. In addition to keeping Boise's talented corps intact, Winter also brought in a number of talented newcomers. His notable new additions include WR Nichiren Flowers, WR/DB/KR Jomo Wilson, QB Taylor Tharp, DB Roshawn Marshall and FB/LB Damian Walker. Out of the group of five, only Tharp is an Arena Football rookie. Flowers (75-955-20 TDs), Wilson (league-high 7 KR TDs, All-Ironman Team) and Walker (122 rush yards - team-best) all played in Central Valley in 2008 while Marshall (40.5 tackles, 6 INTs) spent last season in Spokane. All four veterans should make an immediate impact. The Burn had three quarterbacks initially in camp, but Tharp was the most impressive. Winter has been pleased with how quickly the rookie from Boise State has picked up the Arena game. On paper, this Boise squad looks solid from top to bottom. Despite Tri-Cities' defeat last week, the Fever feel they are bound for better results in 2009 after winning just four games in 2008. They began their transformation this summer when they hired veteran coach Richard Davis. Davis owns 46 career wins in six af2 seasons. Davis has rebuilt the Tri-Cities roster almost completely. Only two players who spent time with the team in 2008 are likely to see action in Friday's contest - DBs Ray Little and Jamie Hattley. Little didn't see a lot of action in 2008 but managed to make an impression with 11 tackles and two interceptions in three games. Last week Little recorded 2.0 tackles and two pass breakups. Hattley registered 3.5 tackles and one pass breakup. On offense, Tri-Cities will likely start second-year signal caller Joe Ayoob under center again after tossing four TDs (0 INT) at Central Valley. Veteran WR Nakoa McElrath led the Fever in receiving against the Coyotes with 11 catches for 108 yards and two TDs. Rookie Tremayne Kirkland, who played two seasons at Portland State, had six grabs for 49 yards with one score. Boise appears to be the better club on paper, but the Fever have the benefit of playing at home with one game already under their belt. Expect this West affair to be close throughout.

BURN FEVER SERIES LEADER Boise leads 3-2

LAST MEETING Boise won, 52-34, on 6/28/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 0-5

LAST GAME Lost to Spokane, 48-63, on 7/26/08 Lost to Cen. Valley, 64-71, on 7/26/08

LEADERS 2008 BURN FEVER PASSING Gill: 228-433-13; 2655; 53 TDs Ayoob: 22-44-0; 199; 4 TDs

RECEIVING Allen: 86-1073; 14 TDs McElrath: 11-108; 2 TDs

RUSHING Harris: 19-135; 5 TDs Ayoob: 2-5; 0 TD

TACKLES Williams: 71 Walker: 7.5

SACKS Tofi: 10 Broadus, Clark: 1

INTERCEPTIONS Saunders: 9 N/A

KICKING Madarieta: 46-76 PAT; 0-4 FG 60 PTs Braunstein: 3-3 PAT; 1-2 FG 6 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 50.5 PPG; 232.1 YPG 38.0 PPG; 204.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 45.8 PPG; 244.3 YPG 47.0 PPG; 228.0 YPG

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