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Week seven Friday night af2 matchups

May 10, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


ALBANY CONQUEST (2-3) AT MANCHESTER WOLVES (2-3)

FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2007 - Verizon Wireless Arena (9,650) 7:00 P.M. ET

* Broadcast via B2 Networks

The Conquest travel to New Hampshire this week for an East Division battle against the Wolves. Albany and Manchester have met 15 times since their series began in 2002. The Wolves hold a slight edge, 8-7. The Conquest are coming off a tough 56-51 home loss to Florida in Week 6. Albany gave the veteran-led Firecats all they could handle. WR BAKARI

BROWN put on a one-man show with an af2-record 20 catches for 217 yards and five touchdowns. He also returned a kickoff 57 yards for a score and finished with 355 all-purpose yards. Defensively, LB MICHAEL LEWIS recorded 7.0 tackles, including 3.0 tackles for loss and one sack. The Conquest battled back from an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter and cut the lead to five with 2:25 left. After a defensive stop, Albany got the ball back with just :11 seconds to play. Two unsuccessful pass plays from QB RYAN HART sealed the Conquest's fate. Hart, a rookie from Rutgers, has played like a veteran so far in 2007, throwing for 32 touchdowns (2nd in af2) with just one interception. Brown currently leads the league in receptions (50) and in all-purpose yards (1,052) and tops the Conquest in receiving yards (550) and kick return yards (487). Brown is also tied with WR ANTWUN WILLIAMS for the team lead in scoring with 78 points. DB CALVIN WASHINGTON (25.0 tackles) and LB JOSE HARRIS (3.5 sacks) are two of the team's top playmakers on defense.

After two straight wins, the Wolves ran into W-B/Scranton last week and dropped a 59-42 decision. QB RYAN PORTER, who played flawless in his two previous starts (14 TDs, 0 INTs), stumbled a bit against the Pioneers pressure defense. On his second interception, Porter was hit hard and left the game with a bruised knee. Backup Brian Zbyndniewski replaced him and tossed four second-half touchdowns, but RYAN VENA and company were too much to handle for a depleted Wolves secondary. Porter, whose health as improved, will get the start Friday. If given time, he has a number of weapons to throw to, including WRs ARI CONFESOR, PATRICK ROUZARD and JARRAIL JACKSON. Confesor leads the group with 32 catches for 387 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, rookie DE MAURICE FOUNTAIN has been impressive. He had his best game against the Pioneers with 2.5 sacks. Veteran DB ALLISTAIR SEBASTIEN leads the secondary with 30.5 tackles. WR/DB DAVID BAILEY has a team-best two interceptions. This game is too close to call.

ALBANY MANCHESTER SERIES LEADER Manchester leads 8-7

LAST MEETING Manchester won 51-50 on 7/22/06

LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 2-3

LAST GAME Lost 51-56 vs. Florida on 5/5 Lost 59-42 at W-B/Scranton on 5/5

2007 LEADERS ALBANY MANCHESTER PASSING Hart: 120-185-1; 1327; 32 TDs Zbyndniewski: 58-107-4; 692; 13 TDs

RECEIVING Brown: 50-550; 11 TDs Confesor: 32-387; 9 TDs

RUSHING Robinson: 6-17; 0 TD Fichter: 19-40; 1 TD

TACKLES Washington: 25.0 Sebastien: 30.5

SACKS Harris: 3.5 Fountain: 2.5

INTERCEPTIONS Washington & Curd: 1 Bailey: 2

KICKING Glas: 28-34 PAT; 5-7 FG; 43 PTs Pohlman: 21-29 PAT; 0-7 FG; 21 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 52.6 PPG; 265.4 YPG 46.2 PPG; 254.2 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 44.0 PPG; 242.6 YPG 46.8 PPG; 246.6 YPG

LOUISVILLE FIRE (2-3) AT FORT WAYNE FUSION (2-4)

FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2007 - Allen County Memorial Coliseum (12,500) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Fire hope to stay hot in Week 7 when the team travels to Indiana to face the expansion Fusion. Louisville is coming off an impressive 52-34 road win against the expansion Mahoning Valley Thunder in Week 6. In that contest, QB SHANE ADLER, in his first af2 start, threw for 237 yards and four scores without an interception. WR TIGER JONES was a force for the Fire once again with 11 catches for 169 yards and three touchdowns. FB/LB DEMETRIUS FORNEY also ran for 51 yards and a TD in the win. Louisville's defense also stepped up, allowing only one second-half score (4 stops) from Mahoning Valley and a season-low 34 points overall. Adler will likely get the start again under center. Jones will be a player the Fusion defense will need to keep a close eye on as the rookie has gone over 100 yards receiving in every game so far for the Fire. He ranks in the top-5 in the af2 in catches (44 - T3rd) and receiving yards (621 - 2nd) and also has 10 receiving scores. Forney's name is also among the league leaders in rushing (131 yards - 3rd) and rushing TDs (6 - T5th). He is also a factor on defense for the Fire with 2.5 sacks. He is tied for the team lead with OL/DL EDDIE YAUCH. The team's secondary is keyed by the af2's all-time interception leader MATT FORBES (28 career INTs) and NATE GREEN. The Fusion, once 2-1, have lost three straight games, including last week's 35-32 road defeat at the hands of the Cincinnati Jungle Kats. The win was Cincinnati's first win of 2007. Fort Wayne has been hurt by injuries in the team's recent losing streak. The biggest injury was to starting QB CODY HODGES, who suffered a concussion two weeks ago. He played late against Cincinnati, but should be close to full strength for Friday's game against the Fire. That should help the Fusion's fortunes. Hodges, an af2 rookie from pass-happy Texas Tech, is a threat with his arm or his legs. He has 17 touchdown passes and ranks among the league leaders in rushing (109 yards - 4th) and rushing touchdowns (7 - T2nd). The team's leading receiver is JERMAINE JACKSON (47 catches, 408 yards, 6 TDs). DB DEREK BROWN is the team's top playmaker on defense with 26.0 tackles and three fumble recoveries. He had a 42-yard fumble return for a touchdown against the Jungle Kats. Despite Fort Wayne's streak of shaky play, expect them to rebound at home with an inspired effort. As a result, this contest should be a highly-competitive battle that might not be decided until the final moments.

LOUISVILLE FORT WAYNE SERIES LEADER First Meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 1-4

LAST GAME Won 52-34 at Mahoning Valley on 5/5 Lost 32-35 at Cincinnati on 5/5

2007 LEADERS LOUISVILLE FORT WAYNE PASSING Sauk: 62-101-2; 771; 15 TDs Hodges: 83-146-5; 836; 17 TDs

RECEIVING Jones: 44-621; 10 TDs Jackson: 47-408; 6 TDs

RUSHING Forney: 29-131; 6 TDs Hodges: 22-109; 7 TDs

TACKLES Midlam: 24.0 Williams: 31.5

SACKS Yauch and Forney: 2.5 Lindsay: 3.0

INTERCEPTIONS Forbes and Green: 1 Four players tied: 1

KICKING Hendrix: 25-32 PAT; 4-7 FG; 37 PTs Hooper: 17-20 PAT; 2-6 FG; 23 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 53.0 PPG; 300.6 YPG 40.8 PPG; 214.3 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 57.0 PPG; 266.4 YPG 45.8 PPG; 253.5 YPG

RIO GRANDE VALLEY DORADOS (4-1) AT CORPUS CHRISTI SHARKS (0-5)

FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2007 - American Bank Center (7,498) 8:00 P.M. ET

The Dorados take their show on the road this week three hours north to Corpus Christi for their first battle with the expansion Sharks. Rio Grande Valley is coming into Week 7 with a lot of confidence after the team's 45-42 home win against South Georgia. The Dorados defense was impressive again in the win, forcing three turnovers (2 interceptions, 1 fumble). QB JOSH KELLETT threw five touchdowns to lead the Rio Grande Valley offense. WR/LB MEL LONG had two touchdowns on four catches for 54 yards. The Dorados, who played their second game without WR GEORGE WILLIAMS (12 receiving TDs), saw another veteran return to the fold in WR/LB TRAVIS MCALPINE. In his first game of 2007, McAlpine had four catches for 39 yards and one touchdown on offense and registered 5.0 tackles on defense. DB CHRIS CANTY was also a factor for the Dorados defense with two interceptions. Rio Grande Valley's defense has been stingy all season. The Dorados lead the af2 in sacks (17) and in red-zone defense (10-for-23, 43.5%) and are tied for the league lead with nine fumble recoveries, five of which have been returned for touchdowns. OL/DL TOLIFILI LIUFAU leads the team with four sacks. Canty is the team's top playmaker in the secondary. Rio Grande Valley is currently ranked No. 7 in the latest Coaches Poll. The Sharks enter Week 7 still searching for their first af2 win. Last week Corpus Christi ran into the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings. After pulling within eight points in the early part of the third quarter, 22-14, the Wings outscored Corpus Christi 40-13 down the stretch to secure their fifth straight win. In the process, they handed the Sharks their fifth straight loss. Corpus Christi was led in the loss by former AFL standout wideout STEVE SMITH, who had nine catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns. The Sharks defense, which is giving up a league worst 70.6 points per game, did recover three Bossier-Shreveport fumbles. DB DONTE KING leads the team with 22.0 tackles while DB WILLIAM HEYWARD has recorded a team-best four interceptions and eight pass breakups. The Dorados look to have the clear advantage over Corpus Christi in this contest, but they can't afford to look past the Sharks if they want to stay close to Bossier-Shreveport in the Southwest Division standings.

RIO GRANDE VALLEY CORPUS CHRISTI SERIES LEADER First Meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 0-5

LAST GAME Won 45-42 vs. South Georgia on 5/5 Lost 62-27 vs. Bossier-Shrev. on 5/5

2007 LEADERS RIO GRANDE VALLEY CORPUS CHRISTI PASSING Kellett: 89-158-6; 1100; 23 TDs De Los Santos: 56-102-6; 544; 10 TDs

RECEIVING Blalock: 27-293; 4 TDs Hussey: 43-368; 6 TDs

RUSHING Gatlin: 18-81; 2 TDs Salinas: 1-26; 0 TD

TACKLES Burns: 20.0 King: 22.0

SACKS Liafau: 4.0 Hood: 1.0

INTERCEPTIONS Canty: 2 Heyward: 4

KICKING Broadwell: 24-36 PAT; 3-5 FG; 36 PTs Onorato: 18-21 PAT; 2-11 FG; 24 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 53.8 PPG; 249.8 YPG 31.6 PPG; 174.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 41.2 PPG; 237.8 YPG 70.6 PPG; 303.4 YPG

TRI-CITIES FEVER (3-2) AT GREEN BAY BLIZZARD (2-3)

FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2007 - Resch Center (7,995) 8:30 P.M. ET

* Broadcast via B2 Networks

The Fever, winners of three straight, travel to Green Bay, Wisc. this week for their first-ever meeting with the Blizzard. This game will mark the return of "Superman" Robert Garth. Now a key component of Tri-Cities' early success, Garth was well-known and well-liked in Green Bay for his efforts during his four-year career with the Blizzard. He currently ranks second on the Fever with 25 catches for 376 yards and nine touchdowns. He has also been a factor on defense with 2.0 tackles for loss and two interceptions. Other Fever offensive weapons include WR J.R. THOMAS (14 receiving TDs) and QB BRIAN BAKER (30 TD passes, 1,363 passing yards). Defensively, Tri-Cities' strength is its secondary. DBs JAMIE HATTLEY, RUCHARD DODD-MASTERS and MUHAMMAD SHAMSID-DEEN all have two interceptions while Hattley leads the squad in tackles and is tied for third in the af2 with 36.5 total stops. OL/DL VICHAEL FOXX is the team's top sack man with 2.0. Tri-Cities is ranked No. 14 in the latest Coaches Poll. The Blizzard return home this week after an ugly 26-21 road loss at Tennessee Valley. The Vipers forced Green Bay into seven turnovers (5 fumbles, 2 INTs). The Blizzard's 21-point output was their lowest of the season. Green Bay has been a tough team to figure out in the first five games of the season. Offensively, the team needs to improve. As a group, the Blizzard average just 31.0 points per game average, a standard that puts them only ahead of one team in the af2 - Texas (24.6). That sub-par offensive output has put added stress on Green Bay's defense, which has been very impressive in the early season. The Blizzard have limited their opponents to just 36.6 points per contest (4th best in af2). The team's top defenders include OL/DL JASON HARDEE (5.0 sacks - T4th in af2) and DBs STEPHEN CASON (team-high 30.5 tackles) and DB RONNIE AMADI (team-best 2 INTs, 12 PBUs). On offense, QB ZEKE DIXON has been up and down. Last week he was down, throwing just one touchdown and two interceptions. WRs DANNY DONALDSON (23 catches, 304 yards, 5 TDs) and KELLEN ALLEN (15 catches, 238 yards, 2 TDs) have been Green Bay's top playmakers. The good news for the Blizzard this week, however, is that they are in home at the Resch Center. The team has won both its home games so far in 2007. If the Blizzard can muster some offense, their defense will keep things close against the Fever.

FEVER BLIZZARD SERIES LEADER First Meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 2-3

LAST GAME Won 57-44 vs. Stockton on 5/5 Lost 21-26 at Tenn. Valley on 5/4

2007 LEADERS FEVER BLIZZARD PASSING Baker: 102-173-4; 1363; 30 TDs Dixon: 69-125-3; 851; 11 TDs

RECEIVING Thomas: 42-572; 14 TDs Donaldson: 23-304; 5 TDs

RUSHING Rogers: 4-14; 0 TD Ficklin: 19-55; 2 TDs

TACKLES Hattley: 36.5 Cason: 30.5

SACKS Foxx: 2.0 Hardee: 5.0

INTERCEPTIONS Four players tied: 2 Amadi, R.: 2

KICKING Virgilio: 17-27 PAT; 2-3 FG; 23 PTs Forstrom: 11-15 PAT; 2-9 FG; 17 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 47.8 PPG; 266.2 YPG 31.0 PPG; 226.6 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 44.6 PPG; 242.6 YPG 36.6 PPG; 191.6 YPG

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