Week Six Game Recaps
Published on May 6, 2002 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release
Richmond Speed (6-0) 36, Cape Fear Wildcats (2-2) 28
RICHMOND, Va. - BOB BEES' five-yard touchdown run with 56 seconds to go proved to be the difference as the Richmond Speed edged the Cape Fear Wildcats 36-28 in an Atlantic Division matchup at Richmond Coliseum. The Speed has won 27 of its last 32 games, including 16 straight at Richmond Coliseum.
Richmond fell behind 13-0 in the first quarter before RICHARD HOLLAND turned the game around with a 25-yard interception return for touchdown. The Speed went on to score two more TDs and took a 20-13 halftime lead.
After Cape Fear tied the game at 20-20 in the third quarter, the Speed scored 16 straight points and carried a 36-20 lead into the final minute. A HOSEA FRIDAY touchdown reception with :05 left decreased the margin to eight. But Richmond FB/LB and Ironman of the Game BRIAN EDMONDS recovered the ensuing onside kick and sealed the victory.
OS JEFF TOWNSLEY led the Speed with four catches for 97 yards and a touchdown and added 53 return yards. Bees completed 13 of 27 passes for 166 yards and one touchdown. Game MVP RODNEY SLEDGE finished with three sacks while Holland, who was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game, had six tackles, three pass deflections and his interception return for TD. Cape Fear's NORMAN MASON totaled 10 catches for 102 yards.
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Tallahassee Thunder (2-2) 70, Charleston Swamp Foxes (2-2) 49
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Two weeks ago in Charleston, the Swamp Foxes beat the Tallahassee Thunder 53-44. On Friday night, Tallahassee got its revenge, upending the Foxes 70-49 before 2,368 fans at the Leon County Civic Center.
Thunder QB CHRIS PERKINS earned MVP honors, completing 20-of-39 passes for 276 yards and eight touchdowns. Tallahassee's JAMES DICKERSON led all receivers with eight catches for 120 yards and two scores.
Charleston QB MIKE BATH completed 13-of-23 passes for 222 yards and four scores, also rushing for three more touchdowns. However, he couldn't escape the pressure of the Tallahassee line, which sacked him six times.
MICHAEL BROWN was named the game's Ironman. He had six catches for 100 yards and two scores while contributing 4.5 tackles (4UT-1AT) for the Swamp Foxes. Charleston's RICHARD BROOKS led all defenders with six solo tackles.
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Birmingham Steeldogs (4-1) 49, Florida Firecats (3-1) 31
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Birmingham Steeldogs earned their fourth consecutive victory with a 49-31 skinning of the Florida Firecats Friday before a crowd of 5,122 at TECO Arena. The Firecats entered the game with a 3-0 record and boasting the league's third-best scoring defense.
With the game tied at 13-13 in the second quarter, the Steeldogs scored 16 unanswered points, with MONTRESSA KIRBY TD passes to CEDRICK BUCHANNON and ANTHONY JORDAN and a safety by WILLIAM MAYES. The Steeldogs led by at least 10 points the rest of the way.
For the second consecutive week, Kirby (13-of-23, 242 yards) threw seven touchdown passes. WAYNE THOMAS was the Steeldogs' leading receiver, hauling in six catches for 82 yards and three touchdowns. Jordan also had three TD catches for the Steeldogs. ANTHONY DIXON led the Firecats with 13 catches for 110 yards and a TD. QB DERRICK TAITE completed only eight passes for 71 yards with two interceptions before being pulled in the second half. Defensively, the Steeldogs held Florida to just 144 yards of total offense. CEDRICK BUCHANNON had a team-high 7.5 tackles and JEFF HANNAH registered 6.5 tackles and a pass deflection.
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New Haven Ninjas (2-3) 46, Rochester Brigade (2-3) 28
ROCHESTER, NY - Game MVP JARROD ROUANZOIN threw for five touchdowns and ran for another to lead the New Haven Ninjas to a 46-28 victory over the Rochester Brigade before 5,547 fans at the Blue Cross Arena. The victory avenged a 61-34 defeat in the season opener, gave New Haven its first road win of the season and tied the two teams at 2-3 in the Northeast Division.
New Haven and Rochester traded scores for most of the first half, but the Ninjas put together a string of three straight touchdowns late in the first half and early third quarter to put the game out of reach.
Ironman KERRY TAYLOR grabbed four receptions for 65 yards and one score. He also rushed for another touchdown and recorded a sack for the Ninjas. Rochester's MARTINO THEUS had another strong game for the Brigade, accounting for 195 of the team's 225 yards of offense. He had a game-high 14 receptions and two touchdowns.
Ninjas' DS DAMON RICHARDSON was named the ADT Defensive Player of the game, contributing 7.5 tackles (7UT-1AT).
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Peoria Pirates (3-2) 45, Wichita Stealth (1-4) 18
PEORIA, Ill. - Trailing 7-0 early, the Peoria Pirates scored 45 of the next 50 points to cruise past the Wichita Stealth 45-18 in front of 6,122 fans at the Peoria Civic Center Friday night.
Pirates WR/DB BRANDON CAMPBELL almost single-handedly turned the tide with a 49-yard touchdown return of the kickoff following Wichita's opening TD. JERMAINE SHEFFIELD gave Peoria a 14-7 lead with a 20-yard TD reception, then put Peoria up 24-10 at halftime with a 25-yard grab. Sheffield's second TD was set up by the first of two interceptions by ADT Defensive Player of the Game LINCOLN DUPREE. Sheffield earned game MVP honors, catching five passes for 70 yards.
In the second half, things continued to go the Pirates' way as they increased their lead to 38-10 before the Stealth scored again.
FB/LB KEN JOHNSON, who had a 5-yard TD run and three sacks, was named Ironman of the Game. The bright spot for Wichita was offensive specialist PASCAL VOLZ, who caught nine passes for 104 yards. Wichita QB MATT HICKS finished the game 20-of-42 for 237 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions while Peoria QB WALTER CHURCH completed 15-of-31 passes for 198 yards and 2 TDs.
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Augusta Stallions (4-0) 55, Columbus Wardogs (1-3) 39
COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Augusta Stallions remained perfect on the season with a 55-39 win over the Columbus Wardogs before 3,000 fans Saturday night at the Civic Center.
BILLIE LUCKIE made a encouraging debut as quarterback for the Wardogs, completing 15-of-38 passes for 234 yards and five touchdowns, but he was overshadowed by Augusta's GLEN GUANT, who threw for 250 yards and six touchdowns on 18-of-30 passing.
Columbus WR/DB PHIL TAYLOR, who joined the Wardogs this week after being cut by Toronto of the AFL, led all receivers with nine catches for 189 yards and four touchdowns. TIM DUMAS led the Stallions with seven receptions for 87 yards and one score.
Returner MIKE SCOTT tied a league record with a 58-yard kickoff return for the Wardogs in the contest.
Norfolk Nighthawks (1-3) 58, Mohegan Wolves (2-3) 51 - overtime
NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk Nighthawks earned its first win of 2002 by getting past the Mohegan Wolves 58-51 in overtime before 4,882 fans Saturday night at Scope Arena.
Norfolk's TRAVIS BURNS rushed for the go-ahead score in overtime and OL/DL ABDUL SHABAZZ-WIGGINS caused a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, which Norfolk recovered, to seal the win for the Nighthawks.
Nighthawks WR/DB GARY BRIGGS had a 57-yard kickoff return and a 57-yard missed field goal return for touchdowns. Overall, he accumulated 266 all-purpose yards and had four touchdowns, earning game MVP honors. Shabazz-Wiggins was named ADT Defensive Player of the game, totaling four tackles, one sack and the forced fumble in overtime.
Norfolk QB ROY JOHNSON had an efficient game, completing 20-of-35 pass attempts for 226 yards and four touchdowns in his first full start of the season. Mohegan's CABLE DAVIS completed 14-of-29 for 208 yards and four touchdowns. BRANDON BURNSIDE continued to shine for the Wolves, leading all receivers with eight receptions for 142 yards and three scores.
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Carolina Rhinos (1-3) 82, Greensboro Prowlers (2-3) 60
GREENVILLE, S.C. - The Carolina Rhinos set a team record for points Saturday, beating the Greensboro Prowlers 82-60 to earn their first win of the year before 5,421 fans at the BI-LO Center.
The Rhinos' 82 points tie for the 10th-most in af2 history. In addition, the 142 combined points makes the game the fourth-highest scoring contest in league history.
NICK JOHNSON and MAL LAWYER (game MVP) led the way for Carolina with 179 and 155 all-purpose yards, respectively, and three touchdowns apiece. Rookie QB CALEB SLOVER threw for 155 yards and six touchdowns. Prowlers' QB CHRIS WEIBEL completed 17-of-36 for 232 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions, also rushing for a score. OS ANTOINE CALLOWAY led all receivers with eight catches for 122 yards and one touchdown.
Carolina's SURHAVER FAIR was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game with 4.5 tackles (4UT-1AT), an interception and two passes defensed. JERMAINE DERRICOTT earned Ironman honors with three catches for 72 yards and a score. Defensively, he registered three tackles.
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Macon Knights (4-1) 50, Jacksonville Tomcats (1-3) 47
MACON, Ga. - Macon FB/LB RENDELL JACKSON batted away Jacksonville's game-tying field goal attempt as time expired, giving the Knights a 50-47 win over the Tomcats Saturday at the Macon Coliseum.
The Knights led 36-7 in the third quarter when Jacksonville took control, accounting for seven of the game's final nine scores. They outscored the Knights 40-21 in the second half, but Macon was able to hold on for the win.
Game MVP honors went to OS JAQUEZ RUMPH, who caught eight passes for 115 yards (leading all receivers), returned two missed field goals for 23 yards and returned five kickoffs for 39 yards. Knights' QB JOHN RAYBORN completed 20-of-27 passes for 247 yards and five touchdowns. Three of Rayborn's touchdown passes were to WR/LB MARTEZ WESLEY (seven receptions, 76 yards).
Tomcats QB RASHARD CASEY completed 15-of-30 passes for 225 yards and four touchdowns. WR/DB JAMES ADDERLY caught five passes for 81 yards and one touchdown to lead the Tomcats.
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Roanoke Steam (3-2) 44, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (0-5) 26
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The Roanoke Steam won its third straight game, defeating the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers 44-26 Saturday before 7,043 fans at First Union Arena.
Taking a four-point lead into the fourth quarter, Roanoke added two more touchdowns and held the Pioneers scoreless, sealing the win for the Steam. It was the second time in three home games that the Pioneers failed to score in the game's final 15 minutes.
QB CHRIS SANDERS started for the Steam, but was replaced by AL CLARK after injuring his knee. The Steam signal-callers completed 22-of-37 passes combined for 250 yards and two scores. They threw no interceptions. TYLER TOMICH had 14 completions on 24 attempts for 147 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw three two picks and was sacked three times.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's RODRICK PRAYER led the way defensively with a game-high 13 tackles (11UT-4AT) and one pass defensed.
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Pensacola Barracudas (2-2) 47, Bossier City Battle Wings (2-3) 40
PENSACOLA, Fla. - JERRIAN JAMES caught a 37-yard touchdown from BOBBY CLAYTON with 50 seconds left to give Pensacola a 47-40 win over Bossier City Saturday before a crowd of 3,480 people.
SHERARD POTEETE had given Bossier City a 40-39 lead with 2:16 left on a 1-yard run, capping a Battle Wings' rally from a 39-21 deficit. Bossier City had the opportunity to score on the final play of the game, but Poteete misfired to KEVIN STEVENSON in the end zone.
ROBERT STROMAS caught a pair of touchdown passes for Pensacola and was named the Ironman of the Game. He grabbed four passes for a team-high 66 yards. Clayton finished the night completing 10-of-25 passes for 176 yards and four touchdowns.
Poteete was 15-of-36 for 143 yards and three touchdowns, adding 38 yards and his go-ahead TD on the ground. Stevenson totaled 182 all-purpose yards, with 84 receiving yards and two TDs.
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Memphis Xplorers (4-1) 80, Mobile Wizards (0-5) 18
MOBILE, Ala. - The Memphis Xplorers set team records for points scored and margin of victory, spoiling Mobile's home opener 80-18 Saturday.
Memphis QB TIM LESTER, the game MVP, completed 22-of-33 passes for 313 yards and seven touchdowns. His 1-yard TD run gave the Xplorers a 47-6 lead just before halftime before DAVID SIMMONS provided the highlight of Mobile's night when he returned the ensuing kickoff 48 yards on the last play of the first half.
Memphis OS RUSSELL COPELAND caught eight passes for 119 yards and three TDs to lead all receivers. Ironman of the Game CARLOS McNEARY of Memphis totaled 82 receiving yards and a TD and also intercepted a pass. ADT Defensive Player of the Game JESSE ALLEN completed the Xplorers' onslaught with a 5-yard fumble return for TD and a 39-yard interception return in the game's final minute.
In all, Memphis threw for seven touchdowns, rushed for a pair of scores, returned two interceptions for touchdowns and returned a fumble for a score. The Xplorers' six overall INTs - three each off of LEMUE ADAMS and JOHN HOLMES - tied a league record.
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Tennessee Valley Vipers (4-0) 44, Arkansas Twisters (3-2) 30
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Tennessee Valley OS KELLY FIELDS grabbed 10 passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns to lift the Vipers to a 44-30 victory over the Arkansas Twisters Saturday in front of 5,111 fans.
The Vipers jumped out to a 23-0 lead in the first 21 minutes of the game. Ironman of the Game ED HOWARD opened Tennessee Valley's scoring by pulling in a 17-yard pass from QB Wes Counts with 12:35 left in the first quarter. After TODD LATOURETTE's 19-yard field goal and a 17-yard TD catch by game MVP Fields, Howard punctuated the opening flurry with a 7-yard interception return for TD. Two DARNELL SMALL TD runs cut the Viper lead to 23-13, but scoring runs by PAT HOUSE and REGGIE WORTHY along with a late scoring strike from WES COUNTS to Fields sealed the Vipers' fifth straight win over the Twisters.
Counts was efficient, completing 19-of-27 passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns. Arkansas QB RICKY HEBERT, who had thrown 15 TD passes in the last two games, managed just one touchdown and 185 yards on 12-of-32 passing. Viper DS KELLY SNELL was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game with two interceptions, four tackles and two pass deflections.
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Bakersfield Blitz (4-1) 64, Fresno Frenzy (0-5) 41
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Bakersfield Blitz pounded Fresno 64-41 Saturday at Centennial Garden to win the first "Battle of Highway 99" in front of 5,932 fans. The Blitz charged to the victory behind QB CHAD ELLIOTT, who was 31-for-39 and threw for a season-high 352 yards and five touchdowns.
With Bakersfield leading 9-0, the teams combined to score three straight special teams TDs. Bakersfield DS J'SHARLON JONES, the ADT Defensive Player of the Game, recovered a kickoff that rebounded off the end zone net to give the Blitz a 16-0 lead. Fresno's LAMONT WEBB and Bakersfield's STEVE WOFFORD then exchanged kickoff returns of 56 and 57 yards, respectively, to make the score 23-7.
Fresno twice cut the lead to nine points, the last time at 43-34 in the fourth quarter, but back-to-back TDs by Wofford and WR/DB RYAN SLOTH put the game away. Wofford, the game MVP, caught 11 passes for 105 yards and four touchdowns. Ironman of the Game Sloth caught eight passes for 105 yards and three TDs.
Fresno quarterback RICKY RAY was 18-for-31 for 163 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed for three touchdowns. Webb caught 10 passes for 104 yards and a TD.
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San Diego Riptide (2-3) 68, Louisville Fire (0-5) 27
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The San Diego Riptide broke open a 20-20 game with a 48-7 run to extinguish the Louisville Fire 68-27. Game MVP MARTY GRAHAM tied an af2 record with a 58-yard kickoff return just before halftime to ignite the Riptide scoring romp.
San Diego increased its 27-20 halftime lead to 48-20 before the Fire scored again. BRAD GREETIS and RICO CURTIS caught TD passes from Riptide QB KANE CLAUNCH and also scored on defense during the stretch. Greetis blocked a field goal that went for a safety while Curtis, the game's Ironman, returned a fumble 17 yards for a score. ADT Defensive Player of the Game RYAN SMITH later added a 52-yard interception return for TD.
Claunch completed 13-of-17 passes for 222 yards and six touchdowns, all to different receivers. Graham totaled 183 all-purpose yards, scoring by rush, reception and kickoff return. ANTHONY PAYTON led Louisville with 113 receiving yards and a TD. Fire QB DAN ENGLISH passed for 227 yards and 2 TDs, also throwing three interceptions.
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Tulsa Talons (4-1) 70, Hawaiian Islanders (1-4) 42
HONOLULU, Hawaii - MITCH ALLNER scored five touchdowns, including a 57-yard kickoff return, as Tulsa defeated Hawaii 70-42 before 2,453 fans at Neal Blaisdell Arena. Allner, who was named the game MVP, caught six passes for 106 yards and three touchdowns and returned four kickoffs for 164 yards and two TDs.
Allner's 56-yard kickoff return and JOE PHEARS' TD passes to KEONTA GOLSON and Allner helped turn a 13-9 Talons' deficit into a 30-20 lead. Allner made it 44-27 when he returned the opening kickoff of the second half 57 yards for a TD. Tulsa closed out the scoring with another kick return TD, a 5-yarder by SHAN JORDAN on a Hawaii onside kick attempt late in the game.
The Tulsa quarterback tandem of ANTHONY BUICH and Phears passed for 217 yards and six touchdowns. Islanders QB DARNELL ARCENEAUX passed for 212 yards and three touchdowns.
Jordan, who had three tackles and two pass deflections in addition to his special teams TD, was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game. Tulsa kicker TONY DODSON set a league record with a 63-yard field goal in the first quarter.
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THIS WEEK IN af2 HISTORY
5/12/01: Quad City loses its first-ever game, 49-47 to Tulsa . With two touchdowns against Peoria, Birmingham OS WAYNE THOMAS sets the af2 career scoring record with 288 total points. He adds 150 more points by the end of the 2001 season, increasing his career mark to 438. With 84 points so far this year, his current career total is 522.
arenafootball2 Stories from May 6, 2002
- Wolves Game Notes - Mohegan Wolves
- Week Six Game Recaps - af2
- Greg Kyler Returns to Wichita - Wichita Stealth
- Wolves lose to Nighthawks 58-51 in OT - Mohegan Wolves
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