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Week three af2 game recaps

Published on April 18, 2006 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


FRIDAY, APRIL 14

W-B/Scranton Pioneers 55, ALBANY CONQUEST 48 OT (Attendance: 6,371)

ALBANY, N.Y. - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers DS Matt Forbes' interception in overtime clinched a 55-48 road victory over the Albany Conquest in front of 6,317 at Pepsi Arena's U.S. Army Field on Friday night. Pioneers OS J.R. Thomas caught the winning touchdown on a 26-yard strike 2:32 into the extra session. Wilkes-Barre forced overtime when WR/DB Yardon Brantley brought down an eight-yard TD reception with just over a minute remaining in regulation to tie the game at 48-48. The Conquest missed a last second field goal from 35 yards out that would have ensured a victory. Albany led by as many as 20 points at one time in the contest, 27-7. Albany QB Ryan Vena was named the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game with 364 yards passing and a role in all seven touchdowns. Vena also threw three interceptions. WR/LB Manwell Talbert earned U.S. Army Ironman of the game honors with five catches for 89 yards to go along with 0.5 sacks. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Joe Hollister was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game. Talbert earned the Cutters Catch of the Game for the second straight week for his second one-handed grab of the night late in the third quarter. Pioneers rookie QB Mike Granieri played like a veteran in the victory, throwing for 298 yards and six touchdowns with just one interception. Brantley finished with eight catches for 102 yards and two scores.

Manchester Wolves 39, LOUISVILLE FIRE 34 (Attendance: 5,263)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The name of the game was defense for the Manchester Wolves Friday night, as they stopped the Louisville Fire seven times en route to a 39-34 win in front of 5,263 at Freedom Hall. After falling behind early, Manchester went up 14-10 in the second quarter on a 7-yard touchdown pass to Marc Bacote from QB Kyle Rowley and never trailed again. The Wolves defense, led by Allistair Sebastien, forced a pair of field goals, fumbles and interceptions on the night. Manchester extinguished the Fire's remaining flames on the last drive of the game with five seconds left, as the Wolves swatted away Louisville QB Brett Dietz's desperation 28-yard Hail-Mary attempt that bounced off the end zone net. Sebastien earned the ADT Defensive Player of the Game with his two interceptions, his 21st and 22nd all-time, ranking him 4th overall in af2 league history. Bacote earned the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game with four touchdown grabs (6 total catches, 39 yards), while FB/LB Mark Kimener earned the U.S. ARMY Ironman of the Game for his solid play on defense and 12-yard rushing touchdown on offense. Louisville OS Rob Mager's third quarter touchdown grab earned him the Cutter's Catch of the Game. Rowley finished with 187 yards and four touchdowns while throwing two interceptions during his first game as the Wolves starter. Manchester WR/DB David Bailey led all receivers with 12 receptions for 85 yards. Louisville's Nate Green had a solid overall effort in defeat, recording a 54-yard kick return for a touchdown to go along with 3.5 tackles on defense.

Rio Grande Valley Dorados 44, BIRMINGHAM STEELDOGS 43 OT (Attendance: 5,355)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Birmingham Steeldogs' rally fell short in overtime as the Rio Grande Valley Dorados won 44-43 on Friday night at the BJCC Arena in front of 5,355 fans. Anthony Morris' nine-yard touchdown run in the extra period put the Steeldogs within one point, following Rio Grande's first possession touchdown pass from Josh Kellett to Dwight Counter. But, after deciding to forego the extra-point try, QB Ryan Hawk's two-point conversion pass fell incomplete and the comeback stopped one-point shy of sudden death. Kellett finished 26-of-52 for 264 yards and five touchdowns. Dwight Counter, the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game, caught 12 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns. His overtime touchdown reception from Kellett with 12:15 remaining earned the duo the Cutter's Catch of the Game honor. The Steeldogs were down 24 points in the fourth quarter, but Hawk and OS Kerry Wright rallied the team and erased the deficit while holding the Dorados scoreless for two posessions, forcing an extra period. Hawk rebounded after a difficult start to finish 14-of-34 for 179 yards and three touchdowns. Wright caught five passes for 101 yards and three touchdowns. U.S Army Ironman of the Game honors went to Terrell Browden, who had a solid overall outing for the Steeldogs. Browden had 15 rushing yards and a touchdown on offense, and two tackles, two pass breakups and a blocked field goal he recovered for a touchdown on defense. Birmingham's Bobby Keyes was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game for his two interceptions and six tackles.

SATURDAY, APRIL 15

Tulsa Talons 46, SOUTH GEORGIA WILDCATS 24 (Attendance: 5,541)

ALBANY, Ga. - The Tulsa Talons defeated the South Georgia Wildcats, 46-24, Saturday night in front of 5,541 fans on Cooper Tire Field at the Albany Civic Center. The loss was the Wildcats second straight at home. Talons QB Mark Radlinski completed 25-of-38 passes for 228 yards and four touchdowns. Offensive specialist Don McGee caught nine passes for 99 yards and one touchdown. Stephen Battle added five catches for 55 yards and one score. He also registered one tackle and one fumble recovery on defense to garner U.S. Army Ironman of the Game honors. The Talons defensive line was a big factor in the win, totaling five sacks against the Wildcats. OL/DL Chaz Murphy was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game for his effort, which included two tackles and two sacks. The victory was Tulsa's first of the season. South Georgia starting QB Brian Baker struggled early and often against a heavy Talons rush. After completing just seven passes for 45 yards through a quarter and a half, Baker was replaced by rookie Dondrial Pinkins. Pinkins finished the night 7-of-17 for 108 yards and three touchdowns. Chris McKinney, who played his first game at offensive specialist, led all receivers with nine catches for 122 yards and three touchdowns. All three of McKinney's touchdowns came in the second half from Pinkins. Defensively for the Wildcats, James McCoy led the Wildcats with nine tackles and Blake Saunders added 8.5 tackles and one interception for 45-yards.

Florida Firecats 53, MACON KNIGHTS 40 (Attendance: 3,115)

MACON, Ga. - The Firecats forced several costly second half turnovers by Macon to help the team take home a 53-40 road win Saturday night at the Macon Coliseum. The Knights loss was their second in a row to start the 2006 season. Both losses have also come at home. Firecats veteran QB Chris Wallace earned the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game Award with 344 yards and six touchdowns and only one interception. He also scored a rushing touchdown as well. Wallace's favorite target was OS Magic Benton, who hauled in 11 catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Florida's ground attack was also effective. Rookie Clenton Crossley led the team with 28 yards rushing and one touchdown. DS Quincy Sorrell stood out as the top performer for a Firecats defense that caused four turnovers (two interceptions and two fumble recoveries). Sorrell earned the ADT Defensive Player of the Game Award with a game-high 9.0 tackles and one interception. The Knights offense was keyed by the performance of U.S. Army Ironman of the Game, James Hickenbotham. Hickentbotham caught seven passes for 96 yards and three touchdowns. The Knights trailed by only six points entering the fourth quarter, 40-34, until QB Chad Elliott threw interceptions on the team's first two possessions of the final quarter. He finished with 340 yards passing and five touchdowns. The Knights defense faired well overall, but was unable to come up with the big turnover late in the game to bring the team back. Damian Purse led the way with 10.5 tackles. Leo FenceRoy once again intercepted a pass on the first drive of the game giving him two on the season. Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz 61, AMARILLO DUSTERS 44 (Attendance: 3,890)

AMARILLO, Texas - The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz scored a 61-44 road victory Saturday night against the Amarillo Dusters, enjoying a bit of revenge for their last meeting in which Amarillo knocked Okalahoma City out of the first round of the 2005 playoffs. This time out, however, the Yard Dawgz looked a little different, thanks to two former Duster standouts, WR/DB Chavis McCollister and Jimmy Gaston. McCollister felt right at home, scoring the first Yard Dawgz touchdown. Yard Dawgz WR/DB Jarrail Jackson was the team's top playmaker, finishing the night with four touchdowns and 106 yards receiving. The game was closely contested throughout the first three quarters. The fourth quarter, however, was all Oklahoma City. Yard Dawgz QB Craig Strickland (Schutt Offfensve Player of the Game) found Jackson in the endzone three times during a crucial 21-6 run in the final quarter. Jon Holland led the defense with eight tackles and one interception. OS Josh Richey paced the Dusters in defeat with seven catches for 103 yards and two receiving scores. Jarrod Rouanzoin led Amarillo (0-2) with 4.5 tackles.

Arkansas Twisters 55, BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLE WINGS 35 (Attendance: 3,184)

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Arkansas WR/DB Lennie Johnson put on a true Ironman performance to lead the Twisters to a 55-35 road win against Bossier-Shreveport Saturday night at the CenturyTel Center. Johnson, a 5-8, 185-pounder from Arkansas State, intercepted two passes, caught two touchdown passes and ran for another as the Twister improved to 3-0 to start the 2006 af2 season. The Twisters scored first and never relinquished the lead as the Battle Wings fell to 0-2 under first-year head coach John Fourcade. Arkansas QB Walter Church was sharp again directing the offense, throwing for 255 yards and six touchdowns with one interception. He also scored a 1-yard touchdown run on his way to earning Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors. WR/DB Kevin Williams earned the US Army Ironman of the Game Award for his stellar two-way play. Williams caught five passes for 96 yards and two scores on offense, and registered 3.0 tackles and one interception on defense. Delenell Reid earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors for Arkansas with 4.0 tackles and four pass breakups. Terrell Sutton (game-high 8 catches, 85 yards, 1 TD, 1 rushing TD) led The Battle Wings in the loss. Rookie QB J.J. Raterink threw for 242 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

MEMPHIS XPLORERS 56, Tennessee Valley Vipers 21 (Attendance: 1,584)

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. - The Memphis Xplorers shut out the Tennessee Valley Vipers 28-0 in the first half on their way to a 56-21 win Saturday night at the DeSoto Civic Center. The win improved the Xplorers' record to 3-0 and also gave team its ninth straight win (including regular season and playoffs). Two Memphis players reached franchise career milestones in the game. QB Brian Jones, who was the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game for the third consecutive game, surpassed Tim Lester as the team's all-time passing yards leader. His 244 yards for the game give him 5,780, two more than Lester, who played with the Xplorers in 2001 and 2002. Jones finished 17-of-26 for 244 yards and six scores. The former Toledo Rocket also ran for a pair of touchdowns. OL/DL Joseph Crear also put himself on top in the team's record books. His 1.5 sacks give him 17.5 in his career, surpassing Khreem Smith, whose 17 sacks last season set the previous franchise mark. WR/DB Terrell Adams led the Xplorers in receiving with six catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Adams was also a factor in a number of other areas of the game. He amassed 233 all-purpose yards (12 rushing, 98 receiving, 52 kick returns, 71 field goal returns) and had 2.5 tackles and one interception on defense. Adams was rewarded for his efforts by being named US Army Ironman of the Game. Tennessee Valley QB Roger Linn struggled along with the rest of the Vipers offense, completing just 10-of-26 passes for 157 yards, one interception and no touchdowns. Torrey Day led the Vipers receiving corps with six catches for 110 yards.

Green Bay Blizzard 57, QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS 34 (Attendance: 3,878)

MOLINE, Ill. - A five-touchdown performance by Green Bay quarterback Ronnie Gordon helped the Blizzard snow in the homestanding Steamwheelers, 57-34, on OS Field at The MARK of the Quad Cities. The Blizzard jumped out to a 13-0 lead to start the first quarter and never looked back. Gordon, a former Steamwheelers signal caller, also ran for two scores and earned Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors. Four different Green Bay pass catchers caught touchdowns on the night, led by Luke Leverson's two receiving scores. Leverson also had 61 kick return yards and two tackles on defense to earn US Army Ironman of Game accolades. Blizzard WR/DB Dontrell Jackson (5.0 tackles, 1 INT, 3 PBUs) was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game. Green Bay applied constant defensive pressure to Quad City QB Tim Hicks, forcing the veteran into a sub par showing of 244 passing yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. He was also sacked four times. Jack Walker Jr. led the Steamwheelers with 122 yards and one touchdown on nine catches. Defensively, Troy Graham and Sidney Lewis, who went out in the second quarter with an injury and later returned, both finished with 4.5 tackles.

SPOKANE 44, Everett 41 (Attendance: 10,187)

SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane Shock earned another come-from-behind victory this week, 44-41, over their new state rivals, the Everett Hawks. The win came before a sell-out crowd of 10,187 at the Spokane Arena. Raul Vijil, who was named Schutt Offensive Player of the Game, spearheaded the Shock's offensive attack. Vijil caught eight passes for 121 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winner on a 30-yard reception from QB Alex Neist. The rookie from Eastern Washington also had one rushing score. On the defensive side of the ball, DS Rob Keefe was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game with 8.0 total tackles and two interceptions. Charles Frederick earned US Army Ironman of the Game for his all-around play (3 receptions, 26 yards, 50 kick return yards, 2.5 tackles). The Shock defense withstood a stern challenge by the high-powered offense of the Hawks. Everett QB Julian Reece scored four touchdowns on the ground and also threw two touchdown passes. A.J. Street (8 catches, 86 yards) was on the receiving end of both of Reece's scoring tosses. DS Charles Davis tallied a game-high 11.5 tackles and had an interception for Everett.

Bakersfield Blitz 38, CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES 28 (Attendance: 1,924)

FRESNO, Calif. - The Bakersfield Blitz won on the road at Highway 99 rival Central Valley, 38-28, Saturday night at Selland Arena in Fresno, Calif. WR/DB DeRonn Finley scored a rushing touchdown, a receiving touchdown and a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown to lead Bakersfield. Finley's impressive two-way play earned him US Army Ironman of the Game accolades. The Blitz improved to 2-1 with the win. Central Valley suffered their first loss of the season (2-1). The Bakersfield defense swarmed Central Valley QB Scott Rislov all night, forcing the rookie signal caller into three interceptions. Rislov hadn't thrown an interception in the Coyotes first two games. The Blitz defense also registered four quarterback sacks. Bakersfield's Alex Wallace (4.5 tackles, 1 INT, 3 PBUs) was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game. Central Valley's LaMonte Jones played well in defeat, setting a Coyotes career receiving record with eight catches for a career total of 142. The previous record was 137. Jones also received the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game. Rislov completed 24-of-38 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns.

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