af2 arenafootball2

Week three Friday night matchups

Published on April 14, 2005 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS (2-0) AT ALBANY CONQUEST (0-1)

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2005 - PEPSI ARENA (13,901) 7:30 P.M. ET

It hasn't taken much time for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers to establish themselves as one of arenafootball2's elite teams. The Pioneers are 2-0 due to the explosive and consistent one-two punch of QB KYLE ROWLY and WR J.R. THOMAS. Perhaps what was most impressive about the Pioneers victory against the Quad City Steamwheelers was the dominant play of their defense. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defense held the Steamwheelers to zero second half points. Solid play by Albany QB D BRYANT was overshadowed last week by a 49-41 loss to Green Bay last week. Earlier this week the af2 league office announced that the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Pioneers were ranked third in the Weekly Coaches poll receiving five first-place votes. This should come as no surprise to Conquest head coach Richard Davis as they look for their first victory against their division rival. Wilkes-Barre has won the last two matchups between these two squads and look to make it three in a row while Albany tries to shake up the division early in the season.

SOUTH GEORGIA WILDCATS (0-1) AT LOUISVILLE FIRE (1-0)

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2005 - FREEDOM HALL (15,646) 7:30 P.M. ET

Two of last season's playoff teams face off in an American Conference duel at Freedom Hall Friday evening, with South Georgia looking to improve their series record over the Fire to 2-0 and rebound from an opening game loss. Louisville is coming off a commanding 56-42 victory over the new look Rio Grande Valley Dorados thanks to an af2 U.S. Army "Ironman of the Week" performance from TONY STALLINGS. Stallings rushed three times for 16 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, the University of Louisville product intercepted two passes, including one in the fourth quarter that helped preserve the Fire's victory. MATT SAUK guided the Fire offensively and helped erase a 42-35 deficit at the start of the fourth quarter with three touchdown passes to CESARE MANNING in the final stanza. Sauk ended the game 17-of-24 passing for 262 yards and six touchdowns. Manning had a huge game, catching 10 passes for 193 yards and five scores. South Georgia will be looking to contain the Fire's offense better than it did Macon's last week. The Wildcat's did not force a turnover defensively, and struggled to pressure LIONEL HAYES, Macon's quarterback. SHANNON GAINEY did make some plays on defense for South Georgia, recording four tackles and two pass break-ups. Offensively for the 'Cats, BRYAN SNYDER quickly developed a strong connection with newcomer ADRIAN COCKFIELD, hooking-up 13 times for 151 yards and four touchdowns with the former Columbus Wardog. Snyder will look to build upon his solid 24-of-42 for 299 yards and six touchdowns performance last week when he lines up against the Fire.

ARKANSAS TWISTERS (0-1) AT MEMPHIS XPLORERS (2-0)

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2005 - DESOTO CIVIC CENTER (8,444) 8:30 P.M. ET

Memphis will be looking to match its best start in team history with a victory over Arkansas Friday Night at Desoto Civic Center. In 2002, the Xplorers started the season 3-0, with their first two victories coming on the road. History could re-write itself in 2005, as Memphis faces Arkansas in its home opener having started the season 2-0 with victories at Bossier-Shreveport and Amarillo. The Twisters hold a 6-2 series advantage over Memphis, however, the Xplorers have won the last two meetings. Arkansas has started the season 0-1 after a 71-48 loss versus Oklahoma City in their home opener. As one of af2's most experienced teams, the Twisters will look upon its veterans for leadership as they try and reverse the opening game loss. TRAVIS MOTLEY started last week under center for the Twisters and will look to improve upon his 13-of-26 performance. The signal caller threw for 257 yards and five touchdowns, but was intercepted two times. KEVIN WILLIAMS caught three passes for 71 yards and two touchdowns for Arkansas in the defeat against the Yard Dawgz. Defensively, WILLIAM FARMER pulled off one of the most exciting plays of last week's action, picking off a CRAIG STRICKLAND pass and returning it 53 yards for a touchdown. The ball hawk will need to be his sharpest versus the Xplorer's BRIAN JONES, who has yet to throw an interception this season. Jones' passer rating is an amazing 138.71 in the first two games as the rookie has completed almost 70 percent of his passes for 521 yards and 11 touchdowns. KEVIN PRENTISS is making a statement early in the season and earned af2 "Offensive Player of the Week" honors for his eight-touchdown (six receiving, two kick returns) effort versus Amarillo. For the season, Prentiss has racked up 14 catches for 253 yards and eight touchdowns. KHREEM SMITH backed up his Week One three-sack performance by adding two more last week. Smith will be looking to take advantage of a Twister's offensive line that gave up two sacks in last week's loss.

SAN DIEGO RIPTIDE (1-0) AT BAKERSFIELD BLITZ (0-1)

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2005 - RABOBANK ARENA (9,000) 10:00 P.M. ET

Two familiar foes square off in a West Division battle between the San Diego Riptide and the Bakersfield Blitz. The Blitz won both meetings between the two teams at Rabobank Arena in 2004 and will be looking to even up their home record in 2005 with a win Friday. Despite Bakersfield's 3-1 series record, San Diego won the last meeting between theses two teams 34-30 back in July of last year. The Riptide return to California after a trip to the east in which they defeated Birmingham 58-57. KIMO NAEHU produced some late game heroics for San Diego who almost blew a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter. Naehu connected on a 37 yards field goal as time expired to give the Riptide the 58-57 victory. Bakersfield will be out to prove its 33-20 loss to Central Valley in Week 1 was just fluke. In order to do that they will need CHAD ELLIOTT to reignite the offense and shake off his dismal performance against the Coyotes and return to his 2004 season form. Elliott will need to be careful of the Riptide's defensive backfield, as it boasts several proven af2 veterans including NIAN TAYLOR who recorded an interception versus the Steeldogs. The Blitz will look to shore up their offensive line after a disappointing effort against Central Valley. The Riptide's pass rush is hungry to add to the two sacks it recorded in Birmingham. Taylor also has an offensive repertoire, and led the Riptide with seven receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown against Birmingham. QB ANTHONY BUICH has yet to find the form he exhibited in Wichita, but proved capable for the Riptide last week passing for 232 yards and two touchdowns. Bakersfield's ALEX WALLACE intercepted two passes in his af2 debut and will be out to spoil Buich's evening.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



arenafootball2 Stories from April 14, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central