af2 arenafootball2

Week three Saturday matchups

April 15, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


RIO GRANDE VALLEY DORADOS (0-1) AT FLORIDA FIRECATS (2-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2005 - GERMAIN ARENA (7,128) 7:30 P.M. ET

The defending champs are off to a 2-0 start and look dangerous headed into their home opener against Rio Grande Valley. Florida has relied upon its defensive formula for success in its opening two games of '05, and is holding opponents to just 29.0 points per game while only scoring 33.5 themselves. Dorados coach KEVIN GUY was unsuccessful in his first game, as Louisville took home a 56-42 win. Guy, however, is familiar with the Firecats' brand of football having faced the Florida outfit while head coach of the Tennessee Valley Vipers. Florida's methodical offense is led by CHRIS WALLACE, who has passed for 343 yards and seven touchdowns in the first two games. The 'Cats boast the af2 record holder for rushing yards in a season in STEVE GORRIE, who has amassed 50 yards and two touchdowns on the ground so far this campaign. OS MAGIC BENTON remains Wallace's favorite target, having caught 17 passes for 133 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, the Firecats' DES WASHINGTON has recorded a team-high 16.5 tackles through two games and MICHAEL CARAWAY picked off his first pass of the season in the victory at Manchester last week. COMONE FISHER opened his sacks account last week with one against the Wolves. The Dorados' JOSH KELLETT will be looking to rebound from a shaky first performance where he went 17-of-44 for 219 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions. He'll need to find his form from a year ago where he paced Tennessee Valley with 63 touchdown passes if Rio Grande Valley is to crack Florida's defense. MARQUIS FLOYD put in an U.S. Army Ironman of the Game performance for the Dorados versus Louisville, catching six passes for 140 yards and a score, while recording six tackles defensively.

GREEN BAY BLIZZARD (1-0) AT MANCHESTER WOLVES (0-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2005 - Verizon Wireless Arena (9,650) 7:30 P.M. ET

Former af2 "Rookie of the Year," JOHNNY TURMAN, leads the Blizzard's offense into Manchester fresh off of a 49-41 victory over Albany last weekend and looking to start the season 2-0 versus East Division opponents. Turman was almost flawless in the victory completing 17-of-24 passes for 244 yards and seven touchdowns. Manchester's offense was held in check last weekend by a harassing Florida defense. The Wolves posted just 26 points in suffering a close overtime defeat to the defending champions. JAKE EATON led the Wolves on two game-tying drives in the fourth quarter to force overtime. However, on the team's only offensive play in the extra stanza, KEVIN FULLER lost a fumble at the Florida 10 leading to the Firecat's winning score. Eaton completed 29-of-41 passes for 255 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception in the loss. He added another score on the ground. J.J. MCKELVEY was the Wolves primary deep threat, catching a team-high 13 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. On the defensive side of the ball, DS ALISTAIR SEBASTIEN produced a stellar performance, recording 10.0 tackles and picking off two passes. The Blizzard's TROY MASON will match-up against Sebastien in what should be an interesting duel. Last week against Albany, Mason caught eight passes for 178 yards and four touchdowns. Against the Conquest, Green Bay's defense showed its playmaking ability recording three sacks, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery. RYAN BOWERS produced some clutch plays including an interception with less than a minute in the game that helped the Blizzard preserve its 49-41 lead. OL/DL led Green Bay's pass rush with two sacks for a total loss of 11 yards.

BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLE WINGS (0-2) at QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (0-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2005 - THE MARK OF THE QUAD CITIES (9,437) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Quad City Steamwheelers kick off the home portion of their schedule Saturday at the Mark of the Quad Cities in a match-up that features two teams looking for their first wins of the season. Bossier-Shreveport is 0-2 to start the year and travels for its first road game of the season. The Battle Wings will hope to change their fortunes on the road trip, but face a difficult challenge against the Steamwheelers who traditionally are tough to beat at home. After a dismal effort in their first game of the season, Bossier-Shreveport perked up against the Tulsa Talons but eventually succumbed in a 61-51 defeat. QB CALEB SLOVER shook off some of his rust from week one to complete 22-of-34 passes for 243 yards and five touchdowns. Quad Cities suffered their worst season opening defeat in a 63-28 tilt to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The Steamwheelers utilized both SAM CLEMONS and MATT PIKE at quarterback. The two combined for 161 yards and three touchdowns. Fumbles killed Quad City versus the Pioneers as it lost control of the ball four times resulting in two turnovers. TRAVIS BURNS had a strong first outing for the Steamwheelers, catching 10 passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns, in spite of the change at quarterback. MATT FORBES is a defensive leader for Quad City, and recorded five tackles and an interception versus WBS. For Bossier-Shreveport, JOE WESLEY has established himself as a defensive presence and has recorded 9 tackles and two sacks through the first two games of the season.

CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (1-0) AT OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (1-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2005 - Ford Center (17,884) 8:30 P.M. ET

If the season so far is any gauge, two contrasting philosophies will be on exhibit Saturday at the Ford Center as the Central Valley Coyotes will try and use defense to over come the offensively explosive Yard Dawgz. Through two games, Oklahoma City is averaging 59.0 points per game on offense and 319.5 yards. In contrast, Central Valley scored just 33 points and recorded just 183 yards in their Week 1 win at Bakersfield. The Coyotes defense will be challenged to back up its 20 points allowed effort against the Blitz versus Oklahoma City. Versus Bakersfield the Coyotes defense recorded two safeties, three and a half sacks, three fumble recoveries, and three interceptions. MARVIN BROWN recorded two interceptions versus the Blitz and will have his eye on the Yard Dawgz' CRAIG STRICKLAND who has been picked off three times this year. Offensively, the Coyotes relied heavily upon the kicking ability of JOHN GOCKMAN who connected on 3-of-5 field goal attempts. On offense, VAI NOTOA leads the Coyotes in scoring with a rushing touchdown, a receiving score, and a safety to his credit. Strickland posted one of af2 best single game passing performances last week versus Arkansas as he threw for 10 touchdowns, the second highest single game total in af2 history. Strickland leads the league with 633 passing yards. JARRAIL JACKSON has been the signal caller's favorite target, catching 18 passes for 280 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, GANA JOSEPH leads the Yard Dawgz with 5.5 tackles and two interceptions.



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