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Week two Saturday and Sunday matchups

April 8, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


MACON KNIGHTS (0-1) AT SOUTH GEORGIA WILDCATS (0-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2005 - ALBANY CIVIC CENTER (8,032) 7:30 P.M. ET

With Cape Fear relocating to Albany, GA to become the South Georgia Wildcats, this matchup immediately earns rivalry status. Macon enters this contest 0-1 after suffering a close 35-32 defeat versus defending ArenaCup Champions Florida. The Knights will not have far to travel in search of their first victory of the season as they have just 105 miles to go in order to face the new look 'Cats. In last weeks action, the Knights proved that they can be a tough defensive team. A 9.5 tackle performance from HOSEA LANEY and a 6.5 tackle, 1 interception outing from MATT JACKSON helped Macon keep the Firecats in check for most of the game. Offensively, LIONEL HAYES made his Macon debut completing 20-of-34 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns. Hayes added another score rushing. Jackson proved to be a double threat, adding three catches for 75 yards and a touchdown to the box score. The Wildcats open the 2005 season with BRYAN SNYDER back as their signal caller. Snyder led the then Cape Fear Wildcats to a playoff appearance in 2003 passing for over 3,600 yards and 60 touchdowns. Albany, Ga. Native ADRIAN COCKFIELD steps in to fill the void left by 2004 af2 Offensive Player of the Year Matt Burnstein. Cockfield amassed 203 receptions for 2,190 yards and 36 touchdowns in two years with the Columbus Wardogs. On defense, South Georgia boasts a solid line and returns last season's leading pass rusher in VONCEILLES ALLEN who recorded 5.5 sacks.

SAN DIEGO RIPTIDE (0-0) AT BIRMINGHAM STEELDOGS (0-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2005 - BJCC (16,000) 8:00 P.M. ET

San Diego enters this match-up a fresh with a new owner/operator in JOHN RUNYAN and a new head coach in SEAN PONDER, formerly of the Wichita Stealth. In contrast, the Steeldogs are a model of consistency at the helm with head coach BOBBY HUMPHREY (47-33 career record) returning for his sixth season and with his 50th career victory in sight. San Diego had an opportunity to show off its talent in a preseason exhibition versus the All-Japan Samurai Warriors and notched a 67-32 victory. With a 1-2 opening record on opening days, Ponder will look to the new faces of OS NIAN TAYLOR, OS STEVE GONZALEZ, QB ANTHONY BUICH, and rookie TRAYVON WALLER to give the Riptide a winning start in '05. San Diego does return some familiar faces that hope to build upon last seasons 8-8 mark. Offensively, WR/DB NAKOA MCELRATH will look to back-up his break through 2004 campaign, while DS QUINCY LEJAY, FB/LB RICO CURTIS, and career interception leader RYAN SMITH provide stability in the defensive unit. The Steeldogs have a key new face in QB ANDREW ZOW, a passing leader from the University of Alabama. The former Crimson Tider has never thrown a pass in an af2 game, but will be playing in front of a loyal Alabama crowd in his first start. DARIUS ELLISON brings plenty of experience to the backfield with his career 167 tackles, eight interceptions, and 57 passes defended in 50 career games. DAVID DANIEL returns to the offensive/defensive line where he has recorded 59 tackles, 5.5 sacks and a blocked kick in his three af2 seasons.

TULSA TALONS (0-1) AT BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLE WINGS (0-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2005 - CENTURY TEL CENTER (12,500) 8:00 P.M. ET

Two teams looking to rebound from opening weekend losses face off Saturday evening at the Century Tel Center in Bossier City, La. In head coach DAVID ALEXANDER's first game at the helm, the Talons suffered a 62-55 heartbreaker at the hands of af2 newcomers, Amarillo. Meanwhile, Bossier-Shreveport lost handedly to Mid-West Division rival Memphis 63-24. Bossier will have its work cut out against a perennial af2 power, and will look to end its four game losing streak against the Talons. Battle Wings OS BO SMITH had a career game in the last meeting between these two teams and scored seven consecutive touchdowns (5 receiving, 2 kick returns). Bossier-Shreveport will be looking to QB CALED SLOVER to rebound from a tough outing last week and ignite the offense against a defensive unit that features significant af2 experience at every position. JOE WESLEY was one of the Battle Wing's lone bright spots on defense versus Memphis and recorded two sacks for a loss of 17 yards. On offense for the Talons, JOSH BLANKENSHIP proved himself as a viable af2 QB in his first ever game, throwing for over 300 yards and accounting for eight touchdowns in spite of a losing effort. DONOVAN MORGAN emerged as a viable deep threat, catching five passes for 129 yards and four touchdowns. OL/DL SPENCER CONLEY had a solid opening weekend, recording two and a half tackles and a sack.

OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (0-1) AT ARKANSAS TWISTERS (0-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2005 - ALLTEL ARENA (16,058) 8:00 P.M. ET

Two highly explosive offenses collide in what should prove to be a high scoring affair in Little Rock Saturday night. The last time these two teams met they combined for 129 points. Last week versus Wilkes-Barre Scranton, the Yard Dawgz proved that they have not lost their scoring touch in posting 47 points in a losing effort. With the experienced CRAIG STRICKLAND under center, the Yard Dawgz certainly are a threat driving down the field. OS JARRAIL JACKSON is dangerous target, and caught nine passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns versus the Pioneers. Defensively, GANA JOSEPH is coming off of a two interception performance and will be out to prove that it was no fluke against the Twisters. Arkansas returns plenty of experience at every position except quarterback where it will need to find stability quickly. The Twisters veteran roster includes af2 stalwarts such as OL/DL CLAY ARNOLD, WR/LB BRUCE BAILEY and FB/LB REGGIE COOLEY. Offensively, Arkansas returns its top four receivers from a year ago in TED ALFORD, KEVIN and PRINCE WILLIAMS, and Bailey. The foursome combined for 2,445 yards and 44 touchdowns. The Twisters ended the '04 season with two consecutive victories and will hope to ride that streak into the 2005 season.

LOUISVILLE FIRE (0-0) AT RIO GRANDE VALLEY DORADOS (0-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2005 - DODGE ARENA (5,500) 8:30 P.M. ET

The Fire hopes to go 1-0 for the third consecutive season, but must do so on the road at Rio Grande Valley. Former af2 "Coach of the Year" Kevin Guy, will make his Dorados debut and look to improve upon his 39-9 career record. Louisville finished 2004 9-7 and made its first playoff appearance in team history. MATT SAUK will be under center for the Fire and square off against his form coach, Guy. ARKEE THOMPSON makes his return to af2 and will lineup as the Fire's DS, attempting to add to his af2 career leading 27 interceptions. The Dorados only return two players from last season's team, however, Guy has recruited several experienced af2 players to adorn a Rio Grande Valley jersey. QB JOSH KELLET is the most notable addition for the Dorados, having thrown for 2875 yards and 62 touchdowns last year for Tennessee Valley. OL/DL CURTIS JETER also joins from the Vipers, and adds much needed experience to the line of scrimmage. K ERIC HOULE is the most seasoned Dorado having played in all 16 games in 2004.

QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (0-0) AT WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS (1-0)

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2005 - WACHOVIA ARENA AT CASEY PLAZA (7,500) 4:00 P.M. ET

Two 2004 playoff teams square off at Wachovia Arena Sunday afternoon in what could develop into one of af2's most intriguing rivalries. While the Pioneers and Steamwheelers are hardly geographic rivals, these two teams have played in some fiercely contested battles. In 2004, these two teams met twice, with WBS coming away with two victories. This season, old foes reunite again, with another home-and-home series on the schedule. Quad City will look to avenge the two '04 defeats and start the new campaign on winning terms. While there may have been some changes on the sideline for the Steamwheelers, some familiar faces do return to the field in '05. WR/DB JEFF HEWITT is a dangerous offensive weapon and is joined by af2 veteran OS TRAVIS BURNS. Defensive leader MATT FORBES also returns to Quad City and hopes to add to his nine interceptions from a year ago. The Pioneers already are 1-0 and are fresh off of a 59-47 victory over Oklahoma City. QB KYLE ROWLEY shook off some rust to go 17-of-24 for 266 yards and seven touchdowns. OS J.R. THOMAS opened his '05 account in fine fashion with 10 receptions for 174 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, AMEER RILEY and RONNIE KAYMORE each picked off a pass. DEMETRIUS AUSTRUM was named af2 Ironman of the week for his performance in week one. Austrum recorded three tackles, a half sack and a touchdown versus the Yard Dawgz.



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