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Week Two Saturday Night Matchups

April 3, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


MILWAUKEE IRON (0-1) AT MAHONING VALLEY THUNDER (1-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009 - Chevrolet Centre (6,100) 7:00 P.M. ET

* Broadcast FREE via af2TV Online

Saturday night's af2 slate gets started as the Mahoning Valley Thunder host the expansion Milwaukee Iron in an out of division affair. Last week in Milwaukee's af2 debut, the Iron started strong early but endured a number of miscues that led to their eventual, 60-38, home defeat against Iowa. Milwaukee's only lead of the game came at the end of the first quarter, 14-7. Despite the early advantage, the Iron weren't able to catch the Barnstormers after the club went on a 33-10 run in the second quarter to take a 40-24 lead at the half. Iowa continued its dominance the third, scoring three touchdowns to Milwaukee's zero. Overall, the most damaging statistic for the Iron was turnovers. Milwaukee had five on the night (4 fumbles, 1 INT), three of which the Barnstormers scored on. One positive for the Iron was the play of WR Antoine Burns. Burns accumulated 230 all-purpose yards in the game, including 97 receiving with three touchdowns. Rookie QB Tyler Donovan, who came on to replace starter SHANE ADLER in the second quarter, completed 11-of-27 passes for 149 yards with two touchdowns. He also had one rushing score. DB JAMES MCCOY recorded a team-high 5.0 tackles. Mahoning Valley had a more successful season opener, defeating Albany in Youngstown, 44-34. The Thunder took advantage of key Albany errors in the final quarter to pull out the victory. Mahoning Valley (Ranked No. 15 in this week's coaches poll) saw its three-point halftime lead quickly disappear after a scoreless third period. Fast forward to the fourth quarter as the Thunder faced an 11-point deficit with less than eight minutes to play. Those final eight minutes, however, belonged to Mahoning Valley as QB DAVON VINSON (18-for-26 passing, 190 yards, 4 TDs) threw a touchdown and had a touchdown run to put the Thunder in front for good. Mahoning Valley's most valuable player was its defense which registered three sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble and four fumble recoveries including one of which was returned 10 yards by former Albany DB Brandon Taylor for the deciding score. CLARENCE CURRY (7 tackles, 1 INT) and RAY WILLIAMS (5.5 tackles, 1 INT, 3 PBUs) were two other defensive backs who made noise for the Thunder. Milwaukee is a better team than what showed on the field last week. If Donovan displays good form and the Iron keep their mistakes to a minimum, this game should be tightly contested from start to finish.

IRON THUNDER

SERIES LEADER First time these teams are meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 0-1 2-3

LAST GAME Lost vs. Iowa 60-38 on 3/27/09 Won vs. Albany 44-34 on 3/27/09

LEADERS IRON THUNDER

PASSING Donovan: 11-27-0; 149; 2 TDs Vinson: 18-26-0; 190; 4 TDs

RECEIVING Burnoski: 7-63; 0 TDs Payne: 8-99; 2 TDs

RUSHING Donovan: 5-23; 1 TD Vinson: 9-26; 1 TD

TACKLES McCoy: 5 Curry: 7

SACKS Kelly: 1 Wallace: 1

INTERCEPTIONS N/A Williams: 1

KICKING Walls: 5-5 PAT; 1-3 FG; 8 PTs Schorejs: 5-6 PAT; 1-1 FG; 8 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 38 PPG; 242 YPG 44 PPG; 248 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 60 PPG; 121 YPG 34 PPG; 259 YPG

SOUTH GEORGIA WILDCATS (2-0) AT OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (1-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009 - Cox Convention Center (10,585) 8:00 P.M. ET

* Broadcast FREE via af2TV Online

Oklahoma City hosts South Georgia Saturday night in an intriguing out of conference affair. The Wildcats and Yard Dawgz have played each other just two times overall (Series tied 1-1). Both clubs enjoyed victories last weekend. South Georgia, currently No. 6 in the latest league coaches poll, earned its second win over Florida in as many weeks, 56-41. QB DARNELL KENNEDY didn't show any rookie jitters as he played his first full game for the Wildcats, completing 62 percent (18-of-29) of his passes and throwing for 250 yards and six touchdowns without an interception. WR ALVANCE ROBINSON proved to be hard to guard as he pulled down five receptions for 79 yards and four scores. After playing an even first half (28-26 Wildcats), South Georgia stepped up on defense in the second half with two stops (MFG, INT) on Florida's four possessions. The Wildcats, in comparison, scored on all eight of their possessions, four in the first half and four in the second. WR/DB KELVIN DICKENS had a strong two-way outing for South Georgia with three catches as a receiver and three tackles and one INT on defense. The Yard Dawgz enter Week 2 ranked No. 7 in the latest league coaches poll. Oklahoma City got off to a great start last week with a convincing road win at Amarillo, 76-29. The Yard Dawgz flourished behind the arm of QB ROBERT KENT, who completed 19-of-25 (76 percent) passes for 311 yards and six TDs. He also had two rushing TDs. WR ALL HUNT (6-99-3 TDs) and FB FREDDIE ROLLINS (6 rushes, 44 yards, 2 TDs) were two more offensive standouts for Oklahoma City. The Yard Dawgz started off the game strong, scoring both a safety and a touchdown in the first quarter to put them up 9-0. After Amarillo got within two, the Yard Dawgz scored 21 straight points on TD grabs by Hunt and fellow WR AGIM SHABAJ and a TD run by Rollins. Trailing by 24 points at the half, the Dusters could only manage one score in the final two periods of play due to Oklahoma City's stifling defense forced three Amarillo turnovers. DL COLIN BRYANT was a force for the Yard Dawgz up front with 6.5 tackles, two sacks, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery. DB FRED SHAW recorded a team-best nine tackles. If there's any coach that can game plan for Kent, it's South Georgia's RODNEY BLACKSHEAR. Kent played for Blackshear and the Lubbock Renegades the past two seasons. Both teams have looked good so far behind the arms of Kennedy and Kent. Expect a fair share of scores with the winner likely to be decided by the stopping power of the defense.

WILDCATS YARD DAWGZ

SERIES LEADER Tied 1-1

LAST MEETING South Georgia won 55-34 on 7/12/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 4-1

LAST GAME Won vs. Florida 56-41 on 3/28/09 Won vs. Amarillo 76-29 on 3/29/09

LEADERS WILDCATS YARD DAWGZ

PASSING Kennedy: 28-44-0; 350; 8 TDs Kent: 19-25-1; 311; 6 TDs

RECEIVING Robinson: 11-164; 4 TDs Hunt: 6-99; 3 TDs

RUSHING Kennedy: 8-41; 3 TDs Shaw: 1-45; 0 TDs

TACKLES Walker: 12 Shaw: 9

SACKS Hannah: 1 Chavers: 1

INTERCEPTIONS Dickens: 1 Bryant: 1

KICKING Guberman: 8-8 PAT; 0-0 FG; 8 PTs Hendrix: 8-10 PAT; 2-2 FG; 14 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 55 PPG; 278.5 YPG 76 PPG; 298 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 47 PPG; 268.5 YPG 29 PPG; 237 YPG

CORPUS CHRISTI SHARKS (0-1) AT BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLEWINGS (0-1)

SATUDAY, APRIL 4, 2009 - CenturyTel Center (12,500) 8:00 P.M. ET

* Broadcast FREE via af2TV Online

The Sharks travel to dangerous waters this week in Bossier-Shreveport, La. as they get set to take on the BattleWings in a Southwest Division showdown. Bossier-Shreveport has won all four meetings between these two teams since the series began in 2007. Corpus Christi enters this Week 2 tilt on the heels of a tough, 40-33, home loss to division rival Rio Grande Valley. The Sharks had an opportunity to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, but QB Gary Cooper threw his third interception of the night to end the threat. Along with the three picks, Cooper completed just 19-of-43 pass attempts for 250 yards (2 TD passes, 3 TD rushes). While Corpus Christi's offense struggled through Cooper's off night, the Sharks defense also had a tough time stopping the Dorados' rookie one-two punch of QB Nick Hill (328 yards passing, 6 TDs) and WR ROD WINDSOR (12-151-4 TDs). Bossier-Shreveport had a similar outcome in its first game of the season when they lost on the road at Arkansas, 39-38. Arkansas and Bossier-Shreveport played even throughout the course of the game. Tied at 20-20 at the half, Bossier-Shreveport DB LEE THOMAS put the BattleWings ahead by six after returning a KYLE ROWLEY interception for a score. The lead was short lived as Rowley quickly rebounded with a 16-yard TD toss to WR OLAN COLEMAN. Bossier-Shreveport WR/KR P.J. BERRY then took the ensuing kickoff back 58 yards to put the BattleWings back in front, 32-27 near the end of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Arkansas scored twice to take a 39-38 lead. Bossier-Shreveport saw its final drive squandered when QB ANDRICO HINES was intercepted by Twisters DB LAWRENCE RICHARDSON. Berry (169 all-purpose yards, 2 TDs - 1 receiving, 1 KO) and Thomas (2 INTs) were two individuals who stood out for the BattleWings in the losing effort. Bossier-Shreveport got a boost this week by the return of 2008 All-af2 First Team DB PHILLIP GEIGGAR. His presence should bolster what was already a pretty strong BattleWings defensive backfield. This week's game also holds a bit of extra intrigue because Cooper will be making his first return to Bossier-Shreveport. The third-year signal caller from Grambling played with the BattleWings the past two seasons (2007-08). Last year he threw for over 3,400 yards with 77 TDs to lead Bossier-Shreveport to its first-ever division title. Expect Cooper to be extra focused thanks to the extra motivation of playing against his former team. This game should be close throughout. The BattleWings' talent pool, however, is too deep not to think they won't pull through in the end.

SHARKS BATTLEWINGS

SERIES LEADER Bossier-Shreveport leads 4-0

LAST MEETING Bossier-Shreveport won 80-62 on 6/28/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 3-2

LAST GAME Loss vs. RG Valley 40-33 on 3/28/09 Loss at Arkansas 38-39 on 3/28/09

LEADERS SHARKS BATTLEWINGS

PASSING Cooper: 19-43-3; 250; 2 TDs Hines: 18-34-1; 211; 3 TDs

RECEIVING Graham: 9-145; 1 TD Berry: 6-93; 1 TD

RUSHING Cooper: 6-13; 3 TDs Schule: 3-12; 1 TD

TACKLES Thomas: 6.5 Cola: 9

SACKS Robinson & Wilson: 0.5 White: 1

INTERCEPTIONS Thomas: 1 Thomas: 2

KICKING Gatto: 3-5 PAT; 0-1 FG; 3 PTs Carmody: 2-5 PAT; 0-2 FG; 2 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 33 PPG; 272 YPG 38 PPG; 212 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 40 PPG; 320 YPG 39 PPG; 301 YPG

TULSA TALONS (1-0) AT IOWA BARNSTORMERS (1-0)

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009 - Wells Fargo Arena (8,403) 8:00 P.M. ET

* Broadcast FREE via af2TV Online

The Talons travel to Des Moines for an out of conference contest against the Iowa Barnstormers. This head-to-head affair features two Top-10 teams according to the latest league coaches poll. The Talons are currently No. 3 overall while Iowa comes in at No. 9. Tulsa currently owns a 3-0 advantage over the Barnstormers in the all-time series. Both teams won their season openers last week. Tulsa took out the Kentucky Horsemen, 51-48, at the BOK Center - the Talons new home. Tulsa struggled a bit in the first half with QB Justin Allgood throwing two interceptions. To end the first half, WR/KR Jeff Hughley passed Talons head coach Mitch Allner to become the team's all-time leader in all-purpose yards. Allner had 5,724 yards and Hughley currently has 5,894 yards. Tulsa rallied from a 27-20 third-quarter deficit to lead 51-34 in the fourth quarter, and then had to hold off the visitors in the closing seconds. The result on Saturday over the Horsemen marked the Talons' 120th win in franchise history. Tulsa is the all-time winningest team in af2 history. The Talons came out ahead despite Allgood's subpar showing that included four interceptions. Rookie WR Zach Edwards had a game-high 11 grabs for 86 yards with two TDs while Hughley finished with a game-high 235 all-purpose yards and caught two TDs as well. This week the Talons lost one of their best defenders, DB JERMAINE HOPE, but were able to fill the void with the addition of versatile league veteran WR/DB PIERRE THOMAS (89.5 tackles, 6 INTs, 6 receiving TDs, 4 rush TDs in 2008 with Rio Grande Valley). The Barnstormers beat up Milwaukee last week, 60-38, thanks to a stifling defense that forced five turnovers (4 fumbles, 1 INT) by the expansion Iron. After trailing 14-7 after one quarter, Iowa outscored the Iron 33-10 in the second for a commanding 40-24 lead at the half. The Barnstormers continued to pour it on in the third quarter with three more TDs while Milwaukee was held scoreless. Iowa scored three defensive touchdowns in the contest, including two in the second quarter. DB Jordan Davis had a 40-yard INT return TD while Jason Ripke and Mike Mathes recovered fumbles in the end zone for scores. WR Tim Dodge caught six passes for 88 yards and a pair of touchdowns to pace the Barnstormers on offense. QBs BRIAN VILLANUEVA and JOE BRANNEN both shared duties for Iowa in Week 1. Villanueva had two TD passes while Brannen had one TD pass and one TD run. History hints that the Talons should come out ahead, but don't be surprised to see the Barnstormers make this home opener a real barnburner.

TALONS BARNSTORMERS

SERIES LEADER Tulsa leads 3-0

LAST MEETING Tulsa won 64-41 on 7/26/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 3-2

LAST GAME Won vs. Kentucky 51-48 on 3/28/09 Won at Milwaukee 60-38 on 3/27/09

LEADERS TALONS BARNSTORMERS

PASSING Allgood: 23-36-4; 214; 5 TDs Villanueva: 8-18-0; 88; 2 TDs

RECEIVING Edwards: 11-86; 2 TDs Dodge: 6-66; 2 TDs

RUSHING Floyd: 1-27; 0 TDs Payne: 5-8; 0 TDs

TACKLES Ransom: 9 Varner: 6.5

SACKS Jackson: 1 Ripke: 1

INTERCEPTIONS Ransom: 1 Davis: 1

KICKING Phillips: 4-6 PAT; 1-3 FG; 7 PTs Glas: 6-8 PAT; 2-2 FG; 12 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 51 PPG; 242 YPG 60 PPG; 121 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 48 PPG; 244 YPG 38 PPG; 242 YPG

ARKANSAS TWISTERS (1-0) AT AMARILLO DUSTERS (0-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009 - Amarillo Civic Center (4,870) 8:00 P.M. ET

* Broadcast FREE via af2TV Online

The Amarillo Dusters look to rebound from a tough home opening loss when they host Arkansas on Saturday at the Civic Center. The Twisters currently lead the all-time series over Amarillo, 6-1. Arkansas enters Week 2 ranked No. 5 in the latest league coaches poll. The Twisters held on for a 39-38 win last week in their home opener against Bossier-Shreveport. QB KYLE ROWLEY, last year's Offensive Player of the Year, completed 27-of-47 passes for 272 yards with four TDs and two interceptions. His 9-yard scoring strike to WR STEVE BERGESKI (15-154) with just over seven minutes to play in the fourth quarter turned out to be the game-winning TD. Arkansas' defense was led by DB LAWRENCE RICHARDSON, who intercepted Bossier-Shreveport QB ANDRICO HINES on the BattleWings' final drive. Veteran DL JERRY TURNER was a factor up front with two tackles for loss and one sack. Amarillo is hoping for a more inspired effort than the squad got in last week's 76-29 home loss against Oklahoma City. The Dusters got off to a rocky start and never fully recovered. The snowball started rolling when Amarillo starting QB Matt Bassuener got tackled in the back of his own end zone by the Yard Dawgz' DL COLIN BRYANT. After a free kick gave the ball right back to Oklahoma City, FB FREDDIE ROLLINS capped a drive with a 4-yard TD run. Bassuener's 2-yard TD run on the Dusters' next possession would be the team's one and only score of the quarter. Oklahoma City scored two more times in the 15-minute opening frame as WRs AL HUNT and AGIM SHABAJ each caught a touchdown to increase the lead to 23-7. After a back-and-forth second quarter, Oklahoma City held a comfortable 47-23 advantage at the half. Amarillo could only muster one more score in the last 30 minutes. The Yard Dawgz defense came into play again as the squad forced three Dusters turnovers in the second half to pull away. WR/KR CRAIG FULTON, JR. led the Dusters offensively, collecting 121 yards receiving and a touchdown on 11 receptions. Bassuener completed his night with 191 yards passing, three touchdowns, one interception and one rush TD. DB RODNEY ARTMORE paced the defense with eight tackles and one interception. This week's Dusters defense should get a boost by the arrival of DL BARRETT ALLEN. Allen has 18.5 sacks in three af2 seasons (Oklahoma City 2006-07, Tulsa 2008). Allen was acquired in a trade earlier in the week with the South Georgia Wildcats. Allen and Amarillo's defense will have its hands full with Rowley and company. Expect the Dusters to man up after being embarrassed a week ago and give Arkansas a tough battle.

TWISTERS DUSTERS

SERIES LEADER Arkansas leads 6-1

LAST MEETING Arkansas won 48-26 on 6/7/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 2-3

LAST GAME Won vs. B-Shreve. 39-38 on 3/28/09 Lost vs. Oklahoma City 29-76 on 3/29/09

LEADERS TWISTERS DUSTERS

PASSING Rowley: 27-42-2; 272; 4 TDs Bassuener: 15-25-1; 191; 3 TDs

RECEIVING Bergeski: 15-154; 1 TD Fulton: 11-121; 1 TD

RUSHING Cook: 8-33; 2 TDs Basseuner: 8-16; 1 TD

TACKLES Freeman: 1 Artmore: 8

SACKS Turner: 1 Rolle: 1

INTERCEPTIONS Richardson: 1 Artmore: 1

KICKING Paul: 3-6 PAT; 0-0 FG; 3 PTs Iizuka: 2-3 PAT; 1-2 FG; 5 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 39 PPG; 301 YPG 29 PPG; 237 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 38 PPG; 212 YPG 76 PPG; 398 YPG

QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (1-0) AT TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (0-1)

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009 - Von Braun Center (6,642) 8:30 P.M. ET

* Broadcast FREE via af2TV Online

The Quad City Steamwheelers travel to Hunstville, Ala. this week to take on the defending ArenaCup Champion Vipers.

These two clubs have met 14 times overall. Quad City owns the all-time advantage, 10-4. As one of three charter members of the league, the Steamwheelers got their 10th season started on a high note on Sunday with a 72-56 home win against Peoria. After a tie game at the half (28-28), Quad City's defense got rolling. Steamwheelers DL Anton Ceaser recorded a sack on Pirates' rookie QB LUKE DRONE for a 6-yard loss on a 4th-and-10 play from Peoria's own 10-yard line. Quad City wasted no time converting the stop to a score as FB Terrance Freeney gave the Steamwheelers the lead with a 4-yard TD run. On the Pirates next possession, pressure by Quad City DL Jermaine Petty forced Drone to throw an interception DB Greg Golden ran back for a 37-yard return TD. That score gave the Steamwheelers a 14-point advantage, 42-28. Quad City's defense recorded 11 hurries, 2 sacks (1 safety) and an interception return for a touchdown. Peoria narrowed the gap to seven again on a 37-yard TD catch to WR BRIAN ALLBROOKS but that would be as close as the Pirates would get with 4:12 remaining in the third. Quad City veteran QB J.J. RATERINK finished 19-of-29 passing for 336 yards and eight touchdowns. WR JESSE SCHMIDT had a career game with a dozen catches for 233 yards and seven TDs (tied Quad City single-game record). In addition to Ceasar and Petty, LB TYUS JACKSON also turned in a top performance on the defensive end with 3.5 tackles and a sack for a safety. Quad City is currently ranked No. 8 overall in the latest league coaches poll. The defending ArenaCup Champion Tennessee Valley Vipers lost their 2009 debut on the road Saturday at Green Bay, 53-40. Three turnovers and a safety doomed the Vipers as they became the third defending champion to lose their opener to start the next season. Tennessee Valley, ranked No. 2 in the Coaches Poll heading into Week 1, slipped to No. 12 this week. Vipers QB Kevin Eakin completed 27-of-39 passes for 277 yards and four TDs (2 INTs). WR Michael Johnson (12-158-2 TDs) and WR/DB Travis Blanchard (8 tackles, 1 INT, 1 rush TD, 79 KR yards) also stood out for Tennessee Valley in defeat. It's a safe bet to expect a much better effort out of Tennessee Valley this week in the team's home opener. This should be an intense affair from start to finish as both teams have a lot to prove. Quad City is out to prove they're a championship-caliber club while Tennessee Valley wants to show folks that last year's success was no fluke.

STEAMWHEELERS VIPERS

SERIES LEADER Quad City leads 10-4

LAST MEETING Tennessee Valley won 77-37 on 5/31/08

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 4-1

LAST GAME Won vs. Amarillo 76-29 on 3/29/09 Lost vs. Green Bay 40-53 on 3/29/09

LEADERS STEAMWHEELERS VIPERS

PASSING Raterink: 19-29-0; 336; 8 TDs Eakin: 27-39-2; 277; 4 TDs

RECEIVING Schmidt: 12-233; 7 TDs Johnson: 12-150; 2 TDs

RUSHING Reterink: 1-10; 0 TD Eakin: 2-27; 0 TDs

TACKLES Brooker: 8.5 Blanchard: 8

SACKS Jackson: 1 Scott: 1.5

INTERCEPTIONS Golden: 1 Blanchard: 1

KICKING Denny: 10-10 PAT; 0-0 FG; 10 PTs Hayes: 4-6 PAT; 0-0 FG; 4 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 72 PPG; 352 YPG 40 PPG; 330 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 56 PPG; 293 YPG 53 PPG; 276 YPG



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