Wichita Stealth Game Notes

March 24, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Wichita Stealth News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Arkansas Twisters (0-0) at Wichita Stealth (0-0)
Date: Saturday, March 29, 2003
Kickoff: 7:30 CST
Site: Kansas Coliseum (9,686)
National Anthem: Regan Stwalley
Coin Toss: Wichita Stealth Operator, Mr. David Key
Officials: Brian Chamberlin (Referee), Mike Wilmoth (Umpire), Frank Whitmer (Head Linesman), Rick Smith (Line Judge), Craig Helser (Back Judge)
Radio: Z-FM 90.7 (Jay Sanderson, Phil Stephenson)
TV: None
Series Record: Arkansas Leads Series 2-0
Last Meeting: ARK 60, WIC 13, April 20, 2002 at Arkansas
Streaks: 2002: Wichita L-3, Arkansas
Coaches: Bob Cortese (0-0; 0-0 playoffs, First season) Gary Anderson (Third season)

THE STAKES: This is the first game of the season for both clubs.

THE SERIES: Arkansas leads the all-time series 2-0 with both wins coming during the 2002 season.

THE IFs:

If Wichita defeats Arkansas, it would ...
· Give Wichita a 1-2 series record with Arkansas
· Give Wichita a 1-0 home record in 2003
· Give Bob Cortese a 1-0 record as an af2 coach
· Snap Wichita's two-game regular season losing skid dating back to last season (three game with playoff loss)
· Give Wichita its second home opening win in three years

HEAD COACHES: Bob Cortese begins his first season as an af2 head coach for Wichita. Cortese has spent 4 years in the Arena Football League with the Portland Forest Dragons and the Oklahoma Wranglers before coming to Wichita in 2002 as Director of Football Operations. Cortese engineered the offensive turnaround that helped the Stealth garner a berth in the af2 playoffs in 2002. Arkansas' Gary Anderson enters his third season as the head coach of the Twisters. Anderson starred at running back and wide receiver at the University of Arkansas from 1979-82 and is regarded as one of the best athletes to ever play for the Razorbacks. Anderson played in the National Football League from 1985 to 1993 with the San Diego Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Detroit Lions.

LAST SERIES MEETING: Arkansas 60, Wichita 13 (4/20/02) -- Arkansas quarterback Ricky Hebert garnered Game MVP honors as he completed 14-of-19 passes for 267 yards and 7 touchdowns...Wichita dominated the game in the time of possession category, but was unable to convert on their opportunities...Once again, the kicking game was dismal for the Stealth. Steven Green missed all four field goal attempts for the Stealth.

SERIES NOTABLES: This will be the first game in this series for the many new faces of the Wichita Stealth.

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

BOB CORTESE, on the Twisters: "They have an experienced quarterback who has won a lot of games and they return a lot ofexperienced players."

On the assignment of Anthony Buich to Wichita: "Anthony is a very experienced and successful arena quarterback. There are a lot of quarterbacks in the Arena Football League who are not as good as he is"

MILESTONES:

DROPBACK: The last time the Stealth stepped off of the field they had just suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the first round of the 2002 af2 playoffs. Wichita lost to the Peoria Pirates 37-36 after a missed 19-yard field goal by Stealth kicker Phil Aguilar. Peoria would go on to capture the 2003 ArenaCup.

FORWARD MOTION: The Stealth have a bye week on April 5th and then take to the road for the first time in 2003 as they travel to take on the Tulsa Talons.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

Home Sweet Home: The Stealth are 11-5 (6-2 in 2001, 5-3 in 2002) all-time when they play in the friendly confines of the Kansas Coliseum. They set out on Saturday to break a one game home losing streak dating back to last season (Vs. Tulsa 57-36 on July 20, 2002).

From the AFL to af2: Of the 21 players on the Stealth roster, six have played in the Arena Football League (Ty Ardoin, Anthony Buich, Chris Enneking, Brian Goolsby, Drew Mitchell, and Daren Williams). The experience doesn't stop with the players, three out of the five coaches on staff also have some Arena Football League experience (Bob Cortese, Haywood Hill, and Mark Lazaruk).

Returning Players: The Stealth only have five players returning from last seasons roster. With the coaching change in the off-season, Coach Cortese has totally revamped the roster in hopes of bringing an af2 championship to Wichita.

PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

Stealth QB Anthony Buich: This will be Anthony's first game as a member of the Wichita Stealth, but not his first in the Kansas Coliseum. Buich played in Wichita on July 20, 2002 as a member of the Tulsa Talons. He was 26-of-36 for 335 yards and 7 touchdowns, as well as one rushing touchdown.

Stealth Fullback/Linebackers: This position is anchored by two players who have played in the Arena Football League. Brian Goolsby spent two seasons with the Oklahoma Wranglers and last season with the Orlando Predators. Daren Williams is a five year veteran in the AFL. He has spent time with the Anaheim Piranhas (1996-97), New England Sea Wolves (1999-2000), and the Toronto Phantoms (2001).

KEY DATES IN TEAM/LEAGUE HISTORY:

March 12, 2003 -- Key Sports, LLC takes over as Operator of the Wichita Stealth.



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