Wichita Stealth Game Notes
May 5, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Wichita Stealth News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Quad City Steamwheelers (3-2) at Wichita Stealth (4-1)
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2003
Kickoff: 7:30 CDT
Site: Kansas Coliseum (9,686)
National Anthem:
Coin Toss:
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 and Phil Stephenson)
TV: None
Series Record: Quad City leads the series 3-1
Last Meeting: May 25, 2002 WICHITA 57, Quad City 38
Streaks: 2003: Wichita W-3, Quad City W-3
Coaches: WIC - Bob Cortese (4-1, First season) QUA Rich Ingold (3-2, Second season)
THE STAKES: Both teams are trying to stay atop their respective divisions. The winner will also run their winning streak to four games.
THE SERIES: Quad City leads the series 3-1
THE Ifs:
If Wichita defeats Quad City, it would
· Give Wichita a 3-2 series record with the Steamwheelers
· Give Wichita a 5-1 record in 2003
· Give Wichita a 4-0 home record in 2003
· Give Bob Cortese a 5-1 record as an af2 coach
· Give Wichita a two-game win streak over the Steamwheelers
· Give Wichita a four-game win streak
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. Steamwheelers coach Rich Ingold begins his second year at the helm of the Quad City Steamwheelers. Ingold led Quad City to a 10-6 record last season, despite playoff ineligibility. Ingold is a former Indiana University of Pennsylvania standout, where he earned All-American honors. In 1988, he led the Detroit Drive to an Arena Football League Championship as their starting quarterback.
LAST SERIES MEETING: WICHITA 57, Quad City 38 (5-25-02) - The Stealth achieved their first victory over the defending champions behind the arm of Arena Football veteran, quarterback Ron Lopez and the stellar defensive play of defensive specialist Harold Piersey. Lopez made his Wichita debut a memorable one as he completed 21-of-29 passes for 271 yards and four touchdowns. Piersey led the Stealth defense and pulled in a new team record with three interceptions and ten pass defenses.
DROPBACK: Hawaiian 29, WICHITA 36 (5-3-03) The Stealth squeaked by the Hawaiian Islanders on a 57-yard missed field goal return by Stealth offensive specialist Michael Dritlein. The Stealth defeated the Islanders 36-29 to gain possession of first place in the west Division.
FORWARD MOTION: The Stealth will take to the road for a two-game road swing. First, they will travel 8,714 to take on the Hawaiian Islanders on May 16th. The next trip will be to take on the defending champion Peoria Pirates on May 24th.
TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:
SCORING DEFENSE: The Stealth come into this game with the 5th ranked scoring defense at 35 points per game. They will be faced with the task of shutting down the 2nd ranked scoring offense of the Steamwheelers, who are averaging 53.5 points per game. CARDIAC KIDS: The Stealth continue to excite the home fans with late game heroics. Last week versus Hawaii they waited until the final seconds to decide the game. Michael Dritlein returned a missed field goal 57 yards with about 3.3 seconds left to secure the 36-29 victory. The previous week, the Stealth came back from a 15-point deficit to send the game into over time and eventually defeated the Tulsa Talons 56-49.
BATTLE IN THE RED: This weeks match up may be won in the red zone. The Stealth come into the game ranked 6th in red zone offense and 6th in red zone defense. The Steamwheelers come into the game ranked 5th in red zone offense and 26th in red zone defense. The edge looks to go to the Stealth.
PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
Stealth fullback/linebackers Brian Goolsby and Daren Williams: These two former AFL players are continuing to put up the numbers in af2. Last week, they both had a rushing touchdown and combined for 24 of the 41 rushing yards for Wichita. On defense, they both contributed in big ways. Goolsby had a blocked field goal and Williams had an interception late in the game that led to the tying touchdown.
Stealth offensive specialist Michael Dritlein and Quad City wide receiver/defensive back Jeff Hewitt: These two players look to put on offensive displays Saturday night. They both are in the top 5 in scoring, top ten in receiving yards per game, and the top 5 in all purpose yards.
KEY DATES IN TEAM/LEAGUE HISTORY:
March 12, 2003 Key Sports, LLC takes over as Operator of the Wichita Stealth.
March 29, 2003 The Wichita Stealth begin the Cortese era by defeating the Arkansas Twisters 46-28.
April 19, 2003 - The Stealth beat the Green Bay Blizzard, 41-26 for their first road win since June 29, 2002
April 26, 2003 - The Stealth defeated the Tulsa Talons 56-49 in overtime. This was the first time ever that Wichita has defeated the Talons.
May 3, 2003 - The Stealth defeated the Hawaiian Islanders 36-29 to take over sole possession of the West Division lead.
2003 Milestones
· March 29, 2003 Stealth kicker Jason Corse sets a new team record for longest field goal with his 45-yarder versus Arkansas.
· April 26, 2003 Stealth offensive specialist Michael Dritlein sets a new Stealth single game record with 202 yards receiving.
· April 26, 2003 Dritlein ties a Stealth record for touchdown receptions in a game with 5.
· April 26, 2003 The Stealth set a new team record for attendance with 7,138.
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