Wichita Stealth Game Notes
June 17, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Wichita Stealth News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Wichita Stealth (7-4) at Arkansas Twisters (6-4)
Date: Saturday, June 21, 2003
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Site: Alltel Arena (12,000)
National Anthem:
Coin Toss:
Officials: Fred Wiedower (Referee), Bruce Selph (Umpire), Ken Pearson (Head Linesman), Mark Bailey (Line Judge), Dax Hill (Back Judge)
Radio: Z-FM 90.7 (Jay Sanderson)
Webcast: www.wichitastealth.com
Series Record: Arkansas leads 2-1
Last Meeting: March 29, 2003 â Arkansas 28, WICHITA 46
Streaks: 2003: Wichita W-1, Arkansas W-2
Coaches: WIC â Sean Ponder (3-1, First season) ARK Gary Anderson (23-19,Third season)
THE STAKES: The Stealth look to keep a secure hold on the fourth seed in the af2 playoff race with a win over Arkansas and keep pace with Hawaii in the divisional race.
THE SERIES: Arkansas leads the series 2-1
THE Ifs:
If Wichita defeats Arkansas, it would ...
- Give Wichita a 2-2 series tie with the Twisters
- Give Wichita a 8-4 record in 2003
- Give Wichita a 4-3 road record in 2003
- Give Sean Ponder a 4-1 record with Wichita
- Give Wichita a two game win streak
- Break the Stealth record for most wins in a season
HEAD COACHES: Sean Ponder takes over for Bob Cortese who resigned as head coach due to health issues on May 20, 2003. This is Ponder's first experience in a head coaching position, but he brings numerous years of coaching experience to Wichita. Prior to his stint in Wichita he served as the offensive coordinator at Orange Coast Community College in California. Ponder played college football at Emporia (Kan.) State University.
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: The Stealth opened the season on March 29th with a 46-28 home win against the Arkansas Twisters. The Stealth were in total control the whole game and their defense held Arkansas to 180 yards of total offense on the night.
DROPBACK: Wichita 54, SAN DIEGO 53 (6-14-03) â The Stealth defeated the Riptide 54-53 in front of 4,732 fans in San Diego. The Riptide had a chance to win the game at the end, but Ryan Geisler's 35-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right. With the win, the Stealth equaled the franchise high for wins in a season with seven.
The Stealth were led by Game MVP, quarterback Anthony Buich. Buich was 21-of-34 passing for 261 yards and five touchdowns. He also added a rushing touchdown.
FORWARD MOTION: Next week, the Stealth will return home to take on west division opponent, the San Diego Riptide. The Stealth defeated the Riptide 54-53 on June 14th in San Diego.
TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:
UTILITY PLAYERS???: In last week's victory over the San Diego Riptide, the Stealth had to make some interesting changes to the lineup. Defensive specialist Brian Livingston started his first game as a two-way player and got off to a great start. Livingston scored the second touchdown for the Stealth on a five-yard run and he scored the game-winning touchdown on a 26-yard pass from Anthony Buich. Livingston finished the game with six catches for 69 yards.
The Stealth were also forced to use backup quarterback Jared Flint as a wide receiver/linebacker during the game. Flint did not catch a pass, but on defense he assisted on a tackle.
GROUND ATTACK: The Stealth come into this week's game with the third ranked rushing attack in arenafootball2. They have amassed 381 yards on 108 carries for 26 touchdowns. They average 34.6 yards per game. The Twisters come into the game with the 3rd ranked rushing defense in the league, only giving up 12.4 yards per game on the ground.
INJURY BUG BITES STEALTH: The Stealth have faced some adversity in the last three weeks in regards to injury of high-profile players. Three weeks ago in the victory over Green Bay, offensive specialist Michael Dritlein tore his ACL and is out for the rest of the season. Two weeks ago in the loss at Tennessee Valley, Stealth defensive specialist Lee Vaughn tore his ACL and he will also be sidelined for the rest of the season. Vaughn was named af2 ADT Defensive Player of the Week in week #4 this season for his performance in the victory over the Green Bay Blizzard on April 19th. Last week, the Stealth were without the services of wide receiver/defensive back Dan Dawson, offensive specialist Golden Goodwin, and lineman Noah Drucker.
PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
Stealth kicker Jason Corse: Jason has quietly made his way to the top of the league leader boards. Jason is now ranked 6th in scoring (kick), and 5th in PAT kicking.
Stealth newcomers making their marks: Last week versus San Diego, the Stealth had two newcomers on the field in wide receiver/defensive back David Castleton and lineman Henry Stephens. Castleton caught four passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns and had three tackles on defense. Stephens compiled two assisted tackles and hurried the quarterback twice on the night.
Stealth fullback/linebackers Brian Goolsby and Daren Williams: This dynamic duo is arguably the best fullback/linebacker tandem in af2. So far this season, Goolsby and Williams have accounted for 247 yards and 17 touchdowns. Defensively, the duo has amassed 32 tackles and six sacks.
KEY DATES IN TEAM/LEAGUE HISTORY:
March 12, 2003 â Key Sports, LLC takes over as Operator of the Wichita Stealth.
March 29, 2003 â 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.
May 20, 2003 - Stealth head coach Bob Cortese announces his resignation due to personal reasons. Volunteer assistant coach Sean Ponder is named interim head coach for the rest of the 2003 season.
May 24, 2003 - Sean Ponder gets his first head coaching victory ever in the Stealth win over the Peoria Pirates.
June 14, 2003 - The Stealth tie the franchise record for most wins in a season with seven.
THIS WEEK'S QUOTES
Interim head coach Sean Ponder
On the play of Brian Livingston in the win at San Diego: "Brian stepped up a played a great game both offensively and defensively for us. We asked him to play both sides of the ball for us and he answered the call."
On the race for the division: "The west division will come down to the wire and we are in the thick of things right now. We just need to come out and take it game by game."
UPCOMING MILESTONES:
* With their next victory the Stealth will set a franchise record for wins in a season.
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