Wichita Stealth Game Notes
July 24, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Wichita Stealth News Release
Cincinnati Swarm (6-9) at Wichita Stealth (8-6-1)
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2003
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Central
Site: Kansas Coliseum (9,686)
National Anthem: David Wayne
Coin Toss:
Officials: Joe Pester(Referee), Mike Wilmoth (Umpire), Frank Whitmer (Head Linesman), Rick Smith (Line Judge), Craig Helser (Back Judge)
Radio: Z-FM 90.7 (Jay Sanderson)
Webcast: www.wichitastealth.com
Series Record: First Meeting
Last Meeting: N/A
Streaks: 2003: Wichita T-1, Cincinnati L-1
Coaches: WIC â Sean Ponder (8-6-1, First season) CIN - Chris MacKeown (6-9, First season)
THE STAKES: The Stealth need a win to keep the fourth seed in the af2 playoffs and home field advantage in the first round.
THE SERIES: First meeting
THE Ifs:
If Wichita defeats Cincinnati, it would ...
· Give Wichita a 1-0 series with the Swarm
· Give Wichita a 9-6-1 record in 2003
· Give Wichita a 5-2-1 home record in 2003
· Give Sean Ponder a 5-3-1 record with Wichita
· Give Wichita a one game win streak
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.
Chris MacKeown was introduced as the first head coach of the Swarm in November 2002. MacKeown brings a variety of football experience to the Swarm. MacKeown has served as an assistant coach with the Arena Football League's Indiana Firebirds for the past two seasons.
WICHITA STEALTH INJURY REPORT:
Pos. Name Injury Status
K Jason Corse Knee Short Term IR
DROPBACK: Bakersfield 7, WICHITA 7 (7-19-03) â The game was declared a tie after Blitz fullback/linebacker Julian Yearwood collapsed and later was pronounced dead at 9:37 p.m. Central Time.
FORWARD MOTION: Next up for the Stealth are the af2 playoffs. With a Wichita win or an Arkansas loss, the Stealth will host a first round playoff game.
TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:
ON THE RUN: The Stealth enter this weeks game as the second ranked rushing offense averaging 32.5 yards per game on the ground.
PLAYOFFS: With the Cincinnati loss last weekend, the Wichita Stealth have clinched their second consecutive af2 playoff berth. With a win or an Arkansas Twisters loss, the Stealth will host a first round playoff game.
PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
Stealth quarterback Anthony Buich: In the last four games, Buich has gone 72-of-130 for 933 yards and 18 touchdowns. Buich now ranks among the league leaders in a number of categories. He is 5th in pass attempts, 8th in passing yards, 9th in passing touchdowns, and 8th in pass completions.
Stealth offensive specialist Shomari Buchanan: In his last five games, Shomari has caught 33 passes for 426 yards and nine touchdowns. Shomari now has 68 receptions for 815 yards and 14 touchdowns.
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.
June 21, 2003 - The Stealth break the franchise record for wins in a season with their eighth victory in 2003, a 57-35 win over the Arkansas Twisters.
arenafootball2 Stories from July 24, 2003
- Yearwood Family to Hold Funeral in Las Vegas - Bakersfield Blitz
- Wichita Stealth Game Notes - Wichita Stealth
- Wichita Stealth and Wranglers Team Up for Yearwood Fund - Wichita Stealth
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- Swarm Wrap Up Inaugural Season in Wichita - Cincinnati Swarm
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