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Wichita Stealth game notes

April 6, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Wichita Stealth News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Laredo Law (0-1)
At Wichita Stealth (1-0)
Date: Saturday, April 10, 2004
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. CST
Site: Kansas Coliseum (9,686)
National Anthem: Stacy Whited
Coin Toss: TBA
Officials: Brian Chamberlin (Referee),
Mike Wilmoth (Umpire), Frank Whitmer (Head Linesman), Rick Smith (Line Judge), Craig Helser (Back Judge)
Radio: 96.3 KRZZ (Jay Sanderson and CJ)
Series Record: First Meeting
Last Meeting: First Meeting
Streaks: Wichita W-1; Laredo L-1
Coaches: WIC: Sean Ponder (1-0, 2nd season) LAR: Scot Maynard (0-1, 1st Season)

THE STAKES: These two teams will be battling for their first divisional win this week. This will be the first game of the season for the Stealth against a divisional opponent, and Laredo lost their division opener against Rio Grande Valley.

THE SERIES: This is the first meeting ever for these two teams.

THE IFs:
If Wichita defeats Laredo, it would ...
· Give Wichita a 1-0 series record with Laredo
· Give Wichita a 2-0 home record in 2004
· Give Sean Ponder a 6-5-1 career record as head coach
· Give Wichita a two game win streak to start the season
· Give Wichita their first win over the Laredo Law


WICHITA STEALTH (1-0, W-1)
Date Opponent Result Score
4/3 PEORIA W 33-13
Date Opponent Time Streak Series
4/10 LAREDO 7:00 L-1 First Meeting
4/16 @ Peoria 7:00 L-1 PEO 3-2
4/24 GREEN BAY 7:00 WIC 2-0
5/8 @ Rio Grande 7:30 W-1 First Meeting
5/15 @ Quad City 7:30 W-1 QUA 4-1
5/22 @ Oklahoma City 7:30 W-1 First Meeting
5/29 LAREDO 7:00 L-1 --
6/5 @ Tulsa 7:30 L-1 TUL 5-1
6/12 OKLAHOMA CITY 7:00 W-1 --
6/19 TULSA 7:00 L-1 --
7/3 @ Rio Grande 7:30 W-1 --
7/10 @ Tulsa 7:30 L-1 --
7/17 OKLAHOMA CITY 7:00 W-1 --
7/24 @ Laredo 7:30 L-1 --
7/31 RIO GRANDE 7:00 W-1 --

LAREDO LAW (0-1, L-1)
Date Opponent Result Score
4/3 @ Rio Grande L 6-37
Date Opponent Time Streak Series
4/10 @ Wichita 7:00 W-1 First Meeting
4/23 TENNESSEE VALLEY 7:00 W-1 First Meeting
5/1 RIO GRANDE VALLEY 7:30 W-1 First Meeting
5/8 @ Oklahoma City 7:30 W-1 First Meeting
5/15 TULSA 7:30 L-1 First Meeting
5/22 @ Rio Grande Valley 7:00 W-1 RIO 1-0
5/29 @ Wichita 7:00 W-1 --
6/5 OKLAHOMA CITY 7:30 W-1 --
6/11 BOSSIER CITY 7:30 W-1 First Meeting
6/19 @ Oklahoma City 7:30 -- --
7/3 TULSA 7:30 -- --
7/9 ARKANSAS 7:30 W-1 First Meeting
7/17 @ Florida 7:30 -- First Meeting
7/24 WICHITA 7:30 -- --
7/31 @ Tulsa 7:30 -- --

HEAD COACHES: Sean Ponder begins his second season in arena football. He took over the Stealth last season after seven games. Ponder led the Stealth to their second consecutive playoff berth in af2. He brings over five years of college coaching experience to Wichita. He previously served as the offensive coordinator at Orange Coast Community College in California. At Orange Coast, he helped turn around a program that had not won over two games the past three seasons into a junior college powerhouse.
Scot Maynard brings over 20 years of experience at all levels of coaching to the Law, which will be his first head coaching position. The 41-year old Maynard worked the past two seasons as the defensive coordinator of the New York Dragons in the Arena Football League. While in New York, he worked with John Gregory, who coached such notables as Kurt Warner during his AFL days. Scot is also the son of NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Don Maynard

LAST SERIES MEETING: This is the first meeting ever between these two teams.

FAMILIAR FACES: Law wide receiver/linebacker Melvin Phillips played in seven games with the Stealth last year...Law offensive/defensive lineman, John Amaro began the 2004 season in training camp with the Stealth.

LEAGUE TOP 10s: Players from this week's matchup who ranked among af2's statistical leaders in 2003:
STEALTH
Player Rank Category Stat
Jonathan Jackson 3rd MFG Returns 15 yards
Aaron Sparrow 8th Passing Yards 207
Aaron Sparrow 9th Total Offense 208
Cliff Holloman T-2nd Fumbles Forced 1
Daren Williams T-2nd Tackles For Loss 2
Brian Livingston T-7th Tackles 4.5
Daren Williams T-10th Tackles 3.0
Cliff Holloman T-1st Sacks 2,0
LAW
Player Rank Category Stat
P.J. Winston T-6th Receptions 7
Martino Theus 2nd MFG Returns 21 yards
Aaron Fletcher 2nd Passes Defended 7
Traco Rachal T-3rd Passes Defended 6
Rodney Jones T-6th Passes Defended 2
Traco Rachal T-4th Tackles 6.0
Martino Theus T-8th Tackles 4.0
John Amaro T-3rd Sacks 0.5
Ariel Famaligi T-3rd Sacks 0.5


DROP BACK: The Stealth were led last week by their defensive unit. The Stealth held the Peoria Pirates scoreless for three quarters and held the Pirates to a game total of 127 yards on offense. Quarterback Aaron Sparrow led the Stealth offense. Sparrow was 20-of-33 for 207 yards and three touchdowns. His main target on the evening was offensive specialist Jonathan Jackson, who caught six passes for 88 yards and one touchdown. The touchdown came on a 49-yard strike from Sparrow in the second quarter.
The Stealth would up-end the Pirates 33-13 in front of the Kansas Coliseum crowd.

TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how WICHITA and LAREDO stack up:
Statistical STEALTH LAW
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 13th 33.0 16th 6.0
Scoring Defense 2nd 13.0 7th 37.0
Total Offense 10th 228.0 15th 148.0
Total Defense 1st 127.0 4th 182.0
Pass Offense 9th 207.0 12th 184.0
Pass Defense 1st 122.0 T-3rd 161.0
Rushing Offense T-7th 21.0 16th -36.0
Rushing Defense T-2nd 5.0 T-8th 21.0
Scoring T-10th 30 16th 6
Scoring (Kicking) T-10th 3 16th 0
Pass Rating 6th 104.0 16th 51.1
Pass Def. Rating 2nd 61.5 6th 86.5
Kickoff Returns T-14th 0.0 15th -4.8
MFG Returns 3rd 15 yards 2nd 21 yards
Turnover Margin T-7th 0 T-12th -1
Field Goals 7th 0-2 8th 0-1
PAT Kicking 12th 3-5 T-16th 0-1
Sacks By T-5th 2 7th 1
Sacks Against T-1st 0 T-15th 5
First Downs T-9th 12 15th 8
Opp. First Downs 1st 7 3rd 9
Penalties 10th 45 Yards 8th 41 yards
Opp. Penalties T-4th 33 yards 13th 55 yards

WICHITA STEALTH INJURY REPORT:
Pos. Name Injury Status
OS Michael Dritlein Knee Short Term IR
FB/LB Jimmy Hamilton Groin Short Term IR
WR/LB Herman Gordon Short Term IR
QB Heath Ridenour Shoulder Long Term IR
DS Antoine Williams Ankle Long Term IR


THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:
SEAN PONDER, On the victory over the Pirates: "We played really well for the first game of the season. I am proud of our players."

TROY BILADEAU (Stealth defensive coordinator), On the defensive efforts of the Stealth versus Peoria: "Our defense did a great job. It started with the pressure up front and our secondary made big plays, but it all started with the pass rush.

"Anytime you shut out an opponent for three quarters, you are happy."

MILESTONES: Stealth quarterback Aaron Sparrow is only 59 attempts shy of 1,000 career attempts. He is also only 1,887 yards away from 10,000 career yards. He is only 58 touchdown passes short of 200. There are only two other af2 quarterbacks who have thrown for 10,000 yards and 200 touchdowns. (Ricky Hebert and Craig Strickland)

FORWARD MOTION: Next week the Stealth will take to the road for their first road game of 2004, when they travel to Peoria, Illinois to take on the Peoria Pirates who they defeated 33-13 last weekend.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:
STEALTH RETURNERS: The Stealth return only eight members from a team that recorded the franchise record for wins last season. They return defensive specialist Ty Ardoin, offensive/defensive lineman Dustin Fish, offensive/defensive lineman Cliff Holloman, wide receiver/defensive back Brian Livingston, fullback/linebacker Jeff Macrea, fullback/linebacker Daren Williams, offensive/defensive lineman Markevius Woods, and offensive specialist Michael Dritlein.

Home Sweet Home: The Stealth are a combined 16-8-1(.646 win pct) at the friendly confines of the Kansas Coliseum.

Teaching Them the Ropes: When it comes to playing expansion teams, the Stealth are 12-7 all-time versus first year clubs. They have had a winning record against expansion teams all three seasons: 2001: 7-4, 2002: 3-2, and 2003: 2-1.

Getting Defensive: The Stealth were a little defensive in their first game of 2004. After week one, the Stealth defense sits high atop every defensive category in the af2. They are the number one ranked unit in total defense (127 yards per game), pass defense (122 yards per game), and opponents first downs (seven). They rank second in scoring defense (13.0 ppg), rushing defense (5 yards per game), and pass defense rating (61.5).

PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
Stealth QB Aaron Sparrow: Sparrow brings two years of af2 experience to Wichita and looks to break the 10,000 yards passing mark for his career this season. Sparrow has also thrown for 132 touchdowns in his 33 game af2 career. Sparrow was named the offensive player of the year in 2000 as well as All-af2 quarterback.

Stealth WR/DB Brian Livingston: Livingston returns to Wichita for his second straight year. Last year, Livingston led the Stealth in tackles, interceptions, and forced fumbles. Along with Sparrow, Livingston was also named to the 2000 All-af2 team as a defensive specialist.

STEALTH THIS WEEK:
Wednesday-Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. –Practice (The Sports Zone)

BABY RUTH REAL DEAL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME (selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 Peoria Aaron Sparrow-Wichita

ARMY IRONMAN AWARD (selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 Peoria Daren Williams-Wichita

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 Peoria Cliff Holloman-Wichita

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