Win or Go Home
May 16, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - The final pieces of the Arena Football League's postseason field of twelve will be put in place this weekend as the Indiana Firebirds await their playoff destiny. The Firebirds (6-9) square off with the Chicago Rush (7-8) Sunday afternoon at Allstate Arena in a contest that will determine if Indiana will be a part of the "Drive to ArenaBowl XVII". The game will be televised live on NBC Sports (WTHR Ch. 13) with kickoff slated for 2:00 pm (Indianapolis Time).
The Firebirds need a win over the Rush on Sunday along with a Las Vegas Gladiators victory over the Buffalo Destroyers to qualify for postseason play. If either of the afore mentioned scenarios fail to occur, the 'Birds will miss the playoffs for only the third time in the team's fourteen year history. However, if both Indiana and Las Vegas come away with victories on Sunday, the Firebirds will qualify as either an eleven or twelve seed pending other results from around the League.
Indiana has claimed the last two games over the Rush including a week-three victory at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Firebirds' defense held the Rush offense to only 23 points, which was Chicago's lowest point total in franchise history.
Indiana wide receiver/linebacker Eddie Brown had his streak of 115 games with a reception snapped last week in Grand Rapids. Look for Brown to rebound this weekend as he has enjoyed success when facing the Rush since Chicago's inaugural season of 2001. In five career games versus the Rush, Brown has caught 24 balls for 260 yards and seven touchdowns, while also rushing for three scores.
Former Purdue University quarterback Billy Dicken leads a Chicago offensive attack that has improved its scoring output in the second half of the season, averaging 58 points per game during the team's last six contests. This season Dicken has completed 223-of-369 passes for 2,692 yards and 51 touchdowns. Dicken's most potent weapon is second-year offensive specialist Antonio Chatman who currently leads the Rush with 110 catches (5th in AFL) for 1,418 yards (6th in AFL) and 27 touchdowns (T-8th in AFL). H also leads the League in all-purpose yards with 3,278 yards gained this season.
The field will likely be shortened for both offensive units Sunday afternoon as the game features two of the top return men in the Arena Football League. Indiana wide receiver/defensive back Evan Hlavacek has emerged as one of the most explosive special teams players in the League. Through fifteen weeks, Hlavacek has returned 63 kicks (7th in AFL) for 1,509 yards (4th in AFL) and six touchdowns (T-1st in AFL). Hlavacek's 1,509 kick return yards and six returns for a touchdown are both franchise highs. Chicago has their own dynamic special teams weapon in the form of Chatman. Chatman leads Chicago's return game, having returned 70 kicks (3rd in AFL) for 1,731 yards (2nd in AFL) and six returns for a touchdown (T-1st in AFL).
Sunday's game matches two head coaches whose relationship extends far beyond the playing field. Firebirds' Head Coach Mike Dailey and Rush Head Coach Mike Hohensee spent thirteen years coaching together and have been best friends for nearly two decades. After meeting as assistant coaches at Montgomery Junior College in 1985, the two would go on to spend six years coaching together at Montgomery, one with the AFL's Washington Commandos, and six with the AFL's Albany Firebirds before going their separate ways in 1997. Dailey currently holds a 6-3 advantage in head-to-head meetings with his friend and former colleague.
In personnel moves, the Firebirds have activated lineman Bill Duff from the injured reserve and reinstated WR/DB Brian Alford to the IR. The Birds also released QB Damian Phillips and resigned him back to the practice squad.
A win moves the 'Birds one step closer to a playoff berth and would prevent the team from dropping ten regular season games for the first time in franchise history. A win would also give Indiana their third consecutive win over the Rush franchise and give the 'Birds five regular season road victories for the first time since their 1999 ArenaBowl Championship season.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 16, 2003
- Carolina Ends Season With 16th Straight Loss - Carolina Cobras
- AFL Week 16 Injury Report - AFL I
- Desperados Alter Roster Due to Injuries - Dallas Desperados
- Crush Place Dozier on IR, Activate Coleman - Colorado Crush
- Gladiators 2004 Season Tickets on Sale May 18 - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Ramping up for the post-season - Georgia Force
- Win or Go Home - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Quarterfinal Schedule Announced - AFL I
- Rampage Home Finale Sold Out - Grand Rapids Rampage
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
