Wolves Alumni Vie in AFL Playoffs this weend
July 2, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Manchester Wolves News Release
MANCHESTER, NH-- Two members of the arena football2 league Manchester Wolves alumni club have the chance to take one step closer to an Arena Football League championship this weekend when they compete in their respective divisional playoff games.
William "Roc" Haith, now a defensive back with the Colorado Crush who starred on Manchester's playoff teams in 2005-06, and Wendall Williams, a member of the Grand Rapids Rampage after spending the 2006 season with the Wolves, both learned the intricacies of the arena game and refined their skills playing for former Manchester Head Coach Ben Bennett.
"Roc is one of the best defensive backs who has ever played our game," said Bennett, currently the head coach of the af2 Austin Wranglers, when reached by phone. "He's smart, he's fast, and he's got good natural instincts. There was never any question when he played in Manchester that he'd move up to the Arena League."
Bennett, a member of the AFL Hall of Fame, a former All-Pro quarterback, and one of the most successful head coaches in af2 history, is equally impressed with Williams.
"Wendall is one of the most difficult players in the league to tackle once he's got his hands on the ball," he said. "He's got great hands, great speed, and he's a great competitor."
During the 2006 campaign in Manchester, Williams (6-0, 190) hauled in 56 passes for 647 yards and 17 touchdowns in only 11 games. Haith (5-10, 192) set an af2 record with 121.5 tackles for the Wolves in 2005 and picked off three interceptions while breaking up 30 passes. In 2006, Haith led the team with 71.5 tackles, six interceptions, and knocked the ball away from the receiver 36 times in 15 games.
The Crush will face the San Jose SaberCats on Saturday in one American Conference match-up and the Rampage take on the Chicago Rush in the other on Sunday. If the Crush and Rampage advance to the conference final, it's possible that Haith could have to cover Williams in the game that decides which one moves on to the Arena Bowl against the eventual National Conference champion.
No matter how far they advance this season, it's a safe call that both Roc Haith and Wendall Williams will remember lessons well learned in Manchester.
The Wolves (6-7) remain in the af2 playoff hunt but will be idle this week. They next take on the Mahoning Valley Thunder (3-10) in front of their home fans on Brady Sullivan Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Saturday, July 12th. Tickets remain for the must-win game against the Thunder and may be purchased by clicking on tickets@manchesterwolves.com or calling the Wolves office at 603-627-9653.
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