Wolves playoff update
August 11, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Manchester Wolves News Release
It's playoff time, and Manchester Wolves' Head Coach Ben Bennett is a believer...
"I believe we can beat anyone who steps on the field with us."
"I believe each and every day we become a better team."
"I believe each and every player would give his last drop of blood for this team."
"I BELIEVE IN THIS TEAM."
"DO YOU BELIEVE???"
Wolves Coach Returning Back To His Roots
Manchester Wolves' Head Coach Ben Bennett is returning home to Florida.
To say that Bennett has some historic roots in Florida (his off-season home), is a sure understatement. Bennett played five seasons at quarterback for the Orlando Prowlers (1990-95) of the Arena Football League, where he collected two First Team All-Arena awards, and served as an assistant coach with the Florida Bobcats of the AFL in 2001. However, the real relevance comes into play with Bennett's last gig in Florida; Head Coach of the Florida Firecats (2003-2004).
Bennett, will return to his old stomping grounds this Saturday night when his Wolves take on his former Florida Firecats ball club in an American Conference second-round match-up. Bennett started his head coaching career with the Firecats, and in just two seasons (2003-2004) made them a legitimate powerhouse, as he compiled back-to-back 10-6 regular season records and a 4-1 overall playoff record, which included an ArenaCup championship in 2004 on his home field in Germain Arena in Estero, Fl.
This Saturday night's game will bring Bennett back to Estero for a chance to create more history for himself in Florida, as the match-up will mark the first time that Bennett will face his old team in the post-season. Another achievement that could be met with a win will be a Wolves' franchise first-ever second-round playoff win, as the Wolves have never made it out of the second-round, losing in 2003 to Tennesse Valley and in 2005 to Louisville.
Florida means a lot to me, and normally I would be excited to go back to Ft. Myers for a game but the last time I was there they threw rocks at me!" joked Bennett. "This game will be a battle, because I believe we're playing against the best team in the league, as they are easily the most experienced team in the af2."
Since Bennett has been a Wolves' Head Coach he's had the upper hand against his old squad in three appearances faced, twice in 2005 and once this year, compiling a 2-1 record. The Wolves won their only appearance in Florida last season, 52-29, and own the season series this year with a 79-62 win on Brady Sullivan Field back on May 20th. The 79 points given up by the Firecats were the most they've surrendered against an opponent in franchise history.
"Those wins (against Florida over the last two seasons) don't mean much now," added Bennett. "We're going to have to play very well to beat them at their place. They've a very good team and their 27-5 regular season record over the last two seasons reflect it."
Bennett's Wolves' (10-7) are peaking at the right time though, as they're currently riding a season high five-game win streak heading into Saturday night's contest. Wolves' rookie quarterback Steve Bellisari will be looking to go 6-0 as a starter against a Florida team (13-3) that is going into the post-season with a four-game win streak. The Firecats' three losses this season came to the hands of American Conference opponents Manchester, Green Bay, and Memphis). Memphis will travel to Green Bay this Friday in Green Bay, WI., for the other American Conference second-round match-up, the winners of both match-ups will play at the lowest seeded team's arena for the American Conference final.
Wolves' fans looking to hear or even watch this Saturday night's hard-hitting action can tune in to WFEA 1370AM at 7:30p.m. to listen to the play-by-play live, or even click on www.af2.com to watch the game live on af2tv.com. Fans looking for the latter of the options will have to pay $6.95 to watch the Wolves battle the Firecats live on af2tv.com, while listening to WFEA is FREE of charge!
Wolves Fans to Gather at Johnny Bad's on Elm Street
Wolves' fans join us at Johnny Bad's Sports Bar and Grill on 542 Elm Street (directly across from the Verizon Wireless Arena) tomorrow night to watch the Wolves take on the Firecats LIVE at 7:30 p.m.
Bad's will be offering both food and drink specials for all Wolves' fans in attendance!
So, come on down and join the crowd to cheer on your Wolves as they look to claim a big win and advance to the American Conference finals for the first time in franchise history!
Space is limited, so grab your seat early.
For more information on the food and drink specials or directions, you can call Johnny Bad's at 603.222.9191.
Wolves Franchise Playoff History
The Wolves win at home last Friday against the WB/Scranton Pioneers gave the Wolves franchise their first-ever home playoff victory, 55-47, on Brady Sullivan Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
Tomorrow's game at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida will mark the second consecutive year that Manchester has reached the second-round of the American Conference playoffs, which is also a franchise record. Last year after earning a first-round bye, the Wolves fell to their East Division rivals Louisville Fire in the second round at home, 56-69.
The Mohegan Wolves qualified for the playoffs in 2003 with a 10-6 record and notched a first-round road victory at Cape Fear before falling in the second-round at Tennessee Valley, during the franchise's first-ever playoff birth.
Wolves' Head Coach Ben Bennett has now made the playoffs successfully in all four years as a head coach in the af2. He guided his Florida Firecats to the playoffs in 2003 and earned an arenacup championship in 2004. Bennett's all-time playoff record as a head coach is 5-2.
TOP ALL-TIME PLAYOFF COACHES - RANKED BY WINS
NAME RECORD (PCT.)
1. Bruce Cowdrey 7-1 (.875)
2. Frank Haege 6-0 (1.00)
3. Ben Bennett* 5-2 (.714)
4. Danton Barto* 4-1 (.800)
Skip Foster 4-2 (.667)
Tommy Johnson* 4-3 (.571)
Kevin Porter 4-4 (.500)
* denotes active coaches
Manchester will be hoping that the third time is the charm to break their second-round drought.
23rd Annual Gail Singer Memorial Blood Drive
Manchester, NH- Stephen Singer, President of Merchants Automotive Group and Chair of the Gail Singer Memorial Blood Drive has announced that the 23rd Annual Gail Singer Memorial Blood Drive will be held Tuesday, August 29 in a larger, air-conditioned space at the Radisson Hotel Expo Center at 700 Elm Street in Manchester from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The location and hours of the drive have been adjusted to better accommodate and process donors. All parking garage passes will be validated to offer free parking to donors.
All donors will receive a free t-shirt, plenty of refreshments, and a "passport to every sports team in the city" including a voucher for two tickets to a 2006-2007 Manchester Monarchs game, a voucher for two tickets to a 2007 NH Fisher Cats game, and a voucher for two tickets to a 2007 season Manchester Wolves game. In addition, there will be raffle prizes including an autographed Manchester Wolves football and a Cape Cod weekend getaway.
Throughout the course of the day, patrons will enjoy plenty of entertainment for the whole family. Appearances will be made by Manchester-based team mascots, 2006 Miss New Hampshire Emily Hughes, Mo the Clown, Patches the Clown, and two caricaturists. Additional activities include a children's craft table.
Averaging 500+ through the door, the Gail Singer Memorial Blood Drive is one of the largest in the state thanks to a number of community and corporate partners including Merchants Automotive Group, WZID FM, the NH Fisher Cats, the Manchester Monarchs, and the Manchester Wolves. An American Red Cross event, anyone over 17 years of age, healthy and weighing at least 110 pounds is considered eligible to donate. Donors must have their blood donor card or a photo ID with them. For more information about donating blood, please call 800-462-9400 to speak to an on-duty nurse.
For more information about Merchants Automotive Group and the Singer Family Community Service Team's public service efforts, please visit www.merchantsauto.com.
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