Wolves Weekly Update

April 3, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Mohegan Wolves News Release


PRIDE OF AMERICA NIGHT

NEW LONDON, C.T. (April 2nd, 2002)- Friday night, April 5th will be a historic night in southeastern Connecticut. It marks the return of Arena Football to the Constitution State. No arena football has been played in the state since the 2000 season when the New England Sea Wolves competed in the Arena Football League. At the conclusion of the 2000 season, New England left to play in a bigger market and ended up in Toronto, as the Toronto Phantoms. It not only marks the first game since their departure, it also marks the first game in the noble Mohegan Sun Arena, home to the expansion Mohegan Wolves who will host the Albany Conquest, another af2 expansion team. The night will be highlighted by a pre-game ceremony dedicated to the heroic men and women who served their country so valiantly on September 11th. Friday night also features the world-renowned "K-9's in flight" professional Frisbee dog entertainment group that will perform their highflying act at halftime. The inaugural game will also feature an opportunity for Wolves fans to enter and win a Harley motorcycle from New London County Motorcycles, a hot tub courtesy of Treats Spa, and 100 free ice cream cones from Dairy Queen of Norwich. Following the game, "The Sugar Daddy Band" will be performing a short concert for Wolves fans to enjoy while meeting and greeting the team.

THE SERIES

This week's game versus Albany will be the first of three meetings with the Northeast Divisional rival. The Wolves will host Albany again on May 10th and then will travel to Albany for the final regular season game on July 27th. Head Coach Ron Selesky, who is in his second season as an af2 Head Coach, leads the Conquest. Coach Selesky led the Louisville Fire to a 6-10 record last season. The Conquest features a couple of two-year af2 vet's in Offensive Specialist Corey Hill, and Quarterback John Krueger. Hill played for the Iowa Barnstormers last season and was second on the team in receptions. Krueger played for Selesky in Louisville last season and stands to be their opening night starter. "Albany should be very athletic. I have great respect for Ron Selesky as a Head Coach. I know he'll have a talented football team. The game should come down to who executes and handles the pressure of opening night."

INJURY REPORT

The Wolves go into the season relatively injury free. Defensive Specialist Mike Summers was banged up throughout camp with a strained back. He was placed on short-term injured reserve as camp broke. Fullback/Linebacker Sheldon King was also placed on short-term injured reserve with an injured hamstring, that he pulled in the final practice of camp.

ROSTER REPORT

The Wolves cut their roster to 21 on Monday as per the league roster requirements. The Wolves had to say good-bye to QB Bryan Sparacino, K Brian Hegnauer, DS David Bradford and WR/LB James Duckett. The cutting of Sparacino means that the Wolves will go into the 2002 campaign with two rookie quarterbacks. "We decided that Cable Davis and Kevin Carty's ability outweighed Bryan's limited af2 experience. We are excited to have the guy's we have, and we believe that we can win with these players," said Coach Porter.

NEXT WEEK'S OPPONENT: NORFOLK NIGHTHAWKS (4-12-02)

In Week 3 of the af2 season the Wolves will entertain the Norfolk Nighthawks. Norfolk is a third year team led by Head Coach Tony Missick. The Nighthawks open up at home versus the expansion Cape Fear Wildcats from Fayetteville, North Carolina. The Wolves will play Cape Fear in week 14. Head Coach Gary Porter had this to say about Norfolk, "We expect Norfolk to be very competitive. They have three years of experience on the organizational level, and they should be one of the better teams we will face all season." Kickoff is slated for 7:30 pm at the Mohegan Sun Arena.



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