Xplorers Head to Birmingham in Search of 4-0 Start
April 21, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release
Southaven, MS âThe Memphis Xplorers of the af2 travel to Birmingham, Alabama this weekend to face the Steeldogs. The Xplorers, 3-0, are looking for their best start in Xplorers history.
The Xplorers and the Steeldogs have met three previous times, and all three were won by Birmingham. The most recent contest was the Xplorers 2004 season opener when they lost at Birmingham 44-27. This year looks to be the best chance for Memphis ever, as they enter the contest as the second ranked team in the af2.
In the first three games of the season, the Xplorers have made easy work of their opponents, defeating teams by an average of 35 points. In the home opener last Friday, Memphis destroyed Arkansas 54-13, shutting out the Twisters in the second half. This is the second time this season that Memphis has shut out an opponent for a half.
The struggling Steeldogs on the other hand enter this game without a win, dropping their first two games to San Diego and Macon. While Birmingham has been able to move the football and put points on the board, their defense has surrendered a total of 125 points in two games. Memphis enters the game as the highest scoring team in the af2.
"Our team is very focused right now on winning football games," stated Xplorers Head Coach Danton Barto. "The veteran players have been very helpful teaching the new guys acclimate to arena football."
This Saturday is the first game of a two game road trip that will take the Xplorers to Quad City to play the Steamwheelers next Saturday. Memphis will return home on May 7th to play the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz.
"I feel that the game this weekend is the first of a tough three game stretch, with two road games, and then a return home against a tough division opponent," added Barto. "This three game stretch will determine where we are as football team. Last season all three opponents were top tier teams in the league. It is important for us to continue to play with confidence and stick to the plan."
Game time is scheduled for 7:05pm CST at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. All Xplorers games can be heard on Sports Radio WMC, The Mighty 790 AM all season long. Pre-game will start at 6:45 CST.
Tickets for the May 7th game against Oklahoma City start as low as $7 and can be purchased at the DeSoto Civic Center box office at 662-280-9120 or by logging onto ticketmaster.com today. Memphis Xplorers Arena Football! Back in Black!
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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.
