Xplorers Weekly Update
June 30, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release
SOUTHAVEN, Miss – The Memphis Xplorers hammered the Bossier City Battle Wings 56-35 this past Friday night at the CenturyTel Center to improve to 5-7 on the season. With the win Memphis remains just a half a game out of the final playoff spot in the National Conference. The Xplorers return home this Saturday to battle the Tennessee Valley Vipers at the DeSoto Civic Center, located just 15 minutes south of downtown Memphis. For tickets call (662) 280-3737 or go online at www.xplorersaf2.com.
NEXT UP
· The Xplorers host the Tennessee Valley Vipers this Saturday night at the DCC. The Vipers are the only unbeaten team in af2 and sport a 12-0 record. Memphis is 0-4 all-time against Tennessee Valley.
RED HOT
· Xplorers QB Rod Robinson has been red hot the last two weeks since coming off the injured reserve. He has gone a combined 37-51 for 432 yards while throwing 11 TDs and just one INT in two games played.
WHAT AN EFFORT
· In the af2 game if you make two defensive stops a game that is considered outstanding and should allow you to win the game. In the Xplorers 56-35 win at Bossier City the defense stopped the Battle Wings offense seven times.
TOUGH ROAD STILL AHEAD
· The Xplorers have already played six of their eight scheduled home games and have posted a 3-3 record. Memphis will close the regular season with two straight games on the road. The Xplorers dropped their first four road games, but have shown improvement lately by winning their last two away from home, improving to 2-4 away from the DCC.
FAST IMPACT
· Xplorers WR/DB George Williams had a quick impact in his af2 debut this past Friday. Williams, who has two years of AFL experience, caught five passes for 56 yards and one TD in addition to returning an interception for a TD. For his efforts Williams was named Ironman of the game.
SEASON HIGH
· After being held to one sack in losses during Weeks 11 and 12 the Xplorers have exploded on the sack attack over the last two weeks. In a Week 13 win at Louisville, Memphis registered a season high six sacks led by linebacker Ron Simone who had a pair. In this past Friday’s Week 14 win at Bossier City, Memphis totaled five sacks. The five sacks were recorded by five different defensive lineman. The Xplorers lead af2 with 30 sacks.
MEMPHIS 56, BOSSIER CITY 35, JUNE 27th, CENTURYTEL CENTER
BOSSIER CITY, La. – The Memphis Xplorers picked up their second straight win on the road as they walloped the Bossier City Battle Wings 56-35 at the CenturyTel Center. The Xplorers improve to 5-7 with the victory and remain in the playoff race in the National Conference. FIRST HALF-The Xplorers capitalized on their first two possessions after Bossier City turnovers. Kicker Steven Green connected with OL/DL Patrick Heard on a fake field goal with a six yard TD pass and then QB Rod Robinson found Terrell Adams with a 19 yard TD strike to make it 12-0 Memphis. The Battle Wings roared back into the game after a pair of Xplorers turnovers. QB Peyton Perette fired a pair of TD passes to WR/DB Bo Smith, one from nine yards and the other from six yards to give Bossier City a 14-12 lead. The Xplorers answered with a three yard TD run by WR/DB Adrian Burnette with two minutes to go in the first half to retake the lead 18-14. Memphis extended their lead when WR/DB George Williams made a 17 yard catch with 21 seconds to go in the half to make it 24-14. Bossier City responded with a drive that Perette capped off with a wild scramble and then a lob pass to WR/DB Val Morris who scampered 22 yards into the endzone on the final play of the first half. The late TD brought the Battle Wings to within 24-21 at halftime. SECOND HALF-The Xplorers were perfect in the third quarter as they scored TDs on all three possessions and recorded a safety. Robinson fired a pair of TD passes to Terrell Adams and one to Burnette as Memphis put the game away with their best quarter of the season. OL/DL Steven Valdez capped the third by sacking Perette in the endzone for a safety. The Xplorers took a 50-21 lead into the fourth quarter and cruised from that point. Williams capped the game for Memphis with a late 10 yard interception return for a TD. FINAL SCORE Memphis 56, Bossier City 35. The loss was a franchise worst fifth straight for Bossier City.
Records
Memphis 5-7
Bossier City 3-10
XPLORERS TICKETS
· For ticket information and purchases call (662) 280-3737 or go online to www.xplorersaf2.com .
XPLORERS PRACTICE TIMES
· The Xplorers will practice Tuesday – Thursday inside the DeSoto Civic Center this week. All practices begin at 8 p.m. and are open to the media.
ON THE AIR
· Catch the Xplorers on the air this coming Saturday night against the Tennessee Valley Vipers on Y96.1 FM. The game will be broadcast tape delayed beginning around 10 p.m.
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