Xplorers Weekly Update
July 22, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release
SOUTHAVEN, Miss – Despite a 48-14 victory over the Green Bay Blizzard this past Saturday night the Memphis Xplorers were eliminated from the 2003 af2 playoffs. The Xplorers set a franchise record with this win, their sixth of the season as they improved to 6-9. The Xplorers are on the road this Saturday to battle the Cape Fear Wildcats in the final game of the 2003 regular season. For 2004 Xplorers season tickets call (662) 280-3737 or go online at www.xplorersaf2.com.
NEXT UP
· The Xplorers travel to Cape Fear to take on the Wildcats. This will be the first meeting between the two franchises.
SEASON HIGH
· The Xplorers set a season-high and franchise record with six rushing touchdowns in their 48-14 victory over the Green Bay Blizzard this past Saturday night. The six TDs on the ground tied for the second highest single game total in af2 history. Bossier City had seven rushing TDs against Peoria on July 6th, 2002 to set the af2 single game record.
FRANCHISE RECORD
· The Xplorers set a franchise record with their sixth win of the season. The previous high for victories in a season was five in 2002.
af2 MAKES DECISION ON SUSPENDED GAME
The arenafootball2 game between the Bakersfield Blitz and Wichita Stealth, which was postponed Saturday night due to the collapse and eventual death of Blitz FB/LB Julian Yearwood, has been declared terminated by af2 Executive Director Jay Marcus, meaning the game ends in a 7-7 tie.
“In light of the tragic and untimely death of Julian Yearwood, it is in the best interests of everyone affected by this sudden loss to consider this game finished at the point when play was stopped,” said Marcus.
Marcus made his decision after consulting with officials from both teams and AFL Commissioner David Baker.
The Blitz and Stealth were tied 7-7 with 1:57 left in the first quarter when officials stopped play. All statistics prior to the stoppage in play will count.
With the tie the Bakersfield Blitz clinched the final playoff spot in the National Conference playoffs.
MEMPHIS PLAYOFF CHASE ENDS
· The Xplorers have been eliminated from the 2003 af2 playoff chase. To qualify for the playoffs Memphis needed to win their final two games while Bakersfield had to lose their final two games. The Bakersfield versus Wichita game this past Saturday night was suspended due to the on-field death of Bakersfield FB/LB Julian Yearwood. On Monday the game was declared a tie and Bakersfield clinched the final playoff spot in the National Conference.
MEMPHIS 48, GREEN BAY 14, JULY 19th
GREEN BAY, Wisconsin – The Memphis Xplorers used a relentless ground attack that produced a franchise record six rushing touchdowns as they smashed their way to a 48-14 win over the Green Bay Blizzard at the Resch Center. With the win the Xplorers set a franchise record with their sixth win of the season and improved to 6-9. FIRST HALF - The Xplorers jumped on the Blizzard right away after a defensive stop on Green Bay’s opening possession. QB Rod Robinson was 4-4 on the opening drive and he moved Memphis down to the six yard line where WR/LB Joe Gunn rambled in for a 7-0 lead. After another defensive stop the Xplorers were on the march again. Once again the ground attack was the way to go as FB/LB Ron Simone rumbled in from six yards out to make it 14-0. The next Blizzard drive ended when Green Bay QB Ramone Robinson was intercepted by Memphis DS Kenzaki Jones. The Xplorers capitalized with a seven play 49 yard drive that was capped by a one yard run by WR/DB George Williams to make it 21-0. After another interception by Jones the Xplorers marched down the field again. Williams again cashed it in, this time from five yards out to extend the lead to 28-0. All four Memphis TDs in the first half came on the ground. The Blizzard got on the scoreboard with 30 seconds to go in the half when Ramone Robinson scampered in from one yard out. Memphis led 28-7 at halftime. SECOND HALF- The Xplorers took the opening drive of the second half and continued to grind it out as they marched down the field and scored on a one yard run by Williams to make it 34-7. Early in the fourth quarter Williams crashed in from the four yard line for his fourth rushing TD of the game to push the score to 40-7. The Blizzard closed to within 40-14 when Ramone Robinson found WR/DB Nick Johnson for a 22 yard TD strike, but Memphis answered with a 23 yard TD pass from Rod Robinson to WR/DB Terrell Adams. Simone capped the scoring by sacking Blizzard QB Ramone Robinson in the end zone for a safety. FINAL SCORE Memphis 48, Green Bay 14. MVP – George Williams, Memphis
IRONMAN – George Williams, Memphis
ADT DEFENSIVE – Kenzaki Jones, Memphis
XPLORERS 2004 SEASON TICKETS
· To purchase or renew season tickets for the upcoming 2004 Memphis Xplorers season at the DeSoto Civic Center call (662) 280-3737.
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 Saturday night against the Cape Fear Wildcats on Y96.1 FM. The pre-game show will begin at 6:15 p.m. with the kickoff set for 6:30 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...
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