Yard Dawgz Game Notes
May 14, 2010 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (2-3)
Vs Spokane Shock (3-2)
Date: Sunday, May 16, 2010
Kickoff: 2:05 p.m. CST
Site: Cox Convention Center (10,595)
National Anthem: Nicole Garrison
Coin Toss: Jerry Kurz
Officials:
Referee: Chris Snead
Umpire: Oscar Shorten
Head Linesman: Marc Bovos
Line Judge: Brad Rogers
Back Judge: Lo Van Pham
Radio: 96.1 KXY (Brandon Rush, Robert Allen, Kyle Hey)
TV/Internet: www.niftytv.com, kxy.com
Series Record: 0-0 (First Meeting in AFL)
Last Meeting: First Meeting in AFL (0-0)
Streaks: Yard Dawgz - Win 2, Lose 3,
Shock- Win 3, Lose 2
Head Coaches: Sparky McEwen, Yard Dawgz
Rob Keefe, Shock
THE STAKES: The Yard Dawgz are looking to continue their home winning streak, while the Shock are looking for their fourth win of the season.
THE SERIES: First meeting in the AFL
THE IFs:
If Oklahoma City defeats Spokane it would
Give the Dawgz their third win of the season
Give Coach McEwen his 16th win as an AFL Head Coach.
Head Coach Sparky McEwen:
Sparky McEwen returns to Oklahoma City for his third year after taking over for a Yard Dawgz team that began last season with the worst start in franchise history. Under McEwen's leadership in 2008, the Yard Dawgz finished 5-5 and turned a dismal offense into a force to be reckoned with. The Dawgz increased their average offensive yards per game from 184.4 to 220.0 and raised their average points per game by two touchdowns.
Prior to coming to the Yard Dawgz in 2008, McEwen spent three seasons in the AFL as the Head Coach & Director of Football Operations for the Grand Rapids Rampage. During his time at Grand Rapids, McEwen led the team to 50 new team records and seven AFL records. Three of his former players are currently with NFL teams, more than any AFL head coach since 2006. McEwen also produced four All-Ironman Team members (the Rampage had a total of three in its previous seven combined seasons).
McEwen was the first assistant head coach/offensive coordinator for the Yard Dawgz during their 2004 inaugural season. Oklahoma City finished 10-6 as af2's second-best scoring team (56.8 points per game), third-best offensive unit (276.8 yards per game) and third-ranked passing offense (260.8 yards per game) in the 25-team league. There he recruited eventual Rampage stars Timon Marshall and All-Rookie kicker Peter Martinez, along with other many other af2 talents.
In 2000, McEwen began his professional coaching career as a pro scout and assistant coach for the Rampage. His experience scouting led to Grand Rapids signing two future ArenaBowl MVPs (Terrill Shaw and Willis Marshall) along with many of the team's star players since the 2001 season. A year later McEwen was promoted to offensive coordinator and helped guide the Rampage to their ArenaBowl XV win; thanks to an offense he moved from 15th to fourth in total offense and points scored in 2001. In McEwen's three seasons as the Rampage offensive coordinator, Grand Rapids' offense scored more points and gained more yards and points than any other team in the AFL.
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