SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2008 - Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza (7,950) 7:30 P.M. ET
The first round of the 2008 af2 playoffs roll on Saturday night with the Quad City Steamwheelers traveling to Pennsylvania for a showdown with the East Division Champion Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers. These two teams have met 10 times overall with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton holding a 7-3 series lead. The Steamwheelers and Pioneers have split the season series with each team winning on their home field. Quad City opened up the 2008 season with a 48-41 victory over the Pioneers while Wilkes-Barre/Scranton got some payback by punishing the Steamwheelers in Week 7, 84-26. Quad City earned its seventh trip to the playoffs in the final week of the 2008 regular season with an 81-79 victory against Lexington. QB J.J. RATERINK completed 25-of-29 passes (86.2 percent) for 344 yards and a team-record 10 touchdowns (tied a 2008 af2 single-game high) without an interception in the win. He also rushed for two TDs to finish with 12 total TDs (2008 af2 single-game high). Raterink led the af2 in TD passes (97 - Quad City single-season record) and passing yards (4,415). WR JESSE SCHMIDT leads a talented group of Steamwheeler receivers with 131 catches for 1,799 yards and 41 TDs. KRIS PETERS has also had another stellar season with 97 grabs for 1,423 yards with 34 TDs. The Steamwheelers strong offense has carried the team in 2008. The defense, however, hasn't been their strong suit. The group ranks 27th out of 29 teams by in scoring defense (55.6 ppg). The team's main pass rush threat is TYUS JACKSON with a team-high 11 sacks. DBs KEVIN ADAMS and JORDAN DAVIS are the top tacklers on the squad and lead the team with four INTs apiece. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton enters the postseason on a hot streak. The Pioneers have won seven straight games, including last week's 51-37 triumph at Albany. WR/LB LARRY KENDRICK hauled in six passes for 90 yards and two TDs to lead the visitors. RYAN VENA has been the team's offensive catalyst all season. The veteran signal caller played in 13 games and led the squad to a 12-1 record. He finished with 87 TDs and completed a league-best 69.7 percent of his passes. Vena has a talented trio of receivers at his disposal in J.J. OUTLAW, Kendrick and RICH MUSINSKI. All three had over 25 TD catches and 1,000 yards receiving. As impressive as the team's offense is, the Pioneers' defense has been just as strong. The team has a stellar pass rush (league-best 54 sacks) that is keyed by ISAAC HILTON (15.5 sacks) and JUSTIN PARRISH (15 sacks). The secondary is paced by MICHEAUX ROBINSON, who recorded 14 interceptions and 39 passes defended in 15 games. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton boasts the league's highest scoring offense (63.6 ppg) and stingiest defense (37.8 ppg). Overall, the Pioneers have won 20 consecutive games at Wachovia Arena. The current streak, which dates back to 2006, is the second longest in league history. The Steamwheelers will need an inspired effort on both sides of the ball if they hope to keep things close with the heavily-favored Pioneers.
STEAMWHEELERS PIONEERS
SERIES LEADER Wilkes-Barre leads 7-3
LAST MEETING Wilkes-Barre won 84-26 on 5/10/08
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 5-0
LAST GAME Won 81-79 vs. Lexington on 7/24/08 Won 51-37 at Albany on 7/25/08
LEADERS STEAMWHEELERS PIONEERS
PASSING Raterink: 357-564-19; 4415; 96 TDs Vena: 264-379-12; 3409; 87 TDs
RECEIVING Schmidt: 131-1799; 41 TDs Outlaw: 99-1267; 31 TDs
RUSHING Monk: 35-86; 6 TDs Vena: 24-83; 6 TDs
TACKLES Adams: 79.5 Robinson: 78.5
SACKS Jackson: 11 Hilton: 15.5
INTERCEPTIONS Adams and Davis: 4 Robinson: 14
KICKING Pearson: 63-83 PAT; 0-5 FGs; 63 PTs Davis: 90-99 PAT; 4-10 FGs; 102 PTs
TEAM OFFENSE 51.8 PPG; 287.3 YPG 63.6 PPG; 273.9 YPG
TEAM DEFENSE 55.6 PPG; 277.6 YPG 37.8 PPG; 244.8 YPG
NO. 7 MANCHESTER WOLVES (9-7) AT NO. 2 SOUTH GEORGIA WILDCATS (12-4)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2008 - Albany Civic Center (8,034) 7:30 P.M. ET
The Manchester Wolves travel to Albany, Ga. this week for the first time ever to take on the South Division Champion South Georgia Wildcats. These two teams have met seven times overall, including five times when the team was known as the Cape Fear Wildcats. The Wolves lead the all-time series, 4-3. The Wolves had a rough start to the season with six straight losses after winning their 2008 opener. Standing at 1-6, Manchester ran off four straight victories and have won eight of their last nine games overall. The team's turnaround has been an all-around effort, but offensively it can be traced to the emergence of QB JAMES PINKNEY. The second-year signal caller from East Carolina has accounted for 74 total touchdowns (59 - passing, 15 - rushing) in 12 games played. Pinkney has benefited from Manchester's talented trio of receivers which includes veteran BRADLY CHAVEZ and rookies EMERY SAMMONS and STEVEN SAVOY. Chavez leads the group with 28 TD grabs. The team averaged 52.6 points per game during the regular season. Manchester's defensive leaders are veteran DL JOE CREAR and veteran DB DAHNEL SINGFIELD. Crear boasts a team-best 10 sacks while Singfield is the team leader in tackles (60) and pass breakups (13). The Wildcats have been just as hot as Manchester has been. South Georgia clinched the team's first-ever South Division title with a 54-50 road win in Week 18 against Tennessee Valley. The win was the seventh straight for the Wildcats. Directing the club on offense is second-year QB ANDRICO HINES. Hines, in 13 games played, has tossed 67 TDs and rushed for five more. The Wildcats top playmaker this season has been rookie WR/KR P.J. BERRY. Berry leads the team in receiving (92-1425-28 TDs), kick returns (72-1753-6 TDs) and scoring (220 points - 36 TDs). On the defensive side, the secondary is paced by ROLAND COLA. Cola led the af2 with 99.5 tackles and led the team with 10 interceptions. DB CORY BAILEY has also been strong in the defensive backfield with 85 total tackles and five interceptions. Veteran DL JOE WOOLRIDGE is the team's top pass rusher with six sacks in 2008. This looks to be one of the most intriguing matchups of the first round. Expect this one to be a back and forth battle from start to finish.
WOLVES WILDCATS
SERIES LEADER Manchester leads 4-3
LAST MEETING Manchester won 80-57 on 6/30/2007
LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 5-0
LAST GAME Won 46-45 vs. Corp. Christi on 7/26/08 Won 54-50 at Ten. Valley on 7/26/08
LEADERS WOLVES WILDCATS
PASSING Pinkney: 220-342-12; 2877; 59 TDs Hines: 237-381-11; 2774; 67 TDs
RECEIVING Chavez: 86-1147; 28 TDs Berry: 92-1425; 28 TDs
RUSHING Pinkney: 70-287; 15 TDs Parris: 18-36; 1 TD
TACKLES Singfield: 60 Cola: 99.5
SACKS Crear: 10 Woolridge: 6
INTERCEPTIONS Brown: 5 Cola: 10
KICKING McCormic: 32-41 PAT; 7-12 FGs; 53 PTs Hode: 92-114 PAT; 8-16 FGs; 116 PTs
TEAM OFFENSE 52.6 PPG; 273.4 YPG 52.6 PPG; 250.9 YPG
TEAM DEFENSE 52.8 PPG; 263.9 YPG 45.8 PPG; 259.3 YPG
NO. 7 AMARILLO DUSTERS (8-8) AT NO. 2 TULSA TALONS (12-4)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2008 - Tulsa Convention Center (7,111) 8:00 P.M. ET
The No. 7 Amarillo Dusters travel to Tulsa to play the No. 2 Talons this Saturday in the first round of the 2008 playoffs. With a split record in the regular season's series between the two, this will be an all-important tie-breaker. Amarillo won the last contest 48-33 in Amarillo, but in Week 1 Tulsa beat the Dusters 69-13 and the Talons lead the series overall 6-2. In the last week of the season, the Dusters lost to Oklahoma City in overtime 57-51 and fell to a .500 record. Backup QB JOEL STEELE got the starting role last week, but QB JULIAN REESE has had another strong season in the af2 with 55 touchdowns and only four interceptions. DB AARON WILLIAMS has intercepted 12 passes for the Dusters defense and the Cal Poly athlete will look to anchor the secondary and create some difficulties for the Talons offense, like their last matchup where the Dusters had three interceptions on the Talons. WR/DB JIM LUKOWIAK has caught 38 TDs this season, most of which from Reese, and has led the Dusters' streaky offense to an average of 46.5 points per game. The Talons are lead by WR JEFF HUGHLEY, WR KELLEN ALLEN and WR JERMAINE LANDRUM who have combined for 68 touchdown catches. With QB JUSTIN ALLGOOD injured, the Talons have turned to veteran QB JOHN FITZGERALD to take control of their high-powered offense. Fitzgerald has thrown 18 TDs in three games and led the Talons to a 1-2 record. On defense, the Talons are balanced in the secondary by FB/LB JAMAR RANSOM (88 tackles and 3 INTs) and DB DELENELL REID (7 INTs and 57 tackles). Two teams that have balanced offenses and defenses are meeting in Tulsa to battle for a chance to play another game in 2008 and if the Dusters offense can score points, the Talons won't have as easy of a time like Week 1.
DUSTERS TALONS
SERIES LEADER Tulsa leads 6-2
LAST MEETING Amarillo won 48-33 on 6/23/08
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 2-3
LAST GAME Lost 51-57 OT at Oklahoma on 7/26/08 Won 64-41 at Iowa on 7/26/08
LEADERS DUSTERS TALONS
PASSING Reese: 239-402-4; 2712; 55 Allgood: 260-404-12; 2938; 64 TDs
RECEIVING Lukowiak: 124-1602; 38 TDs Hughley: 123-1629; 33 TDs
RUSHING Reese: 56-233; 4 TDs Landrum: 15-62; 5 TDs
TACKLES Washington: 66 Ransom: 88
SACKS Mayfield: 4 Carter: 11
INTERCEPTIONS Williams: 12 Reid: 7
KICKING Felton: 82-89 PAT; 7-25 FGs; 103 PTs Phillips:112-124 PAT;9-23 FGs;139 PTs
TEAM OFFENSE 46.5 PPG; 257.1 YPG 57.9 PPG; 271.2 YPG
TEAM DEFENSE 47.7 PPG; 251.6 YPG 44.7 PPG; 264.2 YPG
NO. 6 LUBBOCK RENEGADES (9-7) AT NO. 3 BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLEWINGS (9-7)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2008 - CenturyTel Center (12,500) 8:00 P.M. ET
This week the Lubbock Renegades begin their playoff experience as they travel to take on the Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings. This playoff matchup will be the first time these two clubs will be battling head-to-head. The Renegades should be feeling strong this week since they are coming off a 72-53 win against the Rio Grande Dorados in Week 18. The scoring was close throughout the entire contest, but the Renegades sealed the deal in the fourth quarter when they dominated outscored the Dorados, 20-6. QB ROBERT KENT had a strong night passing, completing 14-of-27 passes for 190 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions. Kent has been one of the strongest quarterbacks in the league this season with impressive stats, throwing for 4,100 yards and 86 touchdowns. Also leading the offense was ROBERT GILL, who caught six passes for 104 yards and one score. Gill scored on one of the longest passes of the game, a 45-yard toss from Kent. DARVIN PETERSON took control of the defense as he made eight total tackles, but the nod for the most tackles on the Renegades this season still goes to VIRGIL GRAY who registered 85.5, one of the highest totals in the league. The BattleWings are currently on a winning steak, having won their last two games, including a victory at Austin last week, 65-54, that clinched the squad their first-ever division title. The BattleWings started off strong in the first minutes of the game with CHAVIS MCCOLLISTER scoring on a 57-yard kickoff return, which helped contribute to his Schutt Offensive Player of the Game nod, and PETE MCBRIDE recovering a fumble in the end zone. Both players have continued to be successful all season, with McCollister leading the team in receiving (123-1466; 33 TDs) and McBride taking charge of tackles (74.5). JASON SCHULE secured the win for Bossier-Shreveport with only 55 seconds left to play as he rushed his way into the end zone. Schule leads the team in rushing yards overall having racked up 318 this season. The BattleWings are playing well of late with victories in four out of their last five outings. Kent will need to be sharp to give the Renegades a chance at an upset.
RENEGADES BATTLEWINGS
SERIES LEADER No previous meetings
LAST MEETING No previous meetings
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 4-1
LAST GAME Won 72-53 at Rio Grande on 7/26/08 Won 65-54 at Austin on 7/26/08
LEADERS RENEGADES BATTLEWINGS
PASSING Kent: 274-505-8; 4100; 86 TDs Cooper: 264-411-16; 3418; 77 TDs
RECEIVING Robinson: 95-1568; 32 TDs McCollister: 123-1466; 33 TDs
RUSHING Medlock: 86-307; 12 TDs Schule: 88-318; 19 TDs
TACKLES Gray: 85.5 McBride: 74.5
SACKS Tuimalealiifano: 4 Byrdsong: 6
INTERCEPTIONS Gray: 8 Geiggar: 7
KICKING Balseiro: 52-68 PAT; 2-10 FGs; 58 PTs Carlton:69-103 PAT; 5-19 FGs;84 TDs
TEAM OFFENSE 55.2 PPG; 285.9 YPG 57.3 PPG; 282.9 YPG
TEAM DEFENSE 50.3 PPG; 261.9 YPG 51.1 PPG; 297.8 YPG
NO. 5 FLORIDA FIRECATS (10-6) AT NO. 4 TENNESSEE VALLEY VIPERS (10-6)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2008 - Von Braun Center (6,642) 8:30 P.M. ET
The Florida Firecats travel to Huntsville, Ala. to take on the Tennessee Valley Vipers in a first round matchup featuring two South Division foes who know each other well. This week's contest will be the fourth head-to-head affair between the clubs in 2008 and the 14th overall. The Firecats hold the all-time advantage, 7-6, with the Vipers leading the 2008 season series, 2-1. Florida enters the playoffs coming off an impressive 87-27 home victory against the Daytona Beach ThunderBirds in Week 18. QB CHRIS WALLACE led the way in the win with five touchdown passes. FB BRANDON ISAIAH (4 rushing TDs) and WR MAGIC BENTON (6-63-3 TDs) were also big offensive contributors for the Firecats.DB CARLOS CAMPBELL was a difference maker on defense as the second-year player from Notre Dame had an outstanding individual showing with five total tackles (3 solo, 4 asst), one fumble recovery, three pass breakups and two interceptions. Campbell returned his second interception of the night 51 yards for a Firecats touchdown. Campbell led Florida in interceptions (9 - 3 INT return TDs) and pass breakups (14), tied for the team lead in fumble recoveries (3) and finished second in total tackles with 53.5. TERRANCE CHAPMAN is the team's top pass rusher with 9.5 sacks. He is also the team leader in tackles for loss with 13.5. The Firecats boast one of the league's top defenses, ranking third in points per game allowed (38.9). Wallace and Benton are a potent 1-2 combination. Wallace is the league's all-time leader in touchdown passes (484) and completions (1,797) while Benton is the af2's all-time leader in scoring with 1,098 points. He is also the career leader in total touchdowns, receiving touchdowns, receptions and receiving yards. The Vipers are making their first trip to the postseason since 2004. Tennessee Valley finished the regular season with a tough, 54-50, home defeat to South Division rival South Georgia. The Vipers had already clinched a playoff berth, but the loss cost the team the division title. Tennessee Valley's offensive catalyst is rookie QB KEVIN EAKIN. Eakin threw for over 2,500 yards with 51 TD passes against just seven interceptions. Receivers MAURICE BROWN and ALONZO NIX are Eakin's favorite targets. Brown boasts team-highs with 109 catches, 1,305 receiving yards and 27 TDs. Nix also surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark and added 23 TD catches. The Vipers defense is bolstered by one of the league's top pass rushes. As a group, the team ranked third overall with 45 sacks. Individually, ERIC SCOTT finished second among the af2 leaders with 17.5 sacks on the season. DB DEMETRIUS DERICO is the team's standout in the secondary with team-highs in tackles (79), interceptions (9) and pass breakups (17). The Firecats have struggled a bit of late, but came on strong in their finale against Daytona Beach. Expect this contest to a physical battle that will likely be decided in the final moments.
FIRECATS VIPERS
SERIES LEADER Florida leads 7-6
LAST MEETING Ten. Valley won 58-28 on 7/19/08
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 3-2
LAST GAME Won 87-27 vs. DaBeach on 7/26/08 Lost 50-54 vs. S. Georgia on 7/26/08
LEADERS FIRECATS VIPERS
PASSING Wallace: 338-569-11; 3442; 72 TDs Eakin: 239-380-7; 2515; 51 TDs
RECEIVING Burstein: 65-709; 16 TDs Brown: 109-1305; 27 TDs
RUSHING Gibson: 75-280; 16 TDs Eakin: 20-185; 3 TDs
TACKLES Stubbs: 73.5 Derico: 79
SACKS Chapman: 9.5 Scott: 17.5
INTERCEPTIONS Burnside: 5 Derico: 9
KICKING Peattie: 60-69 PAT; 0-3 FGs; 60 PTs Hayes:102-116 PAT;13-27 FGs;141PTs
TEAM OFFENSE 47.6 PPG; 235.2 YPG 54.3 PPG; 264.9 YPG
TEAM DEFENSE 38.9 PPG; 222.0 YPG 43.8 PPG; 248.4 YPG
NO. 8 AUSTIN WRANGLERS (8-8) AT NO. 1 SPOKANE SHOCK (15-1)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2008 - Spokane Arena (10,653) 10:00 P.M. ET
The first round of the playoffs concludes late Saturday as the No. 1 seed Spokane Shock host to the Austin Wranglers. The Shock and Wranglers have played once before in 2008 and Spokane earned a 20-point home win back in Week 9. More recently the Wranglers lost a tough home battle to the Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings to finish up the regular season last week, 65-54. The defeat cost Austin the Southwest Division title and the team fell from the No. 3 to the No. 8 seed in the National Conference. The Wranglers have been paced on offense by the consistent play of rookie QB ANDY HALL. Hall averages 274.5 yards per game passing and is coming off of a solid performance in the squad's most recent loss (351 yards, 7 TDs). His continued consistency will be critical in the team's second go around with the Shock. Hall's receiving corps had a tough time holding on to his passes last weekend, amounting to many dropped passes. Normally sure-handed WR JOHN ROBERSON suffered two lost fumbles but still managed to catch nine passes for 118 yards and three TDs. As the number two receiver in the league in yardage, Roberson has been a highlight for Austin all season. The Wranglers' defense is led by WR/DB DEMETRIUS MCCRAY (70 tackles, 9 INTs) and DL ESTUS HOOD (7.5 sacks, 22.5 tackles). Spokane enters the postseason riding a four-game win streak. The Shock ended the Boise Burn's playoff hopes last week with a 63-48 win in Spokane. At 15-1, the Shock owned the best record in the af2 this year. Spokane has had many different standout players this season, but none overshadow rookie DB SERGIO GILLIAM (16 INTs), who broke the af2's interception record for a single season. Gilliam is joined by DB NYGEL ROGERS and WR/DB ROSHAWN MARSHALL in the secondary to complete one of the af2's top secondary scoring defenses (7 INT TDs, 30 INTs). The secondary contributes to the number three defense in the af2. DL DEVON PARKS can't be overlooked as well. The second-year player is the team's top pass rusher and ranks among the league's elite with 15.5 on the year. On offense, the number two scoring offense in the league is led by rookie QB NICK DAVILA and WRs ANDY OLSON and RAUL VIJIL. Vijil ranked among the league's scoring leaders with 252 points on 42 TDs. Spokane is ultra tough to beat in front of the team's home crowd. The Shock's only loss in 2008, however, did occur at Spokane Arena in Week 13 when the South Georgia Wildcats traveled across the country to upset the Shock. In Arena Football, upsets are always a possibility, especially in the playoffs. The Wrangers, however, will need to play a near flawless game if they hope to keep things close against the highly-talented Shock.
WRANGLERS SHOCK
SERIES LEADER Spokane leads 1-0
LAST MEETING Spokane won 62-42 on 5/24/08
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 4-1
LAST GAME Lost 54-65 vs. Bossier on 7/26/08 Won 63-48 vs. Boise on 7/26/08
LEADERS WRANGLERS SHOCK
PASSING Hall: 309-519-14; 3568; 68 TDs Davila: 262-391-9; 2935; 66 TDs
RECEIVING Roberson: 131-1734; 35 TDs Olson: 112-1077; 20 TDs
RUSHING Jackson: 86-295; 12 TDs Bethay: 49-119; 4 TDs
TACKLES McCray: 70 Rogers: 83.5
SACKS Hood: 7.5 Parks: 15.5
INTERCEPTIONS McCray: 9 Gilliam: 16
KICKING Iizuka: 73-89 PAT; 6-19 FGs; 91 PTs Jackson:106-119PAT;6-13FGs;124 PTs
TEAM OFFENSE 48.4 PPG; 292.1 YPG 59.2 PPG; 257.8 YPG
TEAM DEFENSE 50.1 PPG; 241.8 YPG 44.6 PPG; 232.8 YPG
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