Esks' Maurer Calls It A Career

(Edmonton) The Edmonton Eskimos announced today that fullback and special teams standout Mike Maurer has retired from football.

A veteran of 11 CFL seasons, Maurer spent the past three years in Edmonton. He was named the Top Canadian in the Esks' 2005 Grey Cup victory. The Saskatoon native and former Regina Rams star signed with Saskatchewan in 1997 and played in 39 games over four seasons (1997 - 2000) with the Riders. Released by Saskatchewan early in the 2000 season, Maurer signed as a free agent with BC and was part of the Lions' Grey Cup winning team in 2000. He played 17 games for the Lions in 2001. Maurer was selected by Ottawa in the 2002 CFL Expansion Draft where he played for three seasons.

Maurer signed as a free agent with Edmonton in 2005. In 2006, he led the team in special teams tackles with 23 and was the Eskimo Nominee for the CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player. Last season, Maurer was tied for the team lead with 20 special teams tackles and caught two passes for 14 yards and one touchdown.

Eskimo Head Coach and Director of Football Operations Danny Maciocia says, "Mike excelled at doing the tough jobs on field - special teams, blocking and long snapping. He should be very proud of everything he accomplished in the CFL and our entire organization wishes Mike and his family all the best in the future."

On announcing his retirement, Maurer says, "I would like to thank the Eskimo organization and the fans for making my time in Edmonton the best part of my playing career."

19

MIKE MAURER

FB

(Non-Import)

Regina

Born: October 6, 1975 - Saskatoon, SK

Height: 6'0 Weight: 195

Yrs Esks: 3

Yrs CFL: 11

Games Played

2007: 18

CFL: 161

Playoff: 5

Grey Cup: 2 (2005 w/ Edmonton, 2000 w/ BC)

The Eskimos open training camp on June 1st at Clarke Stadium. They travel to Calgary for the first pre-season game on June 13 at 7:00pm and return home for the second pre-season game on June 19 vs. Saskatchewan at 7:00pm. For more information on the Edmonton Eskimos visit our website at www.esks.com.

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Beef defeat Wild 67-16

Former American Idol Contestant To Perform At Silverbacks Home Finale

Miami Valley Silverbacks fans will get a special treat Friday, May 16 during the regular season home finale at Rapid Fire Field at Hobart Arena in Troy.

Former American Idol finalist, and Wayne High School senior, Mia Coleman will take to Rapid Fire Field to perform live at halftime of the Silverbacks' contest with the Kalamazoo XPlosion.

Coleman, who earned a trip to Hollywood during this season's edition of Fox's reality show American Idol, will also sing the National Anthem prior to the game.

Ms. Coleman advanced to Hollywood after wowing the judges in her audition in Philadelphia.

The Silverbacks will also honor the Graham wrestling team for their National championship this winter.

Miami Valley is currently tied with Rock River and Fort Wayne for the final playoff spot in the Great Lakes Conference. Kalamazoo has already clinched a playoff spot for the second consecutive season.

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. kickoff are still available at the Hobart Arena box office or online at www.hobartarena.com.

Fire sign Paraguayan defender Marmol

Kalamazoo Up 1.5 Games on Muskegon

Coyotes Announce 4th Annual Kids Dance Clinic

Blizzard Moves Into First Place

Erie Scores Late To Defeat Huntington 47-43

(Erie, PA) - For the second week in a row, the Erie RiverRats of the AIFA came back from a late fourth quarter deficit to win at home on a touchdown pass in the last fifteen seconds of the game, as Erie defeated the Huntington Heroes by the final score of 47-43. With 13 seconds left on the clock and the Rats trailing by three, Erie QB Rod Rutherford threw a 6-yard pass into the end zone intended for WR Darmel Whitfield, who kept his concentration as the ball travelled through several defenders, bounced off a teammate, and ended safely in his hands for the go-ahead touchdown. Erie DB Sam Reynolds then secured the victory for the Rats by intercepting a long pass by Huntington QB Darnell Kennedy. With the win, Erie remains in first place in the North division with a record of 7-2, a half-game ahead of second-place Reading, and the Heroes fall to 5-4.

Rutherford shook off the effects of a sore hamstring to run for two first-half touchdowns, and completed 21 of 36 passes for 225 yards and three more touchdowns. The aggressive Huntington defense did force Rutherford into two interceptions and a fumble in the Heroes end zone. All three Erie receivers made important contributions as Brandon Jackson led the team with 10 receptions, David Dinkins recorded 84 yards on six catches, including a 35-yard touchdown in the first half, and Whitfield added five receptions and two touchdowns, including the game-winner. Rats DB Jovon Johnson began the second half for Erie with a 50-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and LB Roosevelt Benjamin led the Rats defense with six tackles and added one sack.

Huntington got on the scoreboard first on a 14-yard connection from Kennedy to WR Tario Frederick. After Erie PK J.R. Cipra missed a long field goal after a stalled drive, the Rats defense created the game's first turnover as DL Phil Tillman sacked Kennedy, forcing a fumble recovered by Benjamin at the Huntington 2-yard line. Erie capitalized on the turnover with a 2-yard quarterback keeper by Rutherford to even the score at 7-7. Neither offense could get untracked the rest of the first quarter as Huntington turned the ball over on downs, and Rutherford was intercepted by Heroes DB Michael Owens. However, Huntington could not score on three tries from within the Erie 9-yard line and had to settle for a Jason Cherry field goal to take a 10-7 lead after the first quarter.

The Rats offense came to life early in the second quarter as Rutherford connected with Dinkins from 35 yards out, setup by a great Rutherford pump fake, to give Erie a 14-10 lead. Then the Rats defense created its second turnover of the game as LB Glenroy Watkins recovered a fumble giving Erie the ball near midfield. Rutherford's 1-yard touchdown run, setup by a 25-yard completion by Rutherford to Whitfield, gave the Rats an 11-point lead. The Heroes scored on their next drive on a 16-yard pass from Kennedy to WR Marcus Bryant to pull within four, and then took the lead on a Rutherford fumble recovered by DL Joshua Pugh in the end zone for a Huntington touchdown. Both defenses dominated the play in the last three minutes of the half, and each team missed field goal attempts, and Huntington's lead was 24-21 at halftime.

Erie got a jumpstart to their second half on Johnson's opening kickoff return for a touchdown to take the lead back at 28-24. However, Huntington's offense came to life, as Kennedy and Frederick connected for a second touchdown, this one from 27 yards, to take a 3-point lead back. The Heroes got the ball back after a wobbly pass from Rutherford was intercepted in the end zone by DB Curtis Keys in the end zone for a touchback, but couldn't capitalize as they turned the ball over on downs. The Erie offense drove down to the Huntington 4-yard line but couldn't score. But Cipra's field goal and his first "uno" of the game, his league-leading 14th of the season, gave Erie the lead by one. The Heroes then drove 45 yards in just four plays, capped off by the second TD reception by Bryant, as time expired in the third quarter, and Huntington led 37-32.

On their first drive of the fourth quarter, the Rats chose not to try a field goal on fourth-and-three from their own 16-yard line, but Rutherford's pass intended for Jovon Johnson was overthrown and the ball was turned over on downs. Huntington appeared to score four plays later on a 1-yard run by QB Kennedy, but it was negated by a penalty and the Heroes had to settle for a 22-yard field goal to push their lead back to eight. Rutherford completed 4 of 6 passes on the next Erie drive, including a 15-yard touchdown catch by Whitfield to pull the Rats within one. Cipra then added his second "uno", number 15 on the season, to tie the game at 40-40 with four minutes remaining.

The Rats defense gave up a big play, a 29-yard completion from Kennedy to WR Kenny Davis to move the ball from deep in Huntington's territory, but then tightened their defense as the Heroes could complete only one short pass on three tries. The field goal attempt by Cherry was good, giving Huntington a 3-point lead. But an attempt for an "uno" by Huntington sailed straight up and hit the ceiling, and Erie was the beneficiary of good field position at its 20-yard line with just over one minute remaining. And then it happened, similar to the previous week.

Rutherford calmly led the Erie offense down the field with short controlled passes, 6 yards to Dinkins, 14 yards to Whitfield, and 4 yards to Jackson putting the Rats at the Huntington 6-yard line. Rutherford then found Whitfield on third down near the back of the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown. The referees had a short meeting to make sure the ball didn't hit the back wall first, and then signaled Erie touchdown. Cipra made an important extra point to give Erie a 4-point lead at 47-43, as the Heroes would now have to score a touchdown rather than set up for a field goal. Rats DB Reynolds waited for the inevitable long pass towards the end zone, intercepted it at the three-yard line, and Erie celebrated another win, its seventh in nine games.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defeat Wolves 68-50

Desperados Outgun Rampage in 65-54 Win over Grand Rapids

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Omaha Beef Beat Bandits; Win Seventh In A Row

Omaha Beef Beat Bandits; Win Seventh In A Row

Omaha, NE - The Omaha Beef professional indoor football team went into the hostile environment known as the Tyson Events Center and left with a hard-fought 53-47 win over their bitter rival, the Sioux City Bandits Saturday evening.

With over 200 Omaha fans who made the trip up to Sioux City cheering their every move, the BEEF won their seventh in-a-row and move to 8-2 on the season, best in the UIF. The win also keeps Omaha in first place of the UIF's Western Conference, leading by a half-game over Sioux Falls who sits at 7-2 and a game and a half on Billings who sits at 6-3.

After Sioux City made the first touchdown of the evening, Omaha tallied the next 10 points to close out the first quarter with a 10-6 lead. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the second quarter as the BEEF took the lead for good just before halftime at 23-20 thanks to a three-yard pass from James McNear to Blake Fuchtman. In the second half, the scoring explosion continued as the teams combined for 57 points on eight touchdowns and a field goal. Twenty-eight of the 57 points came in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter alone. The BEEF's Chris Eads recovered a late on-side kick attempt, his second of the night, to seal the victory for the team.

BEEF Head Coach Steve Warren was pleased with his team's effort on Saturday.

"It was a good win," Warren said. "It was a hard fought battle. The offense and defense both played well but there is still room for improvement."

McNear led the BEEF offensively, tallying 210 yards of total offense (52 rushing and 158 passing) and throwing six touchdown passes (to four different receivers). Defensively, Brent Hafford made a team-high 13.5 tackles and also intercepted a pass. On special teams, Ricky Lebeda contributed 11 points on two field goals (50 and 44 yards) and five extra points while Rollins returned five kicks for 88 yards.

With the win, along with a Colorado Ice loss to Wichita on Saturday night, the BEEF have clinched a playoff spot for 2008, their ninth in nine years. The UIF's Western Conference is still very much up for grabs as the BEEF, the Billings Outlaws and the Sioux Falls Storm all vie for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Every game is crucial as the UIF moves into its final weeks of the season.

The BEEF return home Saturday for a crucial conference clash with the Billings Outlaws. The game, which is being billed as "Armed Forces Night," begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are 50% off for Armed Forces personnel with military ID. Free stadium horns will be given out to the first 1,500 fans. In addition to the game, the BEEF's pre-game meal will be held at Texas Roadhouse, 520 N. 155th Plaza in Omaha, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to join the BEEF for their pre-game meal at Texas Roadhouse. Fans are also encouraged to attend the BEEF Boardwalk before every home game, which will have games, music and entertainment out near the entrance of the Omaha Civic Auditorium.

The BEEF are in their ninth year of Professional Indoor Football in Omaha, NE. Home games are played March through June. All home games start at 7:00pm at "The Slaughterhouse" - Omaha Civic Auditorium. The Beef are a member of the United Indoor Football Association, the premier indoor football league in America. The Omaha Beef are committed to making a positive difference in the Omaha area through football, fun and community service. For more information about the BEEF call (402) 346-BEEF (2333) or log on to www.BEEFFOOTBALL.com.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defeat Wolves 68-50

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Beef defeat Wild 67-16

May 2, 2008 Meat Wrapper

Utah’s Joe Germaine Earns Weekly Honor

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Desperados Outgun Rampage in 65-54 Win over Grand Rapids

DALLAS - The Grand Rapids Rampage offense fared well against the best defense in the Arena Football League, but could not outscore the 9-1 Dallas Desperados in a 65-54 road loss. Rampage quarterback James MacPherson (Tucson, Ariz.) threw for 335 yards and seven touchdowns, but could not orchestrate a late comeback.

Desperados quarterback and former Rampage star Clint Dolezel became the first quarterback in AFL history to throw for 900 career touchdown passes in the win, while Dallas receiver Marcus Nash found the end zone six times in the victory.

The Rampage jumped out to a fast start when MacPherson connected with Kenny Higgins (Long Beach, Calif.) for a 45-yard touchdown on the game's opening play. Grand Rapids' leading receiver put on a show against Dallas, logging 13 receptions for 195 yards and three scores overall.

Dallas went on to score the next 16 points thanks to its dominating defense. After a 17-yard touchdown catch by tight end Josh White, Desperados defensive lineman Daleroy Stewart sacked MacPherson in his own end zone, marking the second safety surrendered by Grand Rapids this season. Dallas converted on its next drive as well with a David Dixon three-yard rush, giving the home team a 16-6 lead.

Grand Rapids halted the Dallas streak when Chris Johnson (Americus, Ga.) pulled in a 16-yard touchdown catch on a perfect touch pass by MacPherson. The Desperados answered once again, however, as the 6-4, 220-pound Nash used his big frame to shield off Rampage defensive back Ahmad Hawkins (Hampton, Va.) for a seven-yard score.

The Desperados extended their lead over the Rampage after a 51-yard field goal by Grand Rapids kicker Brian Gowins (Birmingham, Ala.), his longest since the 2004 season. Nash's second touchdown catch of the game gave Dallas a 30-16 lead with six minutes remaining in the half.

Higgins put Grand Rapids back on the board with an important 25-yard touchdown catch on a fourth down play. Then, after a third Nash touchdown with 34 seconds left in the second quarter, Rampage receiver Jermaine Lewis (Waukegan, Ill.) out-dueled Desperados defensive back Donvetis Franklin for a jump ball in the end zone, making the score 37-30 in favor of Dallas at the half.

Nash continued his stellar night with a 15-yard touchdown catch to begin the second half. But Grand Rapids responded once again as Lewis caught his second straight touchdown from 17 yards out. The Rampage got their only defensive stop of the night when Ronald "Rock" Dillon (Memphis, Tenn.) tipped a Dolezel fourth-down pass. Grand Rapids and MacPherson then tied the game at 44-44 with a 16-yard pass to Johnson.

A 45-yard bomb from Dolezel to Nash gave Dallas a temporary seven-point lead at the end of the third quarter. But Grand Rapids kept pace, as Higgins collected his third touchdown of the night to knot the score at 51-51.

On Dallas' next drive, Dolezel tossed his 900th career touchdown pass and sixth of the night to Nash. The Desperados defense held strong once again, forcing Grand Rapids to settle for its second field goal and maintaining a four-point advantage.

Dolezel's eighth touchdown pass of the game, a three-yard floater to tight end Jeremy Calahan, pushed Dallas' lead to 65-54. Grand Rapids drove down inside the Desperados 10-yard line on its next possession, but could not pull any closer. The 3-7 Rampage will return home this Friday (May 16) to welcome the Tampa Bay Storm, while the 9-1 Desperados will host the Arizona Rattlers.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defeat Wolves 68-50

Rampage Beat Marlies 3-0 To Force Game Seven

Storm Cast Spell on VooDoo, 41-37

Grizzlies bitten again by Hammerheads, 55-37

Slow start dooms Dusters

Gladiators Hand Soul First Loss of the Season, 67-55

Wildcats Claw By Wranglers, 58-56

Slow start dooms Dusters

AMARILLO, TEXAS The Amarillo Dusters hosted the Lubbock Renegades for their Ladies and Cancer Awareness Night at the Amarillo Civic Center Arena. The Dusters wore special limited edition pink jerseys for the night. Jerseys were auctioned off, with proceeds benefitting the Children's Miracle Network. The Renegades defeated the Dusters 69-35.

The Renegades struck first with a rushing touchdown by QB Kent Robert. The Dusters offense struggled to get on track while Lubbock continued to control the scoreboard with two touchdowns in the first.

A fumble at the start of the second quarter kept the Dusters out of the endzone once again. Lubbock QB Kent Robert found WR Robert Gill for another Renegade touchdown early in the quarter. The Dusters continued to struggle on offense in the first half while the Renegades found the endzone several more times. However, the Dusters would not go into halftime scoreless. With only 20 seconds on the clock, QB Julian Reese found WR Steve Bergeski in the endzone for the first Dusters score of the game.

The Dusters were fired up coming into the second half, starting off with a touchdown pass from QB Julian Reese to WR Steve Bergeski. After a defensive stand by the Dusters, Reese found Bergeski once again in the endzone for another six points. Renegades WR John King ran back the kickoff for Lubbock's first touchdown of the second half. The rivalry between the two teams showed tonight as both teams struggled with penalties and emotions.

The Dusters and Renegades would each go on to score two more times in the fourth quarter to finish the game. The teams will meet twice more this season, once more at home and once in Lubbock.

The Schutt Offensive Player of the Game went to Lubbock QB Robert Kent. Renegades Kendrick Walker was awarded the ADT Defensive Player of the Game. JLS Ironman of the Game went to Orlando Medlock for the Renegades. Lubbock's Alvance Robinson received the Cutters Catch of the Game.

The Dusters will be on the road next week, facing the Stockton Lightning. Fans can catch all of the action by going to www.dustersfootball.com and following the links to Nifty TV. Games are also broadcast live on KPUR 107.1 FM in Amarillo and KGYN 1210 AM in Guymon, Oklahoma.

The Dusters will return home on June 7 to take on the Arkansas Twisters. Get your tickets early by calling the Dusters Box Office at 806.350.7277 or visiting any Panhandle Tickets outlet.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defeat Wolves 68-50

Rampage Beat Marlies 3-0 To Force Game Seven

Teams consider BTCC package move

Dusters Partner With Goodwill Industries For Special Promotion

Dusters Food Drive With The High Plains Food Bank

Storm Cast Spell on VooDoo, 41-37

Crush Lose Unlucky Number 13 To Rush 65-52

Storm Cast Spell on VooDoo, 41-37

Tampa, FL - The Tampa Bay Storm (4-6, 3-1) defeated the New Orleans VooDoo (7-4, 2-2) Friday night 41-37 in front of 16,934 fans at the St. Pete Times Forum as Traco Rachal intercepted Danny Wimprine on the final play of the game to seal the victory. A much maligned Strom defense held the VooDoo to a season-low 37 points as the defense came up with two big defensive stops in the redzone including one on the Voodoo's final drive to help the Storm pick up a key divisional victory.

With eight seconds on the clock, Storm defensive back Traco Rachal made the play of the game on fourth and goal as he out leapt VooDoo receiver Sale Key and snatched the ball in midair. The interception ensured the VooDoo remained winless in the St. Pete Time Forum.

Lawrence Samuels led all receivers with 11 receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He set the AFL record for most consecutive games with a catch (129) on a five-yard touchdown from Brett Dietz early in the first quarter to put the Storm up 7-0. Sale led the VooDoo with 11 receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown in his second game of the season.

Former South Florida Bull and Dixie Hollins grad DeAndrew Rubin evened the score midway through the first quarter on a 13-yard strike from Danny Wimprine. Rubin finished the game with three receptions for 38 yards and touchdown.

Wimprine finished the game 23-of-41 for 240 yards and three touchdowns; however he went 10-of-20 in the second half as the Storm pass rush picked up the pressure.

Torrance Marshall scored two touchdowns on the ground for the third consecutive game as he scooted from two yards put to put Tampa up by seven entering the first quarter. The teams traded touchdowns before recently re-signed kicker Jonathan Ruffin nailed a 36-yard field to at the end of the first half to bring the VooDoo with in five, 21-16. Nevertheless it was a key goal-line stand midway through the second quarter that keyed Tampa Bay's five point lead heading into the half. New Orleans had seven plays in the redzone, including six from four yards in to score, yet had a run stuffed by Kelvin Kinney inside the one-yard to keep James Lynch out of the endzone.

After Storm score to open the second half Lynch found the endzone as the VooDoo thwarted another goal-line stand. Tampa Bay then lost the lead as VooDoo Lineman Justin Brown stripped Torrance Marshall at the VooDoo four-yard line. New Orleans Capitalized two plays later on a 43-yard Wimprine-to-Javarus Dudley touchdown pass to take a 30-28 lead.

Despite having the lead slip through it fingers Tampa Bay fought back. Dietz connected with Samuels on a 37-yard post for a touchdown and then after a Wendell Williams two-yard rushing touchdown Dietz hit Terrill Shaw in the endzone to put Tampa bay up by four with 55 seconds left on the clock.

Tampa Bay squib kicked the ensuing giving the VooDoo the ball at the Storm 23. After a quick reception to Sale and a Storm penalty the VooDoo once again had the ball in the redzone. However a fumbled pitch to Lynch five plays later forced third-and-goal from the nine. With pressure the defensive line forced a Wimprine incompletion on the next play. The Arena went to its feet as New Orleans had one last shot to take the victory away from Tampa Bay, but Traco Rachal denied the VooDoo the opportunity with his third interception the of the season.

Notes

* Recently acquired fullback/linebacker Phil Glover recorded his first sack in a Storm uniform in the second quarter and his first reception in the fourth quarter.

* Samuels set an AFL record for most consecutive games with a catch at 128 games surpassing former Nashville and Orlando star Cory Fleming. With his 111 yards receiving he surpassed 12,500 career receiving yards.

* Samuels also caught his 900th career passing Storm uniform he now has 906 in a Storm uniform. The Ironman performer also registered 3.0 tackles, moving into 13th al-time in the AFL as he surpassed Carlos James. Samuels is sixth among active players in career tackles.

* Brett Dietz surpassed 5,000 career passing yards in the second quarter on a 24-yard pass to Hank Edwards.

* Torrance Marshall has scored two or more rushing touchdowns in a game four times this season.

* Lawrence Samuels younger brother Chris Samuels and AFL commissioner David Baker were in attendance during the game.

* The AFL's number one defense, Tampa Bay, held the VooDoo to its lowest score of the season as well as the second lowest total of offensive yards.

The Storm travel to Grand Rapids next weekend to face the Rampage Friday, May 16 -7:00 p.m. at Van Andel Arena. The game can be heard on 620 AM-WDAE. New Orleans VooDoo enters its bye week before hosting Southern division rival Georgia Force on ESPN Russell Athletic Monday Night Football.

AFL action continues Monday night on ESPN Russell Athletic Monday Night Football in a showdown of National Conference rivals as the Philadelphia Soul (9-1) travel to Georgia to take on the Force (4-5).

Gladiators Hand Soul First Loss of the Season, 67-55