STATEMENT REGARDING FUTURE OF DORADOS
By Dorados Football | September 15, 2009
The Dorados were looking forward to playing another successful season in
2010, but AF2 teams got together and decided not to re-commit to play in
the AF2. They decided this because of the financial problems faced by the
AFL, who is the majority shareholder of the AF2.
A majority of the teams from the AF2 are forming a new league. The Dorados
are not a part of this group. The Dorados were not made aware of any of
this until a few weeks ago although the planning has apparently been going
on for a while.
Since the AFL legally owns the Dorados name and logo, this pretty much
means the end of the Dorados franchise in the Valley.
Personally, I can’t imagine that it’s the end of professional football in
the Valley, just the end of the Dorados, which is very unfortunate.
—TROY NELSON
PRESIDENT/OWNER, RGV DORADOS
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FORMER DORADOS HEAD COACH KEVIN GUY NAMED TO AF2 HALL OF FAME
By Dorados Football | August 19, 2009
HIDALGO, Texas — The Rio Grande Valley Dorados and arenafootball2 (af2) have announced that former Dorados Head Coach Kevin Guy has been named to the af2 Hall of Fame. Guy coached the Dorados to the National Conference Finals in 2005 before moving on to the Arena Football League (AFL). He also served the Dorados in 2009 in an on-field advisory position.
Guy was named the 2003 af2 Coach of the Year and upon accepting a position with the AFL’s San Jose SaberCats in 2005 led af2 in career coaching victories. He led the Tennessee Valley Vipers to three straight Division titles and reached the postseason in all four seasons as an af2 head coach. After winning the Arena Bowl in 2007 with San Jose as a defensive coordinator, Guy moved on to become the head coach of the Arizona Rattlers (AFL).
The inaugural af2 Hall of Fame class will be honored this Saturday when the league caps off its 10th anniversary season with the 2009 ArenaCup Championship in Las Vegas.
The list of 10 inductees includes four players, three coaches, two owners and one at-large contributor:
PLAYERS (4)
Mitch Allner
Kevin Prentiss
Matt Sauk
Craig Strickland
COACHES (3)
Skip Foster
Kevin Guy
Rich Ingold
OWNERS (2)
Jim Foster
Dan Newman
AT LARGE (1)
Jerry Kurz
The above list of 10 was trimmed from 15 by way of a final vote among the af2 Hall of Fame Committee, media and fans. A closer look at each inductee follows on pages 2-4 of this release.
Player nominations included only retired athletes while coach nominations included only those with three or more years of af2 tenure.
“I consider myself very fortunate to have been a part of this league for the past five years,” said af2 President Jerry Kurz. “I’m also extremely grateful and humbled by my inclusion in the very first Hall of Fame class. It’s an impressive list of individuals who have achieved great things in the af2 and are a big part of our league’s 10-year history.”
The group will be honored at the 2009 ArenaCup celebration in Las Vegas on August 22.
This Saturday, August 22, the American Conference Champion Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (16-3) tackle the National Conference Champion Spokane Shock (18-1) in ArenaCup10 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The game kicks off at approximately 7:00 p.m. PST, 10:00 EST.
Tickets to ArenaCup10 are available by visiting www.orleansarena.com, all Coast Casinos box offices, The Galleria at Sunset or by calling 800-675-3267 and mention code: ARENACUP.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE INAUGURAL af2 HALL OF FAME CLASS
PLAYERS:
MITCH ALLNER
§ Finished five-year career as league’s all-time scoring leader (780 points)
§ Finished career as league’s all-time leader in TDs (126) and receiving TDs (113)
§ Finished career as league’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards (7,652)
§ Won ArenaCup Championship in 2003 with Tulsa
§ Earned Ironman of the Game in 2003 ArenaCup
§ 2002 All-af2 First Team (OS)
§ 2003 All-af2 Second Team (WR/LB)
§ Played for three af2 teams (Quad City – 2000, Iowa – 2001, Tulsa – 2002-04)
KEVIN PRENTISS
§ Ranked No. 1 on League’s 10th anniversary list of Top-10 Kick Returners of all-time
§ Ranked No. 2 on League’s 10th anniversary list of Top-10 WRs of all-time
§ Owns af2 all-time mark for total kick return TDs with 15 (14 kickoff return, 1 missed field goal)
§ Named to American Conference All-af2 First Team – ST (2004)
§ Named to National Conference All-af2 Second Team – OS (2005)
§ Finished his career ranked in the league’s Top-10 in scoring (5th – 738 points), total TDs (4th – 123), pass receptions (10th – 316), receiving yards (4th – 4,848), receiving TDs (4th – 108), kickoff return yards (3rd – 3,681) and all-purpose yards (2nd – 8,748)
§ Owns share of af2 single-game record for most points scored (48) and most TDs (8) – both marks set in 2005
§ Played four seasons in af2 (Memphis – 2003-06)
MATT SAUK
§ Ranked No. 3 on League’s 10th anniversary list of Top-10 QBs of all-time
§ af2 Rookie of the Year (2001)
§ Earned All-af2 First Team honors in 2005
§ Earned All-af2 Second Team honors in 2001, 2003
§ Named 2005 Offensive Player of the Year
§ Led Louisville Fire to American Conference Championship in 2005
§ Set league single-season records for passing yards (4,489), passing TDs (99) and completions (408) in 2005
§ Ranks among af2’s all-time leaders in passing yards (14,913), passing TDs (360), completions (1,494) and attempts (2,406)
§ Played four full seasons in af2 (Tenn. Valley 2001, 2003; Louisville 2004-05); Played three games with Louisville in 2007
CRAIG STRICKLAND
§ Ranked No. 1 on League’s 10th anniversary list of Top-10 QBs of all-time
§ Won ArenaCup Championship in 2003 with Tulsa
§ Named ArenaCup MVP in 2003
§ Earned All-af2 First Team honors in 2004
§ Earned All-af2 Second Team honors in 2003, 2006
§ Became first player in af2 history to reach 20,000 passing yards for their career (2006)
§ Finished his career as the league’s all-time leader in pass completions (1,736), attempts (3,029), yards (22,688) and touchdowns (481)
§ Played six seasons in af2 (Tulsa – 2000-01, 2003; Oklahoma City – 2004-06)
COACHES:
SKIP FOSTER
· 44-10 overall record (.815 winning percentage), 4-2 postseason
· Served three years as an af2 head coach (Tulsa 2001-03)
· Led Talons to 2003 ArenaCup Championship
· Three-consecutive .800+ seasons as head coach
· Led Talons to two division titles (2002, 2003)
· Coached two of the four players (Mitch Allner, Craig Strickland) named as part of inaugural Hall of Fame class
KEVIN GUY
· 52-19 overall record (.732 winning percentage), 3-4 postseason
· Fastest coach to reach 50-win milestone
· Ranked No. 1 in career coaching wins when he moved up to accept an AFL position with San Jose
· Served four years as an af2 head coach (Tennessee Valley 2002-04, Rio Grande Valley 2005)
· Four consecutive postseason appearances as head coach
· Four years of at least 12 wins
· Led Vipers to division title in all three seasons as coach
· 2003 Coach of the Year
RICH INGOLD
· 91-33 overall record (.734 winning percentage), 7-5 postseason
· All-time league leader in career head coaching wins
· Current Head Coach of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (2006-present); Head Coach of Quad City – 2002-04
· Has led Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to two American Conference Championships – 2007, 2009
· 2007 Coach of the Year
· His teams have reached the postseason in six of his seven years as an af2 head coach
OWNERS:
JIM FOSTER
· Served as managing owner/operator of the Quad City Steamwheelers from late 1999 until late 2006
· Steamwheelers won first two league championships (2000 ArenaCup, 2001 ArenaCup)
· Founder and inventor of the game of Arena Football
· Member of AFL Hall of Fame – part of inaugural class of 1998
· Played a key role in the creation and development of af2, which began play in April 2000
· Serves as a member of the af2 Board of Directors, the af2 Executive Committee and is a member of af2 Rules and Competition Committee
DAN NEWMAN
· Owner of Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings for the past seven seasons (2003-present)
· Has served as Chairman of af2 Executive Committee for five years
· Hired Jon Norris in 2007 – BattleWings have reached the playoffs in each of his three seasons as head coach, including two straight Southwest Division titles (2008, 2009)
AT-LARGE:
JERRY KURZ
· Has served five seasons as af2 President (2005-present)
· Prior to his selection as af2 President, he was the AFL’s Director on the af2’s Board of Directors
· One of the founding members of Gridiron Enterprises Inc., the charter member of the Arena Football League
· He is only exceeded in overall Arena Football tenure by Jim Foster, the creator of the sport
· Member of AFL Hall of Fame – part of inaugural class of 1998
· In an effort to increase the international talent in the af2, Kurz adopted a rule prior to the 2005 season that allows teams to dress an extra player if that player is of international origin
- af2 -
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ROD WINDSOR NAMED RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
By Dorados Football | August 18, 2009
HIDALGO, Texas — The Rio Grande Valley Dorados and arenafootball2 (af2) today announced that WR ROD WINDSOR has been named the 2009 Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Year, as selected by a vote of arenafootball2 head coaches and media members.
This is the third postseason award for Windsor. Last week, the league named him the Spalding Rookie of the Year. He was also recently named to the National Conference All-af2 First Team.
Windsor was a four-time weekly league award winner in 2009. He earned the Big Game Catch of the Week for Week 1 and Week 8 and the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week for Week 9 and Week 16.
The 6-2, 208-pound rookie from Western New Mexico had arguably the best receiving season in af2 history with the Dorados in 2009. Windsor set four new league single-season records in his inaugural league campaign: scoring (362 points), receiving touchdowns (59), total touchdowns (59) and receptions (184). His efforts helped Rio Grande Valley earn their third playoff berth in team history on the strength of the club’s 9-7 regular season standing (3rd in Southwest Division).
Windsor also recorded the second-highest, single-season receiving yards total in league history with 2,364 in 15 games played. His yard mark fell 26 yards short of the af2-record mark set this year by Quad City veteran WR JESSE SCHMIDT (2,390). The previous league record for receiving yards in a season of 2,086 yards was set in 2000 by CARL BOND of Tallahassee.
One week after setting four league single-season records, Windsor set two af2 postseason game records in the team’s National Conference First Round playoff contest at Bossier-Shreveport. Despite the result (56-46 loss), he caught 18 passes for 211 yards and four TDs – all game-high marks. His 18 receptions and 211 yards receiving both set new postseason records. The previous receptions record was 17.
Windsor’s receiving yards mark was eclipsed by Tulsa WR JEFF HUGHLEY’s 241-yard total (14 catches) one week later in the Talon’s Semifinal Round victory against the Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings.
This Saturday, August 22, the American Conference Champion Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (16-3) tackle the National Conference Champion Spokane Shock (18-1) in the 2009 ArenaCup at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. PST.
Tickets to ArenaCup10 in Las Vegas are available by visiting www.orleansarena.com, all Coast Casinos box offices, The Galleria at Sunset or by calling 800-675-3267 and mention code: ARENACUP.
About Russell Athletic
For more than 100 years, Russell Athletic has supplied America’s athletes and teams with the latest innovations to help them perform at their best and is a leading supplier of team uniforms at the high school, college, and professional level. Russell Athletic activewear and college licensed products are broadly distributed and marketed through department stores, sports specialty stores, retail chains, and college bookstores. For more information, log onto www.russellathletic.com.
Remaining 2009 af2 Award Announcements:
JLS Ironman of the Year – Wednesday, Aug. 19
- af2 -
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DORADOS DANCER TO REPRESENT VALLEY AT ARENACUP IN LAS VEGAS
By Dorados Football | August 14, 2009
HIDALGO, Texas — The Rio Grande Valley Dorados and arenafootball2 (af2) today announced that Laura Pedraza, a member of the Jackson’s All American Dorados Dancers, will represent the team at ArenaCup10 in Las Vegas as part of Aaron’s af2 Dream Team.
The special 12-member all-star dance and promotional team, an exciting new addition to this year’s ArenaCup festivities, will be involved in a number of ArenaCup10 activities including performing during halftime of the championship game and appearances throughout the weekend of events. The 2009 ArenaCup Weekend takes place August 20-22 with numerous appearances and performances, with the title game played Saturday, August 22, at the Orleans Arena.
Pedraza, who turns 23 on August 14, is a Valley native raised in Pharr. A four-season vet of the Dorados Dance Team, she is the older of two daughters to Eddie and Jennie Pedraza. A graduate of PSJA North High school and was a varsity cheerleader there for two years she also was a Bronc dancer at the University of Texas Pan American for two years. She also danced for the NBA-D League Vipers last season.
Currently a student at STC and currently in the RN program, her goal is to be a professional cheerleader and dance for an NBA or NFL team. She was a finalist for the NBA Houston Rockets Power Dancers last season and plans on trying out again next season.
“Words cannot express how grateful I am to have this opportunity,” Pedraza explained. “I want to thank my dance director, Melissa Islas, and the Dorados football staff for nominating me to be a part of Aarons Dream Team competition. Mainly, thank you to all the fans and supporters who voted for me online. Without you, this would have never been a possibility. I am so proud and honored to representing the Rio Grande Valley at the ArenaCup Championship in Las Vegas.”
Throughout the final eight (8) weeks of the regular season, af2 fans had the opportunity to vote for their favorite team dancers. The top vote getter for each squad represents their team on the Aaron’s af2 Dream Team. More than 45,000 votes were registered on af2.com earning the following dancers spots on the 2009 Aaron’s af2 Dream Team:
Dancer Team
Katie Green Bay Blizzard
McKenzy Quad City Steamwheelers
Autumn Tulsa Talons
Amy Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers
Chantel Spokane Shock
Alyssa Manchester Wolves
Nicole Peoria Pirates
Tanya Milwaukee Iron
Shellie Boise Burn
Laura Rio Grande Valley Dorados
Lee Stockton Lightning
Lacey Iowa Barnstormers
“We’re very pleased that Aaron’s has partnered with the af2,” said af2 President Jerry Kurz. “We are equally excited about the Aaron’s Dream Team and how the addition of this special group will enhance our ArenaCup festivities.”
Ken Butler, COO of Aaron’s said, “It’s been an exciting season and we had great response in the ‘Vote for your favorite Aaron’s af2 Dream Team’ contest. We look forward to an equally responsive turnout for the 2009 Arena Cup Weekend festivities.” Butler went on to encourage employees and voting participants alike to turn out or tune in for the event August 20-22 and support their favorite dancer, the competing teams, and Aaron’s. “This has been a wonderful partnership and it has been a great privilege to work with the af2.”
The 2009 af2 playoffs continue this Saturday, August 15 with the American and National Conference Championship games. On the American side, the No. 1 seed Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers host the No. 6 seed Green Bay Blizzard at 7 PM ET. The No. 1 seed Spokane Shock host the No. 2 seed Tulsa Talons at 10 PM ET on the National side. The winners advance to the 2009 ArenaCup Championship game on Saturday, August 22 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
Tickets to the 2009 ArenaCup are available by visiting www.orleansarena.com, all Coast Casinos box offices, The Galleria at Sunset or by calling 800-675-3267 and mention code: ARENACUP.
About Aaron’s
Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), the nation’s leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of residential and office furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, has more than 1,630 Company-operated and franchised stores in 48 states and Canada. Founded in 1955 by entrepreneur R. Charles Loudermilk, Sr. and headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron’s has been publicly traded since 1982.
About af2
In Week 21 (2009 Playoffs – Conference Championships) of its 10th anniversary season with a 25-team membership, af2 serves as a vehicle to bring Arena Football to small-to-midsize cities and as a developmental league with an unmatched history of sending players, coaches and officials to major professional football leagues each year. Log on to www.af2.com for more information.
—doradosfootball.com—
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ROD WINDSOR NAMED af2 SPALDING ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
By Dorados Football | August 11, 2009
HIDALGO, Texas — The Rio Grande Valley Dorados, in association with arenafootball2 (af2), today announced that WR ROD WINDSOR has been named the 2009 Spalding Rookie of the Year, as selected by a vote of af2 head coaches and media members.
Windsor made quite an impact in his first af2 season. The 6-2, 208-pounder from Western New Mexico had arguably the best receiving season in af2 history with the Dorados in 2009. Windsor set four new league single-season records in his inaugural league campaign: scoring (362 points), receiving touchdowns (59), total touchdowns (59) and receptions (184). His efforts helped Rio Grande Valley earn a playoff berth on the strength of the club’s 9-7 regular season standing (3rd in Southwest Division).
Former Tulsa WR DONOVAN MORGAN (2005) owned the previous league-high standards for total touchdowns (54) and points scored (346). Morgan shared the previous af2 record of 54 receiving TDs with Louisville’s ROB MAGER (2006). Albany’s COREY HILL was the league’s previous single-season leader in receptions with 161 set in 2002 and 2003.
Windsor also recorded the second-highest, single-season receiving yards total in league history with 2,364 in 15 games played. His yard mark fell 29 yards short of the af2-record mark set this year by Quad City veteran WR JESSE SCHMIDT (2,393). The previous league record for receiving yards in a season of 2,086 yards set in 2000 by CARL BOND of Tallahassee.
Windsor was a four-time weekly league award winner in 2009. He earned the Big Game Catch of the Week for Week 1 and Week 8 and the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week for Week 9 and Week 16. He was also recently named to the National Conference All-af2 First Team.
One week after setting four league single-season records, Windsor set two af2 postseason game records in the team’s National Conference First Round playoff contest at Bossier-Shreveport. Despite the result (56-46 loss), he caught 18 passes for 211 yards and four TDs – all game-high marks. His 18 receptions and 211 yards receiving both set new postseason records.
The previous receptions record was 17. Former Louisville WR ROB MAGER caught 17 passes in the 2005 ArenaCup against Memphis (August 27). KELVIN DICKENS equaled the mark in 2007 with the Spokane Shock (vs. Louisville, August 4, 2007). The previous receiving yards record was 200 set by former Dorados’ WR DWIGHT COUNTER (Rio Grande Valley at Memphis, August 19, 2005).
On Saturday, Windsor’s receiving yards mark was eclipsed by Tulsa WR JEFF HUGHLEY’s 241-yard total (14 catches) in the Talons’ 59-34 Semifinal Round victory against the BattleWings.
The 2009 af2 playoffs continue this Saturday, August 15 with the American and National Conference Championship games. On the American side, the No. 1 seed Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers host the No. 6 seed Green Bay Blizzard at 7 PM ET. The No. 1 seed Spokane Shock host the No. 2 seed Tulsa Talons at 10 PM ET on the National side.
Tickets to the 2009 ArenaCup in Las Vegas are available by visiting www.orleansarena.com, all Coast Casinos box offices, The Galleria at Sunset or by calling 800-675-3267 and mention code: ARENACUP.
About Spalding
As a Division of Russell Corporation, the Spalding Group consists of three business units: Spalding in Springfield, MA; American Athletic, Inc. (AAI) in Jefferson, IA; and Huffy Sports, in Sussex, WI. The three companies, collectively combined, are now the largest basketball equipment supplier in the world. Spalding is the official basketball supplier of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), the official backboard of the NBA and NCAA, the official volleyball of the King of the Beach Volleyball Tour and the official football of the Arena Football League (AFL) and Pop Warner. For more information, visit www.spalding.com.
Remaining 2009 af2 Award Announcements:
SFC Asst. Coach & Sportexe Head Coach of the Year – Wednesday, Aug. 12
The Big Game Playmaker of the Year – Thursday, Aug. 13
ADT Defensive Player of the Year – Friday, Aug. 14
af2 Hall of Fame inductees – Monday, Aug. 17
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Year – Tuesday, Aug. 18
JLS Ironman of the Year – Wednesday, Aug. 19
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DORADOS POSTSEASON HOPES DASHED
By Dorados Football | August 1, 2009
Bossier City, Lou.— Rod Windsor’s four YD receptions weren’t enough as the Rio Grande Valley Dorados fell 56-46 to the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings at the Century Tel Center Saturday night.
Windsor and RGV QB Nick Hill (25-44-3, 324 yards, 6 TD) connected 18 times for 211 yards, while Bret Smith added a pair of TD’s on three receptions.
The Dorados never led, but did end the first half tied at 20 after a 43-yard interception return TD by Derrick Harris. RGV closed the Bossier lead to three points a pair of times in the fourth quarter only to see Battle Wings QB Andrico Hines (14-29-1, 209 yards, 4 TD) connect on 37 and 13-yard TD passes. Hines found Buchie Ibeh in the end zone twice and also connected with offensive linemen Tommy Taggart and Lou Vega.
Defensively, Bossier’s Phillip Geiggar and Pierre Lee combined for 15 tackles and three interceptions. RGV’s Quinton Staton registered a sack, pushing hisaf2 career total to 34.5, good for fifth all-time..
The loss ends the season for RGV while the Battle Wings go on to face the Tulsa Talons in the second round of the ArenaCup Playoffs.
Listen to Dorados action live on Real Country 102.1 FM or watch online via NiFty af2TV.
—DORADOSFOOTBALL.COM—
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PLAYOFF GAME NOTES, ROUND 1
By Dorados Football | July 31, 2009
CLICK HERE FOR FULL GAME NOTES (PDF)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados (9-7) vs. Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings (11-5)
ARENACUP PLAYOFF GAME 1
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 7:05 PM (CST), Century Tel Center
RADIO: REAL COUNTRY 102.1FM (Rich Bocchini)
IN ARENA BROADCAST: 93.5 FM (Home only, re-broadcast of 102.1)
WEB VIDEO: All home and most road games available at www.doradosfootball.com via NIFTY-TV
RGV Head Coach: Marty Hammond (4th Season, 37-26 Reg. season, 1-1 playoffs)
Officials
R – Mike Defee
U –Chad Walker
HL –Otis Cliatt
LJ – George Shoup
BJ – Mark Bailey
THE SETUP
The RGV Dorados (9-7, No. 6 seed) open the 2009 ArenaCup Playoffs at the Century Tel Center in Bossier City vs. the Southwest Division champion Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings (11-5, No. 3 seed). The winner of this game goes on to play the winner of the Tulsa (2)/Oklahoma City matchup (7).
RGV clinched the No. 6 playoff position in the National Conference with the Week 17 win over Tri-Cities and clinched a postseason berth with the July 3 win over Oklahoma City. Bossier won the Southwest Division title by defeating Arkansas in Week 18.
The teams have developed a healthy rivalry over the last three seasons, playing seven times in the regular season and once in the playoffs. RGV is 3-4 in those regular season games and 0-1 in the postseason.
DORADOS PLAYOFF TIDBITS
· WR Rod Windsor is the new single season franchise leader in receiving yards, TDs and points scored. He passed George Williams in each of those categories (1534, 42, 276). He also passed Coco Blalock for a team record 2364 all purpose yards.
· Windsor set the af2 single-season record for receiving and total TDs (59), points (362) and receptions (184). Windsor fell 30 yards shy of setting the record for most receiving yards (2393).
· Nick Hill set single-season team records for TD passes (93), completions (343) and passing yards (4517).
· Craig Turner, Travis McAlpine and Rashaun Rowser are out with injuries this week.
· Ramonce Taylor returned to the RGV lineup prior to the game at Tulsa on July 11.
· Quinton Staton now ranks fifth all-time in af2 sacks (33.5).
WHO TO WATCH
RGV
QB Nick Hill (343-518-19, 4517 YDS, 93 TD)
WR Rod Windsor (184/2364, 59 TD)
WR Bret Smith (83/1198, 27 TD)
BOS
QB Andrico Hines – (251-402-11, 76 TD, 3214)
FB Jason Schule – (111/165, 28 TD, 5.9 avg. gain rushing)
WR PJ Berry – (88/1294, 23 TD)
THE SERIES
uThis is the second playoff meeting between the teams. The teams met in the postseason in 2007 with Bossier edging RGV 50-45 in the second round.
In the regular season RGV and Bossier have met 12 times. RGV is 6-6 vs. the Battle Wings including one overtime loss.
uThe teams met three times in the 2009 regular season with Bossier taking a 2-1 advantage.
LAST GAME QUICK RECAP
The Dorados (9-7) wrapped up the regular season at home with a 78-51 win over the Corpus Christi Sharks (2-14) Saturday night at Dodge Arena in front of 5273 fans. The Dorados, led by QB Nick Hill (23-30-1, 327 YDS, 8TD), tied a team record for points scored. Leading 76-51 with under a minute remaining in the game, Valentine Chude’s end-zone sack of Sharks QB John De Los Santos (20-34-0, 287 YDS, 6TD) gave RGV the two points it needed to tie the mark. The sack was Chude’s second of the game. RGV’s Rod Windsor (12/157, 4TD) broke several af2 single-season records in the game. His fourth TD reception of the night was his 59th of the season. Windsor is also the new single-season leader in points (362) and receptions (184). He ended up 30 yards short of the af2 reception yards record with 2364.
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WINDSOR’S RECORD-SETTING TD GETS CATCH OF THE WEEK NOD
By Dorados Football | July 28, 2009
CHICAGO – Manchester wide receiver STEVE SAVOY, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton quarterback RYAN VENA, and Tri-Cities defensive back CHRIS HEMPHILL have been named the JLS Ironman, Russell Athletic Offensive Player and Aaron’s Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for Week 18 of 2009, the af2’s 10th anniversary season. In addition to these three awards, the af2 is also highlighting the player who makes the best catch and the best hit of the week. The Big Game Catch of the Week Award for Week 18 goes to Rio Grande Valley wide receiver ROD WINDSOR and the NiFTy Hit of the Week is awarded to Stockton linebacker JASON HUNT.
JLS IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
Savoy (5-11, 190, Utah), in his second af2 season, advanced the ball as a receiver, rusher, and passer during Manchester’s 38-63 loss to the East Division rival Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. After losing their starting quarterback, Mike Potts, the Wolves turned to Savoy to take snaps for most of the second half. The former Utah standout was pressed into duty under center because the team lost backup Willie Copeland in the first quarter on a special teams play. Despite never having played as a quarterback in an af2 game, Savoy performed admirably. He completed 2-of-3 passes for 14 yards and a passing TD while rushing 12 times for 97 yards and a rushing TD. He also caught two balls for 21 yards in a performance that can only be described as the football equivalent of hitting for the cycle. Savoy is second on his team in receiving with 100 catches for 1,222 yards and 31 TDs on the year. This is Savoy’s first player of the week award. Next week, the Wolves head to Des Moines, Iowa to face the No. 2 seed Barnstormers in the first round of the 2009 af2 playoffs. The Wolves (7-9) have reached the playoffs six of the last eight years.
RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Vena (6-0, 220, Colgate), a six-year af2 veteran, takes home his sixth career offensive player of the week award for his nine-touchdown performance during the Pioneers’ 63-38 road win against the Manchester Wolves. He completed 19-of-27 passes for 260 yards and eight TDs with no INTs. He also had one rushing TD. Thanks to his 2-yard scoring run in the first quarter, Vena became the league’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns with 88, surpassing SHERARD POTEETE’s previous league record of 87 career rushing scores. Vena finished up the season with a passer rating of 125.03, completing 332-of-479 passes for 4,144 yards and 87 TDs with 10 INTs. The former Colgate standout ranked second in the af2 behind Spokane’s Nick Davila in the league passer rankings. The No. 1-seeded Pioneers (13-3) will host the Albany Firebirds on Saturday in the first round of the 2009 af2 playoffs.
AARON’S DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Hemphill (6-5, 230, Washington), in his first af2 season, came up with three turnovers in the Fever’s 76-35 regular season home finale win over Central Valley. Hemphill grabbed a fumble recovery in each half of the game and added an eight-yard interception return for a TD in the third quarter. Hemphill also led the defense in tackles with 7.0 (6 solo, 2 assisted). In just seven games played for the Fever, the Washington alum has five interceptions, and ranks fourth on the team in tackles with 28.5. The Fever failed to make the playoffs, but ended their season on a high-note with the victory over the Coyotes.
THE BIG GAME CATCH OF THE WEEK
Windsor (6-2, 208, Western New Mexico), in his first af2 season, is the Week 18 recipient of The Big Game Catch of the Week Award. Windsor beat out Quad City’s Jesse Schmidt in the race for the af2 record of most receiving TDs in a season with his fourth of the night in Rio Grande Valley’s 78-51 home win over Corpus Christi. With 1:15 to play, Windsor streaked across the field on a crossing route then, having broken two tackles after the catch, surged into the end zone for his 59th and record-setting score. Schmidt finished his regular season last week with 58 receiving TDs. Windsor, who also set the af2 single-season record for total receptions with 184, accumulated 2,364 receiving yards in 15 games played. The Dorados finished the season at 9-7 and travel to face the Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings in the first round of the 2009 af2 playoffs.
NIFTY HIT OF THE WEEK
Hunt (6-2, 250, Cincinnati), in his third af2 season, has been awarded the NiFTy Hit of the Week, a new weekly honor that highlights the player who makes the best hit or tackle of the week. With nine minutes left in the first half, the big linebacker dragged down Peoria QB Luke Drone in his own end zone for a safety to put the Lightning up 10, 23-13. The defense would hold Peoria’s potent offense on four consecutive drives to help the Lightning go on a 36-0 run in the first half. The hit on Drone was Hunt’s sixth sack on the season, a team-high. Hunt comes in at fifth on his team in total tackles with 31.0 and added two interceptions and four fumble recoveries this season. The Lightning (6-10) clinched their first-ever playoff berth and travel to Washington to face No. 1-ranked Spokane in first round playoff action.
JLS Ironman of the Week candidates included:
Central Valley’s LaMonte Jones, Boise’s Jomo Wilson, Tennessee Valley’s Travis Blanchard, Rio Grande Valley’s Ramonce Taylor, Iowa’s Tanner Varner, Tulsa’s Jeff Hughley, Bossier-Shreveport’s P.J. Berry, Florida’s Dusty Bear, Green Bay’s Nate Forse, Stockton’s Mervin Brookins, Jr. and Milwaukee’s Antoine Burns.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included:
Tri-Cities’ Collin Drafts, Boise’s Mark Thorson, South Georgia’s Alvance Robinson, Rio Grande Valley’s Rod Windsor, Iowa’s Errick McCown, Tulsa’s Justin Allgood, Bossier-Shreveport’s Jason Schule, Florida’s Magic Benton, Green Bay’s Gino Guidugli, Stockton’s Troy McBroom and Albany’s Stephen Wasil.
Aaron’s Defensive Player of the Week candidates included:
Boise’s Maurice Banks, South Georgia’s Demetrie McCray, Rio Grande Valley’s Valentine Chude, Iowa’s Brent Curvey, Tulsa’s Carlos Campbell, Bossier-Shreveport’s Phillip Geiggar, Florida’s James McCoy, Green Bay’s Anthony Hoke, Stockton’s Jason Hunt, Milwaukee’s Perry Kyles and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Micheaux Robinson.
The Big Game Catch of the Week candidates included:
Tri-Cities’ Tremayne Kirkland, Spokane’s Andy Olson, Tennessee Valley’s Larry Shipp, Iowa’s Dusty Kain, Tulsa’s Carlese Franklin, Arkansas’ Aaron Fairooz, Florida’s James Panui, Mahoning Valley’s Jermaine Moye, Peoria’s Brian Allbrooks, Albany’s Anthony Rodriguez and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Rich Musinski.
NiFTy Hit of the Week candidates included:
Tri-Cities’ Phil Jordan, Tennessee Valley’s Travis Blanchard, Rio Grande Valley’s Valentine Chude, Iowa’s Tanner Varner, Amarillo’s Travis Pugh, Bossier-Shreveport’s Joe Woolridge, Florida’s Larry Edwards, Mahoning Valley’s Brandon Taylor, Milwaukee’s Quartez Vickerson and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Troy Blackwell.
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DORADOS, WINDSOR SET RECORDS IN WIN OVER SHARKS
By Dorados Football | July 25, 2009
HIDALGO, Texas — The Rio Grande Valley Dorados (9-7) wrapped up the regular season at home with a 78-51 win over the Corpus Christi Sharks (2-14) Saturday night at Dodge Arena in front of 5273 fans.
The Dorados, led by QB Nick Hill (23-30-1, 327 YDS, 8TD), tied a team record for points scored. Leading 76-51 with under a minute remaining in the game, Valentine Chude’s end-zone sack of Sharks QB John De Los Santos (20-34-0, 287 YDS, 6TD) gave RGV the two points it needed to tie the mark. The sack was Chude’s second of the game.
RGV’s Rod Windsor (12/157, 4TD) broke several af2 single-season records in the game. His fourth TD reception of the night was his 59th of the season. Windsor is also the new single-season leader in points (362) and receptions (184). He ended up 30 yards short of the af2 reception yards record with 2364.
Brett Smith contributed with three TD receptions and 102 yards for RGV.
The teams were tied at 20 at the end of the first 15 minutes of play, RGV pulled ahead by outscoring the Sharks 36-13 in the second quarter.
The Dorados travel to Bossier-Shreveport for the first round of the af2 playoffs next Saturday at 7 p.m. Jackson’s All American Sports Grill (North 10th and Dove, McAllen) will host a playoff viewing party.
Listen to Dorados action live on Real Country 102.1 FM or watch online via NiFty af2TV.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
RUSSELL ATHLETIC — Rod Windsor (RGV)
JLS IRONMAN — Ramonce Taylor (RGV)
AARON’S DEFENSIVE — RGV Defensive Line
BIG GAME CATCH OF THE GAME — Rod Windsor (RGV), 4th TD
NIFTY HIT OF THE GAME — Valentine Chude (4th quarter sack)
—DORADOSFOOTBALL.COM—
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WEEK 18 GAME NOTES
By Dorados Football | July 24, 2009
CLICK HERE FOR FULL GAME NOTES
Rio Grande Valley Dorados (8-7) vs. Corpus Christi Sharks (2-13)
GAME #16, WEEK 18
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 7:30 PM (CST), Dodge Arena
RADIO: REAL COUNTRY 102.1FM (Rich Bocchini)
IN ARENA BROADCAST: 93.5 FM (Home only, re-broadcast of 102.1)
WEB VIDEO: All home and most road games available at www.doradosfootball.com via NIFTY-TV
RGV Head Coach: Marty Hammond (4th Season, 37-26 Reg. season, 1-1 playoffs)
Officials
R Mike Defee
U Lubon Garcia
HL Otis Cliatt
LJ George Shoup
BJ Julian Alvarez
THE SETUP
The RGV Dorados (8-7) play their final regular season game of 2009 vs. the Corpus Christi Sharks (2-13).
RGV clinched the No. 6 playoff position in the National Conference with last week’s win over Tri-Cities. The Dorados clinched a postseason berth with the July 3 win over Oklahoma City.
All that’s left for the Dorados is to see who they will face in the first round of the af2 playoffs. RGV will battle the No. 3 seed in the Conference on the road next weekend.
RGV will face the Southwest Division Champion in the opening round. That title comes down to Saturday’s game between Bossier-Shreveport and current leader Arkansas. If Bossier wins, both teams will finish 11-5 but Bossier will take the take the crown based on the points differential tiebreaker. If Arkansas wins and Tulsa loses at home to Amarillo, both of those clubs will finish 12-4 and Arkansas would jump to the No. 2 seed based on the points differential tiebreaker.
RGV is 3-4 since the midseason bye-week in late May. The Dorados are 3-6 in their last nine outings. Two of those losses came against their potential first round playoff opponents; both were three-point losses.
WEEK 18TIDBITS
· WR Rod Windsor is the new single season franchise leader in receiving yards TDs and points scored. He passed George Williams in each of those categories (1534, 42, 276).
· Windsor can set af2 receiving records tonight. In 14 games played, Windsor ranks second to Quad City’s Jesse Schmidt in scoring (338), total touchdowns (55), receiving touchdowns (55) and receiving yards (2,207) and is tied with Schmidt in receptions (172). Schmidt set new league records in 2009 in scoring (350 points), receiving yards (2,393), total touchdowns (58), receiving touchdowns (58) and receptions (172 – tied with Windsor).
· Craig Turner, Travis McAlpine and Rashaun Rowser are out with injuries this week.
· Ramonce Taylor returned to the RGV lineup prior to the game at Tulsa on July 11.
· Nick Hill passed Josh Kellett’s single-season passing yard total with 228 yards at Tulsa on July 11. He is one TD shy (85) of passing Kellett in that category.
· Quinton Staton now ranks fifth all-time in af2 sacks (32.5).
WHO TO WATCH
RGV
QB Nick Hill (320-488-18, 4190 YDS, 85 TD)
WR Rod Windsor (172/2207, 55 TD)
DL Quinton Staton (10 sacks)
CCS
QB Sedale Threatt (71-122-2, 715 YDS, 7 TD)
WR Jon Graham (122-1120, 17 TD)
WR Brandon Hussey (102-1269, 17 TD)
THE SERIES
This is the 10th all-time meeting between the teams and the fourth of four this season. RGV is 3-0 in 2009.
LAST GAME QUICK RECAP
RGV (8-7) clinched the No. 6 seed in the arenafootball2 playoffs with a 44-37 victory over the Tri-Cities Fever (2-13) Saturday night in front of 4317 fans at Dodge Arena. Josh Kellett threw four TDs (21-44-3, 259 yards) in his first start of the season for RGV. Kellett found Rod Windsor three times in the end zone. Windsor finished with seven catches for 107 yards overall, giving him 55 TDs on the season as he looks to keep pace with Quad City’s Jesse Schmidt for the af2 single-season TD record. Ramonce Taylor also contributed to the RGV attack, collecting two TDs and rushing for one more.
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