TWO FORMER WOLVES STARS COMPETE IN ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS THIS WEEKEND

Two members of the arena football2 league Manchester Wolves alumni club have the chance to take one step closer to an Arena Football League championship this weekend when they compete in their respective divisional playoff games.

William "Roc" Haith, now a defensive back with the Colorado Crush who starred on Manchester's playoff teams in 2005-06, and Wendall Williams, a member of the Grand Rapids Rampage after spending the 2006 season with the Wolves, both learned the intricacies of the arena game and refined their skills playing for former Manchester Head Coach Ben Bennett.

"Roc is one of the best defensive backs who has ever played our game,"

said Bennett, currently the head coach of the af2 Austin Wranglers, when reached by phone. "He's smart, he's fast, and he's got good natural instincts. There was never any question when he played in Manchester that he'd move up to the Arena League."

Bennett, a member of the AFL Hall of Fame, a former All-Pro quarterback, and one of the most successful head coaches in af2 history, is equally impressed with Williams.

"Wendall is one of the most difficult players in the league to tackle once he's got his hands on the ball," he said. "He's got great hands, great speed, and he's a great competitor."

During the 2006 campaign in Manchester, Williams (6-0, 190) hauled in

56 passes for 647 yards and 17 touchdowns in only 11 games. Haith (5-10, 192) set an af2 record with 121.5 tackles for the Wolves in 2005 and picked off three interceptions while breaking up 30 passes. In 2006, Haith led the team with 71.5 tackles, six interceptions, and knocked the ball away from the receiver 36 times in 15 games.

The Crush will face the San Jose SaberCats on Saturday in one American Conference match-up and the Rampage take on the Chicago Rush in the other on Sunday. If the Crush and Rampage advance to the conference final, it's possible that Haith could have to cover Williams in the game that decides which one moves on to the Arena Bowl against the eventual National Conference champion.

No matter how far they advance this season, it's a safe call that both Roc Haith and Wendall Williams will remember lessons well learned in Manchester.

The Wolves (6-7) remain in the af2 playoff hunt but will be idle this week. They next take on the Mahoning Valley Thunder (3-10) in front of their home fans on Brady Sullivan Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Saturday, July 12th. Tickets remain for the must-win game against the Thunder and may be purchased by clicking on tickets@manchesterwolves.com or calling the Wolves office at 603-627-9653.

 

BRADLY CHAVEZ NAMED ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE2 JLS IRONMAN OF THE WEEK

Manchester Wolves wide receiver and linebacker Bradly Chavez has been selected as the JLS Ironman of the Week by the af2 league office, and it is the second time this season that he has been so honored.

"It’s good to get the recognition, but I don’t worry about my stats,"

said Chavez, who was a force on both offense and defense in the Wolves win over the Albany Conquest last week. "I’m just trying to get into the playoffs as a team and then go as far as we can."

Chavez, who played for the Alabama Steeldogs in 2006-07 after a standout career at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and is in his first season with the Wolves, was also tabbed as the JLS Ironman of the Week by the league following his stellar performance on both sides of the ball in Manchester’s upset of the division-leading Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers in week number 9 of the season.

In last week’s important win, Chavez earned superlatives as both the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game and the JLS Ironman of the Game.

With 13 games in the books, Chavez has been voted the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game twice, the Cutters Catch of the Game three times, and the JLS Ironman of the Game five times.

Chavez has been instrumental in the Wolves turnaround from 1-6 to their current 6-7 record, which has put them in contention for the playoffs with three games still to play in the regular season. Opposing teams recognize that they have to be aware of where Chavez is on the field at all times.

"I’ve noticed on defense that certain teams play me differently now,"

he said. "I don’t notice it as much on offense but once in a while they will double cover me. We’ve got three great starting receivers (Chavez, Steven Savoy, and Emery Sammons) and then David Bailey is also great coming off the bench, so it’s not so different on offense. But on defense, the teams are playing me differently a lot more on screens and runs to keep me in the box."

The other players honored as the league’s best this week are Schutt Offensive Player of the Week Nick Davila of the Spokane Shock, Cutters Catch of the Week winner Raul Vijil of the Shock, and the ADT Defensive Player of the Week Royce Morgan of the Mahoning Valley Thunder.

The Wolves have a bye week over the Fourth of July Holiday weekend and then return home to Brady Sullivan Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Saturday July 12th to take on division foe the Mahoning Valley Thunder (3-10) in a game crucial to their playoff hopes.

Tickets are still available for the Wolves remaining two home games, on the 12th and on Saturday, July 26th against the Corpus Christi Sharks and may be purchased by clicking on tickets@manchesterwolves.com or by calling the Wolves office at 603-627-9653.

 

WOLVES FOOTBALL CAMP CANCELED

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused to all those who have signed up. Please contact us in the spring for our dates in 2009!!

 

Manchester Wolves Down Albany Conquest 50- 33

The Manchester Wolves kept their arena football league2

playoff hopes alive on Friday night when they downed American

Conference East Division rival Albany 50-33 in front of a home crowd of

6,540 at the Verizon Wireless Arena and improved their record to 6-7.   

  The Wolves defense was the story of the night as they disrupted

Albany quarterback Dan Cole and took top wide receiver Antwun Williams,

normally the big playmaker against Manchester every time these two

teams tangle, out of the game. Cole was held to 21 completions of 41

attempts for 222 yards and four touchdowns while Williams, who scored a

record-high seven touchdowns against the Wolves in their last meeting,

caught just six passes for 89 yards and only one touchdown.   

  Both teams traded scores and turnovers through three quarters of

sloppy play marred by fumbles, interceptions, and penalties and they

entered the final stanza tied 27-27. On Manchester’s first possession

of the fourth quarter, quarterback James Pinkney drove the Wolves down

the field and hit wide receiver Bradly Chavez, who earned both the

Schutt Offensive Player of the Game and the JLS ironman of the Game

honors, with a 23-yard scoring strike to take the 34-27 lead.   

 Cole then misfired on four straight incompletions on the ensuing

series and the Wolves took over on downs with a first-and goal from the

Conquest 5-yard line From that point, the game was essentially over

when Pinkney and Emery Sammons connected on a two-yard play to put the

Wolves up 41-27 with 5:46 left on the clock. Cole fumbled on the first

play of the Conquest’s next series at his own five-yard line and the

Wolves recovered the ball in the end zone for the safety and went up

43-27.   

  After that, the teams traded touchdowns in a contest that had already

been decided. Pinkney finished his night with 17 of 25 completions for

177 yards with four touchdowns but also served up two interceptions.   

  Most of the af2 takes next weekend off and the Woplves have a bye,

but then they will return to Brady Sullivan Field on Saturday, July

12th for a rematch with the Mahoning Valley Thunder, another division

foe.   

   

SCORING 1 2 3 4 FINAL Record   

Manchester 13 7 7 23 50 6-7   

Albany 6 14 7 6 33   4-9   

   

PASSING:   

Pinkney (Man): 17-25-177-4 TD-2 INT   

Cole (Alb) 21-41-222-4 TD   

RECEIVING:   

Savoy (MAN): 6 receptions 44 yards 2 TD   

Jones (ALB) 7 receptions 58 yards 0 TD   

 

Schutt Offensive Player of the Game: Bradly Chavez (MAN)   

ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Joe Crear (MAN)   

JLS Ironman of the Game: Bradly Chavez (MAN)   

Cutters Catch of the Game: Clarence Curry (ALB)  

 

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers Down Manchester Wolves 69-40 

The Manchester Wolves were outplayed in every phase of the game as the Pioneers beat them 69-40 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. on Saturday night while halting the Wolves four-game winning streak and making Manchester's road to the arena football2 playoffs a little rockier.

  The Wolves were guilty of mistakes, miscues, fumbles, incompletions, interceptions, and penalties as they dropped to 5-7. The Pioneers improved to 10-2, clinched the American Conference East Division title, and assured themselves of a home game during the first round of the playoffs. The win was the Pioneers 18th consecutive home victory, which is the second longest streak in af2 history.

  Pionneers quarterback Ryan Vena showed why he is the defending af2 Schutt Offensive Player of the Year as he picked apart the Wolves defense throughout the night for 20 completions of 32 attempts for 251 yards and seven touchdowns. Vena kept alive his personal streak of never losing a game as the starter at the Wachovia Arena.

  Wolves quarterback James Pinkney, who had been instrumental in bringing Manchester back from a 1-6 start while rarely turning the ball over, served up four interceptions and was sacked repeatedly while under constant pressure from the Pioneers heavy pass rush. Pinkney, who finished the night with 19 completions of 37 tries for 259 yards and four passing touchdowns plus one rushing score, did engineer two fourth quarter scoring drives to bring the Wolves to 62-40, but it wasn't enough to keep pace with the Pioneers.

  Once Vena headed for the bench with about 30 seconds left to play following the Pioneers recovery of an onside kick, back-up quarterback Matt Schrabert put another nail in the Wolves coffin with a two-play drive capped by a 10-yard scramble for the final score and the 69-40 win.

  The Wolves return home next Friday night to face the Albany Conquest on Brady Sullivan Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena and face a must win situation as they battle for a playoff spot.  

  

Scoring Summary: 1 2 3 4 Final Record

MANCHESTER WOLVES 6 13 7 14 40 5-7

W-B/S PIONEERS 21 24 7 17 69 10-2  

  

Passing:

Pinkney (MAN): 19-37-259- 4 INT-4 TDs

Vena (WBS): 20-32-1 INT-7 TDs  

  

Receiving:

  (MAN): Savoy 8-134-3 TDs

  (WBS): Kendrick 10-140-3 TDs  

  

Schutt Offensive Player of Game: Larry Kendrick (WBS) ADT Defensive Player of Game: Justin Parrish (WBS) JLS Ironman of Game: Rich Musinski (WBS) Cutters Catch of Game: Rich Musinski (WBS)  

 

WOLVES HOLD FOOTBALL CAMP AT THE HAMPSHIRE DOME IN MILFORD

The Manchester Wolves will hold two football camps this summer for kids ages 8-14 at the Hampshire Dome in Milford. The 1st session is July 14th through July 18th and the second session is July 28th through August 1st, both sessions running from 8:30-3:00. The cost of camp is $175 per week (lunch will not be provided) with $10 off per camper for groups of 10 or more. To download the registration form or for more information on the daily schedule, click on Fan Zone-Camps/Clinics on the website. Feel free to contact the Wolves office at (603) 627-9653 with any further questions. 

 

Manchester Wolves Rattle Mahoning Valley Thunder 79-55 

  The Manchester Wolves remained one of the hottest teams in the arena

football2 league as they rattled the Mahoning Valley Thunder 79-55 in

Youngstown, Ohio on Friday night to improve to 5-6 and extend their

winning streak to four straight games.   

  Riding the arm of rookie quarterback James Pinkney once again and

relying on another outstanding defensive effort and solid special teams

play, the Wolves kept the Thunder, a 2007 expansion team, winless

against them in four tries in the history of the series. Pinkney scored

nine touchdowns, seven through the air and two via the ground, before

being relieved by fellow rookie Ben King late in the fourth quarter.   

  Pinkney, the Schutt Offfensive Player of the Game, got terrific

protection from his offensive line and connected with his entire corps

of receivers, who were wide open throughout the game, on 18 of 30

passes for 272 yards and the seven scoring strikes. King, playing in

his first ever af2 test, went three for five on his throws and hit

rookie receiver Rayshaun Bolden in the end zone for the Wolves last

score of the night. In a total team effort, fullback Lamar Bryant, a

four-year Wolves veteran, got the Wolves off on the fast track when he

scored the first touchdown of his career on the opening possession of

the game and rookie linebacker Chad Wengert recovered a Thunder onside

kick and ran it in for another touchdown to end the third quarter at

59-34.   

  The Wolves, who never trailed in the game, were able to take full

advantage of the Thunder's mistakes, including two interceptions by

quarterback Davon Vinson, a lost fumble, and the botched onside kick

attempt, and turn them all into Manchester scores. While Vinson and his

favorite receiver Clenton Rafe, who connected for six Thunder

touchdowns on the night, kept the game relatively tight in the first

half at 40-27, the Wolves defense was able to keep the offense out of

sync and not allow Mahoning Valley to close the gap in the second

half.   

  The Wolves victory over the Thunder, an American Conference East

Division rival, improves their standing in the division to 4-2 as they

travel to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton next Saturday night to take on the

division-leading 9-2 Pioneers, a team they beat 70-63 on May 31st, next

Saturday night. The Pioneers record in the East Division is 5-1 so the

Wolves will have the chance to even things up and improve their

position in the playoff race. 

   

Scoring Summary: 1 2 3 4 Final Record   

MHT 20 20 26 13 79 5-6   

MVT 6 21 7 21 55 2-9   

   

Leaders:   

Passing: Pinkney (MAN) 18-30-272- 2 INT- 7TDs, Vinson (MVT) 18-39-277-2

INT-7TDs   

Receiving: Savoy (MAN) 7-142-3TDs; Rafe (MVT) 11-199-6TDs   

   

Schutt Offensive Player of the Game: James Pinkney (MAN)   

ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Trey Bell (MAN)   

JLS ironman of the Game: Clenton Rafe (MVT)   

Cutters Catch of the Game: Rayshaun Bolden (MAN) 

 

MTS GRAND OPENING THIS WEEKEND

 

WOLVES DECLAW FIRECATS 47-35

The relentless Wolves defense rattled the Florida Firecats all night while their high-powered offense scored seemingly at will as Manchester declawed the Firecats 47-35 in front of 6,280 faithful at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

 

WOLVES FACE FLORIDA FIRECATS TONIGHT AT 7:30 AT THE VERIZON WIRELESS ARENA

The Manchester Wolves face 8-1 Florida tonight at 7:30 on Brady Sullivan Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena. Tonight's game is Military Appreciation Night, so get there early to see the on-field festivities during the introductions. Also, head to the concourse to get some information from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Hampshire, CMC and the Prostate Cancer Coalition on Prostate Cancer and how to treat and prevent.

Call (603) 627-9653 for tickets today!!

 

BRADLY CHAVEZ NAMED AF2 IRONMAN OF THE WEEK; WOLVES HOST FLORIDA FIRECATS FRIDAY NIGHT

Manchester Wolves wide receiver and linebacker Bradly Chavez, who picked off an interception with 48 seconds on the clock and ran it back 38 yards for the game-winning touchdown against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers, was named the JLS Ironman of the Week by the arena football2 league.

Chavez earned the honor after winning both the Cutters Catch of the Game and the JLS Ironman of the Game awards in the upset of the Pioneers and he becomes the first Wolves player to be recognized as the af2's weekly best in 2008.

Chavez (6'2", 205 lbs.) has made a major impact on the Wolves since joining the team this season and has started on both offense and defense in all nine games the team has played thus far. He earned Schutt Offensive Player of the game honors against the Florida Firecats in week 6, was awarded the Cutters Catch of the Game in weeks 7 against the Tulsa Talons and week eight against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and was named the JLS Ironman of the Game on three occasions, against the Daytona Beach ThunderBrirds in week five, the Tulsa Talons in week 7, and the Pioneers in Week 8.

A product of the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Chavez played for the af2 Birmingham Steeldogs for three seasons. In nine games with the Wolves, he has started at wide receiver and linebacker and also played on the special teams. As a wideout, he has caught 56 passes for 724 yards and scored 16 touchdowns, and on defense he has recorded 13.5 tackles, recovered a fumble, and grabbed two interceptions.

Chavez will be playing both ways again on Friday night when the Wolves

(3-6) host the red-hot Florida Firecats (8-1) on Brady Sullivan Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena. The Firecats are looking to sweep the Wolves in the regular season after edging them in Florida 49-43 on May 10 but the Wolves have put together an impressive two-game winning streak and are a different team than Florida saw earlier in the season.

Not only are the Wolves playing much better as a team now, but they have different players starting at several key positions. For instance, Dahnel Singfield is the only member of the defensive backfield who faced Florida quarterback Chris Wallace last time around. Since then, Trey Bell and Carlton Brown, who also picked off an interception to secure the win last week, have joined the team and assumed starting roles. Raquan Pride, the back-up to all three positions in the secondary, wasn't with the Wolves the last time either.

While the Wolves are playing much better now, there is no margin for error against one of the top teams in the af2.

"The Florida Firecats are playing really well right now," said Manchester Head Coach Danton Barto. "We'll have to play our best football to have a chance to win."

In a roster move, the Wolves released defensive back Will Evans and linebacker/fullback Barry Wright on Wednesday.

Kickoff for the game against the Firecats is at 7:30 PM on Friday Night (June 6) and tickets are still available. The Wolves are hosting Military Appreciation night to benefit the Chaplin's Fund. For more information visit www.manchesterwolves.com or call 603-627-9653.

 

Wolves beat Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers 70-63

The Manchester Wolves stunned the American Conference East Division leading Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers 70-63 on Saturday night to win their first home game of the season in front of 5,082 delighted faithful at the Verizon Wireless Arena and tie the all-time series at 10-10.

The vaunted Pioneers defense, which came into this important division match-up ranked first in the arena football2 league and surrendering an average of just 32.2 points per game while also leading the league in turnover margin at plus-20, was overshadowed by an underrated Wolves defense.  With the score tied 63-63 with only 55.8 left in the fourth quarter, Manchester’s Bradly Chavez picked off Pioneers quarterback Ryan Vena at Manchester’s 14-yard line and returned the interception for a touchdown to put the team ahead with the winning score and give Manchester its first lead of the game.

The Wolves would ice the contest one play later when rookie Carlton Brown, who was signed only this week and was making his first af2 start, picked off Vena again with 26 seconds on the clock to put the ball back in the hands of Wolves rookie quarterback James Pinkney.

Pinkney, who continues to improve in each outing, connected on 23 of 33 attempts for 317 yards and threw six scoring strikes. He also added another two touchdowns on the ground.  Pinkney, who was given all night to throw by his offensive line, spread the ball around to five different receivers.  Emery Sammons led the corps with eight catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns.

Vena, the reigning Schutt Offensive Player of the Year, threw seven touchdown passes and ran for another score to finish the night with 24 completions of 32 passes for 317 yards.

The game was the highest scoring of 20 contests played between these two teams in af2 history and pulled the Wolves to 3-6 overall and 3-2 in the division while the Pioneers dropped to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in division play. Manchester, which beat an undefeated 13-0 Pioneers team last year and knocked them out of the playoffs in 2006, halted the Pioneers seven-game winning streak.

The Wolves return to Brady Sullivan Field next Friday night to host the American Conference South Division leading Florida Firecats, who beat them 49-43 in Florida on May 10th.

   

SCORING:                                      1       2       3      4             FINAL SCORE

Manchester Wolves                  14       14     13     29                70                             Record: 3-6

W-B/S Pioneers                          21       14     14      14                63                           Record: 7-2

LEADERS:

PASSING: Pinkney (MAN) 33-23-0-317- 6 TDs; Vena (WBS) 32-24-2-317 7 TDs

RECEIVING: Sammons (MAN) 8-94 2 Tds; Musinski (WBS)

Schutt Offensive Player of Game: Rich Musinski (WBS)

ADT Defensive Player of Game: Dahnel Singfield (MAN)

 JLS Ironman of Game: Bradly Chavez (MAN)

Cutters Catch of Game:  Bradly Chavez (MAN)

 

Game TONIGHT at 7:00pm-Free Isle of Shoals Pass for everyone through the door!!

Join the Manchester Wolves TONIGHT at 7pm on Brady Sullivan Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena for an action packed game against the 7-1 Wilkes Barre Scranton Pioneers. Everyone through the door receives a FREE pass for an Isle of Shoals Cruise!

Don't miss out on a minute of the action!!

 

Wolves face 7-1 Wilkes-Barre this Saturday

MANCHESTER, NH-- It may not yet have the panache of the Red Sox and the Yankees , Duke against North Carolina, or Michigan versus Ohio State, but when it comes to arena football2, the Manchester-Wilkes-Barre/Scranton rivalry is as good as it gets. When the 7-1 Pioneers line up against the 2-6 Wolves at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Saturday night for a critical American Conference East Division showdown, there will be scores to be settled and smash-mouth football to be played on Brady Sullivan Field. "We have an edge right now and this is a grudge match for us," said Cosmo DeNicola, who owns the Pioneers. "Last year we came in to Manchester at 13-0 and when we left, we were 13-1. I'm still fuming about that game. And the year before, the Wolves knocked us out of the playoffs. That arena has not been very kind to us." While the Wolves, who made the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, may have spoiled a perfect and undefeated 2007 season for the Pioneers, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton still made it all the way to the ArenaCup but lost the chance for a championship by only one touchdown to the Tulsa Talons 73-66 and went 17-3 on the season. That team was loaded with talent but DeNicola considers this year's edition even better. "We are fortune to get three of our top starters back from last year,"

he said. "We got (Schutt Offensive Player of the Year) quarterback Ryan Vena, wide receiver/jack linebacker Larry Kendrick, and David Davis, our kicker. And we've got some mean, nasty, butt kicking guys on our defensive line." Steve Schubert, the leader of Manchester's ownership group, knows that the Wolves claws will be sharp come Saturday night and that his team's bite is worse than any bark. "They were in the championship game last year but I've got a lot of confidence in our team," he said. "I'm putting up stakes. The winning owner has to treat the other to dinner in a fine establishment. While we've got a lot of great restaurants here in Manchester, I don't know if Cosmo can find any in Wilkes-Barre." The Pioneers owner already has the Mohegan Sun Casino at Pocono Downs Racetrack picked out to celebrate after Saturday. "That's where I'm taking Steve," he laughed. "Hopefully, we'll also be celebrating a new title for this team this year." All kidding aside, both owners understand that with eight games of the 16-game af2 season already in the books, there is more at stake in this contest than who picks up the dinner check. "We don't need to talk smack. We do our talking on the field. The reality is that we respect Manchester's team and the Manchester organization very much," said DeNicola. We're looking forward to a good game on Saturday." Schubert agreed wholeheartedly. "This rivalry is as good as any there is," he said. "We go back and forth with wins and losses. I know that both teams are going to bring their best. This should be a terrific game." Vena has been lighting up the scoreboard since returning to the af2 five games ago after a stint with the Arena Football League and he threw nine scoring strikes to tie his personal single-game best when the Pioneers beat Manchester in the fifth week of the season 68-50 in Wilkes-Barre. But he'll face a much different starting Manchester defense this time around. This week the Wolves signed defensive back Carlton Brown, who had a stint with the AFL Utah Blaze this year and was a first team All-SWAC player in college. They also activated defensive lineman Larry McSwain, a three-time All-Conference USA player at Alabama-Birmingham. Both Brown and McSwain will start on Saturday night. Moreover, linebacker Chad Wengert, who won the ADT Defensive Player of the Game in his first game last week when Manchester defeated division foe Albany, linebacker Raquan Pride, and defensive backs Trey Bell and Dahnel Singfield were not on the field the last time these two teams played. During the last three weeks, the Wolves have grown stronger and played much better, but the Pioneers always present a challenge in this series. "Obviously, they are a very good football team," said Wolves Head Coach Danton Barto. "We have our work cut out for us."

***

Offensive/Defensive lineman Deshon Stovall was placed on the long term Injured Reserve list and will have surgery on his biceps next week....Everyone attending the Wolves game on Saturday night will receive a free pass from the Isle of Shoals Steamship Company...Tickets for Saturday's game and partial-season ticket packages are still available and may be purchased by calling the Wolves at 603-627-9653 or visiting www.manchesterwolves.com. 

 

Free Pass for an Isle of Shoals Cruise at this Saturday's Game!

Join us on Saturday, May 31st at 7:00pm as we take on the Wilkes Barre-Scranton Pioneers on Brady Sullivan Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena. Join New Hampshire and Massachusetts Law Enforcement as they look to benefit the Special Olympics through ticket sales. And don't forget that every fan through the door receives a FREE pass for an Isle of Shoals Cruise!

Don't miss out on a minute of the action! Call (603) 627-9653 for tickets today!

 

Manchester Wolves down Albany Conquest 66-62

The Manchester Wolves got back on the winning track on Friday night and halted their six-game losing skid by beating the Conquest 66-62 at the Times Union Center in Albany in a key arena football league 2 East Division match-up.

Rookie quarterback James Pinkney, making the fourth start of his career for the Wolves and playing his best game yet, took full advantage of excellent protection from his offensive line and repeatedly picked apart the Conquest defenders, who came into the game ranked last in the

af2 in pass defense. Pinkney (14 of 26 for 260 yds and 7 TDs with 1

interception) connected with his receivers on the long ball all night as he threw touchdown strikes to Steven Savoy, Emery Sammons, and Bradly Chavez. Savoy caught scoring passes of 37, 28 and 15 yards, Sammons burned the Conquest for catches of 30, 35, and 45 yards, and Chavez found the end zone on a 10-yard catch.

Pinkney also ran the ball in for two touchdowns, scoring on a 40-yard dash in the third quarter and then adding another touchdown on the 1-yard quarterback keeper in the fourth quarter to make the score 66-56 after Albany had erased a 19-point deficit to draw within three points at 59-56.

Riding the arm of Albany quarterback Dan Cole (26 of 43 320 yds and 7 TDs with 1 interception), who connected with Antwun Williams for all seven of his touchdowns through the air, the Conquest would get back within four points with 33 seconds left on the clock to make the score 66-62, but placekicker Jason Fralicker missed his third PAT of the game. Sammons recovered Fralicker's onside kick and Manchester was able to run out the clock and nail the critical win on the road.

Two of the young new Wolves signed just this week had a huge impact on the outcome. Placekicker Chris Koepplin a rookie out of UMass, booted a 53-yard field goal and rookie Chad Wengert's efforts would earn him the ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors.

The Wolves (2-6) improved to 2-2 in the East Division as they return home to face the 7-1 Wilkes-Barre Scranton Pioneers on Brady Sullivan Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Saturday night in another critical division rivalry.

 

Passing:

Pinckney (MAN): 14 of 26 for 260 yards with 1 interception and 7 TDs, 2 rushing TDs Cole (ALB): 26 of 43 for 320 yards with 1 interception and 7 TDs, 1 rushing TD

Receiving:

Sammons (MAN): 3 for 110 yards 3 TDs

Williams (ALB): 11 for 130 7 TDs

SCORING:

1 2 3 4 Final Record

MAN: 13 26 13 14 66 2-6

ALB: 14 6 13 29 62 3-5

JLS Ironman: Steven Savoy (MAN)

Schutt Offensive Player of the Game: Antwun Williams (ALB) ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Chad Wengert (MAN) Cutters Catch of the Game: Emery Sammons (MAN)

 

Manchester Loses to Undefeated Talons 59-56

MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Manchester Wolves gave the defending ArenaCup Champion Tulsa Talons all they could handle for 60 minutes, but Talons K Luke Phillips drilled a game-winning, 25-yard field goal as time expired to escape Manchester with a 59-56 victory. The win keeps Tulsa perfect through the halfway point in their season at 8-0. The hard-luck Wolves dropped their sixth straight contest to fall to 1-6.  The game was a back-and-forth battle throughout with neither team holding a lead greater than eight points. The Wolves trailed late in the fourth quarter by a touchdown, 56-49, but rallied to tie the contest at 56-56 with just 25 seconds to play on a 37-yard scoring strike from QB James Pinkney to WR/LB Bradly Chavez. The Talons, however, still had time to operate and drove the ball into manageable field goal range for Phillips’ game-winning boot.  The Talons received a balanced effort on the offensive side as four different receivers caught touchdown passes from QB Justin Allgood (28-of-39 passing, 272 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs). Jeff Hughley caught a game-high 12 passes for 126 yards to lead the group. On the defensive side, DL C.J. McLain had a game-high 2.0 sacks. WR/LB Chris Maddox had a strong all-around effort with seven catches for 59 yards and one score on offense and a fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchdown.  Manchester’s offensive standouts were Pinkney and WR Steven Savoy. Pinkney threw for 244 yards with 4 TDs and no interceptions. He also ran for three touchdowns. Savoy, playing in his first game back with the team after missing action due to a concussion, caught 10 passes for a game-high 136 yards and two scores. DBs Dahnel Singfield (11 tackles) and Trey Bell (8.5 tackles, one interception) were playmakers for the Wolves secondary while DL Chris Eggleston was a factor up front with one sack and a blocked field goal.  The Wolves will hit the road to Albany, New York next Friday to face their East Division Rival, the Albany Conquest (3-4) at the Times Union Center.  Score by Quarters                     1            2            3            4            ScoreTulsa Talons                              13            21        7          18                    Record: 7-0Manchester Wolves                         14            14            15            13                    Record: 1-6 Attendance: 5168 LEADERS:PASSING: ALLGOOD (TUL) 28-39-2-272, 4 TDs; PINKNEY (MAN) 17-29-0-244, 4 TDs RECEIVING: HUGHLEY (TUL) 12-126-0; SAVOY (MAN) 10-136-2  Schutt Offensive Player of the Game: Jeff Hughley (TUL)JLS Ironman of the Game: Bradly Chavez (MAN)ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Chris Eggleston (MAN)Cutters Catch of the Game: Bradly Chavez (MAN) 4th Qtr TD

 

Wolves were burned by the undefeated Florida Firecats 49-43

Despite a strong outing by the revamped Manchester Wolves defense
and a solid performance by James Pinkney in only his second start at
quarterback, the Manchester Wolves were burned by the undefeated
Florida Firecats 49-43 in an arena football league2 contest Estero,
Florida on Saturday night.
The loss is the Wolves fourth straight defeat and drops Manchester
to 1-5 on the season while the Firecats remained undefeated at 6-0 for
their best start in franchise history.
Wolves receiver Bradly Chavez, who was named the Schutt Offensive
Player of the Game, repeatedly came up with the big play all night,
scoring four receiving and two rushing touchdowns for six scores in
all. He led the Wolves receiving corps with 10 catches for 90 yards.
Pinkney, making only the second start of his pro football career in
place of the injured Brian Jones, finished the night with 23
completions of 41 throws for 19 yards and no interceptions.
But the Wolves offensive firepower wasn't enough to overcome the
Firecats, who remain a perennial powerhouse in the af2. Florida
quaterback Chris Wallace answered with six touchdown passes of his own,
and completed 11 of 24 throws for 153 yards without turning the ball
over.
The Wolves return home to Brady Sullivan Field at the Verizon
Wireless Arena next week to face the defending ArenaCup Champion Tulsa
Talons, who are also undefeated, in a Friday night match-up.

SCORING SUMMARY 1 2 3 4 Final Record

Manchester 7 13 10 13 43 1-5
Florida 13 13 2 21 49 6-0
 

 

MANCHESTER WOLVES ADD TWO MORE VETERANS TO ROSTER

MANCHESTER, NH—The Manchester Wolves added more veteran leadership, experience, and talent to the team again this week in advance of meeting the undefeated Firecats in a crucial arenafootball2 league match-up in Florida on Saturday night.

 

DeShon Stovall, who started on all three Wolves teams which made the playoffs in 2005-07, and Trey Bell, who played for the Arena Football League Grand Rapids Rampage last season and spent 2006 on the practice squad of the Chicago Rush team which won Arena Bowl XX, were assigned to the Wolves by the af2 office on Wednesday.

 

Manchester Head Coach Danton Barto said he is happy to welcome Stovall back to the Wolves and that Bell came highly recommended by Chicago Rush Vice President of Player Personnel and Defensive Backfield Coach Brian Schwartze.

 

With the signing of Trey Bell, when reached by phone at the Rush’s headquarters Schwartze said, “Trey is a very talented football player with a lot of skill and ability. He just needs to play football.”

 

Bell (5’9, 205 lbs.) will surely get that opportunity right away in a Wolves secondary that has been decimated by injuries this season.

 

Barto said he intends to start the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater product when the Wolves, who have dropped their last four games and skidded to 1-4, face the 5-0 Firecats on their home field.

 

Stovall, who is expected to be a strong and solid leader on a young Wolves team, will also start in his first game back after missing the beginning of this season with a hernia injury. But instead of taking his customary place on the offensive and defensive lines, Stovall (6’3, 310 lbs.) will start in the fullback slot.

 

“He hasn’t played the position before, but he’s excited about it,” said Barto. “He’s really excited to be back on the team and we are happy to have him.”

 

The signing of Bell and Stovall follow the addition of veteran offensive/defensive lineman Jimmy Williams and rookie defensive back Raquan Pride just last week. Williams also started on the Wolves three consecutive playoff teams and will be back in his starting role this week. Pride, who started last week and earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors with 10 tackles in his debut, will work with Bell in the defensive backfield.

 

Stovall and Bell both possess qualities and attributes that extend beyond the football field.

 

“Trey is a fabulous human being,” said Schwartze. “I’m sure he’ll be a joy to coach and will be a real asset to the team and to the Manchester community.”

 

Their arrival could not have come at a more fortuitous time for a team which needs to get back on the winning track in a hurry. Following the Firecats test on Saturday night, the Wolves return home on Friday, May 16th to take on the 6-0 and defending ArenaCup champion Tulsa Talons.

 

“Obviously, the Firecats are a very good football team,” said Barto, who was not looking ahead. “They’re undefeated at 5-0 and they are a perennial powerhouse in this league. We have got to go out and play football the way we are capable of playing.

 

*** The auction of the players’ jerseys right from their backs following last week’s home game on Brady Sullivan Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena earned $1,700 for the future Pediatric Emergency Department at Manchester’s Elliot Hospital.

 

Specially priced season ticket packages and individual tickets for all remaining home games are still available and may be purchased through by calling 603-627-9653.

 

MAY 4TH PRE - GAME CANCELLATION

THE MANCHESTER WOLVES WOULD LIKE TO SINCERELY APOLOGIZE FOR THE ABRUPT CANCELLATION OF THEIR MAY 4TH PRE-GAME PARTY. WE LIKE TO THANK ALL OF OUR FANS FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT! WE'LL SEE YOU ON THE FIELD!

 

Daytona Beach ThunderBirds upset the Manchester Wolves 56-42

 

MANCHESTER WOLVES SHAKE UP ROSTER; BRING BACK JIMMY WILLIAMS

MANCHESTER, NH-- The Manchester Wolves went back to the future on Wednesday, returning a key veteran from the playoff teams of the past three seasons while adding another veteran with Arena Football League experience. To make room on the roster, some of the less experienced players from the current squad were released.