Saturday May 12th: Women of Inspiration Night
Mark your calendars, Force fans, because you gotta bring Mom to this game (and note: it is the night before Mother’s Day). Saturday, May 12th is our Women of Inspiration Night. Get in some pre-Mom’s Day football action and fun as we take on the Tampa Bay Storm! Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Call 770.609.1300 to reserve your tickets today!
The Force Set To Take On The Arizona Rattlers This Sunday!
This week, the Force face the Rattlers after losing to the Orlando Predators by a field goal in the Week 7 contest in Orlando, Florida, with a final game score of 24-27. This was the first win for the Predators, making their record now 1-5. Meanwhile out West, the Rattlers crushed the San Antonio Talons (3-3) last week at home, 68-34. The Rattlers are now in a three-way tie to be first in the National Conference West Division, alongside the San Jose SaberCats and Utah Blaze. The Force are also in a three-way tie for the top position in the American Conference South Division, with the New Orleans VooDoo and Tampa Bay Storm.
This is only the third meeting between the two teams, with the Force securing two wins, one at home and one in Arizona. The two teams last played on March 3rd 2007 in Arizona. The Force managed to pull out a narrow victory, with a final game score of 69-65.
Georgia Force @ Orlando Predators TONIGHT!
This week, the Force face the Predators after crushing the Chicago Rush 70-49 at home in Week 6. The win came after a devastating loss against the Philadelphia Soul in Week 5. If the Force manage to pull out another victory against the Predators in Orlando, the Predators will have yet to earn a win, and their record will fall to 0-6.
This will be the eighteenth contest between the two teams, with nine Force victories and eight wins for the Predators. The Force secured the last victory on June 25, 2011, with a final game score of 64-34.
Watch the game LIVE on Ustream by clicking here. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. EST. Go Force!
In addition to being an active member of the roster, FB Benji McDowell is in the midst of instructing his own fitness camp for high school age students in Suwanee, Georgia. For eight days, Benji taught critical techniques to help the young athletes unleash their full speed potential. McDowell also helped the students train and learn in a small group environment, improve their running efficiency, and taught them the drills and exercises that are crucial to building speed and enhancing their flexibility and mobility. The student athletes boosted their start efficiency through learning proper technique.
Benji has served as a personal trainer for the last three years and has offered his knowledge to high school and collegiate athletes in North Carolina,
Georgia and Alabama. At Lenoir Rhyne University, he was a three year starter, and for two years, he served as team captain of the football team. While attending Lenior Rhyne, he set multiple defensive records and became an All-American. McDowell graduated in the Spring of 2007.
McDowell draws from a myriad of experience, including competing at the collegiate and professional levels. McDowell also draws from the techniques
he learned during his combine preparation with NFL, and his time spent playing professionally in the CFL and AFL.
He has become familiar with success both as a three year AFL veteran with the Alabama Vipers, who won an Arena Cup and with his current team,
Georgia Force, who also reached the Championship game. All these experiences helped McDowell to successfully create camps and programs to develop
both young athletes and adults.
Georgia Force Fall To The Philadelphia Soul 92-42
In the Week 5 contest against the competitive Philadelphia Soul, the Georgia Force fell to their competitors with a final game score of 92-42. In front of a boisterous crowd of Arena Football League fans, the two competitors battled it out in The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Georgia.
Georgia Force QB RJ Archer had his first pass attempt of the game intercepted by Soul LB Joe Goosby for a touchdown, giving the visiting Soul an early 14-0 lead. A great kickoff return by offensive specialist CJ Johnson would give the Force the ball at midfield, where Archer and Johnson would go to work. Archer would find Johnson on fourth and four to set up a Force first and goal at the Soul six. Three plays later Archer hit an open Brandon McRae for a three yard touchdown. After a touchdown drive by the Soul, offensive specialist CJ Johnson would again give the Force great field position with a spectacular 42 yard kickoff return to end the first quarter.
Just one minute into the second quarter Archer would find Johnson again, this time for a five yard touchdown pass to get the Force back within a touchdown at 21-14. On their fourth possession of the game, Archer would again find Brandon McRae for another three yard touchdown to pull the Force within seven, 28-21. Unfortunately, the next possession for the hometown Force would end just like the first, as linebacker Melik Brown would intercept a pass thrown by Archer and return it for a Soul touchdown. Archer would again showcase his ability to put the past behind him on the next possession as he found McRae for an 18 yard gain on fourth down to set up his fourth touchdown pass of the half, a 15 yarder to CJ Johnson. However, the half would end with yet another Archer interception, this time, defensive back, Rawyshaun Kizer would take back an Archer pass 17 yards for a touchdown as time expired to give the visiting Soul a 56-28 lead.
Second half hopes were high as new quarterback Kevin Eakin looked to throw what was a 27 yard touchdown to Larry Shipp. However, Shipp was stripped from behind and Philadelphia was able to recover the fumble in the end zone. Two plays later Soul quarterback, Dan Raudabaugh would find wide receiver Tiger Jones for a 40 yard touchdown to give the Soul a 63-28 lead.
Eakin and the Force would again bounce back on their very next possession. On third and six, Eakin would find CJ Johnson on a post route to set up a Force first-and-goal from the Soul four yard line. Three plays later Shipp would atone for his earlier fumble and hall in a four yard touchdown pass from Eakin. However, the third quarter wouldn’t get any better as Kevin Eakin would fumble at the Force one yard line on their next possession. That fumble would allow Soul runningback Derrick Rose to score his second rushing touchdown in a 90 second span and give Philadelphia a 77-35 lead.
Despite the score, Eakin and the Force offense would come out with something to prove in the fourth quarter. Eakin would find a crossing CJ Johnson for 25 yards to set up a first-and-ten at the Soul 20. On the very next play, Eakin would hit Brandon McRae on a sideline go route for a 20 yard touchdown. McRae, originally looked like couldn’t haul in the pass but he was able to keep the ball off the ground and make a spectacular catch and his third touchdown reception of the day. Unfortunately, The Force wouldn’t be able to find the end-zone again as they would turn the ball over on downs on their final possession and lose to the Philadelphia Soul 92-42.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: Dan Raudabaugh, Soul
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: Joe Goosby, Soul
JLS Ironman of the Game: Derrick Ross, Soul
AFL Playmaker of the Game: Tiger Jones, Soul
Cutters Catch of the Game: Touchdown catch by Brandon McRae in the fourth quarter, Force
Spalding Highlight of the Game: Joe Goosby second interception, return for a touchdown, Soul
National Guard MVP: Joe Goosby, Soul
The Force will be home again this upcoming weekend, facing the Chicago Rush at the Arena on Gwinnett Center on Saturday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m.
Larry Shipp Wins Week 3 National Guard MVP from the AFL
On Saturday, April 7th at 7 p.m. the Georgia Force will take on the Philadelphia Soul in The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Georgia. After coming off of a bye week, the Georgia Force have their work cut out for them with the Soul as their Week 5 competitor.
The team is hoping to continue the momentum of the win earned in Week 3 against the Jacksonville Sharks, the reigning ArenaBowl XXIV champions. The 69-41 Force victory was the first win against the Sharks in franchise history. A major contributor to the victory was WR Larry Shipp (5-10, 200, Tennessee Tech), and his performance did not go unnoticed. Shipp earned the Week 3 National Guard MVP from the Arena Football League for his stellar game against the Sharks. Shipp received 50 percent of the fans’ votes on ArenaFootball.com after tying a Georgia franchise record with six receiving touchdowns, including five in the first half, during the team’s Week 3 victory over Jacksonville. Shipp notched 12 catches for 144 yards in the victory against defending champs.
Other candidates for the award included Utah Blaze QB Tommy Grady and Chicago Rush WR Reggie Gray.
To reserve your single game tickets for the contest against the Soul on Saturday for as low as $10, please call the front office at 770.609.1300.
2012 Suwanee Beer Fest
Join the Georgia Force Cheerleaders and front office staff at the 2012 Suwanee Beer Fest this Saturday, March 31st from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Suwanee Town Center in scenic downtown Suwanee! From noon until 5 p.m., Bridget, Serita, Adonica and Maima will be pouring craft beer for festival attendees. Festival goers are also encouraged to stop by the Georgia Force tent to visit where they can enter a raffle for the chance to win tickets to an upcoming game!
About the Suwanee Beer Fest: Join us for a great afternoon of sampling over 120 beers, enjoying live music from local artists and eating great food at beautiful Town Center Park in the heart of Suwanee, Georgia.
A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to KINGDOM KIDS. Music starts at noon and runs until 5:00. Ages 21+ to drink and attend.
For just $35 advance purchase and $45 at the door, you’ll get a tasting glass and an awesome afternoon of beer tasting. See you there! For the safety of everyone at the festival, no infants, children, strollers, or pets will be permitted. Please plan accordingly.
For more information on the Suwanee Beer Fest, please click here.
The Deadline to Register for the 2012 Georgia Force JUNIOR Cheerleader Program is THIS Saturday!
The deadline to register your 5-16 year-old daughter for the 2012 Georgia Force Junior Cheerleader Program is THIS Saturday! Over the course of three workshops, she will learn an exciting dance routine from the 2012 Georgia Force Cheerleaders and hear positive and encouraging messages about self-esteem and physical fitness. There are no tryouts and all skill levels are accepted.
GFC Juniors will perform their fun dance routine at halftime of the June 9th, 2012 Georgia Force home game vs. the Jacksonville Sharks. The workshop dates are as follows:
-Saturday, March 24th from 9am-12p at the Force Elite Gym in Snellville, GA (Learn routine, Get Fitted for Uniform & Parent Information Session)
-Saturday, April 21st from 9am-12p at the Force Elite Gym in Snellville, GA (Review Routine, Receive Uniforms & Poms, and Pick Up Optional Items Ordered)
-Saturday, June 2nd from 9am-11a at the Gwinnett Arena in Duluth, GA (Set Routine on Field with Poms, Parent Walk-thru of Arena Dropoff and Pickup Areas)
What’s Included: Jr. Cheerleaders Uniform (top, skirt and poms), an instructional DVD to assist with at-home practicing, a music CD and three (3) rehearsals taught by the 2012 Georgia Force Cheerleaders
For complete information and and opportunity to register online, please click here.
Road Trip to Jacksonville!
ROAD TRIP!
Join fellow Force fanatics on a road trip to Jacksonville to support the team as they take on the Sharks at the Sea Best Field at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena this Saturday at 7 p.m.! Interested? Contact Sandy Harbinson at 904.284.0900 or by email at sandy.harbinson(at)BWJTB.com. The cost is $56/night. Tickets can be purchased in the visiting team section for $31 or $16 by calling the JAX Sharks ticket office at 904-621-0700. Ask to sit in the visiting team section.
Go Force!
Georgia Force OL Kevin McAlmont Named Week 1 National Guard Community MVP
On Friday, March 16th, Georgia Force OL Kevin McAlmont was named the Week 1 National Guard Community MVP by the Arena Football League for his stellar philanthropic efforts.
“It’s important to everyone in our organization that we make the most of the platform we’ve been given and serve our community the best we can,” stated Georgia Force President Corey Remillard. “We’re excited and honored that Kevin has been chosen as the Week One National Guard Community MVP.”
“I’m truly grateful to have a player like Kevin,” commented Barbie Bufford, Community Relations Director for the Force. “His eagerness to volunteer in the community and help teach kids that education should be their number one priority, then sports. It is an absolute dream.”
Most recently, McAlmont read to the children of Alcova Elementary School in Dacula, Georgia and Rockbridge Elementary School in Norcross, Georgia. McAlmont also recently paid a visit to the Zone at Scottish Rite Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and spent time volunteering alongside the Force front office staff at the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Today, McAlmont will visit a pre-K class at Discovery Point Child Development Center.
The National Guard Community MVP is awarded to one player each week to recognize their commitment to community service. Following the 2012 season, players will be voted on by fans to become the National Guard Community MVP of the Year.
The Force take on the Jacksonville Sharks in Jacksonville, Florida this Friday at the Sea Best Field at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena at 7:00 PM EST. The game will be televised locally on WSBTV 2.2.
