The Terrific Trio
In the team's inaugural season, three Yard Dawg receivers hit 1000+ yards and lead Oklahoma City's charge into the af2 playoffs.

07.21.04 - For only the second time in arena football history, three players from the same team have surpassed the 1000-yard receiving total.

Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz receivers Timon Marshall, Kris Peters, and Al Hunt have all made the mark and have an amazing 3,312 yards between them this season.

The coaching staff in Oklahoma City realizes that these three Top Dawgz have played consistently well all year.

"To have this type of achievement as an expansion team shows how smart and hard these guys work," Offensive Coordinator Sparky McEwen said. "They bring out the best in each other and [QB Craig] Strickland and all of them have bright futures in the arena game."

Leading the pack of Dawgz is Kris Peters. The Alcorn State alum has 84 catches for 23 touchdowns and a total of 1,190 yards. The rookie (yes, rookie) also has 23 kick returns (460 yards and two touchdowns) further proving his talent. Peters' efforts this season earned him a nomination for af2 Rookie of the Year.

Head Coach Gary Reasons has been pleasantly surprised by Peters' performance this season.

"It's a surprise to me that Kris is doing so well," Reasons said. "He was new to the arena game but he obviously has learned quickly and has been a great offensive threat for us."

Al Hunt was the second Dawg to reach a grand when he hauled in a 35-yard pass in the first quarter against the Stealth last week. Hunt is an extremely mulit-faceted player, possessing an adaptability that allows him to play almost every position on the field very well. Hunt leads the team with 18.0 yards per catch, and his 59 catches have pulled down 1,061 yards.

"It is no surprise to me that Al is doing so well," Dawgz GM Ben Buckland said. "He is the most valuable position player on our team."

Finally, there is Timon Marshall. He is in his second year in the af2, and not only has he broken the 1,000 yard receiving mark, he has also broken the 2,000 all-purpose yard mark. He has 71 receptions for 1,061 yards and his 28 touchdowns rank fifth in the af2.

Last week, Marshall set another record. He caught a 49-yard touchdown from Joe Phears from deep in their own territory. It was the longest pass in franchise history.

This terrific trio has etched their names in the record books as only the second group of three receivers, in either the AFL or af2, to reach 1,000 yards in a season. The only other team in arena football history that can boast this feat is Quad City, whose Ira Gooch, Jeff Hewitt and Tim Dodge, did it last season.

"We are very pleased with each one of these guys," Reasons said. "Each of them has the ability to be a game-winner or break the game open for you and that's what you want from your receivers."

With players like this on the roster and a playoff berth clinched, it is obvious why Coach Reasons is happy these days.