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Coaches' Poll's Top Five Unchanged for Third Straight Week

July 4, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)

CHICAGO - The top five spots of the AFL's Week 18 Coaches' Poll remain the same for the third consecutive week.

The West Division-leading Arizona Rattlers (12-3) retained the number one spot in the Poll after defeating the Spokane Shock (8-7), 61-35. Quarterback Nick Davila leads the League in yards per completion with an average of 14.2 this season. He and the Rattlers take on the Utah Blaze (10-5) in the "Snake Pit" this Friday. The Rattlers are looking to extend the team's winning streak to eight games. Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. ET.

The Philadelphia Soul (13-3) remain in second place in the Poll after an 83-79 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm (6-9). The Soul became the first team in AFL history to score 80 points four times in a season and tied the AFL record for most road wins in a season after recording their eighth of 2012 in Week 17. This Sunday, they look for revenge at home against the Shock. Kickoff is set for 6:05 p.m. ET.

The San Antonio Talons (12-3) retain the third spot after defeating the Kansas City Command (3-12) last week. The win was their ninth consecutive victory this season. Quarterback Aaron Garcia will start his 203rd career game in Week 18. The AFL record for games played is 207, held by Lawrence Samuels. The Talons travel to Chicago this Sunday to take on the Rush. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.

A bye in Week 17 did not hurt the Utah Blaze (10-5), who remain in fourth place of this week's Coaches' Poll. Utah secured its first winning season in franchise history after collecting the team's 10th win in Week 16. Still in the hunt for a playoff spot and West Division championship, the Blaze travel to Arizona this Friday.

The San Jose SaberCats (10-6) ended the Chicago Rush's (9-6) home game winning-streak last week with a final score of 75-61, locking in the fifth spot once again. Defensive lineman Joe Sykes has recorded a League-high 15.5 sacks this season. This Saturday, the SaberCats head back home where they take on the South Division-leading New Orleans VooDoo (8-7). Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET.

WEEK 18 COACHES' POLL

RK Team (1ST place votes) W-L Pts Last Week

1 Arizona Rattlers (14) 12-3 158 1

2 Philadelphia Soul (2) 13-3 134 2

3 San Antonio Talons (1) 12-3 133 3

4 Utah Blaze 10-5 116 4

5 San Jose SaberCats 10-6 102 5

6 Chicago Rush 9-6 82 7

7 Spokane Shock 8-7 67 6

8 New Orleans VooDoo 8-7 58 9

9 Jacksonville Sharks 7-8 37 8

10 Georgia Force 8-8 26 10

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