Fusion Rises Five Spots in Coaches Poll

April 18, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Fort Wayne Fusion News Release


In the wake of their thrilling 63-56 win over the defending af2 Champion Spokane Shock, the Fort Wayne Fusion has risen 5 spots in this week's af2 Coaches Poll. After holding the #16 spot last week, the Fusion has risen to #11. So far this season, the Fusion has posted victories over the Green Bay Blizzard, who were ranked #5 in the Preseason Coaches Poll, and the Shock, who were ranked #8 prior to Sunday's game. The Fusion received their highest ranking in the Week 2 Coaches Poll, when they sat at #10 after their 36-28 home win over the Blizzard. The Fusion's only loss this season came at the hands of the resurgent Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings, who currently hold the #5 spot with a 2-0 record.

From the af2: The Florida Firecats have received the # 1 ranking in the Weekly Coaches Poll for the fourth consecutive week, the af2 league office announced today. Florida collected 458 of a possible 464 points and 23-of-30 first place votes in securing the top position. The Firecats scored an impressive 61-34 road win this past Saturday at Tennessee Valley to improve to 3-0.

The Quad City Steamwheelers (3-0, 410 points, 5 first place votes) held firm at the No. 2 position on the strength of a 65-38 home win Friday against Boise. Tulsa (2-0, 376 points, 1 first place vote) also stayed strong at No. 3 with a 77-44 home win in Week 3 against Amarillo. New additions to the Top 5 this week are Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at No. 4 (2-0, 343 points, 1 first place vote) and Bossier-Shreveport at No. 5 (2-0, 330 points). South Georgia (2-1) and Central Valley (1-1) both slipped out of the Top 5 after Week 3 defeats. One notable omission from the latest Coaches Poll is Spokane (1-2). The Shock felt defeat for the second time this season on Sunday at Fort Wayne, 63-56. This is the first time Spokane has not been included since the preseason poll in 2006, before the team played its first-ever af2 game. The Shock's run of inclusion in the Coaches Poll was a stretch of 20 consecutive weeks.

The af2 Coaches Poll will be announced every Wednesday during the regular season. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team and the poll results have no bearing on postseason qualification.

For more information, or to get your 2007 Fusion season tickets, contact the Fusion office at (260) 484-4095 or visit www.fwfusion.com. The Fort Wayne Fusion hits the road this week to take on the Manchester Wolves on Saturday, April 21st at 7:00pm. Fans can listen to the game on AM 1250 "The River."

WEEK 4 - TOP 16

RANK TEAM PTS

1 Florida 458 (23)

2 Quad City 410 (5)

3 Tulsa 365 (1)

4 W-B/Scranton 343 (1)

5 Bossier-Shreveport 330

6 Bakersfield 296

7 Rio Grande Valley 279

8 Mahoning Valley 272

9 South Georgia 226

10 Central Valley 175

11 Fort Wayne 171

12 Oklahoma City 103

13 Green Bay 93

14 Arkansas 84

15 Amarillo 72

16 Louisville 69



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