NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



arenafootball2

af2 Alumni To Impact ArenaBowl XXI

July 27, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


CHICAGO - The Columbus Destroyers (7-9, 3-0) and San Jose SaberCats (13-3, 2-0) will meet in ArenaBowl XXI in New Orleans for the Arena Football League championship on Sunday, July 29. The game, which will be televised live on ESPN on ABC (HD) at 3 pm ET, will provide a national showcase for a number of notable arenafootball2 (af2) alumni.

Columbus is making its first-ever appearance in an ArenaBowl after defeating the Georgia Force, 66-56, in the National Conference Championship Game. The Destroyers are the first No. 6 seed since the new playoff format was established in 2005 to advance to the ArenaBowl. Columbus features five players with af2 experience: B.J. BARRE (Tulsa 2004, Okla. City 2005), HOWARD DUNCAN (Okla. City 2005), BRAD GREETIS (San Diego 2002-2005), PETER MARTINEZ (Richmond 2003, Okla. City 2004) and WILL RABATIN (Louisville 2005). Columbus also has the benefit of having two former af2 head coaches turned team assistants on staff in SKIP FOSTER (HC Tulsa 2001-03) and KEN MATOUS (HC Tulsa 2004). Rabatin and Barre earned League recognition this year for their outstanding play. Rabatin earned All-Rookie Team honors while Barre (22-291; 7 TDs, 2 rush TDs, 51.0 tackles, 1 INT) was named to the All-Ironman Team.

San Jose, the Mitsubishi Motors Western Division Champion, is on a 12-game winning streak and are making their third ArenaBowl appearance in six years after defeating the defending ArenaBowl Champion Chicago Rush, 61-49, in the American Conference Championship Game. The SaberCats roster features six players with af2 experience: MARQUIS FLOYD (Tenn. Valley 2004, Rio Gra. Valley 2005), JULIUS GANT (Rio Grande Valley 2005), A.J. HAGLUND (Oklahoma City 2005-06), MATT KINSINGER (Augusta 2000), STEVE WATSON (Arkansas 2005-06) and CRAIG WHELIHAN (San Diego 2002). San Jose also has three members of its coaching staff with af2 backgrounds: Defensive Coordinator KEVIN GUY (Head Coach, Tenn. Valley 2002-04; Head Coach, Rio Grande Valley 2005), Special Teams/Defensive Line Coach JEFF JARNIGAN (Head Coach, Oklahoma City 2005-06) and Director of Player Personnel/Offensive Line Coach DAVE WITTHUN (Assistant, Pensacola 2000; Assistant, Macon 2001). Watson and Haglund, both first-year players, were recognized for their contributions in 2007 by being named to the AFL's All-Rookie Team. Haglund, who led all kickers in scoring (158 points: 10-18 FGs, 128-138 XPs) and tackles (15.5), also earned All-Arena Second Team accolades.

A full list of the 11 players that will make an impact on the ArenaBowl XXI Championship game between Columbus and San Jose is located below:

Columbus

B.J. Barre - Tulsa 2004, Okla. City 2005

Howard Duncan - Okla. City 2005

Brad Greetis - San Diego 2002-2005

Peter Martinez - Richmond 2003, Okla. City 2004

Will Rabatin - Louisville 2005

San Jose

Craig Whelihan - San Diego 2002

Steve Watson - Arkansas 2005-06

Marquis Floyd - Tenn. Valley 2004, Rio Gra. Valley 2005

Matt Kinsinger - Augusta 2000

Julius Gant - Rio Grande Valley 2005

A.J. Haglund - Oklahoma City 2005-06

• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...

arenafootball2 Stories from July 27, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central