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by Walter L. Johnson II
June 18, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)


Now the Arena Football League has wrapped up its 2005 season, arenafootball2 is ready to take center stage. And with just six weeks remaining in the regular season, every game is critical for teams that wish to make their way to the playoffs at the end of July. So, what are we waiting for? Let's get started!

WILDCATS TAP DAVIS: The South Georgia Wildcats became the fourth af2 team to fire its head coach earlier this week, as Chris Siegfried was fired, and replaced by former AFL quarterback Donnie Davis. The move comes after South Georgia lost yet another heartbreaker at home, this time to the defending Arena Cup champion Florida Firecats, 45-40 in front of 6,567 fans at the Albany (Ga.) Civic Center. The loss dropped the Wildcats to 2-8 on the season, while Florida improved to 9-1, while maintaining a sizeable lead in the American Conference South Division. Davis will make his head-coaching debut Saturday at Arkansas.

WOLVES DOWN BLIZZARD: The Manchester (N.H.) Wolves handed the Green Bay Blizzard its third straight loss last weekend, pulling out a 62-48 win on the road. The win increased Manchester's lead in the American Conference East Division to three games over Green Bay, Louisville, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

YARD DAWGZ DUST DUSTERS: The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz pulled into a tie for second place in the National Conference Midwest Division at 6-4 after defeating the Amarillo Dusters 74-67 in front 6,914 fans at the Ford Center Saturday night. Craig Strickland threw for 361 yards and nine touchdowns in the winning effort.

DORADOS TAME TALONS: The Rio Grande Valley Dorados won for the fifth time in their last six games last weekend, as they knocked off the National Conference West Division leading Tulsa Talons at home 65-64. With the win, RGV now trails Tulsa by one game in the West, improving to 6-4 on the season, while Tulsa fell to 7-3.

DRIVE TO THE PLAYOFFS: Here's how the playoff picture shapes up in both the American and National Conference shape up through 11 weeks of action.

AMERICAN CONFERENCE

1. Florida (9-1)*

2. Manchester (9-1)*

3. Green Bay (6-4)

4. Louisville (6-4)

5. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (6-4)

6. Macon (4-6)

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

1. Memphis (9-1)*

2. Tulsa (7-3)*

3. Amarillo (6-4)

4. Oklahoma City (6-4)

5. Rio Grande Valley (6-4)

6. Central Valley (5-5)

A LOOK AHEAD: Here are several key games making headlines in the af2 for Week 12:

Manchester (9-1) at Florida (9-1): This is the "Game Of The Week" in the af2 this Saturday, as the Firecats play host to the Wolves in a re-match from Week 2. Manchester hopes to avenge a 32-26 loss to Florida on Apr. 8. The winner of this game will be guaranteed a playoff berth, while an Albany Conquest loss to Quad City will allow both teams to reach postseason play. Green Bay (6-4) at Louisville (6-4): Things don't get any easier for the Blizzard, as it hopes to snap a three-game winning streak against the Fire on the road.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (6-4) at Macon (4-6): The Pioneers begin their two-game Georgia swing against the Knights in an all-important battle for playoff positioning. WB/S currently sits in fifth position in the American Conference, while Macon has a one-game lead over Albany for the sixth and final playoff spot.

Central Valley (5-5) at Rio Grande Valley (6-4): The Coyotes head east to south Texas in hopes of stopping a two-game slide against the Dorados in another game with playoff implications.

QUICK PICKS

Last Week: 8-2

Season-To-Date: 63-35 (.643)

Louisville over Green Bay

Manchester over Florida

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton over Macon

Amarillo over Bakersfield

Tulsa over San Diego

Oklahoma City over Bossier-Shreveport

South Georgia over Arkansas

Memphis over Birmingham

Rio Grande Valley over Central Valley

Quad City over Albany

CLOSING COMMENT: This year's Arena Cup title game in Bossier City, La. Aug. 27 will be televised live by Fox Sports Net (FSN), af2 President Jerry Kurz announced Thursday. Arena Cup VI will be the first-ever neutral site title game in af2 history. Of course, remember to check your local listings for time and channel in your area.

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The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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