AFL conference championships must-see matchups
June 1, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
CHICAGO QB MATT D'ORAZIO VS. SAN JOSE QB MARK GRIEB
QB MATT D'ORAZIO (6-4, 215, Otterbein) leads the Chicago Rush (7-9, 2-0) against QB MARK GRIEB (6-3, 219, UC Davis) and the San Jose SaberCats (10-6, 1-0) Saturday at the HP Pavilion in San Jose at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.
Earlier this season, D'Orazio had perhaps his finest game of the season against the SaberCats, leading his team to a 54-48 overtime victory with a game-winning touchdown pass. In that game, he passed for 351 yards with seven touchdowns and no interceptions while adding 26 yards on the ground. DS JEREMY UNERTL (6-1, 210, Wisconsin - La Crosse), who had the game-clinching interception in the regular-season match up against San Jose, and OL/DL KHREEM SMITH (6-4, 270, Oklahoma State), the AFL leader in forced fumbles (6), will provide the defensive punch.
Grieb will look to avenge the early-season loss to the Rush and lead his team to their second ArenaBowl appearance in the last three seasons. He will be helped by 2006 Rookie of the Year OS BEN NELSON (6-3, 188, St. Cloud State) and WR/LB JAMES ROE (6-1, 198, Norfolk State). Nelson will strive to duplicate his Divisional Round performance against Arizona, in which he led the team and set franchise postseason receiving records with 12 receptions for 202 yards and six touchdowns.
ORLANDO QB JOE HAMILTON VS. DALLAS QB CLINT DOLEZEL
QB JOE HAMILTON (5-10, 190, Georgia Tech) looks to lead the Orlando Predators (10-6, 1-0) to their seventh ArenaBowl appearance in franchise history when they take on QB CLINT DOLEZEL (6-5, 210, Texas A&M - Commerce) and the Dallas Desperados (13-3, 1-0) for the National Conference Championship Sunday at American Airlines Center at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.
Hamilton threw for 208 yards and four touchdowns in last week's 31-27 Divisional Round win over the Philadelphia Soul. WR/LB CORY FLEMING (6-2, 225, Tennessee), who was signed by the Predators just before the playoffs began, had four catches for 51 yards and one touchdown in last week's win. He is complimented by OS JIMMY FRYZEL (5-11, 195, Central Florida), who had three catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns. OL/DL HENRY TAYLOR (6-2, 300, South Carolina), who led the League in sacks this season (8.5), anchors the Orlando defense.
Dolezel, who tied his own AFL record for touchdowns passes in a game (11) earlier this season in a win against the Predators, threw for 260 yards and eight touchdowns in last week's 62-27 Divisional Round win over the Georgia Force. He will look to his receiving trio of WR/DB WILL PETTIS (6-0, 200, Midwestern State), OS TERRILL SHAW (6-0, 190, Southern Mississippi), and WR/LB DIALLEO BURKS (6-3, 195, Eastern Kentucky) to find the end zone against the Predator defense. OL/DL COLSTON WEATHERINGTON (6-5, 275, Central Missouri State), the 2006 AFL Lineman of the Year, will lead a defense that is ranked first in the League in points allowed (27.0 PPG). Head Coach WILL McCLAY, the 2006 AFL Coach of the Year, looks to take the Dallas Desperados to their first ArenaBowl appearance in franchise history.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 1, 2006
- Arizona WR/DB Randy Gatewood named AFL Ironman of the Year - AFL I
- Randy Gatewood Named 2006 Ironman of the Year - Arizona Rattlers
- AFL conference championships must-see matchups - AFL I
- AFL conference championships quick hitters - AFL I
- Predator watch parties cropping up - Orlando Predators
- Sports Illustrated Kids Youth Sports Huddle one of ArenaBowl XX's weekend highlights - AFL I
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.
