AFL divisional round quick hitters
May 25, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
DESTINY?: This season the Dallas Desperados finished with a League-best 13-wins, won the Eastern Division and earned the No. 1 seed in the National Conference. In the 19 years of the ArenaBowl, only the 2002 San Jose SaberCats have finished the regular season with at least 13 wins and the No. 1 ranking. They ended up winning ArenaBowl XVI.
ALL-TIME NO.1 PLAYOFF SEEDS
YEAR NO. 1 SEED REG. SEASON PLAYOFF RESULT
2006 DALLAS DESPERADOS* 13-3 ???
2006 Colorado Crush* 11-5 ???
2005 Colorado Crush* 10-6 Won Arenabowl XIX
2005 Georgia Force* 11-5 Lost in ArenaBowl XIX
2004 Arizona Rattlers 11-5 Lost in ArenaBowl XVIII
2003 San Jose SaberCats 12-4 Lost in Semifinals
2002 San Jose SaberCats 13-1 Won ArenaBowl XVI
2001 Grand Rapids Rampage 11-3 Won ArenaBowl XV
2000 San Jose SaberCats 12-2 Lost in Semifinals
1999 Tampa Bay Storm 11-3 Lost in First Round
1998 Tampa Bay Storm 12-2 Lost ArenaBowl XII
1997 Arizona Rattlers 12-2 Won ArenaBowl XI
1996 Iowa Barnstormers 12-2 Lost ArenaBowl X
1995 Tampa Bay Storm 10-2 Won ArenaBowl IX
1994 Orlando Predators 11-1 Lost ArenaBowl VIII
1993 Detroit Drive 11-1 Lost ArenaBowl VII
1992 Orlando Predators 9-1 Lost ArenaBowl VI
1991 Detroit Drive 9-1 Lost ArenaBowl V
1990 Detroit Drive 6-2 Won ArenaBowl IV
1989 Detroit Drive 3-1 Won ArenaBowl III
1988 Chicago Bruisers 10-1 Lost ArenaBowl II
1987 Pittsburgh Gladiators 4-2 Lost ArenaBowl I
*Used Conference playoff format, resulting in two No. 1 seeds
DOUBLE TAKE: In the 19 years of the ArenaBowl, six teams have been in position to repeat as ArenaBowl Champions, but only three have succeeded. The Detroit Drive won ArenaBowl II, III & IV and the Tampa Bay Storm won ArenaBowl IX & X. The Colorado Crush, who won ArenaBowl XIX, could become the fourth repeat champion.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: In the 19-year history of the ArenaBowl, 36 of the 38 teams to compete in the championship game started their respective journeys with a home playoff game, including all 19 ArenaBowl Champions.
SNAKE BITTEN: The Arizona Rattlers have won 21 postseason games and are one win away from breaking a tie with Tampa Bay for the most postseason wins in AFL history. The Rattlers can surpass the Storm with a win Saturday at the HP Pavilion in San Jose at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
QB DUEL: The two most prolific touchdown passers in AFL playoff history, Arizona Rattlers QB SHERDRICK BONNER (121) and San Jose SaberCats QB MARK GRIEB (57), will face each other Saturday at the HP Pavilion in San Jose at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
TOP 5: ALL-TIME POSTSEASON PASSING TOUCHDOWNS
NAME TDS
1. Sherdrick Bonner* 121
2. Mark Grieb* 57
3. Jay Gruden 52
4. Andy Kelly 51
5. Kurt Warner 40
*Active in playoffs
RUSHING THE RECORD BOOK: San Jose SaberCats WR/DB BARRY WAGNER and Arizona Rattlers FB/LB BO KELLY rank among the all-time playoff leaders for rushing yards. Wagner is tied for second with LYNN BRADFORD and Kelly ranks fourth. With strong rushing performances and victories, each player has a chance to catch ANDRE BOWDEN for the all-time lead. The SaberCats and Rattlers face each other Saturday at the HP Pavilion in San Jose at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
TOP 5: ALL-TIME POSTSEASON RUSHING YARDS
NAME YDS
1. Andre Bowden 228
2t. Lynn Bradford 189
2t. Barry Wagner* 189
4. Bo Kelly* 182
5. Les Barley 153
*Active in 2006 playoffs
Wagner is also close to breaking the all-time playoff record for receptions. He currently has 127, needing seven to surpass HUNKIE COOPER, who is the leader with 133. Arizona Rattlers WR/DB RANDY GATEWOOD passed EDDIE BROWN after catching seven passes in the Wild Card Round in a victory over the Utah Blaze, and needs five receptions to move into third, ahead of STEVIE THOMAS. Wagner and Gatewood will face each other this week.
TOP 5: ALL-TIME POSTSEASON RECEPTIONS
NAME REC
1. Hunkie Cooper 133
2. Barry Wagner* 127
3. Stevie Thomas 92
4. Randy Gatewood* 88
5. Eddie Brown 85
*Active in 2006 playoffs
COACH COUNTS DOWN TO CENTURY MARK: Colorado Crush Head Coach MIKE DAILEY has 99 victories in his coaching career and needs one more to become the fourth AFL head coach to reach the century mark (regular season and postseason combined) joining TIM MARCUM of the Tampa Bay Storm (183 wins), DANNY WHITE of the Utah Blaze (148 wins), and MIKE HOHENSEE of the Chicago Rush (103), whom he will face Saturday at Pepsi Center in Denver at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 25, 2006
- Pair of Arizona State Players Reunited With Rattlers - Arizona Rattlers
- Dallas' Will McClay named AFL Coach of the Year - AFL I
- AFL divisional round must-see matchups - AFL I
- AFL divisional round quick hitters - AFL I
- Destroyers re-sign OL/DL Mike Sutton - Columbus Destroyers
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