AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

AFL Must-See Matchups

Published on March 27, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


GRAND RAPIDS OS TERRILL SHAW vs. CHICAGO OS ANTONIO CHATMAN

A Central Division battle between Chicago and Grand Rapids at Van Andel Arena features a pair of the AFL's hottest offensive specialists against each other – Grand Rapids TERRILL SHAW and Chicago ANTONIO CHATMAN – in this "Must-See" Matchup on Fox Sports Chicago on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (ET).

Chatman (5-9, 180, Cincinnati) is leading the AFL with 1,716 all-purpose yards at the halfway mark of the season and is on pace to record 3,432 all-purpose yards, which would be the second-highest total in League history (3,459 yards by LAMONT COOPER in 2001). In his two previous games against Grand Rapids, Chatman caught 12 passes for 217 yards and six touchdowns combined. He also returned seven kickoffs for 203 yards and one touchdown. During his only trip to Grand Rapids on July 6, 2002, Chatman recorded a club-record five receiving touchdowns and a career-high 152 receiving yards (on seven catches).

Shaw (6-0, 175, Southern Mississippi) looks as if he has regained the magic that earned him ArenaBowl XV MVP honors. Through seven games this season, Shaw leads the Rampage in catches (51), receiving yards (741) and touchdowns (21). Shaw, who has caught a touchdown in the Rampage's last seven games, currently ranks among the League leaders in scoring (134 points, No. 4 in AFL), receptions (Tied-No. 8), receiving yards (No. 9) and receiving touchdowns (No. 4). Shaw recorded 22 catches for 392 yards and seven touchdowns in three regular-season games against the Rush.

INDIANA OL/DL CHRIS SNYDER vs. DALLAS OL/DL TOM BRIGGS

A battle in the trenches between two of the AFL's best linemen will be the matchup to watch at Reunion Arena when Dallas hosts Indiana on UPN stations in both markets. Indiana's CHRIS SNYDER (6-3, 270, Penn State) was a First-Team All-Arena selection in 2002, while Dallas' TOM BRIGGS (6-5, 255, West Virginia) was a finalist for the Lineman of the Year the past two seasons.

Snyder, a former Nittany Lion, who is known for his two-way ability and toughness, is second on the Firebirds in sacks (2.5), while also helping hold rushing offenses to 10.6 yards per contest (No. 4 in the AFL). Briggs, a former Mountaineer, leads the AFL in sacks (6.5) and helps protect QB JIM KUBIAK on a line that has allowed only six sacks (No. 6 in AFL) this season. Both players epitomize the uniqueness of an AFL lineman, possess great blocking skills, pass-rushing abilities and have great motors. The two will go head-to-head numerous times on UPN at 8:30 p.m. ET this Saturday.

LOS ANGELES OS CHRIS JACKSON and WR/LB GREG HOPKINS vs. ORLANDO DS KENNY MCENTYRE and DS REGGIE DOSTER

As the AFL's second-best receiving tandem, Los Angeles OS CHRIS JACKSON and WR/LB GREG HOPKINS have bulls-eyes on their jerseys this Sunday when they face one of the toughest defensive duos in the League this season, Orlando DS KENNY MCENTYRE and DS REGGIE DOSTER on Fox Sports West 2 at 3 p.m. ET.

The lethal L.A. combo of Jackson (6-2, 204, Washington State) and Hopkins (6-2, 205, Slippery Rock) has posted 220 points for the Avengers' fourth-ranked scoring offense this season (56.0 PPG), including a combined 36 touchdown receptions (107 catches, 1,469 yards total). On first downs alone, Jackson and Hopkins have combined for 22 scoring receptions. Jackson, the go-to guy on 50-percent of 3rd- and 4th-down conversion attempts for Los Angeles (46.2-percent completions), is a versatile weapon. He not only as an option for the Avengers at kick returner, but also as a passer, connecting on two attempts in 2003, both five-yard tosses for touchdowns against Western Division rivals. Los Angeles QB TONY GRAZIANI throws in Hopkins' direction 24-percent of the time (67-percent completions), resulting in 13 touchdowns.

McEntyre (5-11, 185, Kansas State) and Doster (5-9, 185, Central Florida) both rank among the AFL's top five tacklers with 55.5 and 46.5, respectively. In Orlando, McEntyre is known as the "Glove" for good reason. With two interceptions and 11 pass breakups, his smothering coverage continues to prove troublesome for opposing receivers. Second-year standout Doster (two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a safety) compliments McEntyre's play. Together the pair guide the Predators' fourth-ranked scoring defense (44.9 PPG).

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 27, 2003


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