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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

AFL Must-See Matchups

May 15, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK – Two of the AFL's best quarterbacks will play "Can you top this?" with the winner earning the Central Division title and a first-round home game when Dallas' JIM KUBIAK (6-2, 218, Navy) battles Grand Rapids' CLINT DOLEZEL (6-5, 195, East Texas State) at Van Andel Arena this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC. Both quarterbacks are playoff-bound and candidates for Offensive Player of the Year.

Kubiak needs 99 passing yards to break the AFL single-season record. The former Navy passer, who is averaging 294.6 passing yards per game, has completed 359-of-518 pass attempts (69.3 percent) for 4,417 yards and 89 touchdowns this season. The AFL record for passing yards – 4,515 – was set in 2001 by New York Dragons QB AARON GARCIA. Kubiak's leadership, ability stay in the pocket and take a hit have made him one of the best in the AFL.

With a 323-yard passing performance against Dallas, Dolezel can also surpass the season-high mark. Now in his eighth AFL campaign, Dolezel – who has passed for 4,193 yards this season – has thrown for 323-or-more yards 22 times during the regular season. The former All-Arena performer became the first player to throw for more than 80 touchdowns in a season four times – including 86 this season. Dolezel's quick release and his pocket presence make him one of the AFL's best.

TAMPA BAY DEFENSE vs. GEORGIA DEFENSE

Fighting for home-playoff position, the Force, already in the playoffs, is hoping that its top-ranked defense (232.5 YPG) will be able to match up against the second-best scoring defense (43.4 PPG) when No. 9 Georgia hosts No. 3 Tampa Bay this Sunday on NBC (3 p.m. ET). Six-year DS KEVIN GAINES leads Georgia's No. 2 pass defense (221.2 YPG) with eight interceptions and 10 pass breakups. Georgia is tied for the fourth-best turnover margin (+9) and has allowed the second-fewest opponents first downs (268). The Force defense boasts the second-best defensive touchdown-scoring percentage, allowing teams to get in the end zone on 52.3 percent of possessions (81-of-155).

With a win, the Storm – a first-round bye team – can better its position and claim the No. 2 playoff spot. Tampa Bay's stingy defense continues to contain the opposition, giving up just 43.4 points (No. 2) and 248.3 yards (No. 4) per game. The Storm has snared the second-most interceptions this season (22), led by DS COREY SAYWER (six) and WR/DB OMARR SMITH (eight). Tampa Bay owns the second-best turnover margin (+14). The Storm has the toughest defense on 3rd- and 4th-down conversion, allowing teams to advance on 36-of-112 attempts (32.1 percent). The Storm is No. 1 in sacks (27) – 12 different Storm players have at least 1.0 sacks, including sack leader B.J. COHEN, who has recorded 6.0 to date.

INDIANA WR/DB EVAN HLAVACEK vs. CHICAGO OS ANTONIO CHATMAN

Two of the AFL's best return specialists go toe-to-toe in a battle for playoff survival at Allstate Arena this Sunday on NBC at 3 p.m. ET. The Indiana Firebirds must win in order to have a chance at the playoffs, while a Chicago Rush victory guarantees a playoff spot and the possibility of climbing as high as the No. 8 seed and hosting a first round game.

Chatman (5-9, 180, Cincinnati) became the fourth player in AFL history (GEORGE LAFRANCE, EDDIE BROWN and ALVIN ASHLEY) to record 25 receiving touchdowns, 100 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards and 1,000 return yards in a season. The former BearCat has explosive speed and is arguably the best return specialist in the League – 70 returns for 1,731 yards and six kickoff return touchdowns (No. 1, tied with Hlavacek). The Offensive Player of the Year candidate is the primary receiver in 34 percent of the Rush's passing plays and his great hands (67-percent catch percentage) and route-running skills make him a dangerous threat whenever he touches the ball.

Hlavacek (511, 185, San Diego), who is in his fourth AFL season, has made a seamless transition from defensive specialist to wide receiver/defensive back in 2003. The former Torero leads Firebirds in all-purpose yards (1,884), while tallying 63 returns for 1,509 yards and six kickoff return touchdowns. The All-Ironman Team candidate has recorded 59.0 total tackles, eight pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Hlavacek is known for his quickness and his ability to find the seam during a return. He provides blanket-like coverage is likely to cover Chatman while on defense.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 15, 2003


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