AFL Playoffs Down to Four, Will be Down to Two After This Weekend
June 11, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa â And then there were four teams left battling for the rights of the James Foster Cup. The Arena Football League playoffs continue this weekend with semifinal action. The No. 3 seeded Chicago Rush play the No. 2 seeded San Jose Sabercats on Saturday, while the Colorado Crush, the No. 5 seed will take on top seeded Arizona Rattlers on Sunday. For the first time in AFL history, all four semifinal teams have at least 12 victories. The combined 48 victories is the second-highest combined semifinal round win total in history (49 in 1996). The winners will meet in ArenaBowl XVIII at the site of the highest remaining seed on June 24 at 3 p.m. CDT.
In the first match up, San Jose has never lost to Chicago, winning all three of their meetings. The teams played earlier this season with the Sabercats victorious 51-43 in San Jose. This will be the first postseason meeting between the two teams. The Sabercats are the only team to reach the final four in each of the last five years. They are lead by Offensive Player of the Year candidate, quarterback Mark Grieb and his go to player, James Roe. The Sabercats' offensive tandem will match up with defensive Player of the Year candidate defensive specialist Omarr Smith to try and knock off Chicago's quest to seek revenge.
Chicago's quarterback, Raymond Philyaw will look to All-Rookie wide receiver/linebacker Etu Molden to spark the offense against the Sabercats. John Moyer, 2004 Lineman of the Year and former Lineman and Defensive Player of the Year, James Baron will be counterparts in trying to stop the Sabercats from scoring. During the regular season, Moyer and Baron combined to block six PAT attempts (three each). In last weeks win over No. 6 seeded Orlando Predators; fullback/linebacker Bob McMillen recorded 2.5 tackles and an interception.
The top-seeded Rattlers, who have finished runner-up in each of the previous two ArenaBowls, are the hottest team in the AFL. They are lead by Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Year candidate quarterback Sherdrick Bonner. He has helped the Rattlers to nine straight victories. In last week's win over Los Angeles, the All-Arena performer connected on 26-33 passes for 227 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception. Leading the battle up front for the Rattlers will be All-Ironman offensive lineman/defensive lineman Wendall Gaines. Also stepping up last week in a quarterfinal victory was wide receiver/defensive back Orshawante Bryant, who set a new Rattlers postseason record with 13 receptions.
No. 5 seeded Colorado Crush will take on Arizona on Sunday at 2 p.m. CDT. The Crush takes a 12-5 record into the Semifinal match. While the Rattlers have been to the big dance, a win for the Crush would make franchise history. In the last meeting, the Rattlers secured a 54-46 win over the Crush. Offensive Player of the Year Candidate, offensive specialist Damian Harrell, caught seven passes for 109 yards and three scores. In a win against the No. 4 seeded New Orleans, had 10 receptions for 134 yards and three touchdowns. Crush coach Mike Dailey looks to quarterback John Dutton on offense and ADT Defensive Player of the Year candidate defensive specialist Rashad Floyd to lead the defensive charge.
Be sure to catch the playoff action each week to watch the teams fight for the right for the James Foster Cup. Playoff games can be seen locally on KWQC TV-6.
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