AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

AFL Week 16 Matchups

Published on May 14, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK – When the Los Angeles Avengers (11-4) head to HP Pavilion to play the San Jose SaberCats (11-4) this Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET, it will be more than just a divisional game. The winner will win the Western Division title and earn the No. 1 seed in the Drive to ArenaBowl XVII.

The two rivals battled in a classic AFL game in Week 2 when Avengers QB TONY GRAZIANI connected with WR/LB GREG HOPKINS on a two-point conversion in the closing seconds of regulation for a 72-71 victory.

Avengers head coach ED HODGKISS, who is 19-11 in two seasons with Los Angeles, has one of the League's most potent offenses (75.0-percent scoring efficiency, No. 2 in AFL), led by Graziani (62.7 completion percentage, 4,050 passing yards and 92 touchdowns), OS CHRIS JACKSON (114 receptions, 1,676 yards and 45 touchdowns) and Hopkins (84 receptions, 1,113 yards and 25 touchdowns).

San Jose head coach DARREN ARBET, who is the League's winningest coach over the last four seasons (51-13, .797), looks to the passing of QB MARK GRIEB (64.7 completion percentage and 66 touchdowns) and the receiving corps of WR/DB JAMES ROE (104 receptions and 29 touchdowns), OS JAMES HUNDON (63 receptions and 26 touchdowns) and WR/LB BARRY WAGNER (48 receptions and 23 total touchdowns). San Jose's offense leads the AFL in scoring (61.3 PPG), rushing offense (38.1 YPG) and rushing touchdowns (46).

New York (7-8) travels to Charlotte Coliseum to play Carolina (0-15). The Dragons, who clinched a playoff berth last week, are looking to improve their playoff position and would need a victory and a Detroit loss to claim the Eastern Division title. The Cobras, who are already eliminated from playoff contention, are looking for their first victory.

Orlando (11-4) heads to the Motor City to play Detroit (8-7). Both teams have secured playoff spots. The Predators have already earned a first-round bye and still have a shot at the Southern Division title if they can win and Tampa Bay loses. The Fury would win the Eastern Division and clinch a first-round home game with a victory.

Indiana (6-9) will travel to Allstate Arena to play Chicago (7-8) at 3 p.m. on Sunday on NBC. The Firebirds need a victory for any chance to make the playoffs, while a Rush win gives the third-year franchise a shot at hosting a first-round game.

Arizona (9-6) will face Colorado (2-13) at Pepsi Center on Sunday at 3 p.m. The Rattlers have secured a playoff spot, but would need a win to guarantee a first-round home game. The Crush have been eliminated from the playoffs.

Tampa Bay will head to The Arena at Gwinnett Center to play Georgia at 3 p.m. on Sunday on NBC. A victory by Tampa Bay would give the Storm the Southern Division title and secure the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. The Force, who clinched a playoff berth, still have a chance at hosting a first-round home playoff game.

Dallas goes to Van Andel Arena to play Grand Rapids for the Central Division title on Sunday at 3 p.m. on NBC. The winner will be guaranteed a home game in the first round, while the loser may have to start the postseason on the road.

Buffalo travels to Thomas & Mack Center to face the playoff-bound Gladiators. Las Vegas needs a victory along with New York and Detroit losses to grab the Eastern Division title and secure a first-round home game. The Destroyers have been eliminated from the playoffs.

Games this week include: New York Dragons at Carolina Cobras, Orlando Predators at Detroit Fury on Friday; Los Angeles Avengers at San Jose SaberCats on Saturday; Indiana Firebirds at Chicago Rush (NBC), Arizona Rattlers at Colorado Crush, Tampa Bay Storm at Georgia Force (NBC), Dallas Desperados at Grand Rapids Rampage (NBC) and Buffalo Destroyers at Las Vegas Gladiators on Sunday.

NEW YORK DRAGONS (7-8) AT CAROLINA COBRAS (0-15) FRIDAY, MAY 16 AT 7:30 P.M. ET

The 10th-seeded Dragons, who have already clinched a playoff berth, face winless Carolina with hopes of winning the Eastern Division title (a New York win combined with a Detroit loss) and hosting a first-round postseason contest next week. The Dragons top offensive weapon, QB AARON GARCIA (301.1 passing YPG, 92 total touchdowns, both No. 1), returned to the lineup last week and led New York to a playoff berth clinching win over division rival Buffalo. New York's red-zone offense is second overall, scoring on 89.5 percent of opportunities inside the 10-yard line (51-of-57). Rookie WR/DB CHRIS ANTHONY collected three Garcia scoring passes last week, while recording 2.0 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception. The Dragons "D" has held their last six opponents to an average 40.6 points per game. Led by veteran linemen ERIC ENGLAND and ANTHONY HUTCH, New York has stepped up its pass rush, collecting 16 sacks (No. 5) and recording 38 quarterback hurries this season – 78 percent of their season's pressure stats coming in the last nine games (seven wins). New York DS DONVETIS FRANKLIN (88.0 tackles, tie-No. 1 overall) is tied for third among pass defenders (20 pass breakups, four interceptions). Carolina QB ROBERT HALL passed for 200 yards and two touchdowns last week against Orlando. In his second game with the Cobras, ten-year veteran OS ALVIN ASHLEY racked up 234 all-purpose yards, including a 23-yard scoring catch and a 56-yard kickoff returned for a touchdown. The Carolina team is No. 2 overall in kickoff return yards (2,209). The Cobras own the No. 5 pass defense (240.1 YPG), led by LARRY CASHER (two interceptions and 10 pass breakups) and DEREK STINGLEY (one pick, 13 pass breakups, one forced fumble).

ORLANDO PREDATORS (11-4) AT DETROIT FURY (8-7) FRIDAY, MAY 16, AT 7:30 P.M. ET

If the Fury beat the Predators this Friday, they will claim their first-ever Eastern Division title and the earn the right to host a first-round playoff game. If Orlando wins, the fourth-seeded Predators could snare the No. 2 or No. 3 position heading into the postseason. Since his return five weeks ago, Predators QB JAY GRUDEN has averaged 226 passing yards per game for a total 24 touchdowns (two interceptions). Gruden has led the charge during the team 's five-game winning streak, connecting with veteran WR/LB CORY FLEMING for 12 touchdowns in the stretch. Leading the AFL's best scoring defense (43.1 PPG) are the League's third-best (tie) pass defender, Predators DS KENNY MCENTYRE (nine interceptions, 15 pass breakups and 84.0 tackles) and teammate RASHAD FLOYD (55.5 tackles, four interceptions, seven pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble). Orlando is third for the most sacks this season (23), led by rookie lineman E.J. BURT (8.0 sacks, No. 3 overall), who is also the League leader in forced fumbles with 7.0. Fury QB ANDY KELLY continues his assault on the AFL record books, as he remains the League's all-time leading passer in attempts (4,043), completions (2,484), yards (27,667) and touchdowns (545). Now in his 10th season, Kelly enters the final week tied for No. 3 in passing touchdowns this season with 90, including nine last week – four to rookie OS MARCUS NASH – in the Fury's division win over Las Vegas. Detroit's front line continue to give Kelly the protection and time to get the ball downfield, allowing only eight sacks to date (No. 2, AFL). Detroit DS/KR RON CARPENTER set a new AFL season high for kick return yards (2,202) last week, bypassing previous record holder STEVE PAPIN (2,086 in 2002). Carpenter leads the League in kick returns (92) and he's tied for No. 3 in kick returns for touchdowns (four).

LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (11-4) AT SAN JOSE SABERCATS (11-4) SATURDAY, MAY 17 AT 10:30 P.M. ET (TV: FOX SPORTS WEST 2 – BILL MACDONALD and ARTIE GIGANTINO) (TV: WB20 – BOB FITZGERALD and KEENA TURNER)

The SaberCats will be looking for their fourth straight Division crown and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs for the second consecutive season and third time in the last four years. The SaberCats have won their last two home games and 20 of their last 21 since having their 18-game home win streak snapped by the Detroit Fury on April 11. With their 47 point effort at Tampa Bay on May 11, the SaberCats set a league record for most points scored in a season. San Jose upped its total to 919, surpassing the 2001 New York Dragons' mark of 898. San Jose QB MARK GRIEB has completed 54-of-92 (58.7 percent) for 686 yards, 13 touchdowns and one interception in his last three games. Defensive Player of the Year candidate CLEVAN THOMAS collected his record-tying 12th interception in last week's victory over Tampa Bay. Los Angeles QB TONY GRAZIANI has completed 64-of-98 (65.3 percent) for 847 yards, 17 touchdowns and two interceptions in his last three games. Graziani has completed 155-of-255 (60.8 percent) passes 52 touchdowns and six interceptions in 1st-down situations. OS CHRIS JACKSON had his streak of consecutive games with at least one touchdown snapped at 47 in last week's victory over Colorado. Jackson, who has compiled 25 receptions for 388 yards and nine touchdowns in his last three games, will tie the AFL single-season receiving touchdown record (46) with his next touchdown reception.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS (6-9) AT CHICAGO RUSH (7-8) SUNDAY, MAY 18, AT 3 P.M. ET (TV: NBC – MIKE BREEN, RAY BENTLEY and MARTY SNIDER)

Indiana QB RAYMOND PHILYAW has completed 60-of-103 (58.3 percent) passes for 648 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions in his last three games. The fourth-year quarterback has completed 30-of-44 (68.2 percent) passes with 16 touchdowns and no interceptions in 3rd-down situations. Indiana WR/LB EDDIE BROWN leads the Firebirds in receptions (86) and receiving touchdowns (17) and has a 64-percent catch percentage. In last season's season finale, Indiana's FB/LB LEROY THOMPSON recorded five rushing touchdowns against Chicago. Chicago QB BILLY DICKEN has completed 57-of-84 (67.9 percent) passes for 686 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions in his last three games. The former Purdue standout has completed 34-of-58 (58.6 percent) passes with 18 touchdowns and three interceptions in 3rd down situations. OS ANTONIO CHATMAN has scored 204 points this season, breaking former Rush OS JOE DOUGLASS' mark of 188. The Offensive Player of the Year candidate has scored 33 touchdowns this season — 27 receiving and six on kick returns. In addition, he has caught three 2-point conversions. OL/DL JAMES BARON, a former Lineman and Defensive Player of the Year, will play in his 100th career regular-season AFL game this Sunday against Indiana. Baron is in his seventh season in the League, having played five seasons with the Nashville Kats before joining the Rush.

ARIZONA RATTLERS (9-6) AT COLORADO CRUSH (2-13) SUNDAY, MAY 11 AT 3 P.M. ET

Arizona QB SHERDRICK BONNER has completed 55-of-80 for 717 yards, 17 touchdowns and one interception in his last three games. Bonner is 225 yards away from setting a new career-high in passing yards. He threw for 3,690 yards in 1996. Rattlers WR/DB RANDY GATEWOOD has tallied 20 receptions for 247 yards and eight touchdowns in his last three games and has recorded at least one touchdown in his last 13 games. Only two Rattlers players have appeared in all 15 games this season – HUNKIE COOPER and MARK TUCKER. Cooper hasn't missed a game since the 1999 season. Colorado QB JOHN DUTTON has completed 62-of-111 (55.9 percent) passes for 779 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions in his last three games. Crush OS JOE DOUGLASS stepped up in place of injured OS DAMIAN HARRELL (97 receptions for 1,426 yards and 38 touchdowns) by recording 13 receptions for 165 yards and two touchdowns in last week's loss to Los Angeles. Douglass has also tallied 1,349 return yards (No. 7 in the AFL).

TAMPA BAY STORM (11-4) AT GEORGIA FORCE (8-7) SUNDAY, MAY 18, 3 P.M. ET (TV: NBC – BILL WEBER and JOHN RIGGINS)

Fighting for home-playoff position in the final week of the regular season, the Force, who has already clinched a playoff berth, is hoping that its top-ranked defense (232.5 YPG) will be able to match up against their Southern division rival's No. 2 scoring defense (43.4 PPG) and guide them into the postseason. Six-year DS KEVIN GAINES led Georgia's No. 2 pass defense (221.2 YPG) last week with an interception and 6.0 tackles. The strong line play of MARCUS KEYES and JERMAINE SMITH (5.5 sacks, seven quarterback hurries, one interception and one forced fumble) has led the Force to a fifth-ranked (tie) 16.0 sacks. In his record-setting 13th season, AFL veteran FB/LB DARRYL HAMMOND leads Georgia in scoring (142 points), including a five-touchdown performance last week, and continues to brush off defenders (31.5 tackles, two interceptions, four pass breakups and three forced fumbles). Georgia is tied for the fourth-best turnover margin (+9) and has allowed the second-fewest opponents first downs (268). Rookie QB LEON MURRAY continued to impress last week, passing for 354 yards and eight touchdowns (one interception). With a win this week, the Storm – who has already clinched a first-round bye – would improve its position and climb to the No. 2 playoff spot. The AFL's all-time winningest head coach, Tampa Bay' s TIM MARCUM (154-54, .740), has his defense shutting down 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 ball hawks (combined 14 interceptions) 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. Tampa Bay QB JOHN KALEO, whose primary scoring target has been OS FREDDIE SOLOMON (180 points), is fourth among AFL passers with 3,917 yards this season. Tampa Bay's rushing offense has been equally effective, scoring 14 touchdowns in the last six games.

DALLAS DESPERADOS (9-6) AT GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE (8-7) SUNDAY, MAY 18 AT 3 P.M. ET (TV: NBC – TOM HAMMOND, PAT HADEN and LEWIS JOHNSON)

Dallas QB JIM KUBIAK has completed 81-of-108 (75.0 percent) passes for 842 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions in his last three games. The Naval Academy product is 7-of-7 with four touchdowns in 4th-down situations. Dallas WR/LB ANDY MCCULLOUGH has at least one receiving touchdown in his last nine games. Dallas linemen TIM MARTIN and SHANTE CARVER each recorded a sack in the last meeting between these two teams – the only time Grand Rapids allowed more than one sack in a game this season. Grand Rapids QB CLINT DOLEZEL has completed 70-of-113 (61.9 percent) passes for 926 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions in his last three games. Rampage OS TERRILL SHAW has scored at least one touchdown in his last 14 games and multiple touchdowns in 12 of his last 14. Shaw needs only 21 receiving yards to break THOMAS BAILEY's single-season receiving yards record of 1,578 (1999). Rampage WR/DB STEVE SMITH is nine receptions from reaching 100 receptions. It would mark the first time in franchise history since MICHAEL BAKER (133) and Bailey (102) accomplished the feat in 1999. Grand Rapids WR/DB WILLIS MARSHALL has caught a pass in 36 straight games, one short of Bailey's team record. (1998-00).

BUFFALO DESTROYERS (5-10) AT LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (7-8) SUNDAY, MAY 11, 3 P.M. ET (TV: EMPIRE SPORTS NETWORK – JIM BRINSON and BOB TRIMBLE)

With a win against the Destroyers on Sunday and losses by both division rivals New York and Detroit, the Gladiators – who have already clinched a playoff spot – would win the Eastern Division title and guarantee a first-round playoff game at home for Las Vegas fans. Gladiators Head Coach FRANK HAEGE has his defensive unit allowing a fifth-best 261.9 yards per game, led by veteran WR/DB JEROID JOHNSON (seven interceptions, 15 pass breakups), rookie DS T.J. HILL (three interceptions, 12 pass breakups) and FB/LB FRANK CARTER (4.5 sacks, nine quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles). Las Vegas boasts the fourth-best rushing offense (33 touchdowns, 22.3 YPG), led by QB JAY MCDONAGH, who is No. 2 overall in rushing touchdowns with 15 and WR/DB SEDRICK ROBINSON, has nine to his credit (No. 6-tie). Former AFL Offensive Player of the Year OS MIKE HORACEK leads all receivers with 122 catches to date and tops the Gladiators scorers list with 204 points (tie-No. 5, AFL). Las Vegas gives up the third-fewest yards on kick returns (18.0 YPG) and is one of only five teams this season to allow two-or-less return touchdowns on kickoffs. Although eliminated from the playoffs, Buffalo can still play spoiler by defeating Las Vegas and destroying the Gladiators run at the division title. First-year head coach RON SELESKY has his Destroyers' defensive unit holding opponents to just 46.4 points per game (No. 4, AFL). Buffalo boasts the best pass defense (219.2 YPG), led by the AFL's No. 2 pass defender Buffalo DS DWAINE CARPENTER (18 pass breakups, seven interceptions) and DS JOJO POLK (13 pass breakups, three picks). Both Buffalo defenders are among the Top 10 in tackles -- Carpenter is tied for third with 85.0; Polk's at No. 6 with 78.5. Of Buffalo's 16 sacks (tie-No. 5), more than half are credited to KEN BOUIE, SILAS DEMARY and ALEX HOUSTON -- the trio has consistently pressured opposing passers (nine quarterback hurries combined). Buffalo ranks sixth for their red-zone defense -- opponents have scored on 53-of-67 attempts, 79.1 percent. Destroyers QB BOB BEES has passed for 615 yards and 11 touchdowns in his three game appearances, including five scoring strikes to WR/LB CORNELIUS WHITE in that stretch.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 14, 2003


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