AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

AFL week two quick hitters

Published on March 8, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


CHAMPS TOUGH AT HOME: The defending ArenaBowl champion Chicago Rush will raise its title banner this Friday prior to its game against the San Jose SaberCats, which is a rematch of last year's American Conference title game. ArenaBowl champions have a 14-4 record in home openers, including five in a row and 11 of their last 12. Below is a list:

ArenaBowl Team Result

I Denver DNP

II Detroit L

III Detroit L

IV Detroit W

V Tampa Bay W

VI Detroit W

VII Tampa Bay L

VIII Arizona W

IX Tampa Bay W

X Tampa Bay W

ArenaBowl Team Result

XI Arizona W

XII Orlando W

XIII Albany W

XIV Orlando L

XV Grand Rapids W

XVI San Jose W

XVII Tampa Bay W

XVIIII San Jose W

XIX Colorado W

XX Chicago ?

MEMORABLE MOMENTS: Aside from last season's 59-34 Predators victory, the short history of games between Los Angeles and Orlando has provided some memorable moments. The two clash again in Orlando this Monday night on ESPN2.

In 2003, the Avengers overcame a 12-point deficit in the game's final 37 seconds to win the first-ever meeting, 64-63. Voted as the AFL's 19th Greatest Highlight as part of the League's 20 Seasons celebration last year, former Los Angeles QB TONY GRAZIANI connected with WR GREG HOPKINS on a last-second Hail Mary off the nets to secure the win. The Predators rebounded with a slim 52-50 win in 2004 and a 55-54 overtime thriller in 2005.

DATE SCORE MEMORABLE MOMENT

3-30-03 Avengers 64, Predators 63 Avengers WR Greg Hopkins TD catch off the nets as time expires

5-30-04 Predators 52, Avengers 50 Predators K Jason Wells kicks 30-yard FG as time expires

4-3-05 Predators 55, Avengers 54 Predators K Brian Gowins converts PAT in Overtime

3-5-06 Predators 59, Avengers 34

SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE: Arizona and Utah have both won consecutive games against division opponents, but one of those streaks will end at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 10 when the two collide in Arizona.

Cont.

Blaze head coach DANNY WHITE returns to his former home, where he led the Rattlers for 14 seasons, including 141 wins (including postseason), five ArenaBowl appearances and two wins. Following are active teams with the most consecutive wins against division opponents:

TEAMS CONSECUTIVE WINS

San Jose SaberCats 4

Arizona Rattlers 2

Austin Wranglers 2

Dallas Desperados 2

Utah Blaze 2

5-TD MASTERS: Georgia WR TROY BERGERON (6) and Chicago WR BOBBY SIPPIO (5) were the only players in Week 1 to score five or more touchdowns. For Sippio, it was his second such game in his last three, including the playoffs, as he posted five scores against San Jose in the 2006 conference final. Sippio and the Rush face the SaberCats this Friday in a rematch of that game.

Sippio's 5-TD game in Week 1 gives him three since the start of the 2006 season, which ties Arizona's RANDY GATEWOOD for second-most during that span. The leader is Colorado's DAMIAN HARRELL, who has six such games since the start of last season. Harrell is also tied with Georgia's CHRIS JACKSON for the most career 5-TD games among active players with 11 each, which also is good for third all time.

ALL TIME CAREER 5-TD GAMES

Eddie Brown 21

Barry Wagner 20

Damian Harrell 11

Chris Jackson 11

Siaha Burley 8

ACTIVE PLAYERS CAREER 5-TD GAMES

Damian Harrell, Colorado 11

Chris Jackson, Georgia 11

Siaha Burley, Utah 8

Marcus Nash, Dallas 7

Mike Horacek, New York 6

Kevin Swayne, New York 6

MOST 5-TD GAMES SINCE 2006 SEASON BEGAN

Damian Harrell, Colorado 6

Randy Gatewood, Arizona 3

Bobby Sippio, Chicago 3

5 Tied 2

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 8, 2007


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