Arizona Holds Onto Top Spot in Poll
Published on June 13, 2012 under Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
CHICAGO - The Arizona Rattlers (10-3) hold the number one spot in the AFL Coaches' Poll for the fourth week in a row.
After a 55-48 win inside the 'Snake Pit' against the Iowa Barnstormers (5-8), the Rattlers collected 10 first place votes, just one less than last week's Poll. Wide Receiver Trandon Harvey was awarded the JLS Ironman of the Week for his performance in the game, finishing with eight receptions for 104 yards and four touchdowns. The AFL's top team will head into Week 15 with a bye.
The Philadelphia Soul (10-3) moved up one place to second with five first place votes and 147 points. The team has been led by the offensive line, a group that has not given up a sack in four consecutive games and has allowed just three sacks all season. The Soul will continue their road trip this Saturday when they travel to face the Jacksonville Sharks (6-6).
Moving down one place into third and receiving two first place votes are the San Antonio Talons (9-3). The team defeated the New Orleans VooDoo (5-7), 53-46, to record their sixth consecutive win. Quarterback Aaron Garcia will start his 199th career game this Saturday as they travel back home to take on the Iowa Barnstormers. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET.
Remaining in the fourth spot are the San Jose SaberCats. The team's 51-34 victory over the Orlando Predators (1-11) was led by the defense, as they caused three turnovers, three sacks and forced four fumbles. Defensive lineman Joe Sykes broke the single-season franchise sack record of 13, set by 2011 AFL Hall of Fame inductee Sam Hernandez in 2000. Sykes leads the AFL with 13.5 sacks on the year.
The Utah Blaze (8-5) moved up one place to fifth after defeating the Chicago Rush 68-28. The team delivered outstanding efforts in all three phases of the game. The Blaze moved into the fourth seed and hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Rush (7-5) and Spokane Shock (7-5) as the playoff picture begins to clarify.
WEEK 15 COACHES' POLL
RK Team (1st place votes) W-L Pts Last Week
1 Arizona Rattlers (10) 10-3 153 1
2 Philadelphia Soul (5) 10-3 147 3
3 San Antonio Talons (2) 9-3 132 2
4 San Jose SaberCats 9-4 119 4
5 Utah Blaze 8-5 101 6
6 Chicago Rush 7-5 77 5
7 Spokane Shock 7-5 69 7
8 Georgia Force 7-6 41 NR
9 Tampa Bay Storm 6-6 35* 10
10 Jacksonville Sharks 6-6 35* 9
Arena Football League Stories from June 13, 2012
- Soul Join Rebuilding Together in Major Three-Day Rebuild in West Philadelphia - Philadelphia Soul
- ATI Two-Minute Drill with VooDoo Head Coach Pat O'Hara, Episode 14 - New Orleans VooDoo
- Arizona Holds Onto Top Spot in Poll - AFL
- 21 Questions with VooDoo Doll Tia - New Orleans VooDoo
- Force WR/DB Larry Shipp Earns AFL's Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week - Georgia Force
- Soul's Brackins Receives Weekly League Award - Philadelphia Soul
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