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AFL I Arizona Rattlers

Arizona Rattlers game notes

March 14, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: Arizona Rattlers at Las Vegas Gladiators
Date: Friday, March 17, 2006
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. (Mountain)
Site: Las Vegas, Nev.
Arena: Thomas & Mack Center (16,606)
Television: FSN Arizona
Radio: ESPN Radio 860 AM (Kent Derdivanis, Dale Hellestrae)
Series Record: Arizona leads 5-3 (1-0 in playoffs)
Last Meeting: Arizona 49, Las Vegas 42 - May 22, 2005 at Thomas & Mack Center
Officials: Riley Johnson (R), Rick Podraza (U), Julian Mapp (HL), Paul Engelberts (LJ), Bud McCleskey (BJ)
Head Coaches: Arizona - Gene Nudo (first season, 3-4) Las Vegas - Ron James (second season, 11-12)

2006 RATTLERS: The Rattlers look for their first road victory while hoping to extend a two-game win streak when they take on the Las Vegas Gladiators, in a battle of two of the Western Division's top teams. Last week, Arizona won their third-straight at US Airways Center by taking a 60-57 contest over the Orlando Predators, while the Gladiators won their second-straight at home in as many weeks. This will be the first of four consecutive division games for the Rattlers. Head Coach Gene Nudo, who is on the sidelines this season for the first time since 1995 when he was an assistant, looks to reach the .500 mark with a team that has brought back 12 returnees. QB Sherdrick Bonner has stayed healthy since returning from a shoulder injury, throwing for 1,391 yards and 25 touchdowns in his last five games. Another veteran, WR/LB Randy Gatewood, has recorded touchdown receptions in six of seven games and continues to contribute on defense, as he pulled in two interceptions on the year. The team has also brought back FB/LB Bo Kelly. New faces include OS Damien Groce, who is the team's leading receiver with 38 catches for 554 yards and 11 touchdowns in six games. Other key additions include WR/LB Cosmo DeMatteo, who has caught 27 passes in the last four games, and WR/DB Curtis Fagan, who had two TD receptions in last week's win. Eight of the returnees are linemen, including Kelvin Ingram and Vince Amey. Defensively, the team looks to DS Erin Damond, to build off of his performance last week where he recorded an INT. Promising rookie WR/DB Talib Wise has looked solid on both sides of the ball, catching seven passes for 65 yards while tallying 17 tackles.
THE SERIES: This will be the tenth overall meeting between the two clubs and seventh since the Gladiators moved to Las Vegas from New Jersey. The Rattlers are 1-1 in Las Vegas, dropping a 65-64 overtime game on March 14, 2004 and winning a 66-63 contest during the last week of the season last year. The Rattlers are 3-1 at home against Las Vegas, who joined the Western Division in 2004, including a 69-36 playoff victory on April 25, 2003. Prior to the Gladiators' move to Vegas, Arizona won two of three contests, including a 53-45 win in New Jersey.

ARIZONA RATTLERS (3-4)
Date Opponent Time(M) TV
Jan. 29 @ Los Angeles Loss 40-31
Feb. 3 Austin Loss 53-34
Feb. 12 San Jose Loss 55-50
Feb. 18 Utah Win 45-38
Feb. 24 @ Columbus Loss 42-26
Mar. 6 Nashville Win 51-49
Mar. 10 Orlando Win 60-57
Mar. 17 @ Las Vegas 8:30 FSAZ
Mar. 24 Los Angeles 7:00 FSAZ
April 2 @ San Jose 3:00 NBC
April 7 @ Utah 7:00 FSAZ(delay)
April 15 Chicago 7:00 OLN
April 23 @ G. Rapids 11:00a None
April 29 @ Dallas 5:00 None
May 6 Las Vegas 7:00 None
May 12 @ Colorado 6:00 FSAZ(delay)

LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (3-4)
Date Opponent Time(M) TV
Jan. 27 @ Austin Loss 46-64
Feb. 6 San Jose Win 51-48
Feb. 12 @ Colorado Loss 55-65
Feb. 17 Georgia Loss 34-54
Feb. 25 @ Dallas Loss 48-55
Mar. 5 Philadelphia Win 67-49
Mar. 10 Grand Rapids Win 66-41
Mar. 17 Arizona 8:30 FSN
Mar. 24 @ Utah 7:00 None
Apr. 2 Los Angeles 3:00 FSN
Apr. 9 Nashville None FSN
Apr. 14 @ San Jose 7:30 FSN
Apr. 23 @ Chicago 1:00 None
Apr. 29 Utah 7:30 None
May 6 @ Arizona 7:00 None
May 12 @ Los Angeles 7:30 None


RATTLER HEAD COACH: Gene Nudo enters his first season as head coach to become the third head coach in franchise history. Nudo joined the Rattlers coaching staff in 1995 as an assistant head coach before becoming a part of the team's front office in 1996. A true pioneer in the AFL, Nudo coached the first-ever Arena Football games in Rockford, Ill. (1986) as well as its "Showcase Game" in Rosemont, Ill. (1987). He would later serve as the Director of Player Personnel and assistant coach for the Chicago Bruisers (1987-88), helping guide them to a berth in ArenaBowl II.

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Rattler head coach Gene Nudo on last week's win against Orlando: "It was a total team effort. I was pleased with the way our guys played a full four quarters. We were happy with what we saw out of our special teams play. I think all of our hard work in practice is starting to produce some positive results. Hopefully it is something we can continue to build on."

Nudo on Las Vegas: "They are a team that has gotten hot in the last couple of weeks. Their quarterback has seemed to have found his rhythm. They also have one of the games best receivers in [Marcus] Nash. Coach [Ron] James has been able to get them to really play together. I think this is a much different team that we faced in our scrimmage since they really didn't show us much. We are going to have to match them physically."

Nudo on the meaning of this game: "We have some big games coming up and the division is still there for the taking. I have said it before; all we've got to take care of is ourselves. Obviously, the divisional games have a little more meaning, but this is the time we need to really step up and prove who we are. The winner of this game stays atop the division, so it's an important game."

ARIZONA RATTLERS
2005 Results (7-9)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 28 @ G. Rapids Win 58-38
Feb. 3 Orlando Loss 51-40
Feb.12 @ Georgia Loss 61-47
Feb. 19 Colorado Loss 69-74
Feb. 27 @ New York Loss 61-37
Mar. 6 Los Angeles Loss 33-29
Mar. 13 @ Tampa Bay Loss 59-56
Mar. 19 Las Vegas Loss 66-63
Mar. 26 @ Nashville Win 48-35
April 3 @ San Jose Loss 48-27
April 8 Columbus Win 70-53
April 22 Austin Win 52-26
April 30 @ Los Angeles Loss 59-56
May 6 Chicago Win 61-43
May 14 San Jose Win 54-44
May 22 @ Las Vegas Win 49-42

NEXT GAME: The Rattlers will return home to play the second of four consecutive divisional games when the Los Angeles Avengers come to town on March 24. Arizona hopes to even the season series at one, as the Avengers took the first contest, 40-31, on opening day. The game is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. (MST) and can be seen on FSN or heard on ESPN 860AM.

THE "IF" SECTION
If the Rattlers defeat Las Vegas it would:
- be their first road victory of the season
- be their tenth win in their last 15 games
- give them a 2-2 record in the Western Division
- give them a 2-1 record against the Gladiators in Las Vegas
- keep them with a share of first place in the Western Division

Rattlers Coaching HistorySeason - Head Coach Record
1992-2004 Danny White 122-57 (playoffs 20-10)
2005 Todd Shell 7-9
2006 Gene Nudo 3-4

DIVISION ADDITION: The league's Western division took new shape this year with the addition of the expansion Utah Blaze. The Blaze are coached by former Rattler head coach Danny White, who is the team's head coach, while former Rattler WR/LB Hunkie Cooper is an assistant.

SLOW STARTERS: The Rattlers have hardly been known for breaking out of the gates quickly in recent years. In their last four seasons, Arizona has a combined 10-20 record during the first half of the season. Despite the slow starts, the Rattlers were still able to make championship runs in 2003 and 2004.

Record to start seasonYear - season result First 8 (final overall record)
2003 lost ArenaBowl XVII 4-4 (13-7)
2004 lost ArenaBowl XVIII 3-5 (13-6)
2005 did not qualify for playoffs 1-7 (7-9)
2006 ??? 3-4

25 PERCENT OF THE TOP 20: The league's historical committee announced the top 20 players in AFL history on January 18, 2006. A total of five players with Rattler ties made the list, including current Rattler QB Sherdrick Bonner and WR/DB Randy Gatewood. Former Rattlers included WR/LB Hunkie Cooper, QB Aaron Garcia, and FB/LB Bob McMillen.

Top 20 Players of All-time
1. Eddie Brown - Albany, Indiana
2. Barry Wagner - Orlando, San Jose
3. George LaFrance - Detroit, Tampa Bay, New Jersey
4. Jay Gruden - Tampa Bay, Orlando
5. Hunkie Cooper - Arizona
6. James Baron - Chicago, Nashville
7. Sylvester Bembery - New England, Albany, Tampa
8. Sherdrick Bonner - Arizona
9. Stevie Thomas - Tampa Bay, Orlando, New Jersey
10. Dwayne Dixon - Washington, Detroit
11. Aaron Garcia - Arizona, Iowa, New York
12. Kurt Warner - Iowa
13 Sam Hernandez - Las Vegas, Anaheim, San Jose
14. Cory Fleming - Carolina, Orlando, Nashville
14. Greg Hopkins - Albany, Indiana, Los Angeles
16. Alvin Rettig - Detroit
17. Randy Gatewood - Arizona
17. Gary Mullen - Denver, Detroit, Cincinnati
19. John Corker - Detroit, Miami
20. Bob McMillen - Arizona, San Jose, Chicago
13 = 8 = GREAT: Arizona quarterback Sherdrick Bonner is one of the league's best all-time field generals, as he was honored as eighth-greatest on the league's top 20 of all-time. In addition to owning every Rattler passing record, he is steadily working his way up the league charts. Currently, Bonner ranks in the top four in four different all-time passing stats with 34,508 passing yards (No. 4 on the AFL career chart), 690 touchdowns (No. 4), 4,472 pass attempts (No. 4), and 2,761 completions (No. 4). Bonner has also won more games than any other quarterback in AFL history with 97 regular season victories and 17 playoff wins.

Career Passing Yards
1. Andy Kelly - Kansas City Brigade 38,546
2. Aaron Garcia - New York Dragons 36,102
3. Clint Dolezel - Dallas Desperados 34,754
4. Sherdrick Bonner - Arizona Ratters 34,508

Career Touchdowns
1. Aaron Garcia - New York Dragons 759
2. Andy Kelly - Kansas City Brigade 739
3. Clint Dolezel - Dallas Desperados 705
4. Sherdrick Bonner - Arizona Ratters 690

Career Attempts
1. Andy Kelly - Kansas City Brigade 5,665
2. Clint Dolezel - Dallas Desperados 4,507
3. Aaron Garcia - New York Dragons 4,468
4. Sherdrick Bonner - Arizona Ratters 4,472

Career Completions
1. Andy Kelly - Kansas City Brigade 3,506
2. Clint Dolezel - Dallas Desperados 2,937
3. Aaron Garcia - New York Dragons 2,833
4. Sherdrick Bonner - Arizona Ratters 2,761

SCORING MACHINE: WR/DB Randy Gatewood scored a touchdown in 13 of his 16 games last season. He has scored touchdowns in six of seven games this season and has a total of 176 touchdowns in his career as a Rattler.

PLAYERS TO WATCH THIS WEEK:

Las Vegas WR/LB Dameon Porter: Porter, who led the Gladiators in tackles plus intercepted a pass in last week's win over Grand Rapids, is a constant triple-threat. He leads Las Vegas with 12 pass-breakups and a pair of interceptions, while ranking second in tackles with 33. In the last three weeks, Rattler QB Sherdrick Bonner has thrown seven interceptions, including two to a defensive specialist in their last two wins. Porter, who has a knack for finding the ball, could be in for a big performance.

Arizona DS Erin Damond: Damond saw his first action of the year last week, recording an interception and picking off a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter of last week's win against Orlando. Damon, who played for current Rattler defensive coordinator Mike Church last season in San Jose, is no stranger to Arizona's defensive scheme. If the Rattlers are going to have any chance of beating a Gladiator team that has scored over 60 points in each of their last two outings, Damond is going to have to make an impact like he did last week to help the Rattler defense contain Marcus Nash.

LAST GAME:
RATTLERS RUN PAST PREDATORS, 67-50

Phoenix, Ariz. (March 10, 2006) - Guided by three kick returns for touchdowns, including two by wide receiver/defensive back Darrell Jones, the Arizona Rattlers (3-4) took a 60-57 contest over the Orlando Predators (4-3) in front of 10,158 at US Airways Center.

It is Arizona's second-straight overall victory and third-straight at home. The win keeps them atop the Western Division with Utah and Las Vegas.

"We have really turned the corner," said head coach Gene Nudo. "This is a direct reflection of the effort we have put fourth in the last couple of weeks."

The 60 points marks the most that the Rattlers have scored this season. Half of them came in the second quarter, which featured two of the Rattlers' three kick returns for touchdowns. The first was a 54-yard return by Jones and the second was a 50-yard return by wide receiver/defensive back Cosmo DeMatteo.

Jones, who ran a total of six kickoffs back for 203 yards, including a second return for a score in the third quarter for 56 yards, earned "Offensive Player of the Game" honors, while DeMatteo was named "Ironman of the Game" with seven catches for 70 yards and a touchdown along with his kick return for a score.

"It took some great blocking," said Jones, who is playing in his third game as a Rattler and first as a kick returner. "Every time I get the ball I just try to do anything I can possibly do to make something happen."

Ironically, both Arizona kick returns for touchdowns in the second quarter came after interception returns for scores by Orlando defensive specialist Jeroid Johnson, who was named "Defensive Player of the Game".

Johnson returned a 39-yarder to give the Predators a 17-3 on the first play of the second quarter and would later take back a 16-yard interception for a score to put Orlando up, 32-17, with just under three minutes to go in the first half.

After DeMatteo's kickoff return for a score, the Rattlers recovered an onside kick which led to a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver/defensive back Randy Gatewood from quarterback Sherdrick Bonner. The touchdown brought Arizona within two, 32-30, with 56 seconds left in the first half.

Orlando's next possession ended with an 18-yard missed field goal by kicker Jay Taylor. The Rattlers capped the second quarter scoring, which featured 52 total points, with a 47-yard Gary Kral field goal as time expired to give Arizona a 33-32 lead going into halftime.

Arizona's first drive of the second half ended with a 38-yard field goal attempt by Kral that missed. Orlando answered with a touchdown, which gave them a 40-39 lead.

On the ensuing possession, the Rattlers faced a crucial third-and-two at their own 20-yard line. On the play, Bonner threw a pass intended for DeMatteo that looked out of reach, but just as it looked as if the ball was going to hit the ground, DeMatteo made a one-handed grab good for 17 yards. Three plays later, Bonner found DeMatteo again for an 11-yard strike to give the Rattlers the lead back, 40-39, with 1:21 left in the third quarter.

"That was a huge offensive series for us," said DeMatteo. "It was a total team effort throughout. Hopefully this is something we can build off of."

Orlando answered with a touchdown, to go up 45-40, but Jones returned the ensuing kick back for a score to give the Rattlers a one-point lead, which they would not relinquish.

On the next series, Rattler defensive specialist Erin Damond, who signed with the team just this week, intercepted a Joe Hamilton pass. The turnover led to a 31-yard Curtis Fagan touchdown, giving Arizona their biggest lead, 53-45.

Damond came up big on the next series, intercepting an Orlando two-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game after offensive specialist DeAndrew Ruben caught a five-yard touchdown to pull the Predators to within two, 53-51, with just over five minutes to go in the contest.

"It felt good to be back out there," said Damond, who signed with the Rattlers from their practice squad yesterday and played with Rattler defensive coordinator Mike Church in San Jose last season. "I felt really comfortable out there because I know Church's system."

The two teams traded touchdowns, including Bonner's second touchdown to Fagan before Gatewood recovered an onside kick with 29 seconds left to seal the Arizona victory.

Bonner finished 17-of-30 for 220 yards and five touchdowns, while Orlando quarterback Joe Hamilton completed 25 of his 36 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns.

"We have a good thing going," said Nudo. "We just need to build on it."

ORLANDO (4-3) 10 22 7 18 -- 57
ARIZONA (3-4) 3 30 7 20 -- 60

QUEST FOR THE 700 CLUB: Rattler quarterback Sherdrick Bonner needs just 10 touchdowns to become the fourth player in AFL history to throw for 700. New York Dragon QB Aaron Garcia, Kansas City Brigade QB Andy Kelly and Dallas QB Clint Dolezel are the only other players to accomplish such a feat.

GETTING PASS DEFENSIVE: The Rattlers rank third in the league in pass defense, allowing just 1644 yards in seven games (234 yard/per game average).

Passing Defense Avg. Yds per game
1. Kansas City Brigade 1561 223.0
2. Nashville Kats 1617 231.0
3. Arizona Rattlers 1644 234.9
4. Columbus Destroyers 1689 241.3

ARIZONA CONNECTIONS: The Rattlers have four players with local connections: OL/DL Vince Amey (Arizona State alum), and QB Dennis Gile (prepped at Cortez High in Phoenix). Two Rattlers - OL/DL Wendall Gaines and OL/DL Mark Tucker - played for the Arizona Cardinals.

NFL RATTLERS: Twelve Rattlers have spent time on NFL rosters - OL/DL Vince Amey (1998 Oakland), OL/DL Sebastian Barrie (1992 Green Bay, 1994 San Francisco and Arizona), QB Sherdrick Bonner (1998 Atlanta), DS Wendell Davis (1996-99 Dallas, 1999 Washington), WR/DB Curtis Fagan (2005 Tampa Bay), OL/DL Wendall Gaines (1993-96 Arizona, 1997 Kansas City, 1998-99 Philadelphia), WR/DB Randy Gatewood (1995 Miami), OL/DL Kelvin Ingram (1995-96 New Orleans, 1996-97 Seattle), WR/DB Jeremiah Pope (2004 Philadelphia), WR/DB Wilson Thomas (2003 Kansas City, 2004 Green Bay Packers), OL/DL Mark Tucker (1991 Atlanta, 1992 Indianapolis, 1993-94 Arizona, 1995 Jacksonville), and WR/DB Talib Wise (2005 Chicago). Three Ratters -- Amey (7th round), Davis (6th round), and Tucker (7th round) -- were NFL Draft picks. Davis is the most experienced, having played in 34 NFL games.


RECENT ROSTER MOVES:
Date Action Player
3/9 Signed from practice squad DS Erin Damond
Signed to practice squad OL/DL Tim CroffWR/DB Arthur Smith
Placed on IR DS Wendell Davis
3/3 Activated from IR DS Wendell DavisOL/DL Steve MascarroFB/LB Frank Trentadue
Placed on IR OL/DL Wendall GainesDS Clarence LawsonOL/DL Mark Tucker
Signed to practice squad DS Erin Damond
2/27 Released OL/DL Ethan Banning
Activated from IR OL/DL Ethan Banning
2/23 Signed from Practice Squad WR/DB Darrell Jones
Activated from IR OL/DL Asi Faoa
Placed on IR WR/DB Jeremiah PopeFB/LB Steve Warren
2/17 Re-signed QB Sherdrick BonnerWR/LB Randy GatewoodOL/DL Mark Tucker
Activated from IR WR/DB Curtis FaganOL/DL Kelvin Ingram
Placed on IR OL/DL Ethan BanningWR/LB Wilson Thomas
Signed to practice squad QB Dennis Gile
2/16 Signed to practice squad OL/DL Ricky Gaspar
2/11 Activated from IR OL/DL Anthony HutchOL/DL Steve Warren
2/10 Re-signed OL/DL Anthony Hutch
2/8 Waived OL/DL Ricky GasparQB Dennis GileOL/DL Trevor Misipeka

THE RATTLERS ARE ...
- 3-2 at US Airways Center
- 0-2 on the road
- 2-0 when they score more than 50 points
- 1-0 when they score 60 or more points
- 3-4 when they allow less than 60 points
- 2-2 when they allow less than 50 points
- 1-0 when they allow less than 40 points
- 1-2 when they score first
- 0-0 when they commit fewer turnovers
- 1-3 when they commit more turnovers
- 2-1 when a player scores three or more touchdowns
- 0-1 when they score two or more TDs on the ground
- 2-1 when Sherdrick Bonner throws five or more TDs
- 2-1 when Damien Groce scores two or more TDs
- 2-0 when Damien Groce catches seven or more passes
- 0-1 when Bo Kelly scores two or more TDs
- 1-3 when they commit fewer penalties
- 1-1 when they record at least one sack
- 1-2 when they go scoreless for at least one quarter
- 0-0 when they pitch a shutout in a quarter
- 2-0 when the game is decided by 7 or fewer points
- 2-1 when leading at halftime
- 0-3 when trailing at halftime

LAST MEETING WITH LAS VEGAS
RATTLERS AMBUSH GLADIATORS, 49-42

Phoenix, Ariz. (May, 22 2005) -- While the Las Vegas Gladiators were playing for an AFL Playoff invite, the Arizona Rattlers were hoping to help it get it lost in the mail. Sherdrick Bonner and the Rattlers did just that, beating the Gladiators 49-42 at the Thomas & Mack Center. The game was not as close as the score, as Arizona jumped to a 14-0 lead early in the first quarter, and never looked back. Siaha Burley finished the game with two TD catches, leaving him with 45 on the season, one short of the AFL record.

Arizona took the opening kickoff and drove down the field, as Bonner found Burley from five yards out and an early 7-0 lead. On the following Las Vegas possession, QB Clint Dolezel was picked off by Wendall Gaines, who rumbled 21 yards for the score and a 14-0 lead. Vegas regrouped, as Dolezel found Joe Douglass from one yard out to pull to 14-7, but Orshawante Bryant scored on a 13-yard pass from Bonner at the end of the first quarter for a 21-7 lead.

The second quarter started no better for Dolezel, who was intercepted in the end zone by Clarence Lawson. The turnover didn't hurt the Gladiators however, as Bonner was sacked and fumbled the ball which Joe Douglass recovered and returned 28 yards for the score. That pulled Las Vegas to within seven, but Bonner found Bryant again for the score, pushing the lead back to 14. Vegas again tried to pull to within a score, but Terrance Joseph batted away two Dolezel passes, including one on fourth down to give it back to Arizona. The Rattlers couldn't capitalize, as Phil Glover fumbled on the first play, giving it back to the Gladiators. With Las Vegas receiving the kickoff to start the second half, the Rattler defense stepped up at the end of the first to protect the two score lead. Las Vegas drove down to the Arizona three, but with two seconds left, Marcus Nash was unable to hold on to Dolezel's pass near the goal line, and the half ended with Arizona holding a 28-14 lead.

Vegas started the second half with the ball, and went a seven play drive that took almost five minutes. The end result was a Dolezel to Douglass TD pass, and a seven point Rattler lead. Arizona wasted little time stretching the lead back, as Bonner again found Burley for the score. The TD catch was Burley's 45th of the season, setting a new Rattlers record. The teams would trade scores for the rest of the period, with Arizona ending the third up 42-28.

The Gladiators started the final period with a score and a fumble recovery, giving them a chance to pull even. But once again Terrance Joseph and the Rattlers defense stepped up, stopping Vegas on fourth down. Arizona quickly converted that stop into seven points on the third Bonner to Bryant connection of the day. Las Vegas would add one more score at the end, but Arizona recovered the on-side kick and won their third-straight.

LAS VEGAS (8-8) 21 7 14 7 -- 49
ARIZONA (7-9) 7 7 14 14 -- 42

ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE STANDINGS:

AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Western Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Arizona 3 4 0 .428 297 337
Las Vegas 3 4 0 .428 367 376
Utah 3 4 0 .428 401 385
Los Angeles 2 5 0 .285 335 397
San Jose 2 5 0 .285 367 394

Central Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Colorado 6 1 0 .857 390 362
Nashville 4 3 0 .571 353 292
Chicago 3 4 0 .428 362 373
Grand Rapids 2 5 0 .285 331 376

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Dallas 6 1 0 .857 393 316
New York 4 3 0 .571 390 416
Philadelphia 4 3 0 .571 348 312
Columbus 3 4 0 .428 299 328

Southern Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Austin 5 2 0 .714 367 331
Georgia 4 3 0 .571 392 309
Orlando 4 3 0 .571 344 335
Tampa Bay 4 3 0 .571 392 393
Kansas City 1 6 0 .142 265 341

THIS WEEK IN THE AFL (all times EST):
Thursday, March 16
Utah at Grand Rapids 7:00 p.m.

Friday, March 17
Chicago at Nashville 8:00 p.m.
Arizona at Las Vegas 10:30 p.m.
Georgia at San Jose 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 18
Philadelphia at Columbus 7:00 p.m.
New York at Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.
Kansas City at Austin 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 19
Dallas at Orlando 12:00 p.m.
Colorado at Los Angeles 6:00 p.m.

LAST WEEKS RESULTS

Friday, March 10
Georgia 68, Columbus 50
Colorado 49, Chicago 42
Orlando 57, Arizona 60
Nashville 34, Utah 63
Grand Rapids 41, Las Vegas 66

Sunday, March 12
Dallas 64, Tampa Bay 35
New York 59, Austin 56
Los Angeles 75, San Jose 61

Monday, March 13
Philadelphia 54, Kansas City 24
INDIVIDUAL GAME-BY-GAME AWARDS

"OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME": Voted on by the media, the award goes to the player who was the most valuable to his team's offensive success in the game, win or lose.

W Opp. Offensive Player of the Game
1 @ Los Angeles K Remy Hamilton (L.A.)4-for-4 on FG's, 3-of-3 on XP's, 15 pts
2 Austin QB John Fitzgerald (AUS)16-of-29, 122 yds, 2TD's, 1 rush TD
3 San Jose WR/LB Calvin Schexnayder (S.J.)9 catches, 147 yards, 2TD's
4 Utah OS Damien Groce (ARI)11 catches, 194 yards, 4TD's
5 @ Columbus OS Damien Groce (ARI)5 catches, 84 yards, 3TD's
6 Nashville OS T.T. Toliver (NAS)8 catches, 132 yards, 4TD's
7 Orlando WR/DB Darrell Jones (ARI)9 returns, 203 yards, 2 TD KO returns

"U.S. ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME": Voted on by the media, the award goes to the two-way player who best demonstrated the ideals of the AFL's style of ironman football

W Opp. Ironman of the Game
1 @ Los Angeles WR/DB Kevin Ingram (L.A.)7 catches, 126 yards, 1TD, 1 INT
2 Austin FB/LB Dane Krager (AUS)9 rushes, 22 yds, 3TD's, 2 tackles
3 San Jose WR/DB Charles Pauly (S.J.)3 catches, 78 yds, 1TD, 1INT
4 Utah WR/DB Randy Gatewood (ARI)3 catches, 32 yds, 1TD, 3 tckls, 1PB
5 @ Columbus FB/LB Leroy Thompson (CBS)10 carries, 28 yds, 1TD, 1tackle, 1PB
6 Nashville WR/DB Randy Gatewood (ARI)8 catches, 88 yds, 2 TD's, 2 INT's
7 Orlando WR/DB Cosmo DeMatteo (ARI)7 catches, 70 yards, 1TD, 3.5 tackles

"ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME": Voted on by the media, the award goes to the player who was the
most valuable to his team's defensive success in the game, win or lose.
W Opp. Defensive Player of the Game
1 @ Los Angeles WR/DB Kevin Ingram (L.A.)2 tackles, 1 interception
2 Austin DS Damon Mason (AUS)4 tackles, 3 pass breakups, 3 INT's
3 San Jose DS Clevan Thomas (S.J.)9 tackles, 1 forced fum., 1 breakup
4 Utah DS Joe Todd (ARI)7 tackles, 5 pass breakups, 1 INT
5 @ Columbus DS Jerald Brown (CBS)1 tackle, 2 INT's, 1 pass breakup
6 Nashville DS Monty Montgomery (NAS)7.5 tackles, 2 INT's, 1 pass breakup
7 Orlando DS Jeroid Johnson (ORL)2 INT returns for TD's, 4 tackles



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 14, 2006


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