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AFL I Arizona Rattlers

Arizona Rattlers game notes

April 18, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: Arizona Rattlers at Grand Rapids Rampage
Date: Sunday, April 23, 2006
Kickoff: 11:00 a.m. (Pacific)
Site: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Arena: Van Andel Arena (10,594)
Television: None
Radio: ESPN Radio 860 AM - (Kent Derdivanis, Dale Hellestrae)
Series Record: Arizona leads 4-1
Last Meeting: Arizona 58, Grand Rapids 38 - January 28, 2005 at Van Andel Arena
Officials: Terry Brown (R), Rick Lowe (U), Kelly Saalfeld (HL), Art Lucky (LJ), Scott Helverson (BJ)
Head Coaches: Arizona - Gene Nudo (first season, 7-5) Grand Rapids - Sparky McEwen (second season, 7-21)

MEDIA CONTACTS:
2006 RATTLERS: Despite starting the season with three losses in a row, Arizona has fought their way to the top of the Western division by winning seven of their last nine. Last week, they posted their second straight victory and fifth consecutive home win by beating the Chicago Rush to go two games above .500 for the first time this year. This week, the Rattlers look to clinch a playoff spot with a road win over the Grand Rapids Rampage. Head Coach Gene Nudo, who is on the sidelines this season for the first time since 1995 when he was an assistant, has led a team mixed with youth and veterans. QB Sherdrick Bonner has stayed healthy since returning from a shoulder injury in Week 3, throwing for 2,885 yards and 63 TD's in his last 11 games. Bonner earned "Offensive Player of the Game" in last week's win with seven touchdown passes and no interceptions. WR/LB Randy Gatewood, who is the team's top target, has caught touchdowns in 10 of 12 games, including 18 scores in his last three. The "Ironman of the Year" candidate also leads the team in interceptions (3) and tackles (50). Other key offensive weapons include WR/LB Cosmo DeMatteo, who has caught 48 passes in the last eight games, WR/DB Curtis Fagan, who has 14 catches in the last three contests and OS Damien Groce, who had three touchdowns versus Chicago. Defensively, the team has relied on DS Erin Damond and DS Clarence Lawson, who recorded an interception last week. The team waits for DS Joe Todd, who leads the league in pass deflections (22) to return. Linemen Kelvin Ingram and Wendall Gaines account for seven of the team's nine and a half sacks.

THE SERIES: This will be Arizona's sixth meeting with the Rampage and the fifth in Grand Rapids. The road team has won each of the previous five contests. The Rattlers have won the last three meetings, including a 58-38 opening day victory last year. This will be the fifth straight season the two teams will play each other. The only Grand Rapids victory of the series came on May 31, 2002, when the Rampage took a 71-43 win. One of the more memorable battles was an 82-81 Arizona overtime victory in Grand Rapids on April 19, 2003.

ARIZONA RATTLERS (7-5)
Date Opponent Time(P) 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. 4 Nashville Win 51-49
Mar. 10 Orlando Win 60-57
Mar. 17 @ Las Vegas Win 47-33
Mar. 24 Los Angeles Win 58-45
April 2 @ San Jose Loss 61-49
April 7 @ Utah Win 64-52
April 15 Chicago Win 61-42
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)

GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE (3-9)
Date Opponent Time(M) TV
Jan. 29 @ Columbus Loss 53-30
Feb. 3 Tampa Bay Loss 51-43
Feb. 12 Los Angeles Win 66-41
Feb. 19 San Jose Win 66-52
Feb. 25 @ Nashville Loss 47-31
Mar. 5 @ Colorado Loss 66-54
Mar. 10 @ Las Vegas Loss 66-41
Mar. 16 Utah Win 59-49
Mar. 26 @ Chicago Loss 51-44
Apr. 1 @ New York Loss 48-24
Apr. 8 Colorado Loss 73-48
Apr. 15 @ Dallas Loss 55-25
Apr. 23 Arizona 11:00a None
Apr. 29 Nashville 5:00 None
May 7 @ Austin Noon Comcast
May 13 Chicago 1:00 OLN


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 over Chicago: "Everyone was going really hard all game. Our linebackers played exceptionally well, especially Asi Faoa and Bo Kelly. Our front line did a good job protecting our quarterback. The excitement in the building was something that our guys really fed off of. This is a tough place to play when our fans are as supportive as they are. We just need to keep getting better."

Nudo on Grand Rapids: "They are a team looking to find a victory and that has had success against Western Divisional opponents at home. We have to come in with the same type of intensity that we had last week in front of our home crowd. They have a winning record at their place, so we need to be prepared for a tough challenge. We can't let our guard down."

Nudo on playing three of the last four on the road: "We have been fortunate to play most of our games in our arena where we have played extremely well, but now we have to get ready mentally to play in some hostile environments. I think if we are able to stay focused, we should be able to come out with the same energy. No matter where the games are played, we still have a lot at stake."

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 stay on the road when they travel to Texas to take on the Dallas Desperados on Friday, April 28th at America Airlines Center. It will mark the fifth-ever meeting between the two clubs. The contest is set to kick off at 5:00 p.m. (PST) and can be heard on ESPN 860 AM.

THE "IF" SECTION
If the Rattlers defeat Grand Rapids it would:
- be their eighth victory in their last ten games
- be their 14th win in their last 20 games
- give them a 5-1 all-time record against the Rampage
- give them their first Sunday victory of the season
- keep them in sole-possession 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 7-5

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.

SECOND HALF SURGE: 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 12-20 record during the first half of the season, but the team boasts a 23-5 record during the second half of the season, making championship runs in 2003 and 2004.

Record Year- Seson Result 1st Half 2nd Half Final record
2003 lost ArenaBowl XVII 4-4 6-2 13-7
2004 lost ArenaBowl XVIII 3-5 8-0 13-6
2005 missed playoffs 1-7 6-2 7-9
2006 ???? 4-4 3-1 ???

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 35,972 passing yards (No. 4 on the AFL career chart), 723 touchdowns (No. 4), 4,649 pass attempts (No. 3), and 2,842 completions (No. 3). Bonner has also won more games than any other quarterback in AFL history with 101 regular season victories and 17 playoff wins.

Career Passing Yards
1. Andy Kelly - Utah Blaze 38,831
3. Clint Dolezel - Dallas Desperados 36,224
3. Aaron Garcia - New York Dragons 36,102
4. Sherdrick Bonner - Arizona Ratters 35,972

Career Touchdowns
1. Aaron Garcia - New York Dragons 759
2. Andy Kelly - Utah Blaze 747
3. Clint Dolezel - Dallas Desperados 739
4. Sherdrick Bonner - Arizona Ratters 723

Career Attempts
1. Andy Kelly - Utah Blaze 5,698
2. Clint Dolezel - Dallas Desperados 4,676
3. Sherdrick Bonner - Arizona Ratters 4,649
4. Aaron Garcia - New York Dragons 4,468

Career Completions
1. Andy Kelly - Utah Blaze 3,506
2. Clint Dolezel - Dallas Desperados 3,042
3. Sherdrick Bonner - Arizona Ratters 2,842
4. Aaron Garcia - New York Dragons 2,833

SCORING MACHINE: WR/DB Randy Gatewood scored a touchdown in 13 of his 16 games last season. He has scored touchdowns in 10 of 12 games this season and has a total of 194 touchdowns in his career as a Rattler.

PLAYERS TO WATCH THIS WEEK:

Grand Rapids OS Anthony Hines: Hines has become the Rampage go-to guy, as he leads the team in receptions (86) and touchdown receptions (15). For the year, he has 896 receiving yards and has scored touchdowns in each of Grand Rapids' three victories, all against Western divisional teams. If the Rampage are going to pull off an upset at home, Hines will have to help his team convert long-yardage plays and get in the endzone.

Arizona FB/LB Asi Faoa: Faoa is coming off of his most productive game of the season, as he put in a strong effort defensivley and had an eight-yard rush during Arizona's win over Chicago. The versatile lineman/fullback/linebacker played for Rattler line coach Ed Flanagan while they were both with the af2's San Diego Riptide last season. As he gets more playing time, Faoa will look to help the Rattler offense in short yardage situations and will see more action on defense. Faoa, who is becoming comfortable within the Rattlers scheme, expects to play an even larger role this weekend.

LAST GAME:
RATTLERS SOAR OVER RUSH, 61-42

Phoenix, Ariz. (April 15, 2006) - The Arizona Rattlers (7-5) got a step closer to the playoffs, as quarterback Sherdrick Bonner threw seven touchdowns to lead the club to their fifth-straight victory at US Airways Center during a 61-42 win in front of 11,790 over the Chicago Rush.

The Rush (4-8) was unable to snap a two-game losing streak despite playing with a new quarterback and new offensive specialist, while the Rattlers won their second-straight to maintain a one-game lead over San Jose for first place in the Western Division.

A 50-yard missed field goal return by defensive specialist Erin Damond as the first half expired, gave the Rattlers a 20-point lead that was never relinquished.

"It was a great way to go in the half," said Rattler head coach Gene Nudo. "One second they are trying to cut our lead to nine, but then we turn around and extend the thing to 20. That's a big swing."

In the first half, Arizona capitalized on their first four possessions, as Bonner threw a pair of touchdowns to offensive specialist Damien Groce and another pair to wide receiver/defensive back Randy Gatewood. The second one by Groce gave the Rattlers a 27-14 lead with 8:32 left in the second quarter.

Bonner, who earned "Offensive Player of the Game" honors, finished 19-of-25 for 195 yards and seven touchdowns. Gatewood and Groce each had seven catches and a total of seven touchdowns between them.

Chicago opened the game with two drives that were each capped by touchdowns by newly-acquired offensive specialist Bobby Sippio, but the Arizona defense held them to field goal attempts on their next two possessions.

The Rattlers scored the last 23 points of the first half, as each Chicago kick attempt by kicker Keith Gispert missed, including a 20-yarder that went wide right off the net as the first half expired. The unsuccessful try was handled off of the net in the endzone by Damond, who ran it back the distance to give the Rattlers a 34-14 lead going into the half.

"When I first caught the ball, I was at the one and then backed into the endzone," said Damond. "At first I just wanted to avoid giving up a safety, but after I ran out I saw some blocks, and it ended up being a good thing for us."

The teams traded scores to start the second half after Bishop found Sippio on an 18-yard connection while Bonner hit Gatewood for his third touchdown of the game to put the Rattlers up 41-21 with 9:48 left in the third quarter.

The Rush countered with a nine-yard score from Bishop to wide receiver/defensive back Woody Dantzler to cut it to 41-28. After the score, Chicago recovered an onside kick, giving them a chance to cut the lead to single digits, but the Rattler defense held tough, forcing them into a four-and-out.

Arizona extended the lead to 20 with a one-yard touchdown run by Joey Dozier on the ensuing possession to make it 48-28 heading into the final period.

After another defensive stand, the Rattlers put the game out of reach when Bonner hooked up with Gatewood for his fourth touchdown to give Arizona a 54-28 lead with 10:35 left in the contest.

The teams traded touchdowns again, as Groce caught his third touchdown of the game to give Arizona a 61-35 advantage with just over six minutes left.

Chicago scored on their next possession, but another unsuccessful onside kick attempt gave the Rattlers possession.

"There was a lot of electricity in the air tonight," said Bonner. "We are getting used to coming in here and playing well."

Gatewood was named "Ironman of the Game" with seven catches for 80 yards and four touchdowns. He also had six tackles on defense. Damond earned "Defensive Player of the Game" honors with eight tackles.

CHICAGO (4-8) 14 0 14 14 -- 42
ARIZONA (7-5) 14 20 14 13 -- 61


QUEST FOR 100: Rattler quarterback Sherdrick Bonner became the first QB in AFL history to win 100 games when he led the Rattlers to a 64-52 victory over the Utah Blaze on April 7, 2006.

GETTING PASS DEFENSIVE: The Rattlers rank third in the league in pass defense, allowing just 3019 passing yards and holding opposing quarterbacks to a 97.9 passer rating.

Passing Defense Opp. Yds pass rat.
1. Dallas Desperados 3290 92.3
2. Columbus Destroyers 3060 95.8
3. Arizona Rattlers 3019 97.9
4. Nashville Kats 2961 99.4

SNAKES STACK STOPS: Arizona has been one of the league's stingiest teams when it comes to giving up touchdowns. Opponents have found the endzone on just 54.55 percent of their possessions.

Defense Touchdown %Rank Team Opp Poss. TD's TD %
1. Columbus Destroyers 143 70 48.95
2. Dallas Desperados 141 70 49.65
3. Orlando Predators 144 76 52.78
4. Philadelphia Soul 142 75 52.82
5. Arizona Rattleers 143 78 54.55
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.

ARIZONA CONNECTIONS: The Rattlers have four players with local connections: OL/DL Vince Amey (Arizona State alum) and WR/DB Johnny Marshall (Northern Arizona and Brophy High School alum). Two Rattlers - OL/DL Wendall Gaines and OL/DL Mark Tucker - played for the Arizona Cardinals.

CATCH RATTLE AND ROLL: The Rattlers lead the league in yards per catch, averaging over 13 yards per reception.

Passing Yards per catchRank Team Comp Yards Avg.
1. Arizona Rattlers 240 3229 13.5
2. Dallas Desperados 282 3565 12.6
Nashville Kats 217 2728 12.6
4. San Jose SaberCats 298 3646 12.2

RECENT ROSTER MOVES:
Date Action Player
4/14 Activated from IR WR/DB Corey Johnson
Signed from practice sqad WR/DB Johnny Marshall
Placed on IR WR/DB Jeremiah Pope
4/13 Waived DS Art Smith
4/6 Activated from IR DS Clarence Lawson
Placed on IR DS Joe Todd
4/5 Signed FB/LB Joey Dozier
Placed on IR FB/LB Frank Trentadue
Signed to practice squad OL/DL Jeff Ruffin
4/4 Waived OL/DL Ricky Gaspar
4/1 Activated from IR OS Damien GroceWR/DB Jeremiah PopeWR/DB Wilson Thomas
Placed on IR OL/DL Anthony HutchOS Darrell JonesWR/DB Talib Wise
3/23 Activated from IR OL/DL Wendall Gaines
Signed to practice squad QB Dennis Gile
3/22 Waived QB Dennis Gile
3/16 Signed from practice squad DS Art Smith
Signed to practice squad WR/DB Johnny Marshall
Placed on IR OS Damien Groce
3/14 Signed from practice squad QB Dennis Gile
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

THE RATTLERS ARE ...
- 5-2 at US Airways Center
- 2-3 on the road
- 5-0 when they score more than 50 points
- 3-0 when they score 60 or more points
- 7-4 when they allow less than 60 points
- 5-2 when they allow less than 50 points
- 2-0 when they allow less than 40 points
- 4-2 when they score first
- 3-0 when they commit fewer turnovers
- 1-3 when they commit more turnovers
- 6-2 when a player scores three or more touchdowns
- 0-1 when they score two or more TDs on the ground
- 6-2 when Sherdrick Bonner throws five or more TDs
- 3-1 when Damien Groce scores two or more TDs
- 3-0 when Damien Groce catches seven or more passes
- 0-1 when Bo Kelly scores two or more TDs
- 2-3 when they commit fewer penalties
- 5-1 when they record at least one sack
- 1-3 when they go scoreless for at least one quarter
- 1-0 when they pitch a shutout in a quarter
- 2-0 when the game is decided by 7 or fewer points
- 4-1 when leading at halftime
- 1-5 when trailing at halftime

LAST MEETING WITH GRAND RAPIDS
RATTLERS BEAT RAMPAGE, 58-38

Grand Rapids, Mich. (Jan. 28, 2005) - The Arizona Rattlers started the 2005 AFL season on the right foot with a 58-38 win over the Grand Rapids Rampage Friday night. The Rattlers jumped out to a 28-6 lead in the first half and cruised to their ninth-consecutive regular season victory.

Quarterback Sherdrick Bonner was sharp in his new offense, as he threw four of his six touchdown passes before halftime. Bonner also ran for a touchdown in the third quarter to have a part in seven of the eight Rattlers' touchdowns. Backup QB Joe Germaine got some action in the fourth quarter and threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver/linebacker Wilson Thomas.

Offensive specialist Siaha Burley caught eight passes for 77 yards and hauled in four touchdown tosses from Bonner.

The Rattlers defense got things started by recovering a fumble by Rampage QB Nick Browder on Grand Rapids' first possession. Arizona converted it into a Bonner-to-Burley 3-yard touchdown pass. Rampage wide receiver/defensive back Derin Graham returned the ensuing kickoff 56 yards for a touchdown to make the score 7-6, but Burley returned the Rampage kickoff 24 yards to the Arizona 20-yard line setting up a 30-yard score from Bonner to wide receiver/defensive back Randy Gatewood.

The Arizona defense recovered another Browder fumble early in the second quarter and turned that into another Burley touchdown. After a missed field goal by the Rampage, the Rattlers put the ball in the endzone again to go up 28-6. Grand Rapids scored a touchdown right before the half to cut the Arizona lead to 15, 28-13.

Arizona continued to pour on the offense in the second half, as Burley caught his fourth touchdown pass to make it 35-13. The teams would trade scores two times down the stretch, but the Rampage could not overcome the deficit.

Bonner finished 16 of 26 for 202 yards to earn "Offensive Player of the Game" honors. Arizona OL/DL Wendell Gaines was named "Defensive Player of the Game", making two tackles and recovering a fumble.

Grand Rapids' Derin Graham was the "Ironman of the Game" with two kickoff returns for touchdowns and a total of 142 yards on four returns. He also caught a pass for 14 yards, and made a tackle on defense.



ARIZONA (1-0) 14 14 14 16 -- 58
GRAND RAPIDS (0-1) 6 7 10 15 -- 38

ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE STANDINGS:

AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Western Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Arizona 7 5 0 .583 576 570
San Jose 6 6 0 .500 653 651
Las Vegas 5 7 0 .416 615 646
Utah 4 8 0 .333 653 674
Los Angeles 3 9 0 .250 595 700

Central Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Colorado 9 3 0 .750 673 631
Nashville 7 5 0 .583 590 557
Chicago 4 8 0 .333 584 637
Grand Rapids 3 9 0 .250 531 652

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Dallas 10 2 0 .833 683 516
New York 7 5 0 .583 628 651
Philadelphia 7 5 0 .583 566 547
Columbus 5 7 0 .416 540 523

Southern Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Austin 8 4 0 .666 600 573
Orlando 8 4 0 .666 604 563
Georgia 7 5 0 .583 665 549
Tampa Bay 6 6 0 .500 641 651
Kansas City 2 10 0 .166 508 614

THIS WEEK IN THE AFL (all times EST):
Friday, April 21
Columbus at Philadelphia 7:00 p.m.
Kansas City at Nashville 8:00 p.m.
Utah at Colorado 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 22
Dallas at Georgia 4:00 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Orlando 7:30 p.m.
New York at Los Angeles 10:30 p.m.
Austin at San Jose 10:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 23
Arizona at Grand Rapids 2:00 p.m.
Las Vegas at Chicago 3:00 p.m.

LAST WEEKS RESULTS

Friday, April 14
New York 64, Columbus 57
Georgia 41, Orlando 57
Philadelphia 49, Nashville 33
Las Vegas 59, San Jose 69

Saturday, April 15
Tampa Bay 59, Austin 60
Grand Rapids 25, Dallas 55
Los Angeles 61, Utah 63
Chicago 42, Arizona 61

Sunday, April 16
Colorado 55, Kansas City 49

PLAYOFF PICTURE:

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
y-Dallas 10-2
Orlando 8-4 (win head-to-head vs. AUS)
Austin 8-4
Philadelphia 7-5 (win head-to-head vs. GEO & NYD)
Georgia 7-5 (win common opponents vs. NYD)
New York 7-5
--------------------
Tampa Bay 6-6
Columbus 5-7
Kansas City 2-10

AMERICAN CONFERENCE
y-Colorado 9-3
Arizona 7-5
Nashville 7-5
San Jose 6-6
Las Vegas 5-7
Chicago 4-8 (win common opponents vs. UTA)
--------------------
Utah 4-8
Grand Rapids 3-9 (win head-to-head vs. LAA)
Los Angeles 3-9

y-clinched playoff berth.

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
8 @ Las Vegas WR/DB Darrell Jones (ARI)8 catches, 144 yards, 3TD's
9 Los Angeles QB Sherdrick Bonner (ARI)16-of-29, 236 yards, 7 TD's
10 @ San Jose WR/LB Ben Nelson (S.J.)11 catches, 203 yards, 5 TD's
11 @ Utah WR/DB Randy Gatewood (ARI)12 catches, 149 yards, 7 TD's
12 Chicago QB Sherdrick Bonner (ARI)19-of-25, 195 yards, 7 TD's

"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
8 @ Las Vegas WR/DB Talib Wise (ARI)6 catches, 39 yards, 3 tackles
9 Los Angeles WR/DB Randy Gatewood (ARI)7 catches, 112 yds, 5 TD's, 3.5 tackles
10 @ San Jose WR/DB James Roe (S.J.)10 catches, 111 yds, 4 TD's, 1.5 tack
11 @ Utah WR/LB Wilson Thomas (ARI)2 catches, 47 yds, net recovery TD, FR
12 Chicago WR/DB Randy Gatewood (ARI)7 catches, 80 yards, 4 TD's, 6 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
8 @ Las Vegas DS Erin Damond (ARI)7 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT
9 Los Angeles DS Joe Todd (ARI)6.5 tackles, 7 pass breakups
10 @ San Jose DS Joe Todd (ARI)8 tackles, 2 pass breakups
11 @ Utah DS Clarence Lawson (ARI)2 tackles, fumble recovery, 1 INT
12 Chicago DS Erin Damond (ARI)8 tackles, MFG return for a TD

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