AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

'Beast of the East' battle in Philly this Sunday on NBC

Published on February 23, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK – Football feuds run deep, especially when it comes to the cities of Dallas and Philadelphia. The next chapter in this storied battle will focus indoors when QB TONY GRAZIANI (6-3, 210, Oregon) leads the Philadelphia Soul (2-2) against emerging star QB CLINT STOERNER (6-2, 210, Arkansas) and the Dallas Desperados (3-1) this Sunday at Wachovia Center on NBC at 3 p.m. ET.

Former AFL and current Pittsburgh Steeler QB TOMMY MADDOX will join AFL on NBC studio host AL TRAUTWIG and analyst GLENN PARKER in the studio for halftime commentary and postgame wrap-up interviews.

Graziani, a 2004 All-Arena selection, is on pace to throw 108 touchdowns – which would break the record of 104 set by New York's AARON GARCIA in 2001 – with the help of OS STEVE SMITH (5-9, 170, Utah State) and WR/LB SEAN SCOTT (6-2, 200, Millersville), who have combined for 50 receptions for 743 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Stoerner, a former Dallas Cowboy quarterback, has the Desperados atop the Eastern Division with the assistance of "The Triplets" – Week 4 U.S. Army Ironman of the Week WR/DB WILL PETTIS (6-0, 200, Midwestern State), OS JASON SHELLEY (6-2, 192, Central State-OH) and WR/LB BOBBY SIPPIO (6-3, 215, Western Kentucky).

Elsewhere, a matchup of the AFL's top WR/LBs will highlight a possible ArenaBowl XIX Las Vegas preview when the Orlando Predators (3-1) and 2004 U.S. Army Ironman of the Year CORY FLEMING (6-3, 220, Tennessee) travel to Chicago to face the Rush (2-2) and WR/LB ETU MOLDEN (6-2, 195, Montana) at Allstate Arena this Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET on FSN-Chicago and Sun Sports. Fleming leads the Predators with 24 receptions for 233 yards and seven touchdowns, while Molden has tallied 25 receptions for 276 yards and a team-leading eight touchdowns.

It's East meets West when Arizona head coach TODD SHELL leads his Rattlers (1-3) against his former team, the New York Dragons (2-1), this Sunday at Nassau Colesium at 3 p.m. ET on NBC. The quarterback showdown between New York QB AARON GARCIA (6-1, 195, Sacramento State) and Arizona QB SHERDRICK BONNER (6-4, 240, Cal-Northridge) will be the marquee matchup. The two former teammates are No. 1 and 3 – Garcia with 649 and Bonner with 618 – in career touchdown passes.

Los Angeles QB JOHN KALEO (6-0, 210, Maryland) and his stable of young receivers – WR/DB TONY LOCKE (5-11, 195, Ohio State), OS JEROME RILEY (6-2, 185, Washington State) and First-Team All-Arena WR/DB KEVIN INGRAM (6-0, 195, West Chester) – look to keep the Avengers (3-1) atop of the Western Division when they head to Denver to face the Central Division-leading Colorado Crush (2-2) and one of the AFL's best connections – QB JOHN DUTTON (6-5, 220, Nevada) and OS DAMIAN HARRELL (6-3, 200, Florida State) – this Sunday at Pepsi Center at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.

It's a Southern Division "Battle on the Bayou" when QB SHANE STAFFORD (6-3, 210, Connecticut) leads the Tampa Bay Storm (2-1) into New Orleans to face QB ANDY KELLY (6-3, 220, Tennessee) and the AFLWA's No. 1-ranked VooDoo at New Orleans Arena on Friday at 8 p.m. ET on Cox Sports TV.

Games slated for Week 5 include: Tampa Bay at New Orleans (Cox Sports), Georgia at Austin (AFL Net - www.arenafootball.com) and Orlando at Chicago (FSN-Chicago, Sun Sports, NASN-Europe) on Friday; Las Vegas at Nashville (FSN-South*-12 a.m., FSN-West, The Score-Canada, NASN) on Saturday; Dallas at Philadelphia (NBC), Arizona at New York (NBC), Los Angeles at Colorado (NBC) and Columbus at Grand Rapids on Sunday. The San Jose SaberCats have a bye week.

ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE WRITERS' ASSOCIATION (AFLWA) PRESEASON POLL
RANK TEAM RECORD VOTES (FIRST PLACE)
1 New Orleans VooDoo 3-1 96 (7)
2 Georgia Force 3-1 76 (2)
3 Los Angeles Avengers 3-1 70 (2)
4 Dallas Desperados 3-1 69 (1)
5 Orlando Predators 3-1 68 (1)
6 Tampa Bay Storm 2-1 51 (1)
7 New York Dragons 2-1 31
8 Colorado Crush 2-2 18
Also receiving votes: Chicago Rush 10, Philadelphia Soul 9, San Jose SaberCats 3,
Las Vegas Gladiators 2 and Arizona Rattlers 1.

TAMPA BAY STORM (2-1) AT NEW ORLEANS VooDoo (3-1)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, AT 8 P.M. ET
(TV: Cox Sports – TODD KALAS, DONTE STALLWORTH & TIM FANGUY)

In the week following a bye, the Storm are a perfect 7-0, including last season when they defeated the New Orleans VooDoo 59-51 in Week 16... The Tampa Bay Storm are ranked No. 5 in the League in total defense, surrendering only 259.3 yards per game and are ranked No 3 in points per game (57)... They will be going against the VooDoo who are No. 4 in points per game (56.5) and No. 3 in total offense (320.8)... New Orleans is coming off a 61-47 win against Philadelphia at New Orleans Arena, where they have a 9-1 record at home...Tampa Bay are still looking for their first road win of the season (0-1)... VooDoo QB ANDY KELLY is 5-10 in his career against the Storm, but he is also riding a five-game streak of throwing at least 6 TD passes or more a game... Storm QB SHANE STAFFORD has been the second most accurate passer this season, with a completion percentage of 66.1... The VooDoo will be looking to shut down Stafford this weekend, who in last season's win over New Orleans completes 22-30, 6 TDs, and 267 yards... In last year's loss to the VooDoo, Stafford completed for only 11-19, 105 yards, 1 TD, and 3 INTs... Looking to help Stafford is WR/DB CLIF DELL who is tied at No. 8 in TDs (9) and WR/DB LAWRENCE SAMUELS who in one less game is ranked tied at No. 12 in receptions (27), No. 11 in receiving yards (336), and tied at No. 4 in INTs (2)... Playing for New Orleans are three of the highest-scoring receivers in the League in OS AARON BAILEY, tied at No. 8 in TDs (9), No 5 in all-purpose yards (655), No. 1 in receiving yards (506), first in 1st downs (30) and first in receptions (36)... WR/LB THABITI DAVIS who is tied at No. 12 in receiving TDs (7) and tied at No. 4 in receptions (31), and OS JACQUES RUMP who is also tied at No. 12 in receiving TDs (7), No. 8 in all-purpose yards (518) and is ranked No. 10 in receptions (29)... Over the past two seasons Davis has pulled in 158 receptions, second only to OS MARCUS NASH of the Gladiators... Kicking for New Orleans is BRIAN SCHMITZ who is No. 3 among kickers in points (40)... Tampa Bay DS TRAMAIN JONES is tied at No. 12 in tackles (22) and tied at No. 9 in passes defended (4) while teammate DS JONATHAN ORDWAY is tied at No. 4 in INTs (2)... Tied with Ordway at No. 4 in INTs is New Orleans DS FRED COLEMAN (2)... Tied at No. 3 in sacks is New Orleans B.J. COHEN (3)

2005 LEADERS STORM VooDoo
SERIES LEADER New Orleans leads 2-0
LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 4-1
LAST GAME Lost at Orlando, 46-61 Won vs. Philadelphia, 61-47
2005 LEADERS STORM VooDoo
PASSING Stafford: 109-72-1, 792, 17 TDs Kelly: 174-122-2, 1288, 27 TDs
RECEIVING Samuels: 27-336, 3 TDs Bailey: 36-506, 8 TDs
RUSHING Penright: 9-28, 1 TDs Thompson: 7-13, 1 TD
TACKLES Jones: 22.0 Pointer: 22.5
SACKS Lawson: 1.0 Cohen: 3.0
INTERCEPTIONS Ordway & Samuels: 2 Coleman: 2
KICKING George: 20-22 PAT; 3-6 FG; 29 PTS Schmitz: 28-30 PAT; 4-6 FG; 40 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 57.0 PPG (3); 268.2 YPG (12) 56.5 PPG (4); 320.8 YPG (3)
TEAM DEFENSE 46.3 PPG (7); 259.3 YPG (5) 47.0 PPG (8); 275.5 YPG (8)




GEORGIA FORCE (3-1) AT AUSTIN WRANGLERS (1-3)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, AT 8:30 P.M. ET
(TV: AFL NET – www.arenafootball.com)

The Georgia Force are off to their best start in team history, and will travel to the Frank Erwin Center to take on the Austin Wranglers... The Force and their top-ranked defense (37.5 PPG) will try to find a way to stop the Wranglers who are No. 4 in offensive yards per game (304.5)... Austin QB JOHN FITZGERALD has been the No. 5 most efficient quarterback of the season with a rating 116.5, and he has tied the League mark with a 49-yard touchdown pass this season... Georgia QB JIM KUBIAK is in his first season as the Force starting QB, and has thrown at least five TD passes in each of the Force's four games this season and is ranked No. 5 in the League in TD passes (21)... 12 of those scores went to rookie OS TROY BERGERON who has caught three TD passes in each game this season which ties him at No. 1 in TD receptions (12), along with being tied for No. 2 in points (72), No. 3 in receptions (32), ninth in receiving yards (372), and fourth in all-purpose yards (683)... At his current pace (48), Bergeron will break the record of TD receptions for a rookie in a season (46) set by EDDIE BROWN in 1994... Austin's rookie WR/DB KEVIN NICKERSON has only caught 17 passes this season, but is No. 3 in yards per catch (17.8), tied at No. 6 in receiving TDs (9), and 15th in receiving yards (302)... The Force will miss FB/LB ROBERT THOMAS who was place who was placed on IR this week... Thomas is No. 5 in the League in rushing TDs (3) and is ranked No. 9 in rushing yards (43)... Defensively for Austin WR/DB KEVIN HUNTER is tied at No. 4 in INTs (2), tied at No.9 in pass defended (4), and tied at No. 2 in forced fumbles (2)...WR/DB DARREN CHIAVERINI is tied at No. 2 in tackles for loss (2.0), while teammate WR/DB CHARLIE DAVIDSON is tied at No. 4 in passes defensed (4)...Georgia DS KEVIN GAINES is tied at No. 1 in INTs (3) and is ranked No. 7 in tackles (25.5), while teammate WR/DB WILLIE GAINES is third in tackles (29.0) and has recorded at least 5.0 in each game this season... Georgia K NELSON GARNER is No. 4 in points among kickers (34).

2005 LEADERS FORCE WRANGLERS
SERIES LEADER Tied at 1-1
LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 1-4
LAST GAME Won at Las Vegas, 38-13 Won at Grand Rapids,73-61
2005 LEADERS FORCE WRANGLERS
PASSING Kubiak: 146-94-3, 1030, 21 TDs Fitzgerald: 103-64-3, 870, 17 TDs
RECEIVING Bergeron: 32-372, 12 TDs Chiaverini: 21-168, 2 TDs
RUSHING Thomas: 14-43, 3 TDs Bryant: 9-28, 2 TD
TACKLES Gary: 29.0 Walker: 18.5
SACKS Wilson, Thomas: 1.0 Humphrey, Briggs: 1.0
INTERCEPTIONS Gaines: 3 Hunter: 2
KICKING Garner: 22-25 PAT; 4-5 FG; 34 PTS Dodson: 19-24 PAT, 1-8 FG; 22 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 45.5 PPG (13); 264.0 YPG (14) 51.0 PPG (11); 304.5 YPG (4)
TEAM DEFENSE 37.5 PPG (1); 293.2 YPG (12) 63.2 PPG (16); 337.5 YPG (16)



ORLANDO PREDATORS (3-1) AT CHICAGO RUSH (2-2)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, AT 8:30 P.M. ET
(TV: FSN CHICAGO, SUN SPORTS, NASN – JOSH LEWIN, CHRIS ZORICH
& JEFF FRIEDMAN)

The last time Orlando and Chicago played was on March 2... Chicago won 58-15... That game was one of only two in the last two seasons in which Orlando was held to below 30 points...Even though Chicago QB RAYMOND PHILYAW was in for only nine attempts, he completed 8 passes for 139 yards 3 TDs and 0 INTs... The Rush defense recorded 3 INTs, 4 forced fumbles, and 7 INTs...The biggest reason for Orlando's early success this season is their Defense, which is ranked No. 3 or better in 12 different defensive categories...The leader, DS KENNY "THE GLOVE" MC ENTYRE is tied at No. 4 in passes defensed (6), while WR/DB REGGIE DOSTER is behind him tied at No. 9 in pass defensed (4)... Orlando DS DAMON MASON is No. 2 in total tackles (30.5), 30 of which are solo... The Orlando defense has three different players in the top five in sacks; OL/DL E.J. BURT is ranked No. 3 (3.0), FB/LB RUPERT GRANT (2.0) and FB/LB IDRIS PRICE are tied at No. 5 (2.0)... Philyaw is ranked No. 3 in the League in passing yards (1,047) and No. 7 in passing TDs (18)...Philyaw's two favorite targets this season have been WR/DB ETU MOLDEN and WR/DB HENRY DOUGLAS who have combined for 13 TD receptions... Molden is tied for No. 6 in TDs (10) and No. 5 in 1st downs (21)... Over the last two seasons, Molden has been tied at No. 5 scoring 42 TDs... Douglas is currently ranked No. 11 in TDs (8), tied at No. 7 in receptions (30), No. 7 in receiving yards (393), No. 2 in kick off return yards (371), No. 3 in all-purpose yards (783), and tied at No. 7 in 1st downs (20)... Orlando QB JOE HAMILTON ranked No. 9 in passing yards (902)... Orlando FL/LB IDRIS PRICE is No. 8 in the League in rushing yards (44)... Fellow Predator OS TRAVIS MCGRIFF is No. 9 in all-purpose yards (465)... Chicago WR/DB DE JUAN ALFONZO is No. 8 in total tackles (24.0), DS JEROID JOHNSON is tied at No. 4 in passes defended (6), and WR/LB RUSSELL SHAW is ranked No. 8 in passes defensed (5)... Chicago K KEITH GISPERT is tied at No. 4 in kicking points (34)...Over the past two seasons, Orlando is 8-3 when Hamilton throws TD passes to 3 or more receivers in a game, while they are only 5-4 when he throws TD passes to two-or-fewer of his receivers... This season, six of his eight receivers have already caught one for a score... Over the last three seasons, Orlando is 15-6 when McGriff has at least 100 all-purpose yards... Chicago is 8-2 when Molden has multiple-TD receptions.

2005 LEADERS PREDATORS RUSH
SERIES LEADER Chicago leads 4-2
LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 2-3
LAST GAME Lost at Dallas,28-42 Lost at Columbus,39-42
2005 LEADERS PREDATORS RUSH
PASSING Hamilton: 131-81-5, 902, 16 TDs Philyaw: 139-94-4, 1047, 18 TDs
RECEIVING Fleming: 24-233, 7 TDs Douglas: 30-393, 7 TDs
RUSHING Price: 12-44, 4 TDs McGourty: 10-38 2 TD
TACKLES Mason: 30.5 Alfonzo: 24.0
SACKS Burt: 3.0 Moyer: 2.0
INTERCEPTIONS Fleming, McEntyre; Mason: 1 Shaw: 1
KICKING McLaughlin: 11-13 PAT; 0-3 FG; 11 PTS Gispert: 19-23 PAT; 5-5 FG; 34 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 44.8 PPG (14); 239.8 YPG (15) 51.5 PPG (9); 304.2 YPG (5)
TEAM DEFENSE 41.0 PPG (3); 235.8 YPG (3) 51.8 PPG (t-10); 310.0 YPG (13)



LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (2-2) AT NASHVILLE KATS (1-3)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, AT 8:30 P.M. ET
(TV: FSN SOUTH, FSN WEST, THE SCORE, NASN – ELI GOLD, DAVID ARCHER & STEVE WRIGLEY)

Both teams are coming off of a Week 4 loss... The Kats came out on top 38-28 the last time these two teams met in 2001, when the Gladiators called New Jersey home... In his two starts in place of injured QB CLINT DOLEZEL, QB ROD ROBINSON has completed 68.8% of his passes for 442 yards, five TDs and a 1-1 record... OS MARCUS NASH has over 100 yards receiving in each game this season for a total of 439 yards which ranks him No. 4 in the League... He was also named Offensive Player of the Game in both of the Gladiators wins... In those games Nash has caught seven or more passes... Gladiators FB/LB FRANK CARTER leads the League with 5.0 sacks entering Week 5... Carter was the ADT Defensive Player of the Week for Week 3... Las Vegas is looking to rebound this week after being held to the lowest points in franchise history (13)... Nashville is in their second three-game losing streak in franchise history and hopes to come away with a win this weekend to avoid their first four-game losing streak... Kats DS DERON JENKINS is tied for first in INTs (3) and FB/LB DAN ALEXANDER ranks No. 2 in the League in rushing yards (96)...Kats OS FRED COLEMAN is leading the team in receptions and is tied for No. 4 in the League in receptions (31), is No. 7 in all-purpose yardage (562).

2005 LEADERS GLADIATORS KATS
SERIES LEADER Nashville leads 5-1 (includes New Jersey)
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 2-3
LAST GAME Lost vs. Georgia, 13-38 Lost at New York, 49-61
2005 LEADERS GLADIATORS KATS
PASSING R. Robinson: 64-44-6, 442, 5 TDs Murray: 145-87-5, 845, 12 TDs
RECEIVING Nash: 28-439, 4 TDs Coleman: 31-321, 4 TDs
RUSHING Carter: 13-47, 3 TD Alexander: 27-96, 4 TDs
TACKLES Bonner: 23.0 Jenkins: 19.5
SACKS Carter: 5.0 Minucci, Taylor: 1.0
INTERCEPTIONS Porter, Taylor: 2 Jenkins: 3
KICKING Lewis: 14-17 PAT, 3-4 FG, 23 PTS Kral: 22-26 PAT; 0-3 FG; 22 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 32.8 PPG (17); 284.2 YPG (8) 44.5 PPG (15); 271.5 YPG (10)
TEAM DEFENSE 44.5 PPG (4); 221.5 YPG (1) 54.5 PPG (13); 264.8 YPG (6)



DALLAS DESPERADOS (3-1) AT PHILADELPHIA SOUL (2-2)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, AT 3 P.M. ET
(TV: NBC – TOM HAMMOND, PAT HADEN & LEWIS JOHNSON)

Dallas and Philadelphia met twice last season with each team coming away with a win...Last week Dallas improved to 3-1 and moved into the lead for the Eastern Division... They also brought Orlando's regular-season seven-game win streak to an end... Desperados rookie QB CLINT STOERNER has completed at least 60% passes in every game this season totaling 63% on the season... The Desperados are 3-0 when he throws for at least 200 yards and four or more TDs...Dallas WR/LB JASON SHELLEY was named Offensive Player of the Game against Orlando and he was the No. 5 leading receiver in the League in Week 4 with seven catches for 138 yards and two TDs... This season Dallas is 3-0 when Shelley catches at least six passes for 80-or-more yards and at least one TD... Shelley is also ranked No. 6 in receiving yards (398)... One receiver with more receiving yards than Shelley is Philadelphia's OS STEVE SMITH who is ranked No. 3 with 448 yards... Smith was the No. 3 receiver in the League in Week 4 with eight catches for 145 yards and four TDs... Soul QB TONY GRAZIANI is tied for the League lead with 27 passing touchdowns through four games, putting him on pace to throw 108 TDs and break the single-season record of 104 set by New York QB AARON GARCIA... Dallas WR/DB WILL PETTIS is looking to break the Desperados record of consecutive games with a reception, last week he tied the current record of 29 consecutive games... In Week 4, Pettis also tied the Desperados record for career touchdowns (50)... Desperados WR/DB BOBBY SIPPIO has forced a League-leading three fumbles... and FB/LB DUKE PETTIJOHN is ranked No. 4 in the League in rushing yards (52).

2005 LEADERS DESPERADOS SOUL
SERIES LEADER Tied 1-1
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 2-3
LAST GAME Won vs. Orlando, 42-28 Lost at New Orleans, 47-61
2005 LEADERS DESPERADOS SOUL
PASSING Stoerner: 119-75-2, 1034, 17 TDs Graziani: 130-80-6, 1131, 27 TDs
RECEIVING Shelley: 26-398, 5 TD Smith: 28-448, 11 TDs
RUSHING Pettijohn: 18-52, 2 TD M. Jackson: 16-40, 0 TDs
TACKLES Jones: 180 Thompson: 28.0
SACKS Simpkins, Weatherington, Toombs, Allen, Pettijohn: 1.0 Missouri: 1.0
INTERCEPTIONS Pettis: 2 Thompson: 2
KICKING Martinez: 22-24 PAT; 2-7 FG; 28 PTS Schorejs: 25-29 PAT; 2-5 FG, 31 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 47.0 PPG (12); 286.8 YPG (7) 53.2 PPG (7); 294.0 YPG (6)
TEAM DEFENSE 44.8 PPG (5); 223.5 YPG (2) 48.8 PPG (9); 285.2 YPG (9)



COLUMBUS DESTROYERS (1-2) AT GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE (0-3)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, AT 3 P.M. ET

In consecutive weeks, Rampage QB MICHAEL BISHOP has rushed for more than 70 yards, and in only his third game as a starter, can become the first player in AFL history to rush for 70-or-more yards three times in a career... Bishop is 19 yards shy of breaking the team record for rushing yards in a season (193) set by teammate FB/LB CHRIS AVERY in 2004... Bishop needs just three rushing yards to enter the AFL's top 10 in all-time rushing yards by a QB... Last season the Rampage ranked last in the League in total offense (153.0 yards per game). This season they rank second in the League (339.7 yards per game)... Rampage DS CECIL DOGGETTE looks to build on his AFL record of 146 career pass defensed... Despite having a bye, Doggettte is tied for the League lead in pass defensed this season... The Destroyers are currently 7-0 in games where they score 54-or-more points since moving to Columbus... The last time the Destroyers scored 54 points and lost was on April 28, 2002 against New York when the team was located in Buffalo... The Destroyers rank No. 2 in the League in scoring defense and the Rampage rank last... The Rampage, however, rank No. 2 in total offense (339.7 YPG) while the Destroyers rank No. 16 in total offense... Over the last two seasons no one has had more long TD receptions (25+ yards) than Rampage OS CHRIS JACKSON (17)... Jackson, who entered the League in 2000, leads the AFL in receiving yards over the last five seasons (7,093).

2005 LEADERS DESTROYERS RAMPAGE
SERIES LEADER Grand Rapids leads 4-1
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 0-5
LAST GAME Won vs. Chicago, 52-39 Lost vs. Austin, 61-73
2005 LEADERS DESTROYERS RAMPAGE
PASSING Salisbury: 63-33-4, 380, 5 TDs Bishop: 71-40-2, 595; 12 TDs
RECEIVING White: 19-261, 4 TDs Jackson: 24-298, 5 TDs
RUSHING D'Orazio: 8-27, 1 TD Bishop: 14-174, 2 TDs
TACKLES Franklin: 20.5 Doggette: 19.0
SACKS Jones: 1.0 NONE
INTERCEPTIONS Polk: 1 NONE
KICKING Videtich: 16-16 PAT; 3-3 FG; 25 PTS Martinz: 14-16 PAT; 3-6 FG; 23 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 40.3 PPG (16); 235.3 YPG (16) 51.7 PPG (8); 339.7 YPG (2)
TEAM DEFENSE 40.3 PPG (2); 271.7 YPG (7) 67.7 PPG (17); 290.3 YPG (11)



ARIZONA RATTLERS (1-3) AT NEW YORK DRAGONS (2-1)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, AT 3 P.M. ET
(TV: NBC – ALLEN BESTWICK, CHARLES DAVIS & OTIS LIVINGSTON)

In the last meeting between these two teams, the Rattlers defeated the Dragons 53-41... This year the Dragons get a chance on their own turf... The Dragons' defense is second in the League in interceptions (5) and turnover margin (+4)... DS BILLY PARKER is tied for first in INTs (3)... Dragons QB AARON GARCIA is constantly battling with Nashville QB ANDY KELLY for the lead in all-time career TDs... Entering Week 5, Garcia has 649 and Kelly has 647... OS KEVIN SWAYNE caught nine passes for 115 yards and five TDs in his first appearance this season for New York placing him third on the team... After winning nine regular-season games in a row, Arizona has lost three... OS SIAHA BURLEY is leading the team with 31 receptions for 375 yards and is leading the League in kick-return yards (410) and all-purpose yards (818), is tied for the League lead for TD receptions (12), and is tied for No. 2 in points scored (72)... Last season against the Dragons, Burley had 185 all-purpose yards... Despite QB JOE GERMAINE completing 62.8% of his passes for 901 yards and 17 TDs, Arizona has lost all three he has started...Germaine replaced injured QB SHERDRICK BONNER (right knee) whose trip to the IR ended his streak of 30 straight starts... The Rattlers were 21-9 during that span... Bonner is the AFL's all-time career victory leader with 90 starting victories.

2005 LEADERS RATTLERS DRAGONS
SERIES LEADER Arizona leads 6-4
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 3-2
LAST GAME Lost vs. Colorado, 69-74 Won vs. Nashville, 62-49
2005 LEADERS RATTLERS DRAGONS
PASSING Germaine: 113-71-5, 901, 17 TDs Garcia: 91-56-1, 642, 14 TDs
RECEIVING Burley: 31-375, 12 TDs Horacek: 13-194, 5 TDs
RUSHING Trentadue: 4-25, 0 TDs White: 9-22, 3 TD
TACKLES Lawson: 26.0 Angel: 23.5
SACKS Hutch: 2.0 Owen: 1.5
INTERCEPTIONS Thomas, Gatewood: 1 Parker: 3
KICKING Brenner: 14-15 PAT; 2-2 FG; 20 PTS Bironas: 19-22 PAT, 1-3 FG, 22 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 53.5 PPG (6) ;281.2 YPG (9) 51.3 PPG (10); 220.7 YPG (17)
TEAM DEFENSE 56.0 PPG (14); 253.0 YPG (4) 45.0 PPG (6); 286.3 YPG (10)



LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (3-1) AT COLORADO CRUSH (2-2)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, AT 3 P.M. ET
(TV: NBC – BOB PAPA, RAY BENTLEY & RYAN CHIAVERINI)

So far this season, 65 total yards separate Crush QB JOHN DUTTON (1,044) and Avengers QB JOHN KALEO (981)... Dutton has thrown at least four touchdowns in each of his three games against the Avengers as a member of the Crush... This game features two of the best kickers in the AFL... Avenger K REMY HAMILTON leads the League in points by a kicker (62) and has only missed two PATs and one field goal all season... Crush K CLAY RUSH ranks No. 2 in the League in points by a kicker (48) and kicked the longest field goal of the season (55 yards) against Orlando in Week 1... After failing to score more than 70 points in their first two seasons in the AFL, the Crush have scored 70-or-more points in both of their wins this season... With a win Sunday, the Avengers can tie the team's second-longest winning streak (4) and come within one game of tying their longest winning streak (5)... In two career games against the Avengers as a member of the Crush, OS DAMIAN HARRELL has recorded 285 receiving yards and seven TDs... Over the last two seasons, Harrell leads all receivers in TDs (54) and is tied with OS MARCUS NASH of the Gladiators for first in points scored (324)...Harrell has caught a TD pass in 37 straight games which is the longest active streak in the AFL... The Crush and Avengers both made the playoffs last season and both lost to the Arizona Rattlers.

2005 LEADERS AVENGERS CRUSH
SERIES LEADER Los Angeles leads 2-1
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-2
LAST GAME Won vs. San Jose, 71-69 Lost vs. Columbus, 56-68
2005 LEADERS AVENGERS CRUSH
PASSING Kaleo: 128-74-3, 979, 19 TDs Dutton: 155-91-3, 1043, 22 TDs
RECEIVING Hopkins: 22-201, 2 TDs Harrell: 30-407,11 TDs
RUSHING Ford: 10-67, 2 TDs Young: 6-19, 1 TD
TACKLES Simmons: 27.5 Floyd: 35.0
SACKS Demary, Almanzar: 1.0 Young: 4.0
INTERCEPTIONS Simmons, Hopkins: 2 McKenzie: 2
KICKING Hamilton: 23-25 PAT, 13-14 FG, 62 PTS Rush: 27-30 PAT; 7-14; 48 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 54.5 PPG (5); 271.0 YPG (11) 57.5 PPG (1); 267.5 YPG (13)
TEAM DEFENSE 51.8 PPG (t-10); 344.2 YPG (17) 53.8 PPG (12); 336.0 YPG (15)

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 23, 2005


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