Crush tops Schutt Sports Top 12 Poll
January 24, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
The defending champion Colorado Crush is the preseason pick to win the Arena Football League title, receiving nine first-place votes in the Schutt Sports Top 12 Poll.
Members of the Arena Football League Writers Association (AFLWA) vote in the poll.
Colorado, which went 10-6 last season, totaled 171 points to edge the No. 2 Georgia Force (11-5), which received five first-place votes and 168 points. Both teams met in last year's ArenaBowl. The No. 3 San Jose SaberCats (9-7) received the remaining first-place vote.
The Crush opens this season at home against the No. 5 Chicago Rush (9-7), Georgia hosts the No. 8 Orlando Predators (10-6), and San Jose entertains the expansion Utah Blaze.
At No. 4 was the Tampa Bay Storm (10-6), which is at the No. 7 Philadelphia Soul (6-10). The No. 6 Dallas Desperados (8-7-1) hosts the No. 12 Kansas City Brigade, an expansion team comprised of many of the New Orleans VooDoo players, who went 9-7. New Orleans shut down operations after Hurricane Katrina.
The No. 9 Los Angeles Avengers (10-6) is at home against the Arizona Rattlers (7-9). Finally, the No. 11 Nashville Kats (6-9-1) are at the No. 10 New York Dragons (10-6).
Schutt Sports, the sports gear company with a reputation for innovation, is sponsoring this season's Top 12 Poll. Its website is www.schuttsports.com.
The AFLWA, founded at the start of the 2004 season, is a national organization made up of media members who cover the Arena Football League. Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review-Journal is the AFLWA's founder and executive director. The website is www.aflwa.com.
1. Colorado Crush (9) 171
2. Georgia Force (5) 168
3. San Jose SaberCats (1) 117
4. Tampa Bay Storm 108
5. Chicago Rush 106
6. Dallas Desperados 92
7. Philadelphia Soul 80
8. Orlando Predators 74
9. Los Angeles Avengers 71
10. New York Dragons 54
11. Nashville Kats 48
12. Kansas City Brigade 27
Also receiving votes: Arizona Rattlers 18, Las Vegas Gladiators 17, Utah Blaze 9, Austin Wranglers 6, Columbus Destroyers 2, Grand Rapids Rampage 2.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 24, 2006
- Utah Blaze game notes - Utah Blaze
- Las Vegas Gladiators game notes - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Philadelphia Soul game notes - Philadelphia Soul
- AFLWA announces Preseason All-AFL Team - AFL I
- Crush tops Schutt Sports Top 12 Poll - AFL I
- B.J. Cohen Named to AFLWA Preseason All-AFL Team - Kansas City Brigade
- Fox Sports Net Rocky Mountain to televise nine Crush games in 2006 - Colorado Crush
- San Jose SaberCats game notes - San Jose SaberCats
- Rattlers and FSN Announce 2006 TV Schedule - Arizona Rattlers
- Grand Rapids Rampage game notes - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Arizona Rattlers game notes - Arizona Rattlers
- Storm Sign NFL-Vet Dogins - Tampa Bay Storm
- Los Angeles Avengers game notes - Los Angeles Avengers
- Predators Setting Franchise Records, Off the Field - Orlando Predators
- Columbus Destroyers game notes - Columbus Destroyers
- Chicago Rush game notes - Chicago Rush
- Off the field, Predators enjoying record-breaking season - Orlando Predators
- Rattlers Set to Launch 2006 Season - Arizona Rattlers
- 2006 AFL NBC/FSN Television Schedule - AFL I
- Castillejos Wins Rush National Anthem Contest - Chicago Rush
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