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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Dallas And Philadelphia Look To Stay Perfect In Week Six

April 2, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK - For the second consecutive season, the Dallas Desperados (5-0) and Philadelphia Soul (5-0) are the two remaining undefeated teams in the AFL. Both teams look to stay perfect in Week 6 as the Mitsubishi Motors Drive to ArenaBowl XXII New Orleans heats up.

In Orlando, the Predators (3-2), No. 7 in this week's AFLWA rankings, welcome the Mitsubishi Motors Central Division leading Chicago Rush (4-1), No. 3, to Amway Arena in a rematch of ArenaBowl XX on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Sunday, April 6 at 2 p.m. ET (ESPN2 HD, ESPN360.com).

The Rush withstood a 27-point fourth quarter by the Predators to hold on and defeat Orlando, 69-61, to capture its first ArenaBowl championship in 2006. The win marked the first title for Chicago head coach MIKE HOHENSEE in his first appearance after 12 years as an AFL head coach.

Back to 2008...After beginning the season 0-2, QB SHANE STAFFORD has thrown for 839 yards with 16 touchdowns as Orlando has won three consecutive contests by an average of five points.

The Predators look to win their third consecutive home contest against the Rush dating back to 2002 and keep pace with first place New Orleans in the Mitsubishi Motors Southern Division with a win.

In his last two starts, QB SHERDRICK BONNER has completed 64 percent of his passes for 465 yards and nine touchdowns as the Rush have averaged 65 points per game and outscored opponents by 30 points. Bonner is 4-3 all-time against the Predators.

By opening its season 4-1 for the third time in franchise history, Chicago has a 1.5 game lead in the Central Division and can begin its season 5-1 for the second consecutive year with a victory.

The Utah Blaze (0-5) travel to the Wachovia Center to face the Philadelphia Soul (5-0), No. 1 in the AFLWA rankings for the first time this season, on Saturday, April 5 at 7 p.m. ET (Saturday, April 5, at 7 p.m. ET (FSN Utah - Delay, 4/6 at 5:30 p.m. ET, CSN - Philadelphia - Delay at 10:30 p.m. ET).

In the inaugural meeting between the teams, the Soul can extend its winning streak to a franchise-best six games while the Blaze hopes to end its losing streak at five with a victory.

Since taking over for injured QB TONY GRAZIANI in Week 4, QB MATT D'ORAZIO has kept Philadelphia's offense running smoothly with wins over Los Angeles and Tampa Bay.

Over two games, D'Orazio has thrown for 634 yards and 15 touchdowns as Philadelphia's offense has averaged 65 points per game.

Even though Utah's record does not reflect it, Blaze QB JOE GERMAINE is having another stellar offensive season, leading the League in passing yards (1,625) and touchdowns (33), and is projected to break his 2007 single-season record for passing yards (5,005) with 5,200 in 2008.

The Dallas Desperados (5-0), No. 2, return to the friendly confides of American Airlines Center after two games on the road to host the Cleveland Gladiators (3-1), No. 6, on Saturday, April 5 at 8 p.m. ET (Metro Sports Local - Live, ESPN360.com).

Since replacing QB CLINT DOLEZEL in Week 2, Dallas QB CHRIS SANDERS and the Desperados offense have not missed a beat defeating all opponents by an average of seven points.

The Gladiators return to action after their Week 5 bye and look to bounce back after losing their first game of the season in a 63-24 defeat to New Orleans in Week 4.

With a win, Dallas will begin its season 6-0 for the second consecutive year while the Gladiators can equal their best start in franchise history with a victory.

The San Jose SaberCats (3-2), No. 5, return to New Orleans for the first time since defeating the Columbus Destroyers, 55-33, in ArenaBowl XXI, when they face the New Orleans VooDoo (4-1), No. 4, on Saturday, April 5 at 7 p.m. ET (AFL NET, CSN Bay Area/NBC Local - Live, Cox Sports TV Local - Live).

New Orleans handed San Jose its final loss of 2007 in the form of a 67-54 defeat in Week 7. After the defeat, the SaberCats would close out the regular season with 13-consecutive wins on its way to the postseason and the ArenaBowl XXI championship.

The VooDoo is 2-0 all-time at home against the SaberCats and can extend its winning streak to five games for the second time in team history with the win.

QB DANNY WIMPRINE, who has been the starter since Week 2, has guided New Orleans to its second 4-1 start in team history (2004) and became only the sixth quarterback to win his first four starts in the process.

San Jose QB MARK GRIEB can even his record to 1-1 at arenas where he won the ArenaBowl championship the previous season with a victory.

This week's other games include: Kansas City at Georgia on Friday (AFL NET, KSMO-TV - Live, CSS - Live), Los Angeles at Colorado on Friday (SIRIUS Radio - Channel 130), Tampa Bay at Columbus on Saturday (AFL NET, Catch 47/CSS - Delay at 4 p.m. ET, Columbus Sports Net Local - Live, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 130), Grand Rapids at New York on Saturday. BYE: Arizona

AFLWA TOP TWELVE RANKINGS

RANKING TEAM POINTS 1 Philadelphia Soul (10) 208

2 Dallas Desperados (8) 206

3 Chicago Rush 174

4 New Orleans VooDoo 166

5 San Jose SaberCats 132

6 Cleveland Gladiators 121

7 Orlando Predators 112

8 Tampa Bay Storm 91

9 Grand Rapids Rampage 69

10 Georgia Force 52

11 Los Angeles Avengers 33

12 Arizona Rattlers 22

Also receiving votes: Columbus (8), Colorado (7), New York (2). Dropped out: Colorado (11)

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 2, 2008


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