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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Division Leaders Square off in Orlando

March 26, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK – The Los Angeles Avengers and Orlando Predators find themselves in an interesting position heading into Week 9. Both are tied for their respective divisional lead, but need to knock off another division leader to keep pace with the others in their own division. The Western Division-leading Avengers (6-2) travel to Orlando to play the Southern Division-leading Predators (6-2) at TD Waterhouse Centre on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on Fox Sports West 2. No games will be shown on NBC this week due to prior commitments to golf coverage.

The Avengers are currently tied with the San Jose SaberCats in the Western Division, while Orlando is in a three-way tie with the Georgia Force and Tampa Bay Storm in the Southern Division.

One of the individual spotlights will be focused on Avengers WR/DB SIAHA BURLEY. Burley was an All-Rookie performer for Orlando in 2001 and now is making a name for himself in Los Angeles by leading the Avengers in kickoff return yards (446 yards). This Sunday marks Burley's first meeting against his old team. Emerging star and February Rookie of the Month TRAVIS MCGRIFF has been filling Burley's old shoes for the Predators by gaining 510 kickoff-return yards (17.0 average).

The receiving trio of CHRIS JACKSON, GREG HOPKINS and KEVIN INGRAM have provided Los Angeles QB TONY GRAZIANI with many options in the Avenger passing game. The trio has combined for 52 receptions for 683 yards and 18 touchdowns in the last three games. Ingram, who was selected as Week 8 Ironman of the Week, also contributes on defense by leading the Avengers in tackles (35.0) and interceptions (3).

Orlando's receiving corps have been equally potent in recent games. CORY FLEMING, THABITI DAVIS and McGriff combined for 42 receptions for 611 yards and 14 touchdowns in the past three weeks. Orlando QB CONNELL MAYNOR, who is filling in for the injured JAY GRUDEN, has been perfect on 4th down this season – 2 of 2 with two touchdowns.

AFL'S TOP RECEIVING TRIOS (THROUGH WEEK 8) RECEIVERS TEAM REC YARDS TDs
Mike Furrey, Kerry Brown & Chris Anthony New York 140 1,861 45
Cory Fleming, Travis McGriff & Thabiti Davis Orlando 131 1,775 38
Chris Jackson, Greg Hopkins & Kevin Ingram Los Angeles 135 1,760 43
Dialleo Burks, Andy McCullough & Shannon Culver Dallas 137 1,705 28
Terrill Shaw, Steve Smith & Willis Marshall Grand Rapids 139 1,697 44
* Based on total reception yardage.

Other games for Week 9 include: Arizona Rattlers at Tampa Bay Storm and Carolina Cobras at San Jose SaberCats on Friday; Chicago Rush at Grand Rapids Rampage, Indiana Firebirds at Dallas Desperados and Georgia Force at Las Vegas Gladiators on Saturday; Detroit Fury at Buffalo Destroyers, Colorado Crush at New York Dragons on Sunday.

ARIZONA RATTLERS (4-4) AT TAMPA BAY STORM (6-2)
FRIDAY, MARCH 28 AT 7:30 P.M. ET (TV: WB 61 – TOM LEANDER and GENE NUDO)

The AFL's two winningest coaches – Tampa Bay's TIM MARCUM (149-53) and Arizona's DANNY WHITE (119-56) – go head-to-head this Friday when the Rattlers travel to Central Florida to face the AFL's best scoring defense (41.2 PPG) in the Storm. Led by offseason acquisition WR/DB OMARR SMITH and DS COREY SAWYER (four interceptions combined last week at Indiana), the Storm has held four of it's last three opponents (all wins) to an average of 26.5 points and boasts the No. 3 pass defense. In those four contests, Tampa Bay has outscored the opposition by an average of 26.5 points. The Storm own the second-best turnover margin (+8) and have the sturdiest defense on 3rd- and 4th-down conversion, 19 stops on 43 attempts (36 percent). JOHN KALEO's primary scoring target has been OS FREDDIE SOLOMON (102 points, No. 8 overall), but the Storm rushing offense has been equally effective, scoring eight touchdowns in its five-game winning streak on the strong play of FB/LBs DAVID WHITE and BASIL PROCTOR. Arizona's defense, led by WR/DB RANDY GATEWOOD (No. 2 in AFL, seven interceptions), will work to shake up Tampa Bay and pressure Kaleo, who has only been sacked five times this season. The Rattlers front line has protected QB SHERDRICK BONNER well to date (allowed just six sacks), but will battle against the Storm's pass rush (13 sacks, No. 3 overall). Bonner spread the scoring wealth around last week, connecting with veteran WR/LB HUNKIE COOPER, second-year standout WR/DB ORSHAWANTE BRYANT and Gatewood for two or more touchdowns apiece. Arizona is tough on 4th-down conversions, tied for tops with San Jose, advancing on 6-of-8 attempts (75.0 percent).

CAROLINA COBRAS (0-8) AT SAN JOSE SABERCATS (6-2)
FRIDAY, MARCH 28, AT 7:30 P.M. ET

San Jose SaberCats WR/DB BARRY WAGNER has made at least one reception in 146 of his 147 career games played -- including a streak of 99 consecutive contests, from June 21, 1996 to present. (Indiana's EDDIE BROWN holds the record with 109 from May 21, 1994 to present.) His first reception this week will make him the second player to reach the 100-consecutive game plateau. San Jose QB MARK GRIEB is 78-of-119 passing with 19 touchdowns on 1st down situations. Veteran WR/LB JAMES ROE is the main target in 32-percent of the SaberCats total pass plays. The former Norfolk State Spartan has caught the ball all four times the SaberCats have thrown his way on 4th down – including two touchdowns. Second-year DS CLEVAN THOMAS needs two interceptions to tie the team single-season record and three to tie the League single-season mark. Carolina OS BERNARD HOLMES has three straight 100-yard receiving games and is the primary receiver on 21-percent of the Cobras passing attempts. The former Texas A&M-Kingsville standout has 76-percent (47 receptions in 76 chances) reception rate, which ranks him No. 5 in the AFL for receivers with over 20 receptions. Carolina QB ROBERT HALL set a franchise record with four rushing touchdowns in last week's 47-42 loss to Dallas. A win by the SaberCats would mark their 18th straight home victory and 14th straight during the regular season (19 straight home regular-season victories is the AFL record set by Orlando from 1992 through 1995.)

CHICAGO RUSH (3-5) AT GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE (5-3)
SATURDAY, MARCH 29 AT 7:30 P.M. ET (TV: FOX SPORTS CHICAGO – TOM DORE and JOHN JURKOVIC) (TV: WXSP-GRAND RAPIDS – JOE PARSON and TOM SULLIVAN)

Central Division foes battle for divisional position when the Rush travel to Van Andel Arena to play the Rampage. Grand Rapids QB CLINT DOLEZEL has been distributing the ball evenly to his three favorite targets – TERRILL SHAW (51), STEVE SMITH (45) and WILLIS MARSHALL (43). The trio ranks second in the AFL among trios combined receptions. Dolezel, who passed WARREN MOON (435) for 4th place on the all-time professional football passing touchdown list (440), has thrown at least five touchdowns in his last seven games. Against the Rush, Dolezel has completed 84-of-143 passes for 1,056 yards, 23 touchdowns and two interceptions in four regular-season games. Grand Rapids Head Coach MICHAEL TRIGG recently grabbed his 70th AFL coaching victory. The milestone has only been reached by five coaches (TIM MARCUM, DANNY WHITE, PERRY MOSS, JOHN GREGORY and Trigg.) Chicago QB BILLY DICKEN has completed 72-of-121 passes for 1,067 yards, 25 touchdowns and two interceptions in four regular-season games against Grand Rapids. The former Purdue standout is 2-of-3 passing in 4th-down situations. Second-year OS ANTONIO CHATMAN is the primary target on 32-percent of the Rush's passing attempts and leads the AFL in all-purpose yards (1,716).

INDIANA FIREBIRDS (3-5) AT DALLAS DESPERADOS (5-3)
SATURDAY, MARCH 29 AT 8:30 P.M. ET (TV: UPN INDIANA – ARI WOLFE, CHARLES ARBUCKLE and JACOB VANRYN) (TV: UPN DALLAS – BILL JONES, MICKEY SPAGNOLA and TONY MCGEE)

Dallas second-year WR/LB ANDY MCCULLOUGH catches the ball 71-percent of the time when he is the intended receiver and six of his 11 touchdowns have come on 1st-down situations. Dallas WR/LB DIALLEO BURKS is the primary target on 27-percent of the Desperados passing attempts and half of his touchdowns (5) come on first down situations. Dallas QB JIM KUBIAK has a perfect (4 of 4) success rate on 4th-down situations. Indiana OS EDDIE BROWN is the primary target in 29-percent of the Firebirds passing plays. Indiana's EVAN HLAVACEK leads the Firebirds in tackles with 38.0 and pass deflections with nine in leading a strong Indiana defense. He has sparked the Firebirds' special teams play as well, returning 30 kickoffs (7th in AFL) for 659 yards (8th in AFL) and three touchdowns (Tied-1st in AFL) on the season. The Firebirds are 3-0 in games where they lead at halftime. Indiana has stiffened up their pass defense in recent weeks, giving up an average of 219 yards through the air during the past three weeks. They currently rank fifth in pass defense throughout the AFL (242 YPG) having intercepted seven passes, two that have been returned touchdowns.

GEORGIA FORCE (6-2) AT LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (4-4)
SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 10:00 P.M. ET

Georgia head coach MARTY LOWE brings the Force's No. 1-ranked defense (222.9 YPG) to Las Vegas to face the Gladiators 4th-ranked offense (282.6 YPG). The Force is second in scoring defense, giving up just 44.0 points per contest. In his sixth AFL season, KEVIN GAINES leads the Georgia "D" with 30.5 tackles, four interceptions, and nine pass breakups to date. Veteran FB/LB DARRYL HAMMOND and third-year FB/LB DAN CURRAN continue to challenge opposing offenses and brush off defenders, combining for 116 points this season, as the team's No. 1 and No. 3 scorers, respectively. Curran, tied for the League lead in rushing touchdowns (8), and FB/LB TRAVIS REECE guide the Force's third-ranked rushing offense (18 touchdowns, 26.4 YPG). In addition, when firing on all cylinders, Georgia QB DONNIE DAVIS has potent targets SCOTT THOMAS, TYRONNE JONES and MARKEITH COOPER to boost the Force passing game. The Gladiators allow opponents to advance on 3rd-down conversion a League-best 39.5-percent (tie) of the time (17-of-43 attempts). The Las Vegas ground force ranks fifth in the AFL for rushing touchdowns (14), guided by QB JAY MCDONAGH (six) and WR/DB SEDRICK ROBINSON (four). This marks the first time the two squads have met. Five-year veteran OS MIKE HORACEK leads the Gladiators scoring efforts (120 points, tie-No. 5), including four scores in his last two contests.

DETROIT FURY (4-4) AT BUFFALO DESTROYERS (3-5)
SUNDAY, MARCH 30 AT 3 P.M. ET

Tied for the Eastern Division lead, Detroit makes the short trip to Western New York to face the Destroyers and their No. 3-ranked scoring defense (44.8 PPG). Led by DWAINE CARPENTER and JOJO POLK, Buffalo owns the fourth-most interceptions (13) among AFL teams and is second-best (tie) in interception returns for touchdowns (three). Head coach RON SELESKY has his defensive unit holding opponents on 4th-down conversions at rate of 27.3-percent (No. 2). Buffalo, sitting at the No. 3 position for their red-zone defense (opponents have scored on 23-of-29 attempts, 77.8-percent), is tied for third-best turnover margin (+8). Guarded by a strong protective line (allowed League-best two sacks), Fury QB ANDY KELLY continues to guide his 3rd-ranked red zone offense (93.0 percent) with targets like MARCUS NASH (14 touchdowns) and SULECIO SANFORD (9). Detroit also owns the fourth-best 4th-down conversion percentage, advancing on 7-of-10 attempts (70-percent). Fury special teams play is directed by DS/KR RON CARPENTER, who leads the AFL in kick returns with 1,292 yards (two touchdowns, tie-No. 4). The Fury's top defender, Carpenter has 53.0 tackles (No. 2 overall), seven pass breakups, an interception, a force fumble and a pair of fumble recoveries. With a win this week, it will mark the first time that the Fury have recorded three road victories in one season.

COLORADO CRUSH (1-7) AT NEW YORK DRAGONS (2-6)
SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 3 P.M. ET

When Colorado travels to Long Island to face the Dragons, they'll be met by the League's best offense (336.2 YPG) and a pair of top contenders for Offensive Player of the Year honors. New York QB AARON GARCIA is completing a League- and career-best 70.1-percent of pass attempts and remains on pace for a record-setting 122-touchdown, 5,472-yard passing performance this season. Garcia's main go-to guy has been the AFL's scoring leader OS MIKE FURREY (192 points), throwing in the direction of this second-year standout on 34-percent of his attempts. New York boasts the No. 2 red zone offense, scoring on 27-of-29 possessions inside the 10-yard line (93.1 percent). The Dragons' "D" continues to climb the ranks each week and stepped up to make game-winning defensive stops in their last two contests. DONVETIS FRANKLIN is New York's top defender with 45.5 tackles, two interceptions, 10 pass breakups, and one forced fumble. In what could prove to be a high-scoring contest, Colorado QB and ArenaBowl XVI MVP JOHN DUTTON leads the Crush's fifth-ranked pass offense (264.5 PPG) and ranks third individually on the passing yards list (2,144). Dutton's primary target has been OS DAMIAN HARRELL (No. 2 scorer, 150 points). Colorado owns the second-best percentage on 3rd-down conversions (57.5), advancing on 23-of-40 attempts this season. Crush WR/DB CHARLIE DAVIDSON continues to produce on both sides of the ball with seven scoring catches, 29.5 tackles, eight pass breakups, a forced fumble and one interception.

LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (6-2) AT ORLANDO PREDATORS (6-2)
SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 3 P.M. ET (TV: FOX SPORTS WEST 2 – BILL MACDONALD and ARTIE GIGANTINO)

Inside "The Jungle" this Sunday, Los Angeles' fourth-ranked scoring offense takes on the Orlando's fourth-ranked scoring defense. Los Angeles is in a two-way tie for the Western Divsion lead; it's a three-way tie for Orlando in the South. The Avengers offense, led by QB TONY GRAZIANI and receiving tandem of OS CHRIS JACKSON (AFL's No. 3 scorer, 140 points) and WR/LB GREG HOPKINS, are clicking on all cylinders, posting 56.0 points per game. Los Angeles ranks fourth in red-zone offense (scoring on 36-of-39 attempts) and boasts the toughest kickoff coverage (15.9 yards/return). Wide receiver/defensive back KEVIN INGRAM leads all Los Angeles defenders with 35.0 tackles, three interceptions, four pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Policing the backfield for Orlando are the AFL's top tackler KENNY MCENTYRE (55.5 tackles, two interceptions, 11 pass breakups, one fumble recovery) and REGGIE DOSTER (45.5 tackles, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one safety), limiting opponents to an average 44.9 points each week. Orlando is tied for the most sacks this season (15, Dallas), led by Predators lineman E.J. BURT (five sacks, No. 2 overall). CONNELL MAYNOR continues to be a powerful weapon for Orlando, capable passing (20 touchdowns) or rushing (four scores). Maynor's own receiving trio – TRAVIS MCGRIFF, CORY FLEMING and THABITI DAVIS – have combined for 61 percent of the Predators scoring output (248-of-407 points).



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 26, 2003


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