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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Final Two Undefeated Teams Look To Stay Perfect In Week Five

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


NEW YORK - The final two undefeated teams look to stay perfect as Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Saturday makes its way to Philadelphia in Week 5.

The Philadelphia Soul (4-0), No. 2 in the AFLWA rankings, host the Tampa Bay Storm (2-1), No. 5, on Saturday, March 29 at 2 p.m. ET (ESPN2 HD, ESPN360.com).

The Soul's offense did not miss a beat in its first game without starting QB TONY GRAZIANI. Backup QB MATT D'ORAZIO completed 28-of-42 passes for 338 yards and eight touchdowns as Philadelphia defeated Los Angeles (2-2), 71-34, on Thursday night.

Co-Offensive Player of the Week, WR CHRIS JACKSON, led the charge, hauling in 10 receptions for a game-high 167 yards and a League-season high six touchdowns.

The Soul have begun its season 4-0 for the second consecutive year and can reach 5-0 for the first time in franchise history with a win. Philadelphia is 2-0 all-time against the Storm at home.

Tampa Bay returns to action following its Week 4 bye and looks to bounce back after losing its first game of the season, a 76-55 decision to New Orleans in Week 3.

The Dallas Desperados (4-0), No. 1 in the AFLWA rankings all season, travel to Nassau Coliseum to face the New York Dragons (1-3) on Sunday, March 30 at 3 p.m. ET in a Mitsubishi Motors Eastern Division matchup.

Desperados QB CHRIS SANDERS completed 20-of-28 passes for 276 yards and six touchdowns as Dallas defeated the defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats (2-2), 59-56, on Saturday, ending the SaberCats 15-game home winning streak.

The Desperados are currently 32-4 in their last 36 regular-season contests, including 12 in a row and six consecutive on the road.

New York begins a three-game home stand after playing three of their first four games on the road.

Dragons WR KEVIN SWAYNE led the way for New York as he registered nine receptions for 187 yards with one touchdown in the Dragons 62-33 loss to Arizona on Friday.

The last time these teams met in New York, Dallas WR MARCUS NASH hauled in a game-high nine receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns as the Desperados outscored the Dragons 54-0 through the first three quarters en route to a 60-7 victory at Nassau Coliseum in Week 1 of 2007.

The Desperados have swept the Dragons the past two seasons and can become 5-0 for the second consecutive season with a win.

The Chicago Rush (3-1), No. 3, welcomes the Arizona Rattlers (2-2), No. 10, to Allstate Arena on Friday, March 28 at 8:30 p.m. ET (AFL NET, FSN Arizona - Delay, at 9:30 p.m. PT, CSN Chicago - Delay, 3/29 at 4 p.m. CT, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 130).

This game marks the first time Rush QB SHERDRICK BONNER will face his former team.

Bonner, who spent his previous 14 seasons as the face of the Rattlers organization, left Arizona as the team's all-time leader in passing yards (40,979), attempts (5,268), completions (3,261), and touchdown passes (829) before signing with Chicago in the offseason.

During his tenure in Arizona, Bonner led the Rattlers to five ArenaBowl appearances and was a member of two championship teams in ArenaBowls VIII and XI. With 17 passing yards, Bonner will inch closer to another record as he will pass QB CLINT DOLEZEL and move into second place all-time on the career passing yards list.

Bonner completed 23-of-31 passes for 248 yards and four touchdowns as the Rush defeated Mitsubishi Motors Central Division rival Colorado, 70-35, on Saturday.

Arizona is 3-1 all-time against the Rush, including a 56-44 victory in the team's only trip to the Windy City in 2003. With a win, the Rattlers can push their record to 3-2 for the first time since 2004.

Rattlers QB JEFF SMOKER completed 22-of-31 passes for 240 yards with five touchdowns as Arizona produced its second-highest offensive output of the season in a 62-33 win over New York on Friday.

This week's other games include: San Jose at Kansas City on Saturday (FSN Bay Area/NBC Local - Live, KSMO Local - Live), Orlando at Columbus on Saturday (AFL NET, WRDQ TV - Live, Columbus Sports Net Local - Live, CSS - Delay, 3/30 at 5:30 p.m. ET, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 130); Georgia at Utah on Saturday (CSS - Live, KJZZ Local - Live); Los Angeles at Grand Rapids on Sunday; New Orleans at Colorado on Sunday (FSN Rocky Mountain Local - Live). BYE: Cleveland

AFLWA TOP TWELVE RANKINGS

RANKING TEAM POINTS 1 Dallas Desperados (11) 198

2 Philadelphia Soul (6) 192

3 Chicago Rush 165

4 New Orleans VooDoo 150

5 Tampa Bay Storm 123

6 Cleveland Gladiators 116

7 San Jose SaberCats 115

8 Orlando Predators 92

9 Los Angeles Avengers 66

10 Arizona Rattlers 52

11 Colorado Crush 22

12 Georgia Force 16

Also receiving votes: Grand Rapids (10), Columbus (8), Utah (1)

Dropped out: New York (12)

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


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