Georgia Force game notes
April 18, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release
QUICK FACTS
Dallas Desperados (10-2) at Georgia Force (7-5)
Date: April 22, 2006
Kickoff: 4:00 pm (ET)
Site: Philips Arena (18,200)
Television: OLN (Ari Wolfe: play-by-play, Charles Arbuckle: analyst)
Radio: WQXI 790 AM The Zone (David Hubbard: play-by-play, Chuck Oliver: color analyst)
Coaches: Doug Plank, Georgia (20-11, 2nd Year)
Will McClay, Dallas (24-19-1, 3rd Year)
Series Record: Regular season series is tied 1-1 and Georgia leads the postseason series 1-0
2003 @ Georgia 55, Dallas 56 (5/10)
*Georgia 49, @ Dallas 45 (5/24)
2005 @ Georgia 63, Dallas 56 (5/24)
* Wildcard Playoff Round
THE OPPONENT
The Dallas Desperados are 10-2 through 12 weeks, the best record in the AFL. Last week, Dallas defeated Grand Rapids, 55-25. The win clinched a playoff berth for the Desperados. Six of Dallas' 10 wins have come on the road where the Desperados are 6-0 on the season.
QB Clint Dolezel is the uncontested leader of the Desperados. Dolezel has thrown for 3,547 yards by connecting on 279-of-425 passes for 79 touchdowns. Though Week 12, Dolezel is the leading candidate for league MVP. Dallas also has one of the AFL's best WR/DB's in Will Pettis. Pettis leads the team in interceptions (6) and has contributed 72 catches for 990 yards and 20 touchdowns on offense.
THE GAME
The Force return home to face the Dallas Desperados on Saturday, April 22, at 4 p.m., in Philips Arena. Georgia returns from a three game road trip against Southern Division opponents, with the Force finishing 2-1 on the road trip. Last week, Georgia came up short against the Orlando Predators, 57-41, falling to 5-3 against divisional opponents.
Georgia will be looking to return to its winning ways against the team with the best record in the AFL. The Dallas Desperados are 10-2 through Week 12 and clinched a playoff berth last week by defeating Grand Rapids, 55-25. The Force and the Desperados look to be evenly matched both offensively and defensively through 12 weeks. Both teams can put points on the board, as well as stop teams from scoring. Georgia is ranked third in the league in scoring offense, averaging 55.4 points per game while Dallas is ranked first (56.9). The two teams have each scored a total of 95 touchdowns trough Week 12, tying them for first in touchdowns scored. The defenses can hold their own also, with Georgia allowing just 45.8 points per game on defense, ranking them fourth in the league and Dallas is ranked first in the league giving up 43.0 points per game.
The game will feature two of the best quarterbacks in the league. Georgia's QB Matt Nagy is ranked first in QB rating (127.8) and Dallas' Clint Dolezel is second (125.3). Nagy ranks second in the league in completion percentage (71.4) while Dolezel's 65.6 completion percentage ranks him tenth in the league. Dolezel has thrown for a league high 79 touchdowns through Week 12 and Nagy has thrown for 62, ranking him fifth.
2006 SOUTHERN DIVISION STANDINGS
TEAM W L T PCT.
Orlando 8 4 0 .667
Austin 8 4 0 .667
GEORGIA 7 5 0 .583
Tampa Bay 6 6 0 .500
Kansas City 2 10 0 .167
WEEKLY PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Date Day Time
4/17 Monday OFF
4/18 Tuesday 11:30-1:00 p.m.
4/19 Wednesday 11:00-1:00 p.m.
4/20 Thursday 11:00-1:00 p.m.
4/21 Friday 10:00-11:00 a.m.
*All players and coaches will be available for interviews
GEORGIA FORCE NEXT WEEK
Georgia will host the Chicago Rush next Saturday, April 29, at 7 p.m., in Philips Arena. The Force are currently 3-2 at home and are 0-1 against Central division opponents.
The Rush are 4-8 through 12 weeks after falling to Arizona, 61-42, last week.
THE SCHEDULE
GEORGIA FORCE (7-5)
Date OPPONENT RESULT SCORE
Jan. 28 ORLANDO W 48-31
Feb. 5 COLORADO L 61-59
Feb. 10 @ Tampa Bay L 61-60
Feb. 17 @ Las Vegas W 54-34
Feb. 24 KANSAS CITY W 51-19
March 4 AUSTIN L 53-52
March 10 @ Columbus W 68-50
March 17 @ San Jose L 56-55
March 26 TAMPA BAY W 61-51
April 1 @ Kansas City W 55-47
April 9 @ Austin W 61-29
April 14 @ Orlando L 57-41
April 22 DALLAS
April 29 CHICAGO
May 6 @ New York
May 13 PHILADELPHIA
CONNECTIONS
Georgia offensive coordinator Steve Thonn served in the same capacity with Dallas in 2004 and 2003...Force FB/LB Kevin Aldridge played one season with the Desperados in 2004...Georgia FB/LB Robert Thomas was a member of the Dallas Cowboys from 1998-2002...Dallas OL/DL Jeff Chase played for Georgia in 2003...Desperados OL/DL Larrell Johnson went to training camp with the Force in 2004.
STATISTICS
A look at how Georgia and Dallas match-up on both sides of the ball based on statistics through Week 12 of the 2006 AFL season:
Statistical GEORGIA DALLAS
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 3rd 55.4 1st 56.9
Scoring Defense 4th 45.8 1st 43.0
Total Offense (yds/g) 13th 279.6 2nd 313.3
Total Defense (yds/g) 17th 298.9 7th 276.7
Pass Offense 9th 263.9 3rd 297.1
Pass Defense 15th 278.7 10th 267.8
Rushing Offense 11th 15.7 10th 16.2
Rushing Defense 11th 20.2 1st 8.9
Pass Rating 1st 126.2 2nd 125.3
Pass Def. Rating 8th 104.0 1st 92.3
Kickoff Returns 8th 17.5 12th 16.3
MFG Returns 6th 22.3 18th 9.3
Interceptions (int-yds) 14th 10-183 3rd 17-245
Turnover Margin 3rd +6 1st +11
Field Goals 6th 6-11 7th 7-13
PAT Kicking 16th 75-90 7th 86-95
Sacks By (sks-yds) 2nd 19-117 7th 14-77
Sacks Against (sks-yds) 5th 8-48 2nd 2-6
First Downs 13th 223 8th 241
Opp. First Downs 17th 258 8th 229
Penalties (yds/gm) 8th 41.8 17th 48.8
Opp. Penalties (yds/gm) 18th 31.8 13th 39.6
Red Zone Offense 2nd 48-56 15th 41-54
Red Zone Defense 5th 52-67 7th 42-54
Time of Possession 18th 27:38 15th 29:22
INDIVIDUAL COMPARISONS
FORCE DESPERADOS
Passing Yards
Nagy...............3,184 Dolezel.................3,547
Touchdown Passes
Nagy...................62 Dolezel......................79
Rushing Yards
Thomas...............96 White........................83
Receiving Yards
Jackson............1,037 Shaw....................1,081
Receiving TDs
Jackson................26 Shaw.........................28
Points Scored
Jackson...............180 Shaw.......................180
Interceptions
Brown.....................4 Pettis...........................6
Sacks
Smith....................5.0 Weatherington.........5.0
HEAD COACHES
DOUG PLANK, Georgia (20-11, 2nd Year): Doug Plank enters his second season as head coach of the Georgia Force in 2006. In his first season as an AFL head coach, he led the Force on a magical ride to ArenaBowl XIX. Plank was voted 2005 AFL Coach of the Year after leading the Force to a league best 11-5 regular season record and a 13-6 record overall.
The 11-5 mark was the best record in franchise history (previous best 8-8 in 2003), and secured the Force's first Southern Division Championship and the number one seed in the playoffs. The Force went on to win the inaugural National Conference Championship game by defeating the Orlando Predators 60-58. The victory secured the Force's place in ArenaBowl XIX.
Plank has coached in four straight ArenaBowls. He helped lead the Arizona Rattlers to three previous ArenaBowls as their defensive coordinator. In his final season with the Rattlers, the team finished with an 11-5 record and earned the top seed in the AFL playoffs.
A former member of The Ohio State University football team, Plank played in three consecutive Rose Bowls (1973-75). While at Ohio State, he played for legendary coach Woody Hayes.
Plank brings with him a wealth of football experience that includes an impressive career in the NFL. He was selected by the Chicago Bears in the 12th round of the 1975 NFL Draft and started at safety for eight seasons. The "46 Defense" created by Buddy Ryan was named for Plank's jersey number and aggressive style of play. Plank was also the first Bears rookie to ever lead the team in tackles.
He has prior broadcasting experience with the Sports USA Radio Network, Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State University Football, Fox Sports Net, and Westwood One.
Plank and his wife, Nancy, have two children, Andrea and Michael.
WILL McCLAY, Dallas (24-19-1, 3rd Year): Will McClay begins his third season at the helm of the Dallas Desperados. McClay was named the Desperados head coach on February 5, 2004, just three days prior to kicking off the 2004 season. In McClay's second season leading the Desperados, he improved the club's 6-10 finish in 2004 to 8-7-1 last season and will continue to work to bring the club the successes they had in their first two seasons in the league.
In addition to his head coaching responsibilities, McClay is the club's defensive coordinator. His defense finished the 2005 season with the league's stingiest defense in opponents completion percentage, allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete just 58.0% of their passes. His defense finished second in the league in passing yards-per-game allowed (238.3) and third in the league in yards-per-game allowed (261.8).
McClay was a four-year letterman and team captain as a defensive back at Rice (1985-88), starting every game of his collegiate career. He graduated in 1990 with a degree in political science.
LAST TIME THESE TEAMS MET
Georgia vs. Dallas
ATLANTA, GA - The Georgia Force (11-4) defeated the Dallas Desperados (7-7-1), 63-56, to finish the regular season a perfect 8-0 and become the first team in AFL history to go undefeated at home since the League extended its regular-season schedule from 14 games to 16 games prior to the start of the 2003 season. The victory also pushes the Force's home winning streak to 10 games and keeps the club's overall record at a League-best 11-4.
Georgia QB Matt Nagy threw a career-high nine touchdown passes on 25-of-32 for 307 yards with one interception. The Force were also paced by WR/LB Chris Jackson, who finished with a game-high 12 receptions for a new Georgia single-game record 173 receiving yard and five touchdowns. For Dallas, QB Clint Stoerner threw for 237 yards and four touchdowns on 24-of-32 passing.
Both teams traded scores in a see-saw battle as each quarterback threw four touchdown passes in the first half. Nagy found OS Troy Bergeron on a 14-yard strike with 18 seconds left in the second quarter to pull the score to 27-26. Force K Nelson Garner would miss the ensuing PAT attempt as Dallas clung to a one-point lead. The Desperados would try to tack on three more points before the half ended, but K Carlo Martinez's 53-yard attempted missed wide left.
Georgia built the game's largest lead at 13-points, 48-35, in the third quarter when Nagy found WR/DB Rob Carey in the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown- Carey's first career AFL score. In the fourth quarter, the Desperados scored 14-straight points to regain the lead at 49-48, capped by a 22-yard interception return for a touchdown by DS Jermaine Jones. With four minutes left in the game, Jackson scored his fifth receiving touchdown of the contest on a 20-yard pass from Nagy to put the Force up 63-56. The Georgia defense then stepped up to force a turnover-on-downs by the Desperados on their ensuing possession securing the win for the home team.
Score 1 2 3 4 Final
Dallas 7 21 7 21 56
Georgia 7 20 21 15 63
LEADERS
Passing
DAL- Clint Stoerner, 24-32-237-4
GA- Matt Nagy, 25-32-307-9
Receiving
DAL- Will Pettis, 10-105-1
GA- Chris Jackson, 12-173-5
Rushing
DAL- Duke Pettijohn, 4-26-1
GA- Rob Carey, 1-11
Offensive Player of the Game: Matt Nagy, Georgia
ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Derek Lee, Georgia
U.S. Army Ironman of the Game: Chris Jackson, Georgia
LAST WEEK
Georgia at Orlando
ORLANDO, FL- The Georgia Force fell to the Orlando Predators, 57-41, dropping to 7-5 on the season and finishing the season 5-3 against Southern Division opponents. Next week, the Force will return home to face the Dallas Desperados on Saturday, April 22, at 4:00 p.m., in Philips Arena.
The Force began the game with the ball, but the drive stalled after QB Matt Nagy was sacked on third down by Predators' OL/DL Henry Taylor and Georgia K Nelson Garner's 55-yard field goal attempt fell short on fourth down. Orlando answered with a three play drive resulting in a one-yard touchdown run by FB/LB Marlon Moye-Moore. On Georgia's ensuing possession, FB/LB Kevin Aldridge pounded the ball in the end zone from one-yard out, tying the score at seven. The quarter ended with the Predators at Georgia's one-yard line and the game tied at seven.
Orlando began the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown run by FB/LB Idris Price. The first passing touchdown of the game came on a 17-yard pass from Nagy to OS Chris Jackson, tying the game at 14. Moye-Moore scored his second rushing touchdown of the game from four-yards out giving the Predators a 21-14 lead with five minutes remaining in the quarter. The Force answered with a 15-yard strike from Nagy to WR/LB Jamin Elliott with 2:39 remaining in the half. Orlando QB Joe Hamilton threw his first touchdown pass of the game to WR/DB Javarus Dudley from 33-yards out. Predators K Jay Taylor missed the ensuing extra point, giving Orlando a 27-20 lead over the Force. Nagy threw his third touchdown of the game to his third different receiver in WR/LB Derek Lee, Garner connected on the extra point giving Georgia their first lead of the game 28-27.
The Predators opened the second half with a five play drive capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by Dudley. Three plays later the Force answered with a 38-yard laser from Nagy to Elliott-Elliot's second touchdown grab of the game. The two teams continued to trade scores throughout the quarter with Georgia leading Orlando 38-37 at the end of the third quarter.
Hamilton threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to WR/LB Jerrian James to open the fourth quarter. Georgia's offense was held out of the end zone on their ensuing possession for the second time of the game. The Predators capitalized on the stop when Hamilton hit OS Jimmy Fryzel from 28-yards out. The score stretched Orlando's lead to 12, 50-38, with 8:42 left in the game. After the Fryzel score, Georgia could never pull closer as the Predators defeated the Force, 57-41.
Score 1 2 3 4 Total
Georgia 7 21 10 3 41
Orlando 7 20 10 20 57
LEADERS
PASSING:
GA- Matt Nagy, 25-35-256-4-1
ORL- Joe Hamilton, 20-26-339-4-0
RECEIVING:
GA- Chris Jackson, 12-141-1
ORL- Javarus Dudley, 7-121-1
RUSHING:
GA- Kevin Aldridge, 2-5-1
ORL- Javarus Dudley, 4-10-1
OFFENSIVE MVP: Joe Hamilton, Orlando
DEFENSIVE MVP: Kenny McEntyre, Orlando
IRONMAN: Javarus Dudley, Orlando
FORCE RECORD BREAKERS
Current Force Players who hold franchise records
SERVICE
Most Games Played (regular season)
57 Jermaine Smith, 2002-03, 2005-Present
SCORING
Points, Career
322 Derek Lee, 2005-Present
Points, Game
42 Chris Jackson, vs Tampa Bay, 3/26/06
Points, Season
208 Derek Lee, 2005
PASSING
Touchdowns, Career
128 Matt Nagy, 2005-Present
Touchdown, Game
9 Matt Nagy vs. Dallas, 5/14/05
Touchdown, Season
66 Matt Nagy, 2005
Yards, Career
6,187 Matt Nagy, 2005-Present
RUSHING
Yards, Career
469 Robert Thomas, 2004-Present
Yards, Season
228 Robert Thomas, 2004
Attempts, Career
123 Robert Thomas, 2004-Present
Attempts, Game
8 Robert Thomas vs. New Orleans, 1/30/05
Touchdowns, Career
26 Robert Thomas, 2004-Present
Touchdowns, Season
13 Robert Thomas, 2004
RECEIVING
Yards, Game
192 Derek Lee at San Jose, 3/17/06
Yards, Career
2,278 Derek Lee, 2005-Present
Receptions, Career
207 Derek Lee, 2005-Present
Receptions, Game
15 Derek Lee, at Tampa Bay, 2/10/06
Receptions, Season
113 Derek Lee, 2005
Touchdowns, Career
52 Derek Lee, 2005-Present
Touchdowns, Game
6 Derek Lee at New York, 3/12/05
Chris Jackson vs. Tampa Bay, 3/26/06
Touchdowns, Season
33 Derek Lee, 2005
DEFENSE
Tackles, Career
232.0 Willie Gary, 2003-Present
Tackles, Season
96.5 Chris Brown, through Week 12 of 2006
Sacks, Career
17.5 Jermaine Smith, 2002-03, 2005-Present
Sacks, Season
5.5 Jermaine Smith, 2003
Interceptions, Game
3(three times) Last time: Chris Brown vs. Las Vegas, 2/17/06
ON THE HORIZON
Force franchise records to keep an eye on
PASSING
Touchdowns, Season
66 Matt Nagy, 2005
62 Matt Nagy, through Week 12 of 2006
RECEIVING
Receptions, Season
113 Derek Lee, 2005
94 Derek Lee, through Week 12 of 2006
Touchdowns, Season
33 Derek Lee, 2005
26 Chris Jackson, through Week 12
DEFENSE
Sacks, Season
5.5 Jermaine Smith, 2003
5.0 Jermaine Smith, through Week 12
Interception Return Yardage, Season
135 Ron Carpenter, 2002
90 Chris Brown, through Week 11 of 2006
THE FORCE THIS SEASON ARE
3-2 at home
4-3 on the road
0-1 vs. Central Division
1-0 vs. Eastern Division
5-3 vs. Southern Division
1-1 vs. Western Division
3-3 on Fridays
2-1 on Saturday
2-1 on Sundays
1-0 in January
2-2 in February
2-2 in March
2-1 in April
0-0 in May
5-4 in televised games
6-3 when leading at the half
1-0 when tied at the half
0-2 when trailing at the half
7-3 when leading after three quarters
0-1 when tied after three quarters
0-1 when trailing after three quarters
0-0 outcome 7 points or less
0-4 outcome 3 points or less
0-1 overtime games
5-1 when the Force scores first
2-4 when opponent scores first
THINGS TO WATCH
SETTING THE BAR HIGH
Lee: In Week 8, WR/LB Lee surpassed former Force OS Markeith Cooper as the franchises all-time scorer (304) with his touchdown grab in the first quarter against San Jose. Lee also passed Cooper as Georgia's all-time leader in receiving yards (2,051) in week eight. Lee registered 192 yards receiving against San Jose, setting the franchise record for receiving yards in a single game (Chris Jackson: 173 vs. Dallas, 5/14/05).
Jackson: In Week 9 against Tampa Bay, OS Chris Jackson recorded 10 receptions for 124 yards for six touchdowns on offense and added two kickoff returns for 75 yards and one touchdown. His seven touchdowns was a Force franchise record in a single-game, surpassing teammate Derek Lee's record of six that he set on 3/12/05 at New York. The 42 points that Jackson scored are also a new Force single-game high, passing Lee's 36 points. Jackson was named AFL Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against Tampa Bay.
Nagy: In Week 10, QB Matt Nagy surpassed former Force QB Leon Murray as the franchises all-time leader in passing yards. On his first completion of the game with a 28-yard pass to WR/LB Jamin Elliott, Nagy passed Murray (5,382) with 5,398 yards as a member of the Georgia Force. He finished with 295 yards in the game and with 5,665 yards passing as Georgia's quarterback.
Brown: Last week, DS Chris Brown became Georgia's single-season tackle leader with 96.5 through 12 weeks. Brown passed DS Willie Gary's 91.5 set last year. Brown recorded 5.5 tackles against Orlando last week.
MAN ON FIRE
Force QB Matt Nagy has produced monster numbers in the past six weeks. In the last six games, Nagy has thrown for 1,588 yards, 34 touchdowns and one interception. In Week 11, Nagy completed 23-of-30 passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns in the Force's, 61-29, victory. The Force are 4-2 in those games and Nagy shows no signs of cooling off.
Nagy's last five weeks
Opp. Comp. Att. Yds TD INT
3/10/06 @CB 23 27 210 7 0
3/17/06 @SJ 22 36 324 7 0
3/26/06 TB 23 27 237 8 0
4/1/06 @KC 25 30 295 5 0
4/9/06 @AUS 23 30 258 3 0
4/14/06 @ORL 25 35 256 4 1
Totals 141 185 1,580 34 1
PULLING AWAY
The Force are ranked second in the league in scoring differential through 12 games. Georgia has scored 624 points, while their opponents have scored only 492 points, a difference of 132 points.
Scoring Differential
Rank Team Point Differential
1 Dallas 167
2 GEORGIA 116
3 Colorado 42
SOPHOMORE STUD
WR/LB Derek Lee is having no part of a "sophomore slump". After a tremendous rookie season in 2005 when he set an AFL rookie record with 113 receptions (105 by Mike Baker-St. Louis, 1996), Lee is continuing to be an unstoppable force. Lee set a franchise record for receptions in a single game in Week 3 at Tampa Bay by hauling in 15 receptions. In Week 8, Lee recorded a franchise-high 192 yards receiving in a single-game on 11 catches for five touchdowns. Lee is tied for fourth in the league in receptions (94), in addition to recording 1,021 yards and 19 touchdowns through 12 weeks of the season. Lee was named AFL U.S. Army Ironman of the Week in Week 11 for his performance against Austin. Lee recorded six catches for 104 yards and a touchdown on offense and added two tackles and an interception on defense.
SACK MASTER
Georgia's OL/DL Jermaine Smith has recorded 17.5 sacks as a member of the Force. The 17.5 sacks with the Force makes him the all-time leader in sacks in franchise history. In Week 9 against Tampa Bay, Smith recorded two sacks, including a safety late in the first half. Last week against Orlando, Smith recorded 1.5 sacks and three total tackles. Smith has 5.0 sacks through 12 games this season.
NEW ARRIVALS
Last season, Force rookies OS Troy Bergeron and WR/LB Derek Lee led the Force to ArenaBowl XIX. In 2006, rookies DS Chris Brown and WR/DB Jamin Elliott look to help the Force return to the ArenaBowl.
Chris Brown: Brown leads the league in tackles (96.5), in addition to his four interceptions and has seven pass defensed through 12 games. In Week 4 at Las Vegas, Brown tied a franchise-high with three interceptions in a
single-game, returning two of the three for touchdowns. In Week 5 versus Kansas City, Brown collected his fourth interception of the season and his third returned for a touchdown. Brown has returned his last three interceptions for touchdowns. Due to his performances against Las Vegas and Kansas City, Brown was named AFL Rookie of the Month for January/February. In Week 8, Brown led the team with 10.5 tackles at San Jose.
Jamin Elliott: Elliott, who played college football at Delaware with Force QB Matt Nagy, recorded his first touchdown in the AFL in Week 4 at Las Vegas. He registered four receptions for 77 yards and three touchdowns en route to a 54-34 Force victory. Elliott registered his first 100-yard receiving game Week 5 versus Kansas City. He hauled in 10 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown in Georgia's 51-19 victory over Kansas City. Elliott added four scores against Columbus in Week 7, three receiving touchdowns and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. In Week 12, Elliott registered eight catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns and added 5.5 tackles on defense at Orlando.
EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE
Georgia's high octane offense is the most efficient in the AFL. The Force have scored on 101-of-134 (75.37%) possessions through 12 weeks, ranking them first in the league.
Overall Scoring Percentage
Team Rank Poss. TD FG Scores Score%
GEORGIA 1 134 95 6 101 75.37
Los Angeles 2 139 77 22 99 71.22
Dallas 3 145 95 7 102 70.34
ACTION JACKSON-BY THE NUMBERS
It is amazing to look how much OS Chris Jackson has done in just over six seasons. Here is a look at what the seven-year veteran has accomplished in 87 career regular season AFL games.
85 games with at least one TD
84 games with at least one receiving TD
60 games with at least two TDs
38 games with at least three receiving TDs
19 games with at least four receiving TDs
46 100-yard receiving games
25 games with 10+ receptions
* Only player to win the AFL Rookie of the Year (2000) and later capture AFL Offensive Player of the Year (2003).
"ROCK" SOLID
Force FB/LB Robert (Red Rock) Thomas ranks third among fullbacks in rushing touchdowns through 12 games.
Rank Team Name TD's
1 San Jose Phil Glover 10
2 Orlando Marlon Moye-Moore 10
3 Georgia Robert Thomas 7
3 Columbus Harold Wells 7
PICK SIX
The Force defense has returned six interceptions for touchdowns through Week 12. The six interceptions returned for touchdowns is a franchise record for a single-season. The previous mark was four in a single-season. The AFL single-season record is seven, which has been accomplished three times (last time: San Jose, 2003).
DS Chris Brown has recorded four interceptions on the year, including three straight returned for a touchdown. In Week 1, DS Nate Coggins and WR/DB Nick Ward returned interceptions for touchdowns in a 48-31 win over Orlando. Last week, rookie WR/LB Jamin Elliott returned his first career interception 36 yards for a touchdown en route to a 61-29 win over Austin.
Interceptions Returned for Touchdowns
Opp. Player Yds.
Orlando Nate Coggins 18
Orlando Nick Ward 20
@Las Vegas Chris Brown 32
@Las Vegas Chris Brown 4
Kansas City Chris Brown 49
@Austin Jamin Elliott 36
YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOARD
The Georgia Force are ranked third in the league in scoring offense through 12 weeks. Georgia is averaging 55.4 points per game.
Scoring Offense
Rank Team PPG
1 Dallas 56.9
2 Colorado 56.1
3 GEORGIA 55.4
4 San Jose 54.4
SEEING RED
The Force's red zone offense is ranked second in the league through 12 weeks. Georgia is scoring 85.7% of the time in the red zone, including 45 touchdowns and three field goals.
Red Zone Offense
Rank Team Scoring %
1 Los Angeles 93.1
2 GEORGIA 85.7
3 San Jose 84.2
4 Tampa Bay 83.1
KEEP UP THE PACE
Here is a look at how several Force players project for the remainder of the season.
QB Matt Nagy
Comp. Att. Yds TD
Through Week 12 277 388 3,184 62
Projected Totals 369 517 4,245 83
OS Chris Jackson
Rec. Yds TD
Through Week 12 85 1,037 26
Projected Totals 113 1,382 35
WR/LB Derek Lee
Rec. Yds TD
Through Week 12 94 1,021 19
Projected Totals 125 1,361 21
DS Chris Brown
Tkls INT PD
Through Week 12 96.5 4 7
Projected Totals 128.5 5 9
HOLDING THEIR OWN
The Force defense has held their own when it comes to scoring points. Georgia's defense has scored 11 touchdowns through 12 weeks. They have recovered five fumbles for touchdowns and have returned six interceptions for touchdowns. Orlando and Columbus have scored the second most defensive touchdowns with six.
AFL HISTORY 101
Georgia Force players and their place in AFL History.
* QB Matt Nagy currently ranks first in career completion percentage in AFL history. Nagy's 68.0 completion percentage leads San Jose's Mark Grieb (66.1) and Chicago's Matt D'Orazio (66.1).
* Nagy is also currently ranked second in career QB rating in AFL history. In the 20 year history of the AFL, Nagy's 120.44 rating ranks him only behind San Jose's Mark Grieb (123.95).
* OS Chris Jackson ranks third in all-time scoring in AFL history. Jackson has scored 1,350 points in just over six and a half seasons. AFL greats Barry Wagner (2,392) and Eddie Brown (2,070) are ahead of Jackson on the list.
* Jackson also ranks fifth all-time in receiving touchdowns in AFL history. He has recorded 212 career receiving touchdowns, placing him behind Eddie Brown (303), Barry Wagner (264), Cory Fleming (234) and Damian Harrell (231) on the all-time list.
* Jackson has recorded 9,198 yards receiving, ranking him seventh on the AFL's all-time list. Jackson is 688 yards away from number six on the list Damian Harrell (9,886) of the Colorado Crush.
LEAGUE AWARD WINNERS
AFL Rookie of the Week
DS Chris Brown- Week 4
AFL Rookie of the Month
DS Chris Brown- January/February
AFL Offensive Player of the Week
OS Chris Jackson- Week 9
AFL Ironman of the Week
WR/LB Derek Lee- Week 11
WORKING WITH LESS
The Force offense has scored the most touchdowns in the league through 12 weeks, despite running the fewest number of offensive plays in the league. Georgia has scored 95 touchdowns, while running 474 total plays from scrimmage.
MOVING THE CHAINS
Georgia's offense is ranked first in the AFL in third down conversion percentage through Week 12. The Force have converted on 42-of-66 third downs, good for a 63.6% clip. Colorado ranks second, converting 56.1% of their third downs.
Team Conv. Att Pct.
GEORGIA 42 66 63.6
Colorado 46 82 56.1
Dallas 38 69 55.1
Chicago 46 87 52.9
THUNDER AND LIGHTNING
WR/LB Derek Lee and OS Chris Jackson are the only receiving tandem in the league to each have over 1,000 yards receiving through Week 12.
Top five receiving tandems through Week 12
Name Team Rec. Yds TD
Lee/Jackson Georgia 94/85 1,021/1,037 19/26
Shaw/Pettis Dallas 77/72 1,081/990 28/20
Horacek/Swayne N.Y. 99/75 1,367/923 29/19
Harrell/McCullough Colorado 115/67 1,479/825 43/11
Ingram/Locke L.A. 85/66 1,007/974 26/14
WEEKLY GAME AWARD WINNERS
Offensive Player of the Game
WK TEAM PLAYER
1 GA Chris Jackson
2 COL Damian Harrell
3 TB Bobby Sippio
4 GA Jamin Elliott
5 GA Jamin Elliott
6 AUS Kevin Nickerson
7 GA Chris Jackson
8 GA Derek Lee
9 GA Chris Jackson
10 KC Chris Sanders
11 GA Chris Jackson
12 ORL Joe Hamilton
ADT Defensive Player of the Game
WK TEAM PLAYER
1 GA Kevin Aldridge
2 GA Rob Carey
3 TB Lynaris Elpheage
4 GA Chris Brown
5 GA Nick Ward
6 GA Jermaine Smith
7 GA Adam Metts
8 GA Nate Coggins
9 GA Jermaine Smith
10 GA Nate Coggins
11 GA Jamin Elliott
12 ORL Kenny McEntyre
U.S. Army Ironman of the Game
WK TEAM PLAYER
1 GA Derek Lee
2 COL Willis Marshall
3 TB Lawrence Samuels
4 GA Robert Thomas
5 GA Robert Thomas
6 GA Derek Lee
7 GA Jamin Elliott
8 SJ Phil Glover
9 TB Bobby Sippio
10 GA Kevin Aldridge
11 GA Derek Lee
12 ORL Javarus Dudley
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 18, 2006
- Kansas City Brigade game notes - Kansas City Brigade
- Los Angeles Avengers game notes - Los Angeles Avengers
- Brigade game at Nashville moved to Saturday at 7 PM - Kansas City Brigade
- Utah Blaze game notes - Utah Blaze
- Thomas named defensive player of the week - San Jose SaberCats
- New York Dragons game notes - New York Dragons
- San Jose SaberCats game notes - San Jose SaberCats
- Orlando Predators game notes - Orlando Predators
- Schutt Sports Top 12 Poll - AFL I
- Las Vegas Gladiators game notes - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Arizona Rattlers game notes - Arizona Rattlers
- Fans to participate in 2006 AFL award voting - AFL I
- Scott named AFL Ironman of the Week - Philadelphia Soul
- Colorado Crush game notes - Colorado Crush
- Georgia Force game notes - Georgia Force
- Columbus Destroyers game notes - Columbus Destroyers
- Four more teams look to clinch playoff spots this week - AFL I
- Crush's Damian Harrell named AFL's Offensive Player of the Week - Colorado Crush
- AFL names players of the week - AFL I
- Desperados visit Turner Courts Boys & Girls Club - Dallas Desperados
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