Gladiators Jump to No. 2 in Latest Coaches' Poll
April 23, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Pittsburgh Power News Release
CHICAGO - The Cleveland Gladiators (5-0) moved up three spots to No. 2 in the latest AFL Coaches' Poll following a thrilling 52-50 win on the road against the Spokane Shock (3-2) in Week 6.
The undefeated Gladiators are 5-0 for the first time in franchise history and one of two remaining unbeaten teams. They will welcome the No. 3-ranked Pittsburgh Power (3-2) to Cleveland on Saturday. Pittsburgh's two losses this season have come at the hands of the undefeated Gladiators and Arizona Rattlers (5-0). Cleveland will host the Power at 7:00 p.m. EST Saturday on ESPN3.
The defending ArenaBowl champion Rattlers received the maximum 13 first place votes once again, retaining their spot atop the latest Poll after outlasting the Power, 73-69, in Week 6. Arizona has topped the Poll for six consecutive weeks and will host West Division foe, the San Antonio Talons (1-5) in Week 7. Kickoff is set for 9:00 p.m. EST on ESPN3.
The Spokane Shock (3-2) dropped from No. 2 to No.4 in the Poll following a last-second loss to Cleveland last Saturday. The Shock will attempt to put that behind them as they travel south to take on the Tampa Bay Storm (3-3) on Saturday. Kickoff for the "NET10 Wireless Arena Football Saturday" matchup is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST on CBS Sports Network.
After starting the year 0-3, the Philadelphia Soul (2-3) have strung together a pair of victories and now sit at the No. 5 position in the Coaches' Poll. The defending American Conference champions defeated the Jacksonville Sharks (2-3) in Week 6, 54-41. They will host the Iowa Barnstormers (3-2) on Sunday in the AFL's first televised ESPN game since 2008. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. EST on ESPN2.
APRIL 23 COACHES' POLL
Rank Team (1st Place Votes) W-L Points Last Week
1 Arizona Rattlers (13) 5-0 130 1
2 Cleveland Gladiators (1) 5-0 110 5
3 Pittsburgh Power 3-2 99 3
4 Spokane Shock 3-2 80 2
5 Philadelphia Soul 2-3 70 6
6 San Jose SaberCats 3-3 61 4
7 Orlando Predators 4-2 59 9
8 Jacksonville Sharks 2-3 56 7
9 Tampa Bay Storm 3-3 45 8
10 Iowa Barnstormers 3-2 36 --
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