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Jacksonville Jumps to First Place in Coaches' Poll

May 4, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL) News Release


TULSA, OKLA. - After five consecutive weeks ranked first in the Coaches' Poll, the Arizona Rattlers (6-1) fell out of the top spot. The Rattlers lost their first game of the season to the Spokane Shock (3-4), 70-69, on Saturday night. Shock defensive lineman Khreem Smith blocked Arizona's potential game winning field goal as time expired. Arizona heads to San Jose (5-2) in another West Division showdown on Saturday, May 7 at 10:30 p.m. EST.

The Jacksonville Sharks (5-1) jumped into first place following a 76-55 home victory over the Orlando Predators (4-3). Jacksonville earned its sixth consecutive victory with the only loss coming from Arizona in Week 1. Sharks veteran quarterback Aaron Garcia threw for six touchdown passes and reached 1,000 passing touchdowns on his career. The mark is the most in professional football history. Garcia and the Sharks travel to Philadelphia (2-5) on Friday, May 6 at 7:05 p.m. EST. This will be Philadelphia's second home game of the 2011 season.

San Jose (5-2) remained in the third spot, following a Week 8 bye. The SaberCats have won three consecutive games after losing their previous two. San Jose face second-ranked Arizona in an important West Division matchup on Saturday night.

The Chicago Rush (5-2) moved into fourth position following a 50-28 victory over the New Orleans VooDoo (1-6). The Rush will now head to Tulsa (2-5) to play the Talons on Saturday, May 7 at 8:00 p.m. EST. The Predators dropped one spot, following their loss to Jacksonville. Quarterback Nick Hill and the Predators face the Tampa Bay Storm in "The War On I-4" on Friday, May 6 at 8:00 p.m. EST on NFL Network's "Arena Football Friday."

The Dallas Vigilantes (5-2) moved up two spots, after a 72-63 road win over the Kansas City Command (2-5) last week. The Vigilantes host the Iowa Barnstormers (2-5) on Saturday, May 7 at 8:30 p.m. EST.

Georgia (5-2) remained in the seven spot in the Poll, following a 58-39 home victory over the Pittsburgh Power (3-4). The Force will host the Utah Blaze (3-3) on Friday, May 6 at 8:05 p.m. EST. The Cleveland Gladiators (4-2) dropped two spots, after a 34-30 victory over the Tulsa Talons. Cleveland host the Milwaukee Mustangs (2-5) on Friday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. EST.

The Blaze remained in the ninth spot of the Poll, following a Week 8 bye. The Shock stayed at No. 10 in the Poll, after a home victory over the Arizona Rattlers on Saturday night. The defending ArenaBowl Champions will head to Pittsburgh to play the Power on Saturday, May 7 at 8:00 p.m. EST.

WEEK 8 COACHES ‚¬â„¢ POLL

RK Team (1st place votes) W-L Pts Last Week

1 Jacksonville Sharks (11) 6-1 164 2

2 Arizona Rattlers (7) 6-1 160 1

3 San Jose SaberCats 5-2 122 3

4 Chicago Rush 5-2 113 5

5 Orlando Predators 4-3 88 4

6 Dallas Vigilantes 5-2 86 8

7 Georgia Force 5-2 86 7

8 Cleveland Gladiators 4-2 67 6

9 Utah Blaze 3-3 42 9

10 Spokane Shock 3-4 41 10

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