Midseason Mayhem: It's Anyone's Game

Published on March 19, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release

NEW YORK – As the AFL crosses the midseason point this weekend, 14 of the League's 16 teams remain within two games of first place in their respective divisions, including the 1-6 New York Dragons. The conclusion? Any team can still make the playoffs. Following is a brief midseason report on the AFL's four divisions:

EASTERN DIVISION

Detroit, Buffalo, and Las Vegas are deadlocked in a three-way tie (3-4) for first place in the East – and New York, with the League's top offense, remains in the hunt only two games back (1-6). The Division features New York's AARON GARCIA and Detroit's ANDY KELLY, the AFL's top two passers this season and all-time. Garcia's primary target is the AFL's leading scorer, Dragons' MIKE FURREY (156 points). Also among the League's top touchdown makers is Las Vegas' MIKE HORACEK (tie-No. 5, 102 points). Buffalo's second-ranked stingy scoring defense (44.0 PPG) continues to prove menacing, guided by ball hawks DWAINE CARPENTER and JOJO POLK.

SOUTHERN DIVISION

Known as the ‘black-and-blue' division, rivalries among teams in the South run deep. Orlando (6-1), led by QB CONNELL MAYNOR, sits atop the division with Tampa Bay (5-2) and Georgia (5-2) close behind. The Storm – with impressive performances from OS FREDDIE SOLOMON (tie-No. 5, 102 points) – have won four straight, handing the Predators their first loss of the season last week. Boasting the second-best rushing offense led by FB/LB DAN CURRAN (8 rushing scores), the Georgia Force and its No. 1-ranked defense face Orlando this Sunday. Carolina's leading scorer BERNARD HOLMES and the Cobras are hungry for their first win.

WESTERN DIVISION

Los Angeles and defending champion San Jose stand tied (5-2) for first place in the West, while Arizona (4-3) remains just one game behind. The strength of the SaberCats' top scoring offense (64.4 PPG) is equally matched by their lethal defense and special teams, led by second-year standout DS/KR CLEVAN THOMAS, who is on track to snare an AFL record 20 interceptions this season. The Avengers trio of QB TONY GRAZIANI, WR/LB GREG HOPKINS and OS CHRIS JACKSON, continues to wreak havoc on opposing defenses (Hopkins and Jackson share 31 of 39 Graziani scoring passes). Veteran QB SHERDRICK BONNER and Rattlers – who own the best 4th-down conversion rate (75.0) – are working to extend their postseason appearance streak to 11 straight. The AFL's No. 2 scorer, Colorado OS DAMIAN HARRELL, and the Crush (1-6) are persistent in their contests, looking for a win at home this weekend to stay in playoff contention.

CENTRAL DIVISION

This is one of the closest division races going. The Grand Rapids Rampage hold a one game lead over the Dallas Desperados, while the Chicago Rush and Indiana Firebirds are two games out. The division features some of the best receiving duos in the League: Grand Rapids' TERRILL SHAW and STEVE SMITH; Dallas' DIALLEO BURKS and ANDY MCCULLOUGH; Chicago's ANTONIO CHATMAN and DAMEON PORTER; and Indiana's EDDIE BROWN and BRETT BECH.

Games for Week 8 include: Dallas Desperados at Carolina Cobras on Friday; Las Vegas Gladiators at Buffalo Destroyers, New York Dragons at Chicago Rush (NBC), Tampa Bay Storm at Indiana Firebirds, Georgia Force at Orlando Predators (NBC), Detroit Fury at Colorado Crush, Grand Rapids Rampage at Los Angeles Avengers, Arizona Rattlers at San Jose SaberCats (NBC) on Sunday.

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DALLAS DESPERADOS (4-3) AT CAROLINA COBRAS (0-7) FRIDAY, MARCH 21 AT 7:30 P.M. ET

The Desperados bring their second-ranked offense (306.3 YPG) to Charlotte this Friday to face the Cobras, who own the No. 5 pass defense, giving up 242.1 passing yards per contest. In his third season, Dallas QB JIM KUBIAK has guided his team to the second spot in the Central Division, supported by the scoring trio of DIALLEO BURKS, SHANNON CULVER and ANDY MCCULLOUGH (162 combined points). Dallas boasts the second-best turnover margin (+8) and is ranked No.2 in 4th-down conversions (71.4 percent). With a total of 10 sacks (tie-No. 3), Dallas is led by current League sack-leader TOM BRIGGS (5.5). Carolina and their third-best red zone offense (94.7 percent) are led by veteran QB ROBERT HALL (three passing scores, one rushing touchdown against Georgia last week). Cobras WR-turned-OS BERNARD HOLMES has recorded 38 receptions for 488 yards and eight touchdowns in his last four games. Holmes also ranks among the top 10 in kick returns (28 returns for 589 yards and two touchdowns in five games).

LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (3-4) AT BUFFALO DESTROYERS (3-4) SUNDAY, MARCH 23 AT NOON ET

In a logjam atop the Eastern Division with Detroit, the winner of this Sunday's Las Vegas-Buffalo matchup could potentially claim the top spot in the division. The Destroyers boast the No. 2-ranked scoring defense (44.0 PPG) and third-ranked pass defense (234.3 YPG). Led by DWAINE CARPENTER and JOJO POLK, Buffalo owns the third-most interceptions (12) among AFL teams and is second-best in interception returns for touchdowns (three). Head coach RON SELESKY has his defensive unit holding opponents on 4th-down conversions at rate of 22.2-percent (tie-No. 2). Buffalo, which ranks second for their red-zone defense (opponents have scored on 19-of-25 attempts, 76.0-percent), is tied for second-best turnover margin (+8). The Gladiators ground force ranks fifth in the AFL for rushing touchdowns (13), guided by QB JAY MCDONAGH (five) and WR/DB SEDRICK ROBINSON (four). Eleven-year veteran QB TODD HAMMEL has started the last two games for Las Vegas and is tied for fourth among all current passers in passing yards per completion (13.2). Buffalo has won the past two meetings by a combined total of nine points.

NEW YORK DRAGONS (1-6) AT CHICAGO RUSH (3-4) SUNDAY, MARCH 23 AT NOON ET

This week, New York QB AARON GARCIA will have a chance to reach career touchdown pass No. 500 after watching ANDY KELLY reach the milestone last week. Garcia, who currently has 497 for his career, threw nine last week – six to Offensive Player of the Week MIKE FURREY. Garcia has passed for 300-or-more yards in 34 of his 94 career games. If he throws for at least 300 yards this week, Garcia will have thrown for 300 yards in nine consecutive games – tying a personal-best streak that he set in 2000. Furrey has caught at least two touchdowns in each of his last 11 games – including 15 in the last four games. Chicago OS ANTONIO CHATMAN continues to be one of the hottest players in the AFL. The second-year standout has recorded nine touchdowns, while averaging 136.7 return yards over the last three games. In his second AFL game, Chicago rookie FB/LB LEVELLE BROWN set a team record for yards rushing (40), while recording two touchdowns and the first sack of his career on defense. Rush QB CHAD SALISBURY could get his second straight starting nod if the injured BILLY DICKEN is not cleared to go.

TAMPA BAY STORM (5-2) AT INDIANA FIREBIRDS (3-4) SUNDAY, MARCH 23 AT NOON ET

Tampa Bay OS FREDDIE SOLOMON leads the Storm offense in receptions (48), receiving yards (716), return yards (595), touchdowns (17) and scoring (102). Solomon has four rushing touchdowns in the last three games. Solomon is the primary target on 30 percent of the Storm's passes and nearly half of his touchdown receptions (5 of his 12) have come on first down. Storm QB JOHN KALEO has completed 48 of 65 (73.8%) passes with eight touchdowns and no interceptions on 2nd down. ADT Defensive Player of the Week OL/DL AL LUCAS leads the Storm defensive line with two sacks and 10.5 tackles. The Storm defense has allowed opponents to convert 2 of 9 (22.2%) on 4th down (No. 2 in the AFL). Indiana OS EDDIE BROWN has recorded at least one reception in every game he has played – a span of 108 games. The former Offensive Player of the Year has tallied at least one touchdown in 102 of those 108 games. Sixth-year WR/DB JAYJONES leads Indiana by recording a reception 82 percent of the time when he is the intended receiver.

GEORGIA FORCE (5-2) AT ORLANDO PREDATORS (6-1) SUNDAY, MARCH 23, NOON ET

Orlando suffered its first loss of the season last week at the hands of Tampa Bay, but will be prepared when they face Southern Division opponent Georgia this Sunday. Patrolling the backfield are KENNY MCINTYRE (45.5 tackles, two interceptions, 10 pass breakups) and REGGIE DOSTER (40.5 tackles, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one safety), leading the AFL's sixth-ranked scoring defense. Orlando has recorded the most sacks (14), led by Predators lineman E.J. BURT (four sacks, third overall). CONNELL MAYNOR continues to be an ultimate weapon for Orlando, capable passing (16 touchdowns) or rushing (four scores). The trio of targets for Maynor – TRAVIS MCGRIFF, CORY FLEMING and THABITI DAVIS – will have a battle facing Georgia's No. 1-ranked defense (225.9 YPG). The Force ranks fourth in scoring defense, giving up just 45.1 points per contest. In his sixth AFL season, KEVIN GAINES leads the Georgia "D" with 30.5 tackles, four interceptions, and nine pass breakups. Veteran Ironman FB/LB DARRYL HAMMOND and third-year FB/LB DAN CURRAN, combine for 104 points and are the team's No. 1 and No. 3 scorers, respectively. The League leader in rushing touchdowns (8), Curran leads the Force's No.2-ranked rushing offense (17 touchdowns, 29.7 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.

GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE (5-2) AT LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (5-2) SUNDAY, MARCH 23 AT 3 P.M. ET

The quarterback showdown between Grand Rapids' CLINT DOLEZEL and Los Angeles ' TONY GRAZIANI is worth the price of admission. Dolezel is 63 of 93 (67.7%) for 747 yards and 19 touchdowns and three interceptions in his last three games. The former East Texas State star needs two more touchdowns to pass WARREN MOON (435) for fourth place on the all-time professional football touchdown passing list. A battle between "dueling duos" will also take center stage – Grand Rapids' TERRILL SHAW and STEVE SMITH against Los Angeles' CHRIS JACKSON and GREG HOPKINS. Grand Rapids' Shaw is one of the hottest receivers in the AFL with 19 receptions for 295 yards and 11 touchdowns in his last three games. Shaw has caught at least two touchdowns in his last six games. Los Angeles' Jackson has recorded at least one touchdown in all 40 of his career AFL games. The Rampage have a 75% (3-of-4) recovery rate of onside kicks. Two of the three fourth-quarter recoveries have helped lead the charge for Rampage come-from-behind wins at Colorado and Dallas.

DETROIT FURY (3-4) AT COLORADO CRUSH (1-6) SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 5 P.M. ET

Detroit QB ANDY KELLY became the first professional quarterback to throw for 500 touchdowns in one league in last week's 65-57 overtime loss to New York. Kelly has spread the ball around by completing at least 20 passes to MARCUS NASH, JUNIOR LORD, TY GROVESTEEN, SULECIO SANFORD and JASON KAISER – most by any team. Colorado OS DAMIAN HARRELL is on pace to break the AFL touchdown receptions record in a season with 48 (Iowa's MIKE HORACEK with 46 in 2000). Harrell's 21 touchdown receptions so far this season have already exceeded his own personal-high of 20 he set in 2001. With 44 receptions and 701 receiving yards so far this season, Harrell is on pace to set new personal-highs with 100 receptions and 1,602 receiving yards, breaking his previous personal-highs in a season of 98 receptions and 1,340 receiving yards he set while playing for the Toronto Phantoms in 2001. Colorado WR/LB JOE DOUGLASS has an 83-catch percentage (35 receptions in 42 chances.) Crush QB JOHN DUTTON has completed 22 of 32 (68.8%) passes with eight touchdowns and two interceptions on 3rd down.

ARIZONA RATTLERS (4-3) AT SAN JOSE SABERCATS(5-2) SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 6 P.M. ET

Another one of the AFL's classic rivalries is renewed when the Rattlers play the SaberCats. San Jose and Arizona are No. 1 and 2, respectively, in interceptions this season. The SaberCat defense has picked off 17 passes, DOUG PLANK's defense has intercepted 14 passes. Ironman of the Week DS/KR CLEVAN THOMAS set a League record by tallying his seventh straight game with an interception. Thomas broke the previous mark of six that was held by Orlando's TONY SCOTT (1992), Cincinnati's FALANDA NEWTON (1993) and San Jose 's TOMMY JONES (1998). The SaberCats have recorded more interceptions (9) than starting quarterback touchdowns (8) allowed over the last three games. San Jose has a 73.6 percent (53 of 76) scoring efficiency. Arizona's HUNKIE COOPER intercepted Colorado QB JOHN DUTTON and took it 20 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of last week's 72-45 victory. It was his seventh career interception return for a touchdown, which ties him for second all-time. San Jose scores a touchdown on 69.4 percent of their possessions (No. 2 in the AFL) while allowing a league-leading 49.4 success rate for the opposition.

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 19, 2003

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• Antonio Chatman Q & A - AFL I
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