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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Must-see matchups: week 15

May 13, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


LOS ANGELES QB TONY GRAZIANI and OS CHRIS JACKSON vs. NEW YORK QB AARON GARCIA and OS WILL HOLDER

With the AFL playoffs only weeks away, the Los Angeles Avengers face a "do or die" situation against the New York Dragons this Sunday at 3 p.m. on NBC. With three games remaining in the 2004 regular season and just eight playoff spots available, the Avengers (7-6) will likely need to win at least two of the three games to advance into the postseason for a third consecutive year. The Dragons (8-5) are currently holding steady among the top eight teams in playoff contention, but every game counts.

The high-powered offense of the Avengers is led by QB TONY GRAZIANI (6-3, 210, Oregon) and his counterpart OS CHRIS JACKSON (6-2, 200, Washington State). Graziani has thrown 81 touchdown passes this year, against only four interceptions. Thirty-four of those scoring tosses have gone to Jackson, who has caught at least one touchdown in every game this season.

On Sunday, Graziani will be matched up against New York's AARON GARCIA (6-1, 195, Sacramento State), who holds the AFL record with 621 career touchdown passes, and offensive specialist sensation WILL HOLDER (6-0, 192, Monmouth). Holder is tied for No. 8 in the League in scoring, with 26 total touchdowns for 156 points. The Dragon offense scored 63 points on just 24 plays last week.

The last meeting in Week 6 of 2003, the two high-scoring teams lived up to the hype; both quarterbacks had outstanding games in a 65-61 Avengers victory in New York. Graziani was 23-of-33 for 355 yards and eight touchdowns, and earned game MVP honor for his performance. Garcia also threw for eight scores, completing 31-of-42 for 326 yards. Neither quarterback threw an interception. Jackson led all receivers with 11 catches for 172 yards and four touchdowns.

DALLAS OS BOBBY SIPPIO vs. CHICAGO WR/LB ETU MOLDEN

Two of the AFL's top Rookie of the Year candidates duel it out this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC in a game with significant playoff impacts for both sides. Dallas OS BOBBY SIPPIO (6-3, 215, Western Kentucky), the 2003 af2 Ironman of the Year, must help his team secure a win this week to keep playoff hopes alive.

Thanks to his ability to make big plays at crucial times in the game, Sippio has become an intricate part of the Desperados offense. He is the League leader among rookies in receiving touchdowns (25) and yards-per-catch (15.9), No. 4 in receiving yards (889) and No. 4 in receptions (56). He is currently the Desperados team leader in receiving touchdowns, No. 3 on the team in receiving yards and receptions.

Equally threatening on offense is Chicago WR/LB ETU MOLDEN (6-2, 195, Montana), the No. 2 scoring rookie in the League, two points behind Sippio (152 to 150). Molden's solid contribution on offense has allowed Chicago to stay in the No. 2 spot for the playoffs. Molden leads all rookies and is No. 9 overall in the AFL in receptions (83) and is tied for No. 10 overall in receiving yards (1,034.)

Scoring may be more difficult for Molden this week against Dallas; The Desperados held the Rush to 36 points in the first meeting last year, the third lowest points allowed total in club history. The series is tied at 2-2. Two of Dallas' four all-time overtime games have been against Chicago. The last time the two teams played in Week 12 of 2003, it was a 60-54 OT victory in Chicago for the Desperados.

COLORADO QB JOHN DUTTON and OS DAMIAN HARRELL vs. INDIANA QB ADRIAN MC PHERSON and OS ANTHONY HINES

The focus of this matchup between two playoff-minded teams this Sunday at 3 p.m. on NBC may be the return of former Indiana head coach MIKE DAILEY to Conseco Fieldhouse, but on the field it will be a battle of touchdown connections.

Colorado QB JOHN DUTTON (6-5, 210, Nevada) has guided the Crush offense by connecting on 274-of-434 passes (63.1 percent) for 3,312 yards, 60 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Dutton, who is known for his arm strength and leadership ability, has one of the AFL's most-lethal weapons with OS DAMIAN HARRELL (6-3, 200, Florida State). The former Seminole (89 receptions for 1,359 yards and 35 TDs) has defensive coordinators spinning with his great hands and deep-threat ability.

Indiana head coach MIKE WILPOLT arguably has the best rookie connection in the AFL – QB ADRIAN MC PHERSON (6-3, 175, Florida State) and OS ANTHONY HINES (5-11, 185, Winston Salem State). McPherson, who is one of the leading candidates for Rookie of the Year, has all the tools – quickness, pocket presence and arm strength – along with the impressive numbers (2,779 yards, 50 passing and 18 rushing TDs). Hines (68 receptions for 928 yards and 16 TDs) has quickly become his favorite target because of his ability to get open and make the tough catch.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 13, 2004


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