AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Must-see matchups: week 17

Published on May 27, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


ORLANDO WR/LB CORY FLEMING vs. LOS ANGELES WR/DB KEVIN INGRAM

The Orlando Predators and Los Angeles Avengers will both be in control of their playoff destiny in a heated "win-and-in" scenario this Sunday at 4 p.m. ET on NBC. The loser of the matchup will need a loss from Austin, New York or Tampa Bay to make the playoffs. After a 3-5 start, the Predators are on fire, winning six of their last seven games.

Orlando WR/LB CORY FLEMING (6-2, 215, Tennessee), one of the League's top U.S. Army Ironman of the Year candidates, will help lead both the offensive and defensive charge for the Predators. Last week, Fleming dominated against the New York Dragons with nine receptions for 88 yards and three touchdowns, accompanied by a 49-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and 2.0 total tackles. Fleming is currently No. 2 in the league in receptions (118).

Three-way Avengers standout WR/DB KEVIN INGRAM (6-1, 195, West Chester) is second only to OS CHRIS JACKSON (6-2, 200, Washington State) in receptions (66) and touchdowns (23). Ingram, also a leading candidate for Ironman of the Year honors, leads the team in all-purpose yards (1,773), interceptions (4), tackles (68) and kickoff return yardage (861). On the defensive side, L.A. has come up with 14 interceptions, four by Ingram.

Even more at stake is that both teams could secure a top-four seed with a victory, which would mean a Quarterfinal-Round home game. Los Angeles can clinch a quarterfinal home game with a victory over Orlando and losses by Arizona and New Orleans, while Orlando can clinch a quarterfinal home game with a victory over Los Angeles and if two of the following three teams lose: Arizona, Colorado or New Orleans.

CHICAGO DEFENSE vs. COLORADO QB JOHN DUTTON AND OS DAMIAN HARRELL

To clinch the AFL's best record this Sunday at 4 p.m. ET on NBC, the Chicago Rush defense must put a stop to Colorado's tandem of QB JOHN DUTTON (6-4, 225, Nevada) and Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Year candidate OS DAMIAN HARRELL (6-3, 200, Florida State). Chicago clinches the No. 1 seed with a win and a San Jose loss this week, while Colorado fights to bring the playoffs home to Denver. Colorado can clinch a quarterfinal home game with a victory over Chicago and a loss by either Arizona or New Orleans, or with an Orlando loss and a loss by either Arizona or New Orleans.

In the last meeting of the two teams, Chicago held Colorado's offense to 35 points, their lowest offensive output of the season. Chicago's Lineman of the Year candidate JOHN MOYER (6-3, 265, Eastern Illinois) picked up a fumble and a sack, while WR/LB LINDSAY FLESHMAN (6-1, 200, James Madison) and DS COREY SAWYER (5-11, 185, Florida State) both tallied Dutton interceptions. Harrell still managed to haul in three touchdowns in the loss. Harrell ranks No. 3 in the League in scoring (246 points) and receiving yards (1,635), while Crush's Dutton has completed 323-of-506 passes for 3,929 yards, 70 TDs and seven interceptions this season.

Overall, Chicago is No. 3 in the AFL for total defense, holding opponents to an average of 250.7 yards per game, while Colorado has the No. 5 ranked total offense in the League, posting an average of 275.6 yards per game.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 27, 2004


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