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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Must-see matchups: week five

March 4, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


Trailing 46-41 with one minute and no timeouts remaining last week, Chicago Rush WR/LB ETU MOLDEN (6-2, 195, Montana) returned an Indiana on-side kick 14 yards for a TD, helping secure a wild, come-from-behind 49-46 win against the Indiana Firebirds before 12,189 fans at Conseco Fieldhouse. In his first AFL season, Molden has recorded 17 receptions for 168 yards and a team-high six receiving TDs. He is Chicago's leading scorer this season, totaling seven TDs for 44 points. With the help of WR/LB LINDSAY FLESHMAN (6-1, 200, James Madison), Molden will lead the Rush against Philadelphia this Sunday at Noon ET on NBC.

It may be more difficult for Molden to score down the field against Philadelphia this week: the Soul boasts the No. 1 defense inside the 20 with 16 possessions, 53 points, 7 TDs and 2 FGs allowed. The Soul has also allowed only 51.4 percent of opponent passes to be completed. Two members of the Soul defense are tied at No. 2 for INTs in the League. WR/DB DEAUNTAE BROWN (5-10, 195, Central State-OH) has 2 INTs for 17 yards and is also the Soul's third leading tackler with 15.0, also recording six pass breakups. DS JOE TODD (5-9, 180, Mississippi Valley State) shares the No. 2 spot on the League list for most INTs with 2. In Week 3, Todd was voted ADT Defensive Player of the Game after he picked off Columbus QB JOHN RAYBORN in the Soul endzone.

SAN JOSE DS CLEVAN THOMAS vs. NEW YORK OS WILL HOLDER

San Jose DS CLEVAN THOMAS (5-10, 195, Florida State) has something to aim for this week against New York. The two-time ADT Defensive Player of the Year needs 1 INT to bring his career INTs to 20, and is closing in on the team's career lead for INTs. His 19th career pick moved him within five of tying PAT MCGUIRK for the club's all-time lead. Thomas got his first INT of the season and returned it 43 yards for a score in San Jose's win over Grand Rapids on Feb. 28. It was the fourth INT return TD in Thomas' career, giving him the SaberCats' career lead in that category. Thomas was the last SaberCat to return the opening kickoff for a TD when he went 55 yards against New York on June 22, 2002.

Thomas will be hoping to cause some chaos among the Dragons offensive lineup this week, especially New York OS WILL HOLDER (6-0, 192, Monmouth). Tied for No. 2 in the League with 9 TD catches and tied for No. 2 in points (60), the former New York practice-squad player is flourishing with AARON GARCIA (6-1, 195, Sacramento State) as his QB. Holder leads the team with 23 receptions for 322 yards, both ranking him in the top 10 of League leaders. Holder was named the Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game Week 3 vs. Dallas catching nine passes for 105 yards with four TDs. Game time Sunday will be Noon ET on NBC.

LAS VEGAS QB CLINT DOLEZEL vs. GEORGIA QB LEON MURRAY

Las Vegas QB CLINT DOLEZEL (6-5, 205, East Texas State) has had a busy couple of weeks. If it wasn't enough that Dolezel became only the fourth quarterback in AFL history to pass for over 25,000 yards in Week 3 against the Grand Rapids Rampage, he came back in Week 4 to complete his 500th TD pass against the New Orleans VooDoo. Dolezel was named the Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts in leading the Gladiators to a 50-30 win over the previously-unbeaten expansion VooDoo. He completed 22-of-32 passes for 224 yards and four TDs with no INTs. He also ran for two scores in the Gladiators win. It was the ninth time in has career that Dolezel has earned AFL Player of the Week honors.

Up against some stiff QB competition, Force QB LEON MURRAY (6-3, 212, Tennessee State) will hope to use his rushing skills to snap a six-game home losing streak that dates back to March 15, 2003. Murray is dominating both the air and ground, ranking No. 2 in rushing among all QBs with 51 yards on 13 carries, scoring four TDs on the ground. Murray stands No. 6 overall in the AFL rushing category. Kickoff this Sunday will be Noon ET on NBC.

TAMPA BAY OS FREDDIE SOLOMON vs. NEW ORLEANS OS AARON BAILEY

The hottest game in the south, the New Orleans VooDoo (3-1) will battle the Tampa Bay Storm (2-2) this Sunday at 11 a.m. CT on NBC to remain atop of a competitive Southern Division. The teams boast two of the best offensive specialists in the League, with the VooDoo's AARON BAILEY (5-11, 190, Louisville) and the Storm's FREDDIE SOLOMON (5-11, 185, South Carolina State).

Solomon proved his value to the Storm offense on Sunday against Philadelphia. Solomon entered the game as the league's leading scorer with 10 TD receptions. He was held to just one TD catch in the game, but became resourceful when he found the endzone a total of three times, twice on rushing plays. The rushing TDs were Solomon's first two of the season. He continues to lead the AFL in scoring with 78 points (13 TDs: 11 receiving and two rushing), three TDs ahead of his nearest challenger. Additionally, Solomon enters Week 5 with 22 catches for 260 yards and 11 TDs, giving him one TD reception for every two catches.

In New Orleans, Bailey is still casting spells on opponents as the VooDoo's main go-to guy this season. Bailey ranks as one of the top scorers in the League with seven receiving TDs. Bailey has also posted two 100+ yard receiving games (140 vs. PHI on 2/08 and 128 vs. IND on 2/14). He is ranked No. 9 in League receptions with 24 for 339 yards, while Solomon is tied at No. 13 with 22 receptions for 260 yards.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 4, 2004


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