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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Must-see matchups: week three

February 20, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


SAN JOSE DS/KR CLEVAN THOMAS vs. LOS ANGELES OS CHRIS JACKSON

Reigning two-time Defensive Player of the Year CLEVAN THOMAS (5-10, 190, Florida State), who led the SaberCats to the No. 1 seed a year ago, will do his best to shutdown the L.A. fast-break connection of QB TONY GRAZIANI (6-3, 210, Oregon) and 2003 Offensive Player of the Year CHRIS JACKSON (6-2, 205, Washington State) on Sunday, February 22 at Noon PT on NBC.

Expect some action when Jackson (13 receptions, 131 yards and four TDs in 2004) is in the game. Over his four-year AFL career, the former Cougar has found the end zone 123 times in 51 games and has scored in all but one game. "Action Jackson" has scored at least two touchdowns in 16 of his last 18 games with the Avengers tallying a 13-5 record during that span.

Thomas' instincts, speed and coverage skills are the main reasons why he has been called the most feared man in any AFL secondary. He set the AFL mark with 13 INTs in 2003 and also had a record-string of seven straight games with at least one INT.

COLORADO QB JOHN DUTTON vs. CHICAGO QB RAYMOND PHILYAW

Two quarterbacks looking to make their mark on the 2003 season square off in a Central Division battle. Colorado QB JOHN DUTTON (6-5, 210, Nevada), who was named ArenaBowl XVI MVP with San Jose in 2002, has his team off to its best start ever. The former member of the Wolf Pack has OS DAMIAN HARRELL (6-3, 200, Florida State) and Week 2 U.S. Army Ironman of the Week WR/DB KEVIN MC KENZIE (5-11, 193, Washington State), who have combined for 23 receptions for 340 yards and five TDs, at his disposal.

On the other side, AFL veteran, but first-year Chicago QB RAYMOND PHILYAW (6-1, 200, Louisiana-Monroe) has his team off to an equally impressive start after spending four seasons with the Indiana Firebirds. Rush WR/DB LINDSAY FLESHMAN (6-2, 200, James Madison) and WR/DB DE JUAN ALFONZO (6-0, 205, Indiana State), who have combined for 18 receptions for 332 yards and five TDs in 2004, are the main targets for the Chicago field general. Philyaw's effectiveness has head coach MIKE HOHENSEE smiling as the former ULM standout has led the Rush offense to 16 scores on 18 possessions.

This duel of hot-handed QBs will be the Must-See Matchup on Sunday, February 22 at 2 p.m. CT on NBC.

TAMPA BAY OS FREDDIE SOLOMON vs. AUSTIN'S SECONDARY

No receiver is hotter than Tampa Bay OS FREDDIE SOLOMON (5-11, 185, South Carolina State). Fresh off an ArenaBowl XVII title in 2003, the second-year standout has defensive coordinators' already-fragile nerves on edge as he leads the AFL in scoring (48 points) and receiving touchdowns (8). With Tampa Bay QB SHANE STAFFORD (6-3, 220, Connecticut) on the other end of the passes, Solomon has found himself rising to the top of elite receivers in the AFL.

Veteran DS CEDRIC WALKER (5-11, 205, Stephen F. Austin) and WR/DB CHARLIE DAVIDSON (5-11, 195, Mississippi State) bring the pop to the Austin secondary, while rookies DS BRANDON DANIELS (5-11, 210, Oklahoma) and DS DE RON JENKINS (5-11, 190, Tennessee) are the cover specialists. The Austin defense came up big by stopping QB JOE HAMILTON on a two-point attempt in last week's 49-48 OT debut victory against the Orlando Predators, but the secondary will be put to the test this Sunday at 2 p.m. CT on NBC.

NEW ORLEANS OS AARON BAILEY vs. GEORGIA OS MARKEITH COOPER

New Orleans OS AARON BAILEY (5-11, 190, Louisville) has found a home on the Bayou. The former Cardinal (17 receptions for 268 yards and four TDs) is known for his speed and route-running ability and is among the leaders in most receiving categories. With QB JOHN FITZGERALD (6-4, 230, Tulsa) on the other end of the passes, the VooDoo offense has worked it's magic for a 2-0 start in the inaugural season.

On the other sideline, Georgia head coach MARTY LOWE looks to the smallest player in professional football to spark his squad. OS MARKEITH COOPER (5-7, 175, Auburn), a third-year veteran, set a new team record for most single-game all-purpose yards with 270 in their 70-62 victory over Tampa Bay last Saturday. With speed and shiftiness, Cooper had four receiving TDs and a 55-yard KO return for a TD on his way to earning Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Week. His five-touchdown performance was a new Force team record for most all-purpose touchdowns in a game.

This duel will be center stage Sunday, February 22 at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.

DALLAS WR/LB JASON SHELLEY vs. NEW YORK'S SECONDARY

One of the best stories out of Texas this season is the emergence of WR/LB JASON SHELLEY (6-2, 192, Central State, OH) as the go-to receiver for the Dallas Desperados. In his first two games, Shelley set numerous career marks – for receptions (10) and receiving yards (122) against Carolina in Week 1 and receiving touchdowns (3) and total touchdowns (4) in Week 2 against Philadelphia.

New York head coach TODD SHELL has a pair of ball-hawking defensive specialists who can make the secondary a dangerous place to visit. Dragons DS COREY JOHNSON (5-9, 190, Georgia), who leads the AFL in tackles (17.5), and DS DONVETIS FRANKLIN (5-11, 200, Michigan State) will look to make Shelley's visit to the Empire State an uncomfortable one on Sunday, February 22 at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 20, 2004


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