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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Must-see matchups: week two

February 12, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


CHICAGO DEFENSE vs. NEW YORK QB AARON GARCIA

New York Dragons QB AARON GARCIA (6-1, 195, Sacramento State) has his work cut out for him in Week 2 when he goes up against the rock-solid and record-setting Chicago Rush defense on Saturday, February 14 at 3 p.m. ET on NBC. The 92 passing yards and 107 total yards given up by the Rush defense in last week's game against the Grand Rapids Rampage are the fewest given up in Rush franchise history. The Rush defense recorded 3.0 sacks and forced three turnovers (two INTs and one fumble). DS COREY SAWYER (5-11, 185, Florida State) equaled his career high with eight tackles during the game, and six-time All-Arena performer OL/DL JAMES BARON (6-4, 260, Virginia Tech) got his first sack of the season. Baron ranks No. 5 on the AFL's career sack leaders list with 34.5 career sacks. OL/DL JOHN MOYER (6-3, 265, Eastern Illinois) is the Rush's career (13.0) and single-season (9.0) leader in sacks. Moyer earned first-team All-Arena and All-Ironman team honors in 2003.

Fresh off his 2,100th AFL completion last week, Garcia hopes to hand Chicago their first loss of the season. While battling against Chicago in Week 8 in 2003, the All-Arena QB threw his 500th career TD and became the second AFLer in history (after Detroit QB ANDY KELLY) to hit the 500-TD mark. Garcia finished 2003 leading the AFL with his second 100-touchdown season in three years. He also was ranked No. 2 in completion percentage (68.7), No. 2 in pass rating (125.8), No. 4 in completions (349) and No. 4 in yards (4,279). In the upcoming game against the Rush, Garcia will be looking for his go-to guys, WR/LB CHRIS ANTHONY (6-3, 200, Iowa State), who is just 79 yards shy of 1,000 receiving yards for his career and U.S. Army Ironman of the Week WR/DB WILL HOLDER.

INDIANA OS MIKE HORACEK vs. NEW ORLEANS OS AARON BAILEY

Indiana OS MIKE HORACEK (6-2, 200, Iowa State), who led the AFL in receptions each of the last two seasons (135 in 2003 and 118 in 2002), will look to lead the Firebirds to victory in New Orleans on Saturday, February 14 at 3 p.m. ET on NBC. The former Cyclone lived up to his reputation when he caught six receptions for 59 yards and two TDs against Columbus in Week 1. After suffering a 54-48 loss to the Destroyers, the 2000 Offensive Player of the Year and the Firebirds are still after their first road win of the season. If Indiana wins, it will result in New Orleans first franchise loss.

Horacek will face some tough competition from former Carolina Cobras OS AARON BAILEY (5-11, 190, Louisville). In the two seasons Bailey played with the Cobras, he led in scoring (234), TDs (38), receptions (150), receiving yards (2,017), TD receptions (37) and 100-yard receiving games (9). Bailey sparked the VooDoo offense with nine receptions for 140 yards and two TDs against the Philadelphia Soul last week. Bailey earned Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game honors as the VooDoo overcame an eight-point deficit in the first half to defeat the Soul, 42-34.

LOS ANGELES QB TONY GRAZIANI vs. LAS VEGAS QB CLINT DOLEZEL

Two high-powered offenses with gun-slinging QBs go head-to-head this week in what is becoming the hottest rivalry in the Western division on Saturday, February 14 at noon PT on NBC. In their first-ever meeting last season, Avengers QB TONY GRAZIANI (6-2, 215, Oregon) threw for seven TDs and ran for one more as the Avengers topped the Gladiators, 60-48.

Defeating the Arizona Rattlers, 51-32, on Sunday at America West Arena in Phoenix, Graziani completed 14-of-27 for 214 yards and six TDs against the Arizona Rattlers, hitting five different receivers for scores. The Avengers, now listed as amongst the favorites to win ArenaBowl XVIII, are one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the league. They averaged 57.8 points last season and could be even more potent in 2004.

Throwing for 290 yards, six TDs and one INT against the Avengers in 2003, former Grand Rapids Rampage QB CLINT DOLEZEL (6-5, 205, East Texas State) will be looking for his first win wearing a Gladiators uniform this Saturday. Dolezel is currently winless (0-2) against the Avengers franchise. Last week, Dolezel scored TDs on his first three drives against the Crush. He is 10 TDs shy of 500 for his career.

If Los Angeles wins, it will be their 10th victory in their last 14 road games. If Las Vegas emerges victorious, it will give them a 1-1 series record against the Avengers and their first win of the season.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 12, 2004


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