Must-see matchups: week two
Published on February 3, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
PHILADELPHIA QB TONY GRAZIANI vs. CHICAGO QB RAYMOND PHILYAW
It will be a shootout in Chicago when Philadelphia QB TONY GRAZIANI (6-3, 210, Oregon), a 2004 First-Team All-Arena performer, and the Soul (1-0) travel to Allstate Arena to face "The Franchise" QB RAYMOND PHILYAW (6-1, 200, NE Louisiana) and the Chicago Rush (0-1), Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on NBC.
Philadelphia's big offseason acquisition delivered in last week's convincing 66-35 victory over the Austin Wranglers (0-1) when he completed 24-of-37 passes for 352 yards and 8 TDs and kept his season opener record perfect (4-0). Graziani's quick release and ability to protect the ball make him one of the most dangerous gunslingers on turf. Teamed with Week 1 U.S. Army Ironman of the Week WR/LB SEAN SCOTT (6-2, 200, Millersville) and OS STEVE SMITH (5-9, 170, Utah State), the Soul will look to have opponents singing the Blues in 2005.
"The Franchise" (3,053 yards, 52 TDs and 4 INTs in 2004) is known as a possession quarterback that doesn't make mistakes and wants to get his team back to the postseason for a shot at ArenaBowl XIX Las Vegas. With targets like All-Rookie WR/LB ETU MOLDEN (6-2, 195 Montana) and OS HENRY DOUGLAS (6-0, 175, North Carolina A&T), Philyaw hopes to avenge last year's 53-47 loss to the Soul in Week 5 that gave the Rush their first loss of 2004.
NEW YORK QB AARON GARCIA vs. DALLAS QB CLINT STOERNER
In New York, "Century Man" QB AARON GARCIA (6-1, 195, Sacramento State) leads the New York Dragons against Eastern Division rival Dallas Desperados (1-0) and sharp-shooting rookie QB CLINT STOERNER (6-2, 210, Arkansas) at the Nassau Coliseum this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on NBC.
Garcia is the only quarterback in professional football history to reach the century mark in touchdown passes for a single season when he accomplished the feat in 2001 (104) and 2003 (100). The trio of OS KEVIN SWAYNE (6-0, 200, Wayne State NE), WR/LB MIKE HORACEK (6-2, 190, Iowa State) and WR/DB WILL HOLDER (6-0, 192, Monmouth) give Garcia a full arsenal to choose from.
In his AFL debut, Stoerner connected on 26-of-40 passes for a League-high 398 yards, with six touchdowns and no interceptions in Dallas' thrilling 66-65 overtime victory against Chicago last week. His stable of receivers â WR/DB WILL PETTIS (6-0, 195, Midwestern State), WR/LB JASON SHELLEY (6-2, 192, Central State OH) and BOBBY SIPPIO (6-3, 215, Western Kentucky) â are regarded as one of the best trios in the AFL.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 3, 2005
- Los Angeles Avengers game notes - Los Angeles Avengers
- Quick hitters: week two - AFL I
- Must-see matchups: week two - AFL I
- AFL games televised internationally - AFL I
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
