"Off the Net: Return to Week 9" - AFL Weekend Recap
June 5, 2017 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Portland Steel News Release
Soul Clinch First Postseason Bid - The Philadelphia Soul didn't play in Week 9, but they officially clinched the first-bid to the 2017 postseason. The Soul were guaranteed their spot into the "second season" by virtue of the Baltimore Brigade loss to the Tampa Bay Storm. Clint Dolezel, Dan Raudabaugh and company will have a shot at defending their ArenaBowl XXIX victory in August.
Richardson Sets Rushing Mark for Gladiators - Jeramie Richardson has only been with the Cleveland Gladiators for two weeks, but he's already in the team's record books. He finished Week 9 with 14 carries for 37 yards and three TDs. His 14 rushing attempts was the most by a player in Gladiators team history. The only other fullback to have 10+ carries in a game in Cleveland's history was Marlion Jackson, who had two games with double-digits in rushing attempts in 2008.
Most Rushing Attempts in Cleveland History Jeramie Richardson - 14 (6/3/17 at Washington) Marlion Jackson - 12 (6/7/08 vs. Chicago) Marlion Jackson - 11 (5/2/08 vs. Philadelphia)
Presto, Change-o - Michael Preston has only played in eight career games in the AFL, but he put up a half to remember against Washington on Saturday night. Preston had 10 first half receptions for 94 yards, and he went on to amass a career-high 12 receptions for 105 yards and three touchdowns.
Feelin' Forty - The Gladiators put up 40 points in the first half of their win over the Washington Valor on Saturday night. It was the most points they have scored in a first half of a game in exactly 365 days. Last year on June 3, the Glads put a 40-spot on the Arizona Rattlers. The 40-14 lead for Cleveland was its largest halftime lead since the middle of the 2014 season. The Gladiators' 24-point victory was the largest margin of victory since their 70-42 victory over the New Orleans VooDoo in Week 2 of the 2015 season.
Hills Racking Up the Records - Joe Hills recorded his fourth 100-yard game in his last five, in the Storm victory over Baltimore on Saturday night. In the process, he moved into 14th place in career receiving touchdowns, 24th place in career receptions and 25th place in career receiving yards. Not only did he score a touchdown in a 75th game in a row, three shy of the AFL record, but Hills also had a career-first on Saturday: He scored his first-ever rushing touchdown.
Arena Football League Stories from June 5, 2017
- Storm Hopes to Clinch Postseason Berth with Win over Valor - Tampa Bay Storm
- "Off the Net: Return to Week 9" - AFL Weekend Recap - Portland Steel
- Carden throws five TD's as Brigade falls to Storm - Baltimore Brigade
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