Postseason Drive To ArenaBowl XXI New Orleans Moves Into Divisional Round

July 4, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release

NEW YORK - The Mitsubishi Motors Drive to ArenaBowl XXI New Orleans moves into the Divisional Round as two teams look to make improbable playoff runs and the defending ArenaBowl Champions begin their quest to become the third team in League history to repeat as champions.

The Divisional Round begins in San Jose as the Mitsubishi Motors Western Division Champion SaberCats (13-3, 0-0) welcome the Colorado Crush (8-8, 1-0) to HP Pavilion on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Saturday, July 7, at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN360.com).

San Jose is 6-0 all-time in the regular-season against the Crush, however, Colorado defeated the SaberCats, 56-48, in the 2005 Quarter Final Round matchup at HP Pavilion on its way to becoming ArenaBowl XIX Champions.

Crush QB JOHN DUTTON completed 19-of-29 passes for 315 yards and six touchdowns as the Crush outscored San Jose 21-7 over the final 17:40 to secure the eight-point victory and advance to the Semifinal Round.

During their Week 6 matchup of 2007, SaberCats QB MARK GRIEB completed 33-of-40 passes for 352 yards and seven touchdowns as San Jose took advantage of three Crush turnovers, scoring 21 points as the SaberCats rushed to a 38-10 halftime lead on its way to a 72-44 victory.

The Mitsubishi Motors Eastern Division Champion Dallas Desperados (15-1, 0-0) host the Columbus Destroyers (7-9, 1-0) at American Airlines Center on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Saturday, July 7, at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN360.com).

Dallas has won eight consecutive games and looks to continue its winning ways against Columbus, having swept the Destroyers during the regular-season by a combined total of 11 points.

In their Week 5 meeting, the Desperados overcame a 30-point Columbus lead to defeat the Destroyers, 53-51, on a 16-yard field goal by K TODD SIEVERS as time expired.

During the Week 13 rematch, Dallas QB CLINT DOLEZEL connected with WR/DB WILL PETTIS on a six-yard touchdown pass with 2:10 remaining to secure the Desperados nine-point win.

The Desperados defense played key roles in both matchups as DB BOBBY KEYES intercepted Columbus QB MATT NAGY during late fourth quarter drives - in both games - to seal the victories.

With Nagy, the Wild Card Round Offensive Player of the Week, at the helm, Columbus looks to gain momentum from its first playoff victory in team history last Saturday, and become the first National Conference six seed since the implementation of the new playoff format in 2005 to advance to a Conference Championship game.

The Mitsubishi Motors Southern Division Champion Georgia Force (14-2, 0-0) welcomes the Philadelphia Soul (8-8, 1-0) to Philips Arena on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Sunday, July 8, at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN360.com).

Georgia QB CHRIS GREISEN completed 22-of-29 passes for 344 yards and seven touchdowns as the Force defeated the Soul, 57-49, in Week 6.

Greisen will rely on All-Arena WRs CHRIS JACKSON and TROY BERGERON as Philadelphia's defense has allowed only 52.2 points per game.

Georgia is undefeated at home this season (8-0) but an inspired Soul offense led by QB TONY GRAZIANI has won five of its last seven games.

The Divisional Round concludes as the Mitsubishi Motors Central Division Champion Chicago Rush (12-4, 0-0) hosts the Los Angeles Avengers (9-7, 1-0) on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday, July 9, at 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN360.com).

Chicago defeated Los Angeles in the Quarter Final Round of the 2005 playoffs. Rush FB/LB CHARLIE COOK scored the game-winning touchdown on a two-yard run with 3:08 remaining in the game to give Chicago the lead and FB/LB BOB MCMILLEN recovered a fumble by QB JOHN KALEO on the Rush 21-yard line with 18 seconds remaining to seal the 52-45 victory.

Chicago and Los Angeles split the season series in 2007, with the Avengers winning the second meeting on a 29-yard field goal by K REMY HAMILTON as time expired to give Los Angeles the 50-47 win in Week 14.

Led by QB MATT D'ORAZIO and WR BOBBY SIPPIO, Chicago is undefeated on Monday night's (3-0) this season and looks to rekindle last season's playoff momentum and begin its postseason title defense.

With Avengers QB SONNY CUMBIE under center, Los Angeles has won seven of its last 10 contests and hopes to continue its winning ways and advance to its first American Conference Championship game in franchise history.

To aid local TV stations, the Arena Football League will produce 15-minute satellite feeds containing playoff highlights throughout the postseason. A feed will run every day a game is played. The Wild Card and Divisional Rounds will both have three separate feeds. The Divisional Round times are: July 7, 10:30 p.m. ET, July 8, 10:30 p.m. ET, and July 9, 10:30 p.m. ET. The feed coordinates are: Galaxy 26, Transponder 21 (C-Band), Downlink Frequency: 4120 Vertical, Audio: 6.2/6.8.

COLORADO CRUSH (8-8, 1-0) AT SAN JOSE SABERCATS (13-3, 0-0)

SATURDAY, JULY 7 AT 3:00 P.M. ET

TV: ESPN - LIVE; ESPN360.COM

ANNOUNCERS: DAVE WISCHUSEN & RAY BENTLEY

CRUSH: Only win against San Jose came in 2005 playoffs, when Crush went on to win ArenaBowl XIX...Offense ranked second in fourth-down com. pct. (62.5)...Offensive-Line tied for third in fewest sacks allowed (6)...QB JOHN DUTTON ranked third in completions (396). Led team in passing yards (4,320), and touchdowns (84)...WR DAMIAN HARRELL tied for second in third-down receptions (20). Ranked fourth in scoring (282 points). Tied for fourth in receptions (132) Named to All-Arena Second Team...WR BRAD PYATT tied for third among rookies in receptions (95). Ranked fourth among rookies in yards (1,169)...FB/LB ROBERT THOMAS and OL/DL CHRIS SNYDER named to All-Ironman Team...C KYLE MOORE-BROWN was named to All-Arena First Team...Defense was tied for fifth in interceptions (20)...DB RASHAD FLOYD set AFL single-season record in tackles (156.0). Ranks second in career playoff tackles (104.0), including 14 tackles in wild card round. Named to All-Arena Second Team...DB DELVIN HUGHLEY ranked third in wild card round tackles (9.0)...K JASON BALL ranked first in field goals (17)...SABERCATS: Western Division Champions... 6-4 record in Divisional Round games...Offense ranked first in fourth-down com. pct. (65.0)...Offense ranked second in scoring (63.3)...QB MARK GRIEB ranked second in fourth-quarter passer rating (130.2), completions (398), completion percentage (70.9). Ranked third in yards (4,605), passer-rating (125.8). Ranked fourth in touchdowns (100)...WR JAMES ROE is tied for second in third-down receptions (20). Named to All-Arena Second Team...WR JASON GEATHERS named to All-Arena Team...Defense ranked first in red zone pct. (70.3), third down com. pct. (38.9)...Defense ranked second in first downs (19.4), net turnover differential (+21), scoring (47.6)...Defense ranked third in interceptions (22)...DB CLEVAN THOMAS tied for second in forced fumbles (5). Tied for third in interceptions (9)...DB CLEVAN THOMAS tied for second in forced fumbles (5). Tied for third in fumble recoveries (4). Named to All-Arena First Team...DB STEVE WATSON was named to All-Rookie Team...K A.J. HAGLUND led kickers in scoring (158 pts- 128 PATs, 10 FGs). Named to All-Rookie Team and All-Arena Second Team...

2007 LEADERS CRUSH SABERCATS SERIES LEADER LEADS 6-0 (0-1 Playoffs)

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 5-0

LAST GAME Won at Kansas City: 49-42 Won at Las Vegas: 73-46 (Week 17)

2007 LEADERS CRUSH SABERCATS PASSING Dutton: 396-645-4320-84-17 Grieb: 398-561-4605-100-13

RECEIVING Harrell: 132-1547-47 Roe: 127-1560-40

RUSHING Thomas: 29-29-9 Johnson: 44-100-9

TACKLES Floyd: 156.0 Smith: 87.5

SACKS Barno: 5 Jones: 7

INTERCEPTIONS Floyd: 9 Thomas: 9

KICKING Ball: 90-105 PAT; 17-28 FG: 141 PTS Haglund: 128-138 PAT; 10-18 FG: 164 PTS

TEAM OFFENSE 49.6 PPG (17th); 282.8 YPG (13th) 63.3 PPG (2nd); 301.0 YPG (7th)

TEAM DEFENSE 53.6 PPG (11th); 283.6 YPG (6th) 47.6 PPG (2nd); 281.3 YPG (5th)

COLUMBUS DESTROYERS (7-9, 1-0) AT DALLAS DESPERADOS (15-1, 0-0)

SATURDAY, JULY 7 AT 8:00 P.M. ET

TV: ESPN - LIVE; ESPN360.COM

ANNOUNCERS: MARK JONES & MERRIL HOGE

DESTROYERS: Offense ranked fourth in fourth-down pct. (61.3), rushing yards per game (22.9)...Offense tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns (28)...QB MATT NAGY had highest passer-rating in wild card round (144.6), completing 19-of-26 passes for 262 yards, and 5 touchdowns...WR DAMIEN GROCE led team in receiving with 118 receptions for 1,342 yards, and 26 touchdowns...FB HAROLD WELLS ranked fifth in rushing yards (197). Named to All-Ironman Team...WR/LB BJ BARRE named to All-Ironman Team...Defense leads League in fourth-down comp. pct. (22.7)...Defense tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns (1.333)...Defense ranked fifth in scoring (49.6)...DL KEN JONES ranked third in tackles for loss (13.0), sacks (9.5). Named to All-Arena First Team...DB BRANDON HEFFLIN ranked fourth in tackles (105.0). Ranked second in wild card round tackles (12.5)...DESPERADOS: Eastern Division Champions...Have won last six matchups...Offense ranked first in scoring (63.5)...Offense tied for first in third-down comp. pct. (56.3)...Offensive-Line led League in sacks allowed (4)...Offense ranked second in first downs (22.4), touchdowns (143)...QB CLINT DOLEZEL ranked second in passer-rating (128.2). Tied for second in touchdowns (107). Ranked third in completion percentage (70.4), fourth-quarter passer rating (127.1). Named to All-Arena Second Team...WR/DB WILL PETTIS ranked second in all-purpose-yards (2,781). Named to All-Ironman Team...FB JOSH WHITE ranked third in rushing yards (278). Named to All-Arena Second Team...Defense ranked second in interceptions (23), fourth-down pct. (35.9)...OL DEVIN WYMAN named to All-Arena First Team...Defense ranked third in first-downs (19.9), third-down com. pct. (43.2), take-aways (38)...DL COLSTON WEATHERINGTON ranked second in sacks (10.0). Tied for second in forced fumbles (5). Ranked fourth in tackles for loss (11.5). Named to All-Arena First Team...LB DUKE PETTIJOHN and WR/LB BOBBY PERRY tied for second in defensive fumble recoveries (4.0). Pettijohn named to All-Ironman Team and All-Arena First Team...DB BOBBY KEYES tied for first among rookies in interceptions (6). Named to All-Rookie Team...DB JERMAINE JONES tied for third in passes defensed (22). Named to All-Arena Second Team.

2007 LEADERS DESTROYERS DESPERADOS SERIES LEADER LEADS 7-1

LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 5-0

LAST GAME Won at Tampa Bay: 56-55 Won at Colorado: 77-58 (Week 17)

2007 LEADERS DESTROYERS DESPERADOS PASSING Nagy: 341-545-3557-75-15 Dolezel: 375-533-4475-107-9

RECEIVING Groce: 118-1342-26 Pettis: 130-1471-40

RUSHING Wells: 73-197-13 White: 93-278-10

TACKLES Hefflin: 105.0 Jones: 87.5

SACKS Jones: 9.5 Weatherington: 10

INTERCEPTIONS Brown: 5 Jones: 7

KICKING Martinez: 80-97 PAT; 10-20 FG: 110 PTS Sievers: 115-119 PAT; 8-13 FG: 139 PTS

TEAM OFFENSE 50.1 PPG (16th); 256.9 YPG (18th) 63.5 PPG (1st); 311.3 YPG (5th)

TEAM DEFENSE 49.6 PPG (5th); 284.4 YPG (7th) 50.4 PPG (6th); 280.3 YPG (4th)

PHILADELPHIA SOUL (8-8, 1-0) AT GEORGIA FORCE (14-2, 0-0)

SUNDAY, JULY 8 AT 7:00 P.M. ET

TV: ESPN2 - LIVE; ESPN360.COM

ANNOUNCERS: DAVE PASCH & RAY BENTLEY

SOUL: Offense ranked first in red zone pct. (89.5)...Offense tied for first in third-down comp. pct. (56.3)...Offense ranked fifth in scoring (56.3)...QB TONY GRAZIANI threw for 2,841 yards and 64 touchdowns this season...WR CHARLES PAULEY ranked fifth in all-purpose-yards (2,263)...WR LARRY BRACKINS ranked fifth among rookies in scoring (122 pts.)...OL PHIL BOGLE named to All-Arena First Team...FB/LB IDRIS PRICE named to All-Ironman Team...Defense ranked third in sacks (20)...Defense tied for fourth in takeaways (37)...DB EDDIE MOTEN ranked second in passes defensed (24). Tied for third in interceptions (9), returning 3 for touchdowns. Named to All-Arena First Team...DL DWAYNE MISSOURI is tied for second in forced fumbles (5). Tied for third in defensive fumble recoveries (4)...DL BRYAN SAVE tied for first in tackles for loss (5.0). Ranked second among rookies in sacks (4.0). Save and DL GABE NYENHUIS each had 1.5 tackles for loss in wild card round...K TODD FRANCE ranked first in touchbacks (44)...FORCE: Southern Division Champions...Offense led League in total yards (323.5), touchdowns (145)...Offense ranked third in scoring (62.9), first downs (22.1), rushing yards per attempt (3.1)...Offensive-Line tied for third in sacks allowed (6)...QB CHRIS GREISEN led League in passer rating (132.0), comp. pct. (74.0), and touchdowns (117). Ranked second in yards (4,851). Ranked fourth in completions (392). Named to All-Arena First Team...WR CHRIS JACKSON ranked second in receptions (145) yards (1,915), and scoring (306 points). Ranked third in all-purpose-yards (2,394). Named to All-Arena First Team...WR TROY BERGERON tied for fourth in receptions (132). Ranked fifth in yards (1,736). Named to All-Arena Second Team...Defense ranked first in sacks (29)...Defense ranked second in rushing yards per game (11.7)...FB UMAR MUHAMMAD ranked second in tackles for loss (14.0). Tied for fourth in sacks (8.0). Named to All-Arena Second Team.

2007 LEADERS SOUL FORCE SERIES LEADER TIED 1-1

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 5-0

LAST GAME Won vs. Orlando: 41-26 Won vs. New Orleans: 68-42 (Week 17)

2007 LEADERS SOUL FORCE PASSING Graziani: 225-362-2841-64-8 Greisen: 392-530-4851-117-12

RECEIVING Pauley: 104-1473-27 Jackson: 145-1915-47

RUSHING Ours: 39-129-8 Huebner: 34-122-5

TACKLES Moten: 89.0 Milligan: 100.0

SACKS Missouri: 6 Muhammad: 8.0

INTERCEPTIONS Moten: 9 Doster: 6

KICKING France: 105-120 PAT; 9-16 FG: 132 PTS Martinez: 47-56 PAT; 3-5 FG: 56 PTS

TEAM OFFENSE 55.8 PPG (5th); 279.1 YPG (15th) 62.9 PPG (3rd); 323.5 YPG (1st)

TEAM DEFENSE 52.2 PPG (8th); 303.6 YPG (16th) 52.3 PPG (9th); 302.8 YPG (15th)

LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (9-7, 1-0) AT CHICAGO RUSH (12-4, 0-0)

MONDAY, JULY 9 AT 8:30 P.M. ET

TV: ESPN2 - LIVE; ESPN360.COM

ANNOUNCERS: MARK JONES & MERRIL HOGE

AVENGERS: Offense ranked fourth in red zone pct. (86.8)...Offense is tied for fourth in first downs (21.9)...QB SONNY CUMBIE led AFL in Wild Card Round in touchdowns (7). Ranked first in third-down passer-rating (114.4). Ranked fifth in completions (378)...WR ROB TURNER led team in receiving yards (1,229)...FB JOSH JEFFRIES led League in rushing yards in wild-card round (18). Tied for first in scoring (24 pts.)...Defense ranked third in fourth-down com. pct. (40.6)...Defense ranked fourth in third-down com. pct. (44.7)...Defense ranked fifth in rushing yards (14.4)...DL JASON STEWART ranked second in defensive fumble recoveries (5.0). Tied for second in forced fumbles (5)...DL SILAS DEMARY had 2 sacks in wild card round. Tied for fourth in sacks (8.0). Named to All-Arena Second Team...WR/DB EDDIE CANONICO ranked first in special teams tackles (20.5)...K REMY HAMILTON ranked third among kickers in scoring (149 points- 101 PATs, 16 FGs)...RUSH: Central Division Champions...Franchise 4-1 in Divisional Round game, 2-0 at home in playoffs...Offense ranked second in red zone pct. (87.5)...QB MATT D'ORAZIO led quarterbacks in rushing touchdowns (12), and attempts (61). Ranked fourth in completion percentage (69.4)...WR BOBBY SIPPIO ranked first in scoring (318 points- 53 TDs). Ranked fourth in yards (1,739). Named to All-Arena First Team...Defense held highest net turnover differential (+26), takeaways (43)...Defense ranked first in passing touchdowns allowed (4.063), scoring (44.9), interceptions (24)...Defense ranked second in total yards per game (273.4)...DB DEJUAN ALFONZO set AFL single-season record in defensive fumble recoveries (6). Ranked first in defensive touchdowns (4). Named to All-Arena First Team and All-Ironman Team...DB DENNISON ROBINSON ranked fifth in tackles (102.0)...DB JEREMY UNERTL tied for third in passes defensed (22). Named to All-Arena Second Team...K DAN FRANTZ ranked third in touchbacks (40).

2007 LEADERS AVENGERS RUSH SERIES LEADER LEADS 4-3 (0-1 Playoffs)

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 4-1

LAST GAME Won vs. Utah: 64-42 Won at Kansas City: 48-21 (Week 17)

2007 LEADERS AVENGERS RUSH

PASSING Cumbie: 378-610-4370-83-13 D'Orazio: 351-506-3789-82-10

RECEIVING Turner: 105-1229-24 Sippio: 125-1739-53

RUSHING Ford: 82-192-19 D'Orazio: 61-134-12

TACKLES Canonico: 101.0 Robinson: 102.0

SACKS Demary: 8 Burt: 6

INTERCEPTIONS Wheeler: 6 Robinson: 7

KICKING Hamilton: 101-114 PAT; 16-30 FG: 149 PTS Frantz: 104-115 PAT; 11-27 FG: 137 PTS

TEAM OFFENSE 52.7 PPG (10th); 295.1 YPG (9th) 54.3 PPG (7th); 255.0 YPG (19th)

TEAM DEFENSE 53.0 PPG (10th); 292.6 YPG (10th) 44.9 PPG (1st); 273.4 YPG (2nd )

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 4, 2007

• Force Game Notes - Georgia Force
• Chicago's Moyer Aims To Rush Up Postseason Records List - AFL I
• Postseason Drive To ArenaBowl XXI New Orleans Moves Into Divisional Round - AFL I

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