Predators announce 2007 schedule
November 29, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 29) -- A first-ever regular season road trip to Las Vegas and a rematch of last year's National Conference Championship game with the Dallas Desperados, highlights the Orlando Predators 2007 schedule released today by the Arena Football League.
In all, the Predators will play a 16-game schedule over a 17-week regular season, beginning with a March 2 road game against arch-rival Tampa Bay. The Predators will face Southern Division rivals Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Austin and Georgia on a home-and-home basis. The two-game set with Tampa Bay marks the renewal of the longest and most-intense rivalry in Arena Football League history. The teams have met 39 times previously, with the Predators holding a narrow 20-19 lead.
As defending National Conference Champions, the Predators will face a heavily weighted schedule which includes non-conference games with 2006 playoff teams Dallas, New York (twice), San Jose, Philadelphia and Utah. Counting divisional games, 10 of Orlando's 16 games will be against teams who qualified for the playoffs last season.
Arena date scheduling conflicts across the league will have the Predators home at Hummer Field during three of their first four games and five of their final seven games. Orlando will play three of its last four regular season games on the road.
"Whenever you are in the Southern Division you know the schedule is going to be difficult. As ArenaBowl runner-ups, we also knew the non-division schedule would also be loaded with playoff teams," Predators Head Coach JAY GRUDEN says. "Still, I would rather play a tough schedule as it helps you get ready for the post-season."
Gruden added that it would be important for his team to get off to a fast start. "Playing three of first four in The Jungle is important," Gruden says. "It will give us an opportunity to build some momentum for a long, tough season."
Key home games in the schedule include a visit by Dallas in Week 4. Orlando upset the top-seeded Desperados, 45-28, on the road in the National Conference Championship game last year to earn a record seventh trip to the ArenaBowl. Other home game highlights feature a Week 7 return match-up with arch-rival Tampa Bay, and a first-time visit by DANNY WHITE's Utah Blaze in Week 13.
Orlando will play a first-ever road game in Las Vegas in Week 9. The Predators faced the Chicago Rush in Las Vegas for ArenaBowl XX last June in a neutral site game, but it will be the first time the Predators have played the Gladiators on the road since that team moved to Las Vegas from New Jersey in 2003.
The 21st season of the Arena Football League consists of 19 teams, including the return of New Orleans to the Southern Division. With the return of the VooDoo, the Kansas City Brigade leaves the Southern Division and switches to the Central Division.
The 2007 regular season kicks off with Columbus at Nashville on Thursday, March 1 and concludes on the weekend of June 22-25. Twelve teams (6 from each conference) will qualify for the post-season. The wild card round will be played June 29-July 1, the divisional round on July 6-8; conference championships July 14-15; with ArenaBowl XXI being played in New Orleans on July 29.
Orlando will enter its 17th season of play riding two impressive streaks. The Predators have recorded winning seasons and qualified for the playoffs in each of the last 15 seasons. Both are the longest current streaks in the Arena Football League, with the 15 consecutive winning seasons is an AFL record.
The team is currently offering nine-game season ticket plans (8 regular season games, first playoff game). A season ticket starts at just $63 with 10 different price points available. The team is currently offering a Holiday Gift Package consisting of two season tickets, two souvenir Orlando Predators footballs and two Predators caps starting at $149. Season tickets and additional information may be obtained by calling 407-44-PREDS or by visiting the team's website at www.orlandopredators.com.
PREDATORS 2007 SCHEDULE
Friday, March 2 Orlando at Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.
Monday, March 12 Los Angeles at Orlando 7:00 p.m.
Friday, March 16 Austin at Orlando 7:30 p.m.
Monday, March 26 Dallas at Orlando 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 31 Orlando at New Orleans 8:00 p.m.
Week 6 Bye Week n/a
Saturday, April 14 Tampa Bay at Orlando 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 20 New York at Orlando 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 29 at Las Vegas 6:00 p.m.
Friday, May 4 Orlando at Georgia 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 11 New Orleans at Orlando 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 20 Orlando at Austin 4:00 p.m.
Friday, May 25 Utah at Orlando 7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 1 Orlando at San Jose 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 9 Orlando at New York 7:00 p.m.
Friday, June 15 Georgia at Orlando 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 21 Orlando at Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Times/Dates Subject to Change
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