Preds' Fast Start Bodes Well

Published on March 13, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release

FAST START BODES WELL FOR PREDATORS: Orlando's 6-0 start is the third-best in team history. The team can tie the 2000 Orlando Predators for the second-best start in franchise history with a victory this week against Tampa Bay. In 1994, the Predators started 11-0 and finished at 13-2 –- losing to Arizona in the ArenaBowl. In 2000, the Predators started 7-0, finishing the regular season at 11-3 and went on to win the ArenaBowl over Nashville. A look at Orlando's history when the Predators start the season 2-0 or better:

Year Start Final Record Comment
1993 2-0 10-2 AFL Semifinals
1994 11-0 13-2 ArenaBowl Runner-up
1998 2-0 12-5 AFL Champions
2000 7-0 14-3 AFL Champions
2003 6-0 ?? ???

BALL HAWK: Arizona Rattlers WR/DB RANDY GATEWOOD's next multiple-interception game will tie him for No. 2 on the all-time single-season list (Chicago's DAMEON PORTER is No. 1 with five multiple-interception games during the 2001 season.) Gatewood earned ADT Defensive Player of the Week honors last week with his third two-interception game of the season in the victory over Detroit.

SINGLE-SEASON MULTIPLE-INTERCEPTION GAMES

PLAYER, TEAM SEASON MULTI-INTERCEPTION GAMES
Dameon Porter, Chicago 2001 5
Tracey Perkins, Tampa Bay 1997 4
Johnnie Harris, Tampa Bay 1998 4
Corey Johnson, Nashville 1998 4
Tony Scott, Orlando 1992 3
David McLeod, Albany 1996 3
Randy Gatewood, Arizona 2003 3

LONE STAR DOLEZEL: Sunday's game in Dallas will mark the 20th AFL game for Grand Rapids quarterback CLINT DOLEZEL in his home state of Texas. Coming into this week's game, Dolezel has amassed 21,563 yards in his career with 5,817 occurring in Texas. That equates to nearly 27 percent of his career totals.

The East Texas State product has completed 451 passes on 700 attempts, for 5,817 yards, 109 touchdowns and 24 interceptions in the Lone Star State. Dolezel averaged 23.7 completions, 306.1 yards and 5.7 touchdowns per game in Texas.

HOLMES CONTINUES TO SHINES: No player has had a bigger impact for Carolina this season than WR/DB-turned-OS BERNARD HOLMES. In his last three games played, Holmes has recorded 28 receptions for 382 yards and six touchdowns. He also has 22 kickoff returns for 421 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown against Detroit, the first kickoff return for a touchdown by a Cobras player since CARL BOND did it on April 26, 2002. In his last three games, he has the third (283 in week four vs. Orlando), fourth (272 in week three vs. Detroit) and fifth (258 in week six vs. Las Vegas) best single-game all-purpose yardage totals in franchise history. His 180 receiving yards last week against Las Vegas marked a career-high for the six-year veteran.

HAPPY REUNION IN DALLAS: The Dallas Desperados feel right at home in the team's first season at Reunion Arena. The team averages 59.6 points at home, while the opposition tallies 49.6 points when they visit Reunion. Dallas has scored a total of 60 points in the fourth quarter at Reunion Arena this season. The Desperados (4-2) are currently tied for the Central Division lead with Grand Rapids and face each other this weekend in Dallas.

HOME COOKING: Including the playoffs, the SaberCats have won 15 straight home games, 18 of their last 19 and 24 of their last 26 games played in San Jose. Since the start of the 2000 season the SaberCats own a 25-3 (.893) record at home and under Head Coach Darren Arbet, the SaberCats are 29-6 (.829) in games played in San Jose. The SaberCats play seven of their last 10 games at home

DAN THE MAN: Georgia FB/LB DAN CURRAN currently ranks third in the AFL in rushing with 84 yards on 20 carries. He also is first in the league in rushing touchdowns with six scores. Last week, Curran set a new team record with three rushing touchdowns breaking his previous mark of two, set last season at Tampa Bay (7/20/02), which had been done four times. Curran is on pace to score 16 touchdowns and 224 yards – both team records.

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 13, 2003

• Preds' Fast Start Bodes Well - AFL I
• 'Birds Re-Sign Quarterback Jim Ballard, Waive Sauk - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
• Firebirds Join Hands with Boys and Girls Club of Indianapolis - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
• Must-See Matchups - AFL I
• AFL Offering Game Tickets to Families of Armed Services Personnel - AFL I
• Buffalo Looks To Tame The Cats - Buffalo Destroyers
• Preds-Storm Renew Hostilities - AFL I

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