Rattlers Reclaim First Place in Week 8 Coaches' Poll
Published on May 8, 2013 under Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
CHICAGO - The Arizona Rattlers (6-1) reclaimed the top spot in this week's Coaches' Poll following a 58-48 victory over the Jacksonville Sharks (6-1). The win marks the fourth time this season the defending ArenaBowl champions have knocked off a previously undefeated squad.
After suffering their first loss of the season, the Sharks will look to get back in the win column against the 10th-ranked San Antonio Talons in a nationally televised matchup on CBS Sports Network. It will be the first time in franchise history the Sharks travel to San Antonio. The "NET10 Wireless Arena Football Saturday" showcase is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 11.
Not only are the Tampa Bay Storm (5-2) in the midst of a three-game winning streak, but the team is also 3-0 on the road and 2-0 against West Division opponents this season. The team will look to continue that trend with a sweep of the West Division for the first time since 1998 when they travel to the HP Pavilion for a showdown with the sixth-ranked San Jose SaberCats (4-2), who received one first place vote in the Week 8 Poll. Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, May 10.
The Philadelphia Soul (3-3) jumped back up to fourth in the Coaches' Poll this week following a convincing 72-41 road victory over the Chicago Rush in Week 7. The Soul will look to earn their first division win of the season when they square off with the Pittsburgh Power (1-5) in the fifth meeting of the "Keystone Collision" in Week 8. Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 11.
A second consecutive loss dropped the Spokane Shock (5-2) from third to fifth in this week's Coaches' Poll. The team will look to get back on track at home this week against the Orlando Predators (1-5), who picked up their first win of the season in Week 7. Kickoff for the matchup in "Deaf Valley" is set for 10:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 11.
WEEK 8 COACHES' POLL
Rank Team (1st Place Votes) W-L Points Last Week
1 Arizona Rattlers (12) 6-1 129 2
2 Jacksonville Sharks (1) 6-1 95 1
3 Tampa Bay Storm 5-2 93 4
4 Philadelphia Soul 3-3 89 6
5 Spokane Shock 5-2 87 3
6 San Jose SaberCats (1) 4-2 75 7
7 Utah Blaze 3-3 61 8
8 Chicago Rush 4-3 59 5
9 Iowa Barnstormers 3-4 36 9
10 San Antonio Talons 2-4 19 10
Arena Football League Stories from May 8, 2013
- Tampa Bay Adds Offensive Lineman - Tampa Bay Storm
- Shock prepare for first of back-to-back home games - Spokane Shock
- Talons Look to Win First Home Game - San Antonio Talons
- Rattlers Reclaim First Place in Week 8 Coaches' Poll - AFL
- Philadelphia Looks to Win First Home Game - Philadelphia Soul
- Soul Announce Faith against Cancer Concert Before Soul Game - Philadelphia Soul
- VooDoo Hoping to Storm the Barn for a Win - New Orleans VooDoo
- Tampa Bay Storm Initiates "Seats for Soldiers" Program - Tampa Bay Storm
- Utah Heads to Phoenix for Rematch with Rattlers - Utah Blaze
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