Rattlers, Shock Atop AFL's Week 13 Coaches' Poll

Published on June 13, 2013 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


CHICAGO - For the sixth consecutive week, the Arizona Rattlers (11-1) hold the top spot in the latest Coaches' Poll following a 70-21 victory over the San Antonio Talons (5-6) in Week 12. The Rattlers were led by Riddell Defensive Player of the Week, Arkeith Brown, who hauled in three of the team's six interceptions in the win.

For the fourth time this season, the Rattlers' next opponent is ranked second in the Coaches' Poll, as the Spokane Shock (9-3) maintain the No. 2 spot after knocking off the Jacksonville Sharks (8-4), 76-41, last weekend. Defensive back Terrance Sanders recorded two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, in the game. Arizona and Spokane also held the top two rankings in the Poll when the two squads met in Week 4. The Shock came away with a 66-49 victory in that matchup, handing the Rattlers their only loss of the season. The highly-anticipated rematch is set for 9:00 p.m. ET from the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday night.

Moving back up to third in the Poll this week are the San Jose SaberCats (8-3), who escaped Week 12 with a 68-54 win over the Pittsburgh Power (3-8). Quarterback Mitch Mustain took the place of an injured Russ Michna, passing for 250 yards and six touchdowns in his first career start. The SaberCats travel to Des Moines for a matchup with the Iowa Barnstormers (5-7) in Week 13. Kickoff is set for 8:05 p.m. ET on Saturday.

The Jacksonville Sharks fell one spot to No. 4 in the Poll this week following their Week 13 loss in Spokane. The team will look to rebound in Week 13, despite losing starting quarterback Bernard Morris to injury last week. The Sharks travel to Salt Lake City for a meeting with the Utah Blaze (4-7) in "NET10 Wireless Arena Football Saturday" action on CBS Sports Network. Kickoff is set for 9:00 p.m. ET.

Re-entering the top five in this week's Poll are the Philadelphia Soul (6-5). Clint Dolezel's squad pulled out a 65-56 victory against the New Orleans VooDoo (2-9) in Week 13 to bring their record back above .500. The Soul will travel to Pittsburgh this weekend for the sixth meeting of the "Keystone Collision". Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET on Saturday night.

WEEK 13 COACHES' POLL

Rank Team (1st Place Votes) W-L Points Last Week

1 Arizona Rattlers (13) 11-1 130 1

2 Spokane Shock (1) 9-3 116 2

3 San Jose SaberCats 8-3 99 4

4 Jacksonville Sharks 8-4 89 3

5 Philadelphia Soul 6-5 82 6

6 Chicago Rush 7-5 68 7

7 Tampa Bay 7-5 62 5

8 Utah Blaze 4-7 41 8

9 Iowa Barnstormers 5-7 31 10

10 San Antonio Talons 5-6 30 9

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