Rattlers Top Coaches' Poll Once Again
June 4, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
CHICAGO - The Arizona Rattlers (11-0) hold the top spot in the AFL Coaches' Poll for the 24th consecutive week after surging past the San Jose SaberCats (7-4), 51-42, in Week 12. In the process, the Rattlers clinched a playoff berth and their fourth consecutive West Division championship. The Rattlers are now one win shy of the AFL record for most consecutive victories to start a season, set at 12 by the San Jose SaberCats in 2002. The Rattlers will attempt to make history this Friday when they head to Portland to face the Thunder (3-8) for the second time this season. Kickoff is set for 10:00 PM ET on ESPN3.
The Cleveland Gladiators (9-1) come in at No. 2 in the Poll despite suffering their first loss of the season at the hands of No. 3-ranked Pittsburgh Power (8-3), 34-48, last week. Pittsburgh's AFL-best total defense held Cleveland to a season-low 34 points, but came up one point shy of the Gladiators in the latest Coaches' Poll.
While the Power host a struggling New Orleans VooDoo (2-8) team on Saturday at 5:00 PM ET on ESPN3 this week, the Gladiators will face the No. 5-ranked Iowa Barnstormers (6-5) in front of a national audience in "NET10 Wireless Arena Football Saturday" action on CBS Sports Network. Iowa moved up three spots in the Poll after defeating last week's No. 5-ranked team, the Orlando Predators (6-5). Iowa will head to Cleveland this weekend in an attempt to avoid a season sweep and maintain footing in the American Conference playoff picture. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET.
Following the Week 12 loss to Arizona, the SaberCats fell one spot to No. 4 in this week's Poll. San Jose will look to regroup this Saturday as they host the LA KISS (2-8). Kickoff is set for 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN3.
JUNE 4 COACHES' POLL
Rank Team (1st Place Votes) W-L Points Last Week
1 Arizona Rattlers (13) 11-0 130 1
2 Cleveland Gladiators (1) 9-1 105 2
3 Pittsburgh Power 8-3 104 4
4 San Jose SaberCats 7-4 97 3
5 Iowa Barnstormers 6-5 67 8
6 Spokane Shock 6-5 67 6
7 Philadelphia Soul 6-5 65 7
8 Orlando Predators 6-5 57 5
9 Tampa Bay Storm 5-6 30 10
10 Jacksonville Sharks 3-7 28 9
Arena Football League Stories from June 4, 2014
- SaberCats Activate DL Joe Sykes, Assigned DL Ernest Owusu - San Jose SaberCats
- Shock Assigned WR Flowers - Spokane Shock
- Game Preview: Iowa Barnstormers at Cleveland Gladiators - Iowa Barnstormers
- Shock Go Swimming with the Sharks - Spokane Shock
- Rattlers Top Coaches' Poll Once Again - AFL
- Soul To Hold Open Tryout July 6 - Philadelphia Soul
- Sharks to be Showcased on National Television - Jacksonville Sharks
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