Rattlers Top First Coaches' Poll of 2014

Published on March 20, 2014 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


CHICAGO - The Arizona Rattlers (1-0) received 13 first place votes to top the first Coaches' Poll of 2014 this week. Arizona defeated the Philadelphia Soul (0-1) 62-55 in overtime in an ArenaBowl rematch to kick off the new season.

The schedule does not get any easier for the defending champs in Week 2, as they host the No. 2-ranked Spokane Shock (1-0) in a rematch of last year's National Conference Championship Game on CBS Sports Network. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. EST Sunday, March 23. The Shock defeated the Iowa Barnstormers (0-1), 64-35, in Week 1 as reigning AFL MVP Erik Meyer completed 75 percent of his passes and tossed five touchdowns in the win.

The San Jose SaberCats (1-0) locked up the third spot in the Coaches' Poll following a 64-34 victory over the Portland Thunder (0-1) in front of a national audience on CBS Sports Network on Monday night. The 30-point margin of victory over the debuting Thunder was the greatest point differential of the week.

San Jose will square off with the defending American Conference champion Philadelphia Soul, who come in at No. 4 in the Coaches' Poll. The Soul will look to rebound following their overtime loss to the Rattlers in Week 1. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 23.

The Tampa Bay Storm (1-0), ranked No. 5 in this week's Coaches' Poll, knocked off the New Orleans VooDoo (0-1), 62-57 last Friday night. The Storm will travel to San Antonio to face the Talons in Week 2, a team they have not beaten since the AFL playoffs in 2010. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. EST Friday, March 21 on ESPN3.

WEEK 1 COACHES' POLL

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

1 Arizona Rattlers (13) 1-0 130 --

2 Spokane Shock (1) 1-0 110 --

3 San Jose SaberCats 1-0 108 --

4 Philadelphia Soul 0-1 91 --

5 Tampa Bay Storm 1-0 69 --

6 LA KISS 1-0 67 --

7 Orlando Predators 1-0 51 --

8 Cleveland Gladiators 1-0 45 --

9 Jacksonville Sharks 0-1 36 --

10 Pittsburgh Power 0-1 25 --

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