Rumble in the House in Philadelphia
February 22, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK - The Philadelphia Soul (3-1) host the defending ArenaBowl champion Colorado Crush (3-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on NBC with both teams holding a share of first place in their divisions - the Crush in the Central and the Soul in the East. Philadelphia has never defeated Colorado, losing all three previous meetings including a 77-56 contest last year in Denver.
The Soul, co-owned by JON BON JOVI, are coming off a 75-59 victory over the New York Dragons (2-2). The return of QB TONY GRAZIANI from a finger injury was key to the Soul win as the veteran threw for 282 yards and six touchdowns against the Dragons. Soul WR/LB SEAN SCOTT earned AFL Ironman of the Week honors for his versatile performance in the win.
The Crush, co-owned by Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHN ELWAY, suffered their first defeat of the season last Saturday night, falling 58-36 to the Nashville Kats (3-1). The Crush offense, anchored by the duo of QB JOHN DUTTON and OS DAMIAN HARRELL, has still produced more points (227) than any other team in the League.
Chicago Rush FB/LB BOB MCMILLEN, who is in his 12th AFL season and fourth with Chicago, needs just five rushing yards to pass FB/LB LES BARLEY to become the League's all-time leading rusher.
McMillen could break the record this weekend, in front of a home crowd, when the San Jose SaberCats (1-3) travel to Chicago to take on the Rush (2-2) at Allstate Arena on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on NBC.
Following is a list of the top five rushers in AFL history:
TOP FIVE RUSHERS IN AFL HISTORY
PLAYER SEASONS YARDS
Les Barley 1992-2001 1,382
Bob McMillen 1995-present 1,378
Michael "Bo" Kelly 1996-2000 1,251
Andre Bowden 1991-2004 1,241
Chad Dukes 1996-present 1,145
After defeating their intrastate rivals last weekend in Dallas, the 4-0 Austin Wranglers hit the road again seeking to continue their winning streak against the Tampa Bay Storm (2-2) on Saturday night at 5 p.m. ET on OLN. Austin is the 11th AFL team to start a season 4-0. No team has won five straight since Orlando in 2003. Tampa Bay is coming off a tough 67-64 overtime defeat to Orlando in the latest installment of the "War on I-4." Storm QB SHANE STAFFORD threw for 458 yards, the third-highest single-game total in AFL history, in the loss.
Dallas Desperados (3-1) QB CLINT DOLEZEL will face his former Las Vegas Gladiator (1-3) teammates for the first time on Saturday night at 9 p.m. ET (FSN Southwest, FSN West 2 - tape delay at 1:30 a.m. ET). Dolezel spent the last two seasons with Las Vegas before signing with Dallas this offseason. He currently ranks second in the AFL with a passer rating of 127.3. Las Vegas FB/LB MARLION JACKON leads the AFL in rushing with 84 yards including a 2006 single-game best 41 in a February 6 win over San Jose.
The other Week 5 contests are: Arizona at Columbus on Friday (FSN Arizona, FSN Ohio), Kansas City at Georgia on Friday (FSN Midwest, FSN South), Grand Rapids at Nashville on Saturday, Utah at Los Angeles on Saturday (FSN Utah - tape delay TBD, FSN West) and Orlando at New York on Sunday.
OLN AND AFL Announce National Cable Deal
The AFL and OLN reached an agreement naming OLN the national cable television home for the AFL during its historic 20th Season. OLN will televise 11 regular-season games and one Wild Card playoff game during the 2006 season. The broadcasts began with last week's New York at Philadelphia contest and continue this week with Austin at Tampa Bay.
20 Greatest Games in AFL History
The 20 Greatest Games in AFL history, as chosen by the 20th Season Historical Committee, were revealed on Wednesday and ArenaBowl X, a 42-38 victory by the Tampa Bay Storm over the Iowa Barnstormers, was voted as the greatest game. ArenaBowl X was played on August 26, 1996 in Des Moines, Iowa between the defending ArenaBowl champion Tampa Bay Storm and the upstart Iowa Barnstormers. With 4:09 left in the game, Iowa took possession trailing 42-38. QB KURT WARNER moved the Barnstormers to the one-yard line but failed to score the go-ahead touchdown on its first three chances, including a desperate dive for the end zone near the boards. On fourth down with less than a minute remaining from the three, Warner's final pass to WILLIS JACOX fell short. Tampa Bay successfully killed the clock and won their second consecutive championship.
This Week in AFL History
February 26, 1987: "Showcase game" demonstrating indoor football rules and game flow is held at Chicago's Rosemont Horizon before 8,200 enthusiastic fans. Positive feedback from the event helps convince AFL founders to begin the first season in June.
AFLWA Schutt Sports Top 12 Poll
1. Austin Wranglers (18) 4-0 248
2. Nashville Kats (3) 3-1 209
3. Colorado Crush 3-1 196
T4. Dallas Desperados 3-1 172
T4. Philadelphia Soul 3-1 172
6. Orlando Predators 3-1 163
7. Georgia Force 2-2 129
8. Tampa Bay Storm 2-2 95
9. Chicago Rush 2-2 94
10. New York Dragons 2-2 76
11. Grand Rapids Rampage 2-2 51
12. Utah Blaze 1-3 9
Others receiving votes: Los Angeles Avengers 8, Kansas City Brigade 7, Arizona Rattlers 5, Las Vegas Gladiators 3, San Jose SaberCats 1; Dropped out: Las Vegas Gladiators (12).
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 22, 2006
- Two Kats Heartbreaks Among AFL's 20 Greatest Games - Nashville Kats
- Rumble in the House in Philadelphia - AFL I
- ArenaBowl X Named Greatest Game - Tampa Bay Storm
- 20 greatest games in AFL history revealed - AFL I
- AFL week five injury report - AFL I
- New York Dragons game notes - New York Dragons
- AFL Collectable Player of the Week - AFL I
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