SaberCats Continue to Climb in Latest Coaches' Poll
Published on May 14, 2014 under Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
CHICAGO - A bye in Week 9 did not hurt the San Jose SaberCats (5-3) in the minds of AFL coaches, as the 'Cats moved up two spots to No. 3 in the latest Coaches' Poll without having played a game last week. San Jose returns to action Saturday night as they host the Portland Thunder (2-6) at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
The Arizona Rattlers (8-0) continue to be the undisputed No. 1 in the Poll, garnering the maximum 13 first place votes once again this week following a 61-32 victory over the Thunder last Sunday. The Rattlers - off to their best start in franchise history - will put their undefeated record on the line against the fourth-ranked Spokane Shock (5-3) on Sunday, May 18 at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN3. The Shock, who have dropped three straight to the Rattlers, will be looking to rebound from a 41-52 loss to the Pittsburgh Power (5-3) last week.
Despite a close call in Week 9, the No. 2-ranked Cleveland Gladiators (7-0) kept their perfect record intact thanks to a game-winning 16-yard field goal as time expired to defeat the LA KISS (2-6), 45-42. Perhaps the League's most surprising team this season, the Gladiators will look to remain unbeaten on the road this weekend in Des Moines as they face the Iowa Barnstormers (4-4). Kickoff is set for 8:05 p.m. ET Saturday night on ESPN3.
An 11-point win over Spokane got it done for the Pittsburgh Power on the field last week; however, the Shock still managed to edge the Power by one point in the latest Coaches' Poll, dropping Pittsburgh down one spot to No. 5. The revamped Power will look to earn some more respect this week as they host the LA KISS in front of a national audience in "NET10 Wireless Arena Football Saturday" on CBS Sports Network. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. ET Saturday.
MAY 14 COACHES' POLL
Rank Team (1st Place Votes) W-L Points Last Week
1 Arizona Rattlers (13) 8-0 130 1
2 Cleveland Gladiators (1) 7-0 117 2
3 San Jose SaberCats 5-3 102 5
4 Spokane Shock 5-3 89 3
5 Pittsburgh Power 5-3 88 4
6 Orlando Predators 5-3 66 7
7 Philadelphia Soul 4-4 64 6
8 Iowa Barnstormers 4-4 47 8
9 Jacksonville Sharks 3-5 36 9
10 Portland Thunder 2-6 20 10
Arena Football League Stories from May 14, 2014
- Shock, Rattlers Face off in Second 2014 Meeting - Spokane Shock
- Soul Acquire Markee White in Trade with Los Angeles - Philadelphia Soul
- Game Preview: Iowa Barnstormers vs. Cleveland Gladiators - Iowa Barnstormers
- SaberCats Continue to Climb in Latest Coaches' Poll - AFL
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