SaberCats Maintain Top Spot in Coaches' Poll
May 16, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
CHICAGO - For the second week in a row, the San Jose SaberCats (7-2) are No. 1 in the AFL Coaches' Poll.
The SaberCats received a resounding 12 first place votes after beating the Utah Blaze (6-3), 70-59, in Week 10. It was the second week in a row the SaberCats had to defend the rights of first place in the National Conference West Division as they defeated the Arizona Rattlers (6-3) in Week 9. It won't get any easier in Week 11 as the SaberCats face off against the San Antonio Talons (6-3), who are riding a three-game winning streak. The Talons come into Week 11 ranked sixth in the Coaches' Poll.
The Philadelphia Soul (7-2) moved up a spot to the No. 2 position in the Coaches' Poll, receiving five first place votes. The Soul beat the Jacksonville Sharks (3-5), 56-38, in Week 10 and take on the tenth-ranked Spokane Shock (4-4) in Week 11. The Soul have scored the most points in the League (633) through the first ten weeks of the season. Their high-powered offense is led by Dan Raudabaugh who has already racked up 60 touchdown passes and more than 2,500 passing yards.
The Arizona Rattlers (6-3) climbed from fifth to third in the Coaches' Poll this week. The Rattlers didn't receive any first place votes but remain on the heels of San Jose in both the West Division and the Coaches' Poll. Their next matchup figures to have playoff implications as they take on the Utah Blaze (6-3), who are tied with Arizona in the standings and received the No. 4 ranking in the Coaches' Poll.
The Chicago Rush (6-3) round out the top five in the Coaches' Poll. The Rush have the week off, but will face San Jose in Week 12.
This Friday, the Orlando Predators (1-7) visit the New Orleans Voodoo (3-5) in "NET10 Arena Football Friday" on NFL Network at 8:00 pm ET. Both teams are struggling to maintain their footing in the American Conference South Division. The Predators have given up the second fewest points to opponents (384) in the League but have scored the second fewest (298).
WEEK 11 COACHES' POLL
RK Team (1st place votes) W-L Pts Last Week
1 San Jose SaberCats (12) 7-2 156 1
2 Philadelphia Soul (5) 7-2 146 3
3 Arizona Rattlers 6-3 126 5
4 Utah Blaze 6-3 112 4
5 Chicago Rush 6-3 96 2
6 San Antonio Talons 6-3 79 9
7 Cleveland Gladiators 5-3 67 7
8 Georgia Force 5-4 43 10
9 Tampa Bay Storm 5-4 38 6
10 Spokane Shock 4-4 28 NR
Arena Football League Stories from May 16, 2012
- Former SaberCats Offensive Lineman Rich Ranglin Signs with the Chiefs - San Jose SaberCats
- Saturday with the Talons - Teacher Appreciation Night and Buy One-Get One Offer - San Antonio Talons
- Gladiators Acquire WR Carlese Franklin from New Orleans - Cleveland Gladiators
- SaberCats Maintain Top Spot in Coaches' Poll - AFL
- VooDoo Add OL Brad Paul, Place DL Rahim Alem on IR - New Orleans VooDoo
- ATI Two-Minute Drill with VooDoo Head Coach Pat O'Hara, Episode 10 - New Orleans VooDoo
- Military Night at the Bradley Center Features Camouflage Jerseys - Milwaukee Mustangs
- 21 Questions with VooDoo Doll Danielle - New Orleans VooDoo
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