SaberCats Reclaim Top Spot in Coaches' Poll
Published on May 9, 2012 under Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
CHICAGO - For the first time since Week 2, the San Jose SaberCats (6-2) are atop the AFL Coaches' Poll.
The SaberCats received nine first place votes after beating the Arizona Rattlers (5-3) 77-70 in Week 9. It was the second time this season the SaberCats earned a victory over their division rival. The squad has another divisional matchup in Week 10, this time with the Utah Blaze (6-2), who come into this week ranked fourth in the Coaches' Poll, receiving one first place vote, and second in the AFL Power Rankings. Coincidentally, the last time the SaberCats were ranked first in the Coaches' poll, the team was handed their first loss of the season - by the Utah Blaze.
The Chicago Rush (6-2) moved up two spots to number two in the Coaches' Poll this week after a 61-50 win over the Iowa Barnstormers. The Rush were propelled to victory by quarterback Russ Michna's career-high 369 passing yards in the game. Receiver Reggie Gray also became the franchise's career leader in all-purpose touchdowns in the matchup. The Rush travel to the "Snake Pit" this weekend for a matchup with the Arizona Rattlers, who dropped from second to fifth this week in the Poll, following the loss to San Jose.
The third spot in the Coaches' Poll is occupied by the Philadelphia Soul (6-2) who dropped two spots following a one-point loss to the Milwaukee Mustangs (3-4) in Week 9. The Soul scored more than 60 points for the eighth consecutive time this season, but it wasn't enough to secure the victory. The Soul host the Jacksonville Sharks (3-4) in Week 10, while the eighth-ranked Mustangs, who make their return to the Poll for the first time since early April, host the seventh-ranked Cleveland Gladiators (4-3) on NFL Network's broadcast of "NET10 Arena Football Friday."
Despite a Week 9 win, the San Antonio Talons (5-3) dropped down two spots to number seven. The Talons host the Pittsburgh Power (2-6) in Week 10. Rounding out the top ten are the Tampa Bay Storm (5-3) and Georgia Force (4-4), who both reentered the top ten at sixth and tenth, respectively. The two teams will square off in Georgia this weekend.
WEEK 10 COACHES' POLL
RK Team (1st place votes) W-L Pts Last Week
1 San Jose SaberCats (9) 6-2 151 3
2 Chicago Rush (3) 6-2 127 4
3 Philadelphia Soul (4) 6-2 125 1
4 Utah Blaze (1) 6-2 117* 5
5 Arizona Rattlers 5-3 117* 2
6 Tampa Bay Storm 5-3 58 NR
7 Cleveland Gladiators 4-3 54 6
8 Milwaukee Mustangs 3-4 49 NR
9 San Antonio Talons 5-3 47 7
10 Georgia Force 4-4 32 NR
*tie broken on number of first place votes
Arena Football League Stories from May 9, 2012
- West We Go: VooDoo Look for Road Victory in Spokane - New Orleans VooDoo
- SaberCats Acquire Fullback Johnie Kirton from the Rattlers - San Jose SaberCats
- Shock Make Adjustments to Active Roster - Spokane Shock
- SaberCats Reclaim Top Spot in Coaches' Poll - AFL
- Reggie Gray Honored with AFL Week 9 Award - Chicago Rush
- Talons Advance to No. 5 in League - San Antonio Talons
- Sharks to Offer Fan Bus to Orlando - Jacksonville Sharks
- Storm Add Defensive Back To Roster - Tampa Bay Storm
- Georgia Force QB RJ Archer Heading to Detroit Lions Mini Camp - Georgia Force
- ATI Two-Minute Drill with VooDoo Head Coach Pat O'Hara, Episode 9 - New Orleans VooDoo
- 21 Questions with a VooDoo Doll Daina - New Orleans VooDoo
- Mustangs Rodgers Named JLS Ironman of the Week - Milwaukee Mustangs
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