Sabercats, Rush Battle For ArenaBowl Berth
July 12, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (July 12, 2007) - The top two seeds in the American Conference playoffs will meet on Saturday, July 14, at 12:50 p.m. in HP Pavilion for the right to represent their conference in ArenaBowl XXI.
The top seeded San Jose SaberCats (13-3, 1-0) defeated the Colorado Crush, 76-67, in an old-fashioned AFL shootout on July 7 to get to their 7th semifinal game in the last eight years. Meanwhile the Chicago Rush (12-4, 1-0) dismantled the Los Angeles Avengers, 52-20, in their Divisional Round postseason game on Monday night to advance.
Saturday's game will mark the third time in the last four years that the SaberCats and Rush have met for a chance to play in the Arena Football League's championship contest. The winner has gone on to win the ArenaBowl on both occasions.
By scoring a touchdown on all 11 of their possessions, San Jose fended off Colorado whose offensive output was just as impressive. Quarterback Mark Grieb tied a postseason record by tossing 9 touchdowns on 30-of-41 passing for 315 yards. His performance earned him Offensive Player of the Week status.
After multiple outings during the regular season that could have been considered "Player of the Week" worthy, Grieb revealed exactly what the recognition means to him.
"It means that we're going to the next round. It means we get a chance to play in a semifinal game and if we win we're going to the championship. That's the goal. It's not to be Offensive Player of the Week or anything like that, they have to give that to someone, but our goal is to win a championship."
SaberCats' linebacker/fullback Phil Glover also earned a league accolade after he was announced as the Ironman of the Week. Glover also discredited his individual accomplishments and pointed towards the team.
"Anything I can do to help get this team to win a championship. If I need to be a receiver, an offensive lineman, or a defensive lineman, when my number is called I need to make sure I can step up and do what I need to do."
The all-time series between San Jose and the Rush is tied at four games apiece, but Chicago has emerged as the victor in the last four contests including a 48-45 win in the Windy City in Week 2 of 2007.
"We are preparing for a physical football game," stated Defensive Coordinator Kevin Guy. "We felt like it was a very physical game the first time we played them earlier in the season. I think the defense is disappointed in our execution last week and I expect us to come out and play like we have all year long."
Chicago and San Jose's defenses were the top two in the league during the regular season. The Rush gave up an average of 44.9 ppg and the SaberCats surrendered 47.6 ppg.
"I'm sure they will come to play hard but we weren't one of the top scoring offenses in the league just by chance," Grieb emphasized.
One big question that surrounds the Chicago offense is the health of quarterback Matt D'Orazio. He is listed as probable on the injury report, but was clearly in discomfort during Monday night's game against Los Angeles. It was reported that he suffered from back spasms before the game and was given painkillers in order to play.
"He is the leader on that football team, we expect him to play and we expect him to play at 100 percent," exclaimed Guy. "He came in the other night and put his team in a position to win so we're not going to take D'Orazio lightly at all."
A premier franchise in the AFL, the San Jose SaberCats have captured two ArenaBowl titles, seven Western Division championships, eight consecutive playoff appearances and own the league's best regular season record this decade.
Tickets for Saturday's playoff game are available and can be purchased through any Northern California Ticketmaster outlet, by phone at (408) 998-TIXS (8497), online at Ticketmaser.com or by visiting the box office at the HP Pavilion at San Jose.
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