Sports stats

AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

San Jose-Arizona rivalry renewed on NBC this Sunday

May 5, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK – One of the Arena Football League's oldest rivalries – and rematch of ArenaBowl XVI – is renewed when the AFLWA's No. 1-ranked San Jose SaberCats (10-2) travel to America West Arena to face the No. 5-ranked Arizona Rattlers (8-5) to headline NBC's coverage this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.

Rookie New York Dragons WR/LB RICHMOND FLOWERS III will join AFL on NBC studio host AL TRAUTWIG and analyst GLENN PARKER in the studio for halftime commentary and postgame wrap-up interviews.

A victory by the SaberCats clinches a postseason berth for San Jose, while Orlando and Dallas losses would also secure a spot for the SaberCats in the Drive to ArenaBowl XVIII playoffs. A victory by Arizona moves the Rattlers closer to securing a postseason spot as they aim for a top four seed and the right to host a quarterfinal game.

San Jose is led by Week 13 Offensive Player of the Week QB MARK GRIEB who has been making a case for Offensive Player of the Year honors by completing 74.2 percent of his passes for 3,100 yards, 62 touchdowns and four interceptions. The tandem of Ironman of the Year candidate WR/DB JAMES ROE (75 receptions, 884 yards and 27 TDs) and OS JAMES HUNDON (73, 1097, 19) are part of the reason why San Jose has one of the most dangerous scoring offenses in the AFL (59.8 PPG, No. 1).

All-Arena QB SHERDRICK BONNER (3,237 yards, 63 TDs and eight INTs) leads the Rattlers, who are winners of five straight games, in their quest for a third straight ArenaBowl appearance. Leading receiver OS SIAHA BURLEY (95 receptions, 1,096 yards and 22 TDs), WR/LB TOM PACE (46, 572 and 14) and two-time Ironman of the Year WR/LB HUNKIE COOPER (43 receptions and 12 total touchdowns) will look to step up for injured defending Ironman of the Year WR/DB RANDY GATEWOOD (62, 733 and 14).

In Tampa, Offensive Player of the Year candidates QB TONY GRAZIANI (3,315 yards, 75 TDs and two INTs) and OS CHRIS JACKSON (93 receptions for 1,356 yards and 31 TDs) lead the Los Angeles Avengers (7-5) as they look to take the wind out of the sails of the defending champion Tampa Bay Storm (6-7) on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC at St. Pete Times Forum.

Tampa Bay head coach TIM MARCUM has the Storm, winners of three straight, on the playoff bubble and looking to climb into the playoff picture. Tampa Bay has never missed the playoffs in the 17-year history of the franchise. Ironman of the Year candidate WR/DB T.T. TOLIVER (53 receptions, 1,817 all-purpose yards and 16 total touchdowns) leads the Storm's postseason charge.

In New Orleans, Orlando head coach JAY GRUDEN, a six-time ArenaBowl champion, looks to rebound from last week's loss against rival Tampa Bay with a shot at the AFLWA's No. 2-ranked New Orleans VooDoo (9-3) on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC at New Orleans Arena. For New Orleans head coach MIKE NEU, a victory over Orlando coupled with a Dallas loss to cross-state rival Austin would secure a postseason spot for the expansion team.

Rookie of the Year candidate, Orlando QB JOE HAMILTON (2,106 yards, 43 TDs and five INTs) will be put to the test against one of the AFL's toughest defenses (46.3 PPG, No. 5), while New Orleans QB JOHN FITZGERALD (2,532, 45 and 11) will go up against the AFL's leading defense (240.2 YPG, No. 1).

Games for Week 14 include: Detroit at Indiana on Friday; Carolina at New York, Chicago at Grand Rapids, Las Vegas at Philadelphia on Saturday; Los Angeles at Tampa Bay (NBC), San Jose at Arizona (NBC), Orlando at New Orleans (NBC), Dallas at Austin and Georgia at Columbus on Sunday. Colorado has a bye week.

ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE WRITERS' ASSOCIATION (AFLWA) POLL

RANK TEAM RECORD VOTES (FIRST PLACE)
1 San Jose SaberCats 10-2 152 (19)
2 New Orleans VooDoo 9-3 121
3 Colorado Crush 9-4 116
4 Chicago Rush 8-4 93
5 Arizona Rattlers 8-5 84
6 Los Angeles Avengers 7-5 46
7 New York Dragons 7-5 36
8 Austin Wranglers 7-5 34
Also receiving votes: Tampa Bay Storm 2.

DETROIT FURY (4-8) AT INDIANA FIREBIRDS (6-7)
FRIDAY, MAY 8, AT 9 P.M. ET

Detroit QB ANDY KELLY threw for 243 yards and three TDs in a loss to Chicago last week... Kelly needs one TD to reach 600 career... In 2004, Kelly has completed 267-of-450 for 3,141 yards, 51 TDs and 11 INTs... Kelly's target has been WR/LB THABITI DAVIS, who has 1,174 receiving yards (No. 5 in AFL) and 19 TDs... DS RON CARPENTER has led the defensive unit with 52.0 total tackles, while returning three kicks for TDs... Detroit is looking to snap a four-game losing streak and can sweep the season series with a win this week... Detroit is 2-0 when leading after the first quarter... In 2004, the Firebirds are 3-0 when they lead after the first quarter... They are 4-0 when they score over 50 points... Firebirds QB ADRIAN MCPHERSON ranks No. 5 in the League in rushing (161 yards, 15 TDs)... McPherson has completed 186-of-310 passes for 2,542 yards, 44 TDs and five INTs... During Indiana's six-game winning streak, McPherson threw 177 consecutive passes without an INT... During the last two games (both losses), McPherson threw three INTs... Firebirds K CLAY RUSH needs nine more FGs to pass NELSON GARNER as the team's all-time leader in field goals... Seven TDs will give McPherson the franchise record for TDs by a rookie QB (MIKE PEREZ holds the record with 65)... Indiana WR/DB EVAN HLAVACEK needs 36.5 more tackles to become the Firebirds all-time leading tackler (currently has 226)... With one more INT, Hlavacek will move into a tie with current LA Avenger GREG HOPKINS for No. 4 in franchise history with 10 career INTs... Hlavacek has three so far this season... The Firebirds rank No. 1 in points allowed... The Firebirds are tied for No. 1 in the AFL in turnover differential with Los Angeles (+13).

CAROLINA COBRAS (4-8) AT NEW YORK DRAGONS (7-5)
SATURDAY, MAY 8, AT 7 P.M. ET

The Dragons have not been three games over .500 since moving from Iowa (Last time, 9-5 finish of 2000 season)... Dragons' DS COREY JOHNSON earned Defensive Player of the Week honors as he helped lead the Dragons to a 44-20 victory over the Dallas Desperados last Saturday... Johnson led New York with 9.0 total tackles, one pass breakup and a team record-tying three INTs... The Dragons defense averages 46.2 points allowed per game (No. 4 in the AFL)... The Dragons are scoring 52.1 PPG, No. 6 in the League... The Dragons have won their seven games by an average score of 53-38... A win would give the Dragons a four-game home-winning streak... DS LINCOLN DUPREE is tied for No. 6 in the AFL with 102-missed FG return-yards... As a kick returner, Dupree is No. 10 in the League (684 return yards)... Dragons QB AARON GARCIA (220-of-354 for 2,817 yards, 70 TDs and 9 INTs) is the No. 7 ranked QB in the League... Garcia is tied for No. 2 for most TDs (70)... In 12 games, Carolina WR/DB DAMIEN GROCE has 60 catches for 730 yards and a single-season record 19 TDs... Groce is currently No. 10 in the AFL with 1,551 all-purpose yards and has set Carolina single-season records for TDs (21) and points scored (126)... He needs 59 receiving yards to reach 1,500... OS TODD DOXZON needs 22 receiving yards to reach 2,500... Cobras QB RICKEY FOGGIE needs 23 pass attempts for 2,500 career... This season, Carolina is 4-2 when they score first.

CHICAGO RUSH (8-4) AT GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE (1-11)
SATURDAY, MAY 8, AT 7:30 P.M. ET

The Chicago Rush currently rank No. 4 in the 2004 playoff seeding... Replacing the injured RAYMOND PHILYAW, Chicago QB CHAD SALISBURY was 19-of-32 for 216 yards, four TDs and 0 INTs in last week's victory over Detroit... Salisbury also added 1 rushing TD... Chicago Rookie of the Year candidate ETU MOLDEN is No. 2 among all rookies in scoring (132 points) and No. 1 among rookies in receptions 75 receptions for 966 yards)... FB/LB BOB MCMILLEN is No. 2 in the AFL in rushing (53 attempts for 197 yards and 14 TDs)... FB/LB CHRIS AVERY is No. 3 in the AFL in rushing (37 attempts for 182 yards and five TDs)... OS STEVE SMITH is No. 2 in the AFL for KO returns, with 55 returns for 1325 yards and five TDs... Smith is averaging 24.1 yards per return... Smith is also No. 2 in the League in all-purpose yards... Smith has 2095 total yards (-1 rushing, 609 receiving yards, 1487 KO return yards)... DS CECIL DOGGETTE leads the League in passes defensed (23)... Doggette is No. 12 in the AFL for combined tackles (59.0), right ahead of Chicago's DS COREY SAWYER, who is ranked No. 13 with 57.0.

LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (5-7) AT PHILADELPHIA SOUL (5-7)
SATURDAY, MAY 8, AT 7:30 P.M. ET
(TV: UPN 57, PHILADELPHIA – ARI WOLFE, DARRIN KENNEY and RHEA HUGHES)

Last week, WR/DB MARCUS NASH caught 11 passes for 129 yards with three TDs to bring his season totals to 115 receptions for 1,333 yards and 35 TDs... To break the League record of 138 receptions set by EDDIE BROWN in 1999, Nash must average six receptions per game over the final four games... Nash is within range of breaking the League record of 46 receiving TDs in a season (MIKE HORACEK 2001, CHRIS JACKSON 2003, MIKE FURREY 2003)... Nash needs to average three TDs per game to reach the record... Nash is currently one TD shy of tying the Gladiators team record of 36 receiving TDs set by Horacek last season... Gladiators QB CLINT DOLEZEL has completed 286-of-429 for a League leading 3,364 yards with 70 TDs... His 70 TDs marks the sixth consecutive season he has thrown for 70 or more TDs, the only player in AFL history to achieve that goal... Las Vegas is leading the League in total offense with 3,618 total yards (216 rushing, 3,402 passing)... Philadelphia OS TYRONNE JONES is tied for No. 15 in the League in scoring (120 points)... FB/LB CHRIS RYAN is tied for No. 4 in the League in fumble recoveries (4)... DS JOSEPH TODD is No. 2 in the League for passes defensed (18) and No. 6 in total tackles (67.0).

LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (7-5) AT TAMPA BAY STORM (6-7)
SUNDAY, MAY 9, AT 3 P.M. ET
(TV: NBC – TOM HAMMOND, PAT HADEN and LEWIS JOHNSON)

In 2004, Tampa Bay QB SHANE STAFFORD is 209-of-341 for 2,571 yards and 46 TDs (11 INTs), a 61.3 pass completion percentage... In 12 games this season, the Avengers have turned the ball over just five times, the fewest in the AFL (no other team has less than 10 turnovers)... L.A., which has lost only three fumbles and been intercepted just twice, has played eight turnover-free games this season and is 5-3 in those contests... The Avengers are No. 2 in the AFL with a +13 turnover margin... L.A. is No. 2 in the AFL in red-zone offense, scoring on 55 of its 58 trips [50 TDs – (36 passing, 14 rushing) and five FGs]... Avenger QB TONY GRAZIANI has thrown 245 TD passes in his 45-game AFL career (5.4 scoring TDs per game)... Graziani is one of only 16 players in league history to pass for 200 or more TDs... OS CHRIS JACKSON has scored a TD in every game he has played in for the Avengers except for one... He now has 151 TDs in 60 games... The Avengers are averaging 57.3 PPG and a League-leading 7.5 yards per play... Los Angeles has won seven of its last eight games in the Eastern Time Zone... Last week, the Storm ran off 20 unanswered points in the third quarter... Entering the game, the Storm had been outscored 176-114 in the third quarter this season... The Storm reached the 60-point plateau for just the second time this season and improved to 40-1 all-time when scoring 60 or more points in a game... Tampa Bay currently sits 1.5 games out of the eighth and final playoff spot... OS FREDDIE SOLOMON'S 17-yard TD catch in the third quarter against Orlando extended the Storm OS streak of consecutive regular season games with a TD reception to 18... The Storm's three-game winning streak equals San Jose's three-game winning streak and is the second longest in the league.

SAN JOSE SABERCATS (10-2) AT ARIZONA RATTLERS (8-5)
SUNDAY, MAY 9, AT 3 P.M. ET
(TV: NBC – ELI GOLD, CHARLES DAVIS and MARK CURTIS)

Head Coach DARREN ARBET aiming for No. 70... After a win over L.A., Arizona now ranks No. 5 in the AFL standings... Arizona held the Avengers to their lowest point total of the season in their 42-38 victory... WR/LB HUNKIE COOPER needs 208 yards to become No. 1 all-time in all-purpose yards... In 20 career games against the SaberCats, Cooper has returned five KOs for TDs and 2 INTs for scores... He's also caught 12 TD passes and rushed for five other scores... Cooper is the only San Jose opponent to return a KO and an INT for a TD in the same game... Arizona QB SHERDRICK BONNER needs only three TD passes for 600 in his career... The Rattlers are 12-6 all-time on NBC... Arizona has won at least eight games for nine straight years...The Rattlers have finished under .500 only once, their inaugural season of 1992...SaberCat QB MARK GRIEB earned Offensive Player of the Week honors by leading the AFLWA No. 1 ranked San Jose SaberCats to a 68-34 victory over the No. 2-ranked New Orleans VooDoo on Saturday... The 2002 Offensive Player of the Year completed 23-of-29 passes (79.3 percent) for 290 yards, five TDs and no INTs... The SaberCats need two wins for 100 overall in franchise history... Head Coach DARREN ARBET needs one win for 70 career... WR/DB BARRY WAGNER needs 77 receiving yards to become AFL's all-time leader... OS JAMES HUNDON needs three TD catches for 100 career... Grieb needs 24 pass yards for 17,000 career... The SaberCats now own a 38-4 (.905) record in games where they score 60-or-more points... WR/LB HUNKIE COOPER – The two-time AFL Ironman of the Year (99, 00) has feasted on San Jose. In 20 career games against the SaberCats, Cooper has returned five kickoffs for TDs and two INTs for scores. He's also caught 12 TD passes and rushed for five other scores.

DALLAS DESPERADOS (6-6) AT AUSTIN WRANGLERS (7-5)
SUNDAY, MAY 9, AT 3 P.M. ET

Last week, the Desperados lost their third consecutive game – and fifth in six games - falling to the New York Dragons 44-20... Dallas' 20 points is the lowest point total in Desperados history... WR/DB WILL PETTIS has 2,411 all-purpose yard, the most total yards by any player in the League this season... He currently ranks No. 1 in KO return yards (1,396), No. 4 in missed FG return yards (135), and No. 19 in receiving yards (851)... Rookie of the Year candidate BOBBY SIPPIO is the League leader among rookies in receiving TDs (25) and yards-per-catch (16.1), No. 3 in receiving yards (855) and No. 4 in receptions (53)... The Austin Wranglers snapped their first-ever two-game losing streak last week with a win over the Rampage, 40-27... The Wranglers offense scored 40 points and posted 263 yards... The Wranglers defense held Grand Rapids to only 12 first downs and 27 points, with only one TD scored in the second half... The Wranglers are tied for No. 2 in passing YPG (273.6)... Last week, Wranglers DS CEDRIC WALKER had 6.0 solo tackles, two for losses... WR/DB TACOMA FONTAINE needs 22 receiving yards to reach 1,000 career... Austin QB JOHN KALEO is 100 passing yards from 25,500 career yards, and two completions from 2,100 career completions.

GEORGIA FORCE (4-8) AT COLUMBUS DESTROYERS (4-8)
SUNDAY, MAY 9, AT 3 P.M. ET

The Force is 2-0 when leading after three quarters... Averaging 27.6 YPG rushing, the Force currently ranks No. 5 in the League in rushing offense... FB/LB ROBERT THOMAS currently is No. 3 among all rookies in rushing with 154 yards on 35 carries and eight scores... QB LEON MURRAY is No. 3 among all QBs with 120 yards rushing on 36 carries, scoring nine TDs on the ground... Murray stands No. 10 overall in the AFL in rushing... This season, K STEVE MCLAUGHLIN is 57-for-61 on PAT kicks... Columbus has won three out of their last five contests including a 60-52 victory over the Carolina Cobras last week in Charlotte... WR/DB SEDRICK ROBINSON led the Columbus Destroyers during their 60-52 victory over the Carolina Cobras on Saturday to win the AFL's Ironman of the Week award... Robinson caught six receptions for 152 yards and two TDs, threw for a 34-yard TD pass, and added three rushes for 12 yards and a TD... He had six KO returns for 108 yards on special teams for 272 all-purpose yards... On defense, Robinson tallied 2.0 total tackles.

ORLANDO PREDATORS (6-6) AT NEW ORLEANS VOODOO (9-3)
SUNDAY, MAY 9, AT 3 P.M. ET
(TV: NBC – ALLEN BESTWICK, MIKE PAWLAWSKI and RICH LENZ)

Orlando head coach JAY GRUDEN is aiming for 50-career coaching wins again this week... Gruden has never missed the playoffs as coach or player for any team... Orlando is a bubble team at No. 9, following loss to Tampa Bay last week... New Orleans is sitting in the No. 2 seed, following a loss to San Jose last week ... Orlando QB JOE HAMILTON is No. 5 among AFL QBs (174-of-225 for 2099 yards, 43 TDs and 5 INTs), with a 118.1 passer rating... Has led the Predators to three wins in the last four games (passing for 865 yards and 20 TDs; rushing for 27 yards and 1 TD in those games combined)... Last week against Tampa Bay, Predators TRAVIS MCGRIFF had 10 receptions for 163 yards and three TDs, eight returns for 150 yards, including a 55-yard TD return and 313 all-purpose yards... This season, New Orleans QB JOHN FITZGERALD has completed 198-of-350 passes for 2532 yards, 45 TDs and 11 INTs... The VooDoo has only surrendered four sacks on Fitzgerald, tied for No. 1 in the League... OS AARON BAILEY is No. 5 in AFL scoring (162 points)... Bailey is the VooDoo's top receiver...On the season he has 72 rec. for 1,093 yards and 25 TDs... FB/LB DAN CURRAN is the leading rusher in the AFL with 61 carries for 272 yards and 17 rushing TDs... The VooDoo is 8-0 when leading after three quarters... New Orleans is 5-0 at home.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 5, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central