San Jose is AFLWA preseason favorite to win ArenaBowl XVIII
Published on February 3, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK â The San Jose SaberCats will win the Arena Football League's toughest division and go on to take the ArenaBowl XVIII title, according to a poll released by the Arena Football League Writers Association.
All four Western Division teams were picked to make the playoffs, with the Arizona Rattlers finishing third overall, the Los Angeles Avengers fourth and the Las Vegas Gladiators seventh. San Jose, who won ArenaBowl XVI, was picked to win its second title in three years. The SaberCats are led by quarterback MARK GRIEB, defensive specialist CLEVAN THOMAS, offensive specialist JAMES HUNDON and two-way players JAMES ROE and BARRY WAGNER.
The defending champion Tampa Bay Storm were picked second. Also chosen to make the playoff field of eight teams were the Orlando Predators at No. 5, the Georgia Force at No. 6, and the Dallas Desperados and New York Dragons, who tied for the eighth spot.
AFLWA PRESEASON POLL
1 San Jose SaberCats
2 Tampa Bay Storm
3 Arizona Rattlers
4 Los Angeles Avengers
5 Orlando Predators
6 Georgia Force
7 Las Vegas Gladiators
8t Dallas Desperados
New York Dragons
The AFLWA also selected a preseason All-Arena team. Only Arizona had more than one selection -- fullback/linebacker BO KELLY and wide receiver/defensive back RANDY GATEWOOD. The other wide receiver/defensive back was Dallas' WILL PETTIS.
New York's AARON GARCIA was selected quarterback, Tampa Bay's LAWRENCE SAMUELS the wide receiver/linebacker and Los Angeles' CHRIS JACKSON the offensive specialist.
Two of the three linemen were from expansion teams - TOM BRIGGS of the Austin Wranglers and B.J. COHEN of the New Orleans VooDoo. The other lineman was JOHN MOYER of the Chicago Rush.
San Jose's CLEVAN THOMAS and Orlando's KENNY MCENTYRE were the defensive specialists, and CLAY RUSH of the Indiana Firebirds was the kicker.
AFLWA PRESEASON ALL-ARENA TEAM
POSITION PLAYER TEAM
QB Aaron Garcia New York Dragons
FB/LB Bo Kelly Arizona Rattlers
WR/LB Lawrence Samuels Tampa Bay Storm
WR/DB Randy Gatewood Arizona Rattlers
W
R/DB Will Pettis Dallas Desperados
OS Chris Jackson Los Angeles Avengers
OL/DL Tom Briggs Austin Wranglers
OL/DL John Moyer Chicago Rush
OL/DL B.J. Cohen New Orleans VooDoo
DS Clevan Thomas San Jose SaberCats
DS Kenny McEntyre Orlando Predators
K Clay Rush Indiana Firebirds
ABOUT AFLWA
The Arena Football League Writers Association is a unified organization that represents those who cover the AFL. Those who are interested in joining can download a membership application at www.aflwa.com.
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