Schutt Sports Top 12 Poll

April 11, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release

For the fourth week in a row, the Dallas Desperados were the top-ranked team in the Schutt Sports Top 12 Poll.

Dallas (9-2) received 14 first-place votes and 190 points in voting by members of the Arena Football League Writers Association (AFLWA). The Desperados, who defeated the New York Dragons 46-28, next host the Grand Rapids Rampage (3-8).

Also remaining steady was the No. 2 Colorado Crush (8-3), which picked up two first-place votes and totaled 174 points. Colorado, a 73-48 winner over Grand Rapids, visits the Kansas City Brigade (2-9).

This week will feature a battle between the No. 3 Georgia Force (7-4) and the No. 4 Predators (7-4) in Orlando. Georgia moved up two spots thanks to a 61-29 blowout of the Austin Wranglers, and Orlando stayed at its location after edging the Columbus Destroyers 39-36.

The Nashville Kats (7-4) gained a spot to No. 5 after beating the Las Vegas Gladiators 58-44. Nashville is home against the No. 9 Philadelphia Soul (6-5). Philadelphia advanced three places following a 56-55 victory over the Chicago Rush.

Austin (7-4), which fell three spaces to No. 6, hosts the No. 8 Tampa Bay Storm (6-5). Tampa Bay dropped a spot after losing 52-43 to the San Jose SaberCats.

The Arizona Rattlers (6-5) used to a 64-52 victory over the Utah Blaze to move up two spots to No. 7. Arizona is home against Chicago (4-7).

New York (6-5), which dropped two places to No. 10, travels to Columbus (5-6).

The No. 11 SaberCats (5-6) and No. 12 Gladiators (5-6) battle it out in San Jose. They are headed in opposite directions, with San Jose entering the poll and Las Vegas falling three notches.

Schutt Sports, the sports gear company with a reputation for innovation, is sponsoring this season's Top 12 Poll. Its website is www.schuttsports.com.

The AFLWA, founded at the start of the 2004 season, is a national organization made up of media members who cover the Arena Football League. Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review-Journal is the AFLWA's founder and executive director. The website is www.aflwa.com.

1. Dallas Desperados 9-2 (14) 190

2. Colorado Crush 8-3 (2) 174

3. Georgia Force 7-4 152

4. Orlando Predators 7-4 134

5. Nashville Kats 7-4 129

6. Austin Wranglers 7-4 111

7. Arizona Rattlers 6-5 87

8. Tampa Bay Storm 6-5 79

9. Philadelphia Soul 6-5 71

10. New York Dragons 6-5 44

11. San Jose SaberCats 5-6 35

12. Las Vegas Gladiators 5-6 20

Others receiving votes: Columbus Destroyers 17, Chicago Rush 5.

Dropped out: Columbus Destroyers (11).

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 11, 2006

• Colorado Crush game notes - Colorado Crush
• Utah Blaze game notes - Utah Blaze
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• Neil Smith and the Kansas City Brigade square off against John Elway and the Colorado Crush Sunday - Kansas City Brigade
• San Jose SaberCats game notes - San Jose SaberCats
• James Jordan Re-signs with Brigade - Kansas City Brigade
• Chicago Rush game notes - Chicago Rush
• Philadelphia Soul game notes - Philadelphia Soul
• Beckett.com AFL Collectible Player of the Week - AFL I
• Schutt Sports Top 12 Poll - AFL I
• Arizona Rattlers game notes - Arizona Rattlers
• New York Dragons game notes - New York Dragons
• USA Football and Arena Football League team up to produce "Values of the Game" PSAs - AFL I
• Nashville Kats game notes - Nashville Kats
• Gatewood Named "Offensive Player of the Week" - Arizona Rattlers
• Dragons can't overcome pointless first half - OSC Original by David Holusha
• Crush's Floyd captures second straight Defensive Player of the Week award - Colorado Crush
• Three teams look to clinch playoff spots this week - AFL I
• Philadelphia Soul Bus Trip to New York - Philadelphia Soul
• AFL names players of the week - AFL I
• Georgia's Derek Lee named AFL U.S. Army Ironman of the Week - Georgia Force
• Columbus Destroyers game notes - Columbus Destroyers

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