Semifinal Playoff Preview
August 7, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10
NO. 7 ORLANDO PREDATORS (9-7) AT NO. 1 SAN JOSE SABERCATS (14-1), 3:00 P.M. ET, Compaq Center at San Jose
The top-seeded San Jose SaberCats (14-1) find themselves one game from their first ArenaBowl appearance with two-time champion Orlando Predators next in their path. Second-year AFL standout San Jose OS JAMES HUNDON (210 points, No. 2 in AFL) has opposing defensive secondaries keeping a close eye on his activities, while trying to shutdown the SaberCats' explosive offensive attack (62.7 PPG, No. 1). Six-time Ironman of the Year WR/DB BARRY WAGNER showed why he is ready for another shot at an ArenaBowl title with last week 's five-touchdown performance, good for Ironman of the Week honors, a record-setting 37th time in his illustrious career. On the other side of the field, Orlando QB JAY GRUDEN has won four titles as a player -- two more as a head coach. Gruden, who's postseason record as a player is 14-2, has been pushing the right buttons to get his team in position to make a run at the title. The former Louisville standout has an arsenal of receivers that includes: CLIF DELL (76 receptions, 25 TDs), SIAHA BURLEY (78 receptions, 17 TDs), and JUNIOR LORD (5 postseason TDs). The match-up to watch will be in the trenches â San Jose's line vs. Orlando's line. It will be the No. 1 scoring offense of the Predators against the No. 1 total defense of the SaberCats. The Predators led the league in total defense (232.6 YPG), while the SaberCats led the league in turnover ratio (+14).
TV: ABC â Tim Brandt, Ed Cunningham, Lynn Swann
SUNDAY, AUGUST 11
NO. 3 CHICAGO RUSH (10-5) AT NO. 2 ARIZONA RATTLERS (12-3), 3:30 P.M. ET, America West Arena
A battle in the Valley of the Sun, when two evenly matched teams look to earn a spot in the ArenaBowl. Arizona OS CHRIS HORN pulled in a last-second 32-yard touchdown to give the Rattlers in the 61-59 semifinal victory over Carolina. Arizona QB SHERDRICK BONNER connected on a playoff record-tying nine touchdowns, including five to Horn. Two-time Ironman of the Year winner HUNKIE COOPER earned Ironman of the Game by with 240 all-purpose yards. Two-way veteran RANDY GATEWOOD (44 receptions, 15 TDs) has two rings to show for his experience (1994, 1997). Second-year Chicago QB BILLY DICKEN guides the surging Rush offense by hooking up with one of the AFL's top rookies, ANTONIO CHATMAN (74 receptions, 26 total TDs), WR/DB DAMEON PORTER (14 TDs, 10 INTs), and WR/DB CORNELIUS BONNER (45 receptions, 8 TDs), and WR/DB LINDSAY FLESHMAN (40 receptions, 11 TDs). The match-up to watch is the Chicago offense (53.4 PPG, No. 3) against the Arizona defense (44.6 PPG, No. 1). The individual battle between Ironmen Porter and Cooper will be an interesting one to watch.
TV: ESPN2 â Mike Gleason, Merril Hoge
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from August 7, 2002
- SaberCats OS James Hundon Sees 'Catches & Moves' Like No Other - San Jose SaberCats
- Semifinal Playoff Preview - AFL I
- Peterson Earns Weekly Award - Portland Forest Dragons
- Carolina Cobras Announce 2002 Team Award Winners - Carolina Cobras
- Marvin Taylor Named AFL Defensive Player of the Week - Chicago Rush
- Arena Football League Transactions - AFL I
- Trigg Signs Two-Year Contract Extension - Grand Rapids Rampage
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