Sharks Move into Top Five of AFL Media Poll
June 3, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
CHICAGO - After beginning the season 0-4 for the first time in franchise history, the Jacksonville Sharks (5-5) have rallied in the last month to even their record at .500 and crack the Top Five of the latest AFL Media Poll.
Despite going down to the wire with the winless LA KISS (0-9) in Week 10, Jacksonville prevailed with a 41-35 victory in Anaheim, setting up an opportunity to claim a share of the South Division lead this week when they host the Orlando Predators (6-4) on CBS Sports Network. The Predators - winners of three in a row - moved up to No. 4 in this week's Media Poll after soundly defeating the Cleveland Gladiators (5-5) on the road last week. The nationally televised matchup between the two Florida rivals is set for 7:00 p.m. ET Saturday night.
The undefeated San Jose SaberCats (10-0) once again garnered all 16 first-place votes in the latest AFL Media Poll following their 61-42 win over the Portland Thunder (3-6) last week. The SaberCats can lock down their second consecutive Pacific Division crown and another trip to the postseason this weekend with a win over the Spokane Shock (3-6) and a Thunder loss. The SaberCats and Shock will kick off Week 11 at 10:30 p.m. ET Friday night on ESPN3.
A unanimous No. 2 in the Media Poll once again, the Philadelphia Soul (9-1) continued to impress last week, fending off the Las Vegas Outlaws (3-6), 51-43, in the inaugural DraftKings Boardwalk Bowl in Atlantic City. The Soul can further separate themselves from the East Division pack this weekend with a win over the New Orleans VooDoo (2-8). Kickoff for that matchup is set for 6:00 p.m. ET Saturday on ESPN3.
Two touchdowns in the final minute of regulation gave the third-ranked Arizona Rattlers (7-2) their first victory of the year with quarterback Shane Boyd at the helm. The former Kentucky Wildcat passed for seven touchdowns filling in for reigning League MVP Nick Davila, who has been on the shelf with an injury since Week 5. Boyd figures to get the start in Davila's absence once again this week, as the Rattlers host the Tampa Bay Storm for the first time since 1997. Kickoff for that contests is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET Saturday night on ESPN3.
The AFL Media Poll consists of voters from television, radio, and newspaper outlets who regularly cover the League in their respective markets, along with national personalities from ESPN and CBS Sports, who provide game and studio commentary about the Arena Football League.
June 3 AFL Media Poll
Rank Team (1st Place Votes) W-L Points Last Week
1. San Jose SaberCats (16) 10-0 192 1
2. Philadelphia Soul 9-1 175 2
3. Arizona Rattlers 7-2 161 3
4. Orlando Predators 6-4 142 5
5. Jacksonville Sharks 5-5 126 6
6. Cleveland Gladiators 5-5 116 4
7. Tampa Bay Storm 4-5 95 7
8. Spokane Shock 3-6 74 8
9. Las Vegas Outlaws 3-6 62 9
10. Portland Thunder 3-6 57 10
11. New Orleans VooDoo 2-8 32 11
12. LA KISS 0-9 16 12
Arena Football League Stories from June 3, 2015
- DB Dwight McLean Returns to Portland - Portland Thunder
- Shock Add Pair of Pass Rushers - Spokane Shock
- Sharks Move into Top Five of AFL Media Poll - AFL
- Soul Take It to the Nexxt Level - Philadelphia Soul
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