Sharks Stay in Top Spot for Eighth Consecutive Week
June 22, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
TULSA, OKLA. - The Jacksonville Sharks (12-1) remain in the top spot of the Week 15 Coaches' Poll for the eighth consecutive week, receiving 13 first place votes following their 62-47 playoff clinching victory over the Milwaukee Mustangs (4-9). Jacksonville earned its twelfth straight victory and is now tied with the 2002 San Jose SaberCats team for the AFL single-season win streak record. Sharks veteran quarterback Aaron Garcia threw for 307-yards and seven touchdowns in the win. The Sharks look to win their thirteenth straight game this week at home against the Tampa Bay Storm (6-7) on Saturday, June 25 at 7:00 p.m. EST. A win by the Sharks will also secure the number one seed in the American Conference.
The Arizona Rattlers (12-2) tallied five first place votes and remained in second place following their crucial home win over the San Jose SaberCats (5-8), 64-57. Arizona defensive back and kick returner Virgil Gray compiled 222 kickoff return yards and two touchdowns, earning Week 15 Ironman honors. Arizona has won five consecutive games and holds a two and a half game lead over the Chicago Rush (9-4) in the National Conference. Arizona now travels to play the Philadelphia Soul (5-9) in Week 16 on Saturday, June 25 at 7:05 p.m. EST.
The Orlando Predators (8-5) moved into the third spot of the Poll after a tough, 44-46, loss to division rival, Tampa Bay. The loss was their second in two consecutive games. The Predators look to get back on track as they host the Georgia Force (8-6) on Saturday, June 25 at 7:30 p.m. EST. The winner of the game will hold the third spot in the American Conference playoff picture.
Chicago fell to fourth place in the Poll following their road loss to the Spokane Shock (6-7), 60-63. Rush quarterback Russ Michna was placed on Injured Reserve Tuesday after suffering an ankle injury at the end of the first half against the Shock. Newly acquired JJ Raterink and the Rush look to bounce back in Week 16 as they face the Iowa Barnstormers (3-10) on Sunday, June 26 at 4:00 p.m. EST.
The Dallas Vigilantes (8-5) remained in the fifth spot of the Poll, following a 65-55 win over the Iowa Barnstormers. Dallas quarterback Dan Raudabaugh had another phenomenal day, completing 16-of-26 passes for 254 yards and seven touchdowns. The Vigilantes now have an important Central Division matchup against the Tulsa Talons (6-7) on Saturday, June 25 at 8:00 p.m. EST.
The Cleveland Gladiators (7-6) moved down a spot to number seven in the Poll following their road loss to the Kansas City Command (5-9), 41-50, last week. Cleveland will face San Jose on Sunday, June 25 at 7:00 p.m. EST. The Pittsburgh Power (7-6) also dropped one spot in the Poll following a 40-81 loss to the Utah Blaze (6-7). The Power have lost back-to-back games for the second time this season. The Power head back home to face the Milwaukee Mustangs (4-9) on Saturday, June 25 at 7:30 p.m. EST.
The Tampa Bay Storm entered the Coaches' Poll for the first time since Week 1, after the 46-44 victory over Orlando. The Storm have won four out of their last five games. Tampa Bay will look to keep the momentum up as they head to Jacksonville to battle the top-ranked Sharks.
WEEK 15 COACHES' POLL
RK Team (1st place votes) W-L Pts Last Week
1 Jacksonville Sharks (13) 12-1 166 1
2 Arizona Rattlers (5) 12-2 149 2
3 Orlando Predators 8-5 126 4
4 Chicago Rush 9-4 125 3
5 Dallas Vigilantes 8-5 100 5
6 Georgia Force 8-6 80 8
7 Cleveland Gladiators 7-6 68 6
8 Pittsburgh Power 7-6 56 7
9 Utah Blaze 6-7 32 9
10 Tampa Bay Storm 6-7 30 --
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Arena Football League Stories from June 22, 2011
- Week 16 Game Notes - Command Vs. Blaze - Kansas City Command
- Shock Add Hedin to Roster - Spokane Shock
- AFL Projecting One-Millionth Fan this Weekend - AFL
- Sharks Stay in Top Spot for Eighth Consecutive Week - AFL
- Joe Albi Classic Time Changed - Spokane Shock
- Rattlers Head East to Take on Soul - Arizona Rattlers
- Fans to Vote on Candidates for the 2011 Hall of Fame Class - AFL
- Neal Wins Another Weekly Honor - Tulsa Talons
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