Soul No. 1 in Coaches' Poll for Third Straight Week
May 3, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
CHICAGO - For the third consecutive week, the Philadelphia Soul (6-1) sit atop the AFL Coaches' Poll.
The Soul received 10 first place votes after dropping 69 points on the Orlando Predators (1-6) in Week 8. Philadelphia became the only team in AFL history to record seven consecutive games with 60-or-more points to start a season. This week, the Soul play host to the Milwaukee Mustangs (2-4), who are reeling after the team's third loss this season by six points or fewer. Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 5.
Despite ranking fourth in the AFL Power Rankings, the Arizona Rattlers (5-2) remain second in the Coaches' Poll for the second consecutive week. The defending National Conference champions earned four first place votes after holding the Georgia Force (3-4) to just 27 points in Week 8. This week, the team hosts their bitter rivals and the third-ranked team in the Coaches' Poll, the San Jose SaberCats (5-2). San Jose handed the ninth-ranked Iowa Barnstormers (3-4) their worst home loss in franchise history in Week 8. After receiving one first place vote in this week's Poll, the SaberCats will look to avenge their one-point Week 1 loss against the Rattlers this weekend. Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 5.
The Chicago Rush (5-2) fell one spot to number four in the Coaches' Poll, following a one-point loss to the seventh-ranked San Antonio Talons (4-3) in Week 8. In spite of the loss, the Rush still received two first place votes. The team has a chance at redemption within the division this weekend, as they host the Iowa Barnstormers on Sunday, May 6. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET.
Closing out the top five are the Utah Blaze (5-2), who came up with a tough win at the Bradley Center in Week 8, defeating the Milwaukee Mustangs (2-4) 61-58. Utah currently ranks third overall in the AFL Power Rankings, but remains in the fifth spot of the Coaches' Poll for the second straight week. Utah hosts the tenth-ranked Spokane Shock (3-3) in Week 9. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on Friday, May 4.
The Cleveland Gladiators (4-3) jumped up two spots to number six after a divisional win over the Pittsburgh Power (2-5). Cleveland is off in Week 9, while the New Orleans VooDoo (3-3) dropped one spot to number seven during the team's bye week in Week 8. New Orleans will face off with the Jacksonville Sharks (2-4) on NFL Network's broadcast of "NET10 Arena Football Friday," on Friday, May 4. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
WEEK 9 COACHES' POLL
RK Team (1st place votes) W-L Pts Last Week
1 Philadelphia Soul (10) 6-1 152 1
2 Arizona Rattlers (4) 5-2 141 2
3 San Jose SaberCats (1) 5-2 129 4
4 Chicago Rush (2) 5-2 112 3
5 Utah Blaze 5-2 105 5
6 Cleveland Gladiators 4-3 59 8
7 San Antonio Talons 4-3 58 NR
8 New Orleans VooDoo 3-3 43 7
9 Iowa Barnstormers 3-4 34 6
10 Spokane Shock 3-3 33 NR
Arena Football League Stories from May 3, 2012
- SaberCats Clash with Bitter Rival Arizona in the Desert in Significant Divisional Battle - San Jose SaberCats
- Sharks, VooDoo to Kick off Weekend on National Airwaves - Jacksonville Sharks
- Everett Named National Guard MVP of the Week - Milwaukee Mustangs
- HD Video Display System Coming to Tampa Bay Times Forum - Tampa Bay Storm
- Release - Storm Hosts Orlando Predators Saturday, May 5 - Tampa Bay Storm
- Milwaukee's Everett Voted Week 8 National Guard MVP - AFL
- Soul No. 1 in Coaches' Poll for Third Straight Week - Philadelphia Soul
- Top 25 Players in AFL History: #17 Bob McMillen - AFL
- Storm Announce Signed Football and Jersey GiveAway - Tampa Bay Storm
- Georgia Force to Host Second Annual Youth Football Camp - Georgia Force
- VooDoo Pick up Action, Travel to Jacksonville - New Orleans VooDoo
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