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Spokane Snags Top Spot in Week 5 Coaches' Poll

April 17, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL) News Release


CHICAGO - The Spokane Shock (4-0) have claimed the top spot in the Week 5 Coaches' Poll after a convincing 66-49 victory over the defending ArenaBowl-champion Arizona Rattlers (3-1).

After garnering just one first place vote a week ago, Spokane received nine more in Week 5, thanks in large part to offensive standouts Erik Meyer and Adron Tennell. Meyer leads the League with 1,279 passing yards and 32 passing touchdowns and is one of two starting quarterbacks yet to throw an interception this season. His favorite target has been Tennell, who has recorded a League-high 37 receptions and 14 receiving touchdowns.

Both players will need to continue their MVP-caliber pace to maintain Spokane's footing in the West Division standings. The team faces another divisional opponent this week in the No. 5-ranked San Jose SaberCats (2-1), who are well-rested following a bye in Week 4. Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. EST on Friday, April 19.

The Week 4 loss did not do much damage to the Arizona Rattlers rankings in the Coaches' Poll. Though the team received just one first place vote, Arizona still tallied enough votes to finish at No. 2 this week. The Rattlers will look to get back on track on Saturday, April 20 against the San Antonio Talons (1-2), who are coming off their first win of the season in Week 4. Kickoff is set for 9:00 p.m. EST.

The undefeated Jacksonville Sharks (4-0) come in at No. 3 after a dominating 76-30 win over the New Orleans VooDoo (1-2) in Week 4. Up 55-12 at halftime, Sharks head coach Les Moss elected to rest his star quarterback, Bernard Morris, for the second half, a luxury not likely to be seen in the team's Week 5 matchup with the eighth-ranked Iowa Barnstormers (2-2). Kickoff is set for Friday, April 19 at 8:00 p.m. EST.

Clint Dolezel's Philadelphia Soul squad stands firm at the four-spot for the third consecutive week. Philadelphia is the only team in the League that has yet to play in front of their home crowd, but that will be remedied in Week 5. The Soul will look to extend their two-game winning streak when they host the Cleveland Gladiators (0-3) on Saturday, April 20 at 7:05 p.m. in the 2013 home opener.

A week off actually helped the San Jose SaberCats in the Coaches' Poll, as they move up from sixth to fifth in the Week 5 rankings. Aaron Garcia and company will look to get back to their winning ways in Week 5, when they host the undefeated Shock. It will be the second consecutive game in which the SaberCats have faced off with the top-ranked undefeated team in the League.

WEEK 5 COACHES' POLL

Rank Team (1st Place Votes) W-L Points Last Week

1 Spokane Shock (10) 4-0 126 2

2 Arizona Rattlers (1) 3-1 112 1

3 Jacksonville Sharks (3) 4-0 102 3

4 Philadelphia Soul 2-1 91 4

5 San Jose SaberCats 2-1 84 6

6 Tampa Bay Storm 2-2 60 5

7 Utah Blaze 1-2 44 8

8 Iowa Barnstormers 2-2 31 7

9 Chicago Rush 2-2 30 10

10 New Orleans VooDoo 1-2 16 9

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