Swarm Continue Playoff Battle in Peoria
July 10, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Cincinnati Swarm News Release
The Cincinnati Swarm begin a home and home series with the Peoria Pirates this weekend in Peoria. The Swarm sit at 5-8 with three games remaining. The Swarm are currently just one game out of the playoffs in af2's National Conference.
The Swarm enter Week 16 action in a three-way tie for seventh in the conference. The top six teams earn post-season births. The Swarm are chasing the Bakersfield Blitz (6-7) who currently hold the final spot. The Swarm are tied with the Memphis Xplorers (5-8) and San Diego Riptide (5-8) for the seventh spot. If the season ended today, the Swarm would place ninth in the conference due to tiebreakers with Memphis and San Diego.
The Swarm enter this game without starting QB Christian Batcheller. Batcheller was injured during Week 13 action at Mohegan. Last week, in a relief role, QB Brian Partlow completed 18 of 29 attempts for 212 yards and five touchdowns in a 53-17 win over the Rochester Brigade.
The Swarm offense is led by Offensive Specialist James Scott. Scott has caught 100 passes on the season which ranks fourth in af2. Scott's 1,360 receiving yards on the season places him third in the league. Scott is also tenth in scoring with 162 points on the season.
Peoria has a big-play wide receiver of their own. Jack Walker leads af2 in scoring (202 points) and touchdowns (33). Walker also ranks seventh in the league with 1,182 receiving yards on 71 catches.
Peoria is also in the playoff chase, but that could end with a loss this weekend. The Pirates are two games back of the final playoff spot at 4-9 with three games remaining. A Peoria loss coupled with a Bakersfield win at home vs. Wichita would end the Pirates' post-season hopes. The Pirates are the defending Arena Cup Champions. If they fail to make the post-season, they would become the second straight Arena Cup winner to miss the post-season the next year.
Game time on Saturday is 8 p.m. eastern time. Swarm fans can be a part of the action by listening to the Swarm webcast at www.cincinnatiswarm.com. The Swarm return home on July 19th for a Fan Appreciation Night re-match with Peoria. Tickets are on sale now at U.S. Bank Arena Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations including select Kroger stores. Fans can charge by phone at 513-562-4949 or visit ticketmaster.com.
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