This week in the AFL

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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

This week in the AFL

by Mark Sargent
April 23, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)


During week one of the 2002 season, Arena Football League fans were treated to some very close, exciting, and high scoring football action. If the first week is any indication of the what to expect this year, we will be in for a great season as four out of five contests were decided by five points or less.

In San Jose, the Sabercats, outlasted the Arizona Rattlers by just one point, 52-51, courtesy of an 11-yard Mark Grieb touchdown pass to James Hundon with less than two minutes left in the game. Grieb, one of the premier quarterbacks in the league, had an outstanding game for the Sabercats. He completed 27 of 42 passes for 310 yards and six touchdowns. The duo of James Hundon and Barry Wagner were on the receiving end of 19 of Grieb's completions on the evening. San Jose kicker Daron Alcorn also had a solid game, making good on 7 of 7 extra points and his lone field goal attempt. For Arizona, Chris Horn was the offensive star, hauling in six catches for 73 yards and four touchdowns. Horn also returned three kickoffs for 80 yards.

In other close games, the Buffalo Destroyers skimmed past the New Jersey Gladiators, 53-51, last year's Arena Bowl Champion, the Grand Rapids Rampage narrowly defeated the Detroit Fury, 49-45, and Chicago got by Indiana by the score of 47-42.

Looking ahead to week two, there could be some equally exciting contests. Fresh off a close victory at Indiana, the Chicago Rush are looking to make it 2-0 as they visit Orlando to do battle with Jay Gruden and the Predators. Gruden will hopes to improve on last week's effort, in which he was picked off three times en route to a 67-49 loss to the Georgia Force. Chicago has a good young team and quarterback Billy Dicken will once again look for his favorite target, Joe Douglas. Last week, Douglas hauled in 12 receptions for 102 yards and a pair of scores. Look for this game to be a high scoring affair, and I am giving the edge to Chicago by a field goal.

In another key game this weekend, the Indiana Firebirds visit their Central Division rivals, the Grand Rapids Rampage. The Rampage want remain unbeaten, while the Firbirds are after their first win of this young season. Both of these teams have experienced quarterbacks at the helm. Raymond Philyaw guides the offense for Indiana while Clint Dolezel leads the Rampage.

Last season, Grand Rapids finished the regular season at 11-3, while the Firebirds were right behind them at 9-5. Both teams have excellent receivers. Grand Rapids has last year's Arena Bowl MVP, Terrill Shaw, while Indiana features one of the all time great receivers in Arena football history in Eddie Brown. Although Brown has been around the game for several years, he does not look like he has lost a step, and he can always be counted on to make a clutch reception. This game will also be a high-scoring affair, and I would not be surprised to see a total of 130 points on the night. Although Grand Rapids is tough to beat at home, I am giving the edge to Indiana this weekend by seven points and I look to them to rebound from last week's loss to Chicago.

Other contests include Buffalo at New York, San Jose at Tampa Bay, Detroit at Toronto, LA at Arizona, Carolina at Georgia and Dallas at New Jersey.

The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 23, 2002


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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