Undefeated Shock Remain Atop Week 6 Coaches' Poll
Published on April 24, 2013 under Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
CHICAGO - The Spokane Shock (5-0) remain in the top spot of this week's Coaches' Poll after an impressive showing on the road against the San Jose SaberCats (2-2) in Week 5.
While Spokane has become known for its high-powered offense this season, it was the defense that paced the Shock to their fifth-straight win last week. Defensive back Paul Stephens recorded an AFL-record five interceptions in the team's 69-47 victory over San Jose on Friday night. Stephens and the Shock will need to continue that high-level of play this week against one of the League's most dangerous offenses, the fourth-ranked Tampa Bay Storm (3-2) in "NET10 Wireless Arena Football Saturday" on CBS Sports Network. The broadcast is scheduled to begin at 10:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 27.
The Arizona Rattlers (4-1) bounced back from a loss in Week 4 to handle the 10th-ranked San Antonio Talons (1-3) 83-40 in Week 5. Quarterback Nick Davila was a near-perfect 22-of-26 last week, tossing nine touchdowns - five to receiver Rod Windsor. The team hosts the winless Orlando Predators (0-4) on Sunday, April 28. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET.
The undefeated Jacksonville Sharks (5-0) came away with a tight 40-34 victory over the ninth-ranked Iowa Barnstormers (2-3) in Week 5. Jacksonville quarterback Bernard Morris threw his first interception of the season in the win, but still managed five passing scores on the night. The team travels to Philadelphia for a Saturday night showdown with the Soul at 7:05 p.m. ET on April 27.
The League's leading rusher, Tampa Bay quarterback Adrian McPherson guided the Storm to victory in the "War on I-4" in Week 5. McPherson, Joe Hills and the rest of the fourth-ranked Storm squad travel to Spokane for a matchup with the undefeated Shock on Saturday night.
The Philadelphia Soul (2-2) dropped from fourth to fifth in the Poll this week after a 57-64 overtime loss to the Cleveland Gladiators in Week 5. The team will look to get back on track at home on Saturday night against the undefeated Sharks - a squad Philadelphia defeated three times last season.
WEEK 6 COACHES' POLL
Rank Team (1st Place Votes) W-L Points Last Week
1 Spokane Shock (10) 5-0 127 1
2 Arizona Rattlers (3) 4-1 117 2
3 Jacksonville Sharks (1) 5-0 94 3
4 Tampa Bay Storm 3-2 82 6
5 Philadelphia Soul 2-2 81 4
6 San Jose SaberCats 2-2 72 5
7 Chicago Rush 3-2 67 9
8 Utah Blaze 1-3 39 7
9 Iowa Barnstormers 2-3 32 8
10 San Antonio Talons 1-3 26 --
Arena Football League Stories from April 24, 2013
- Lesué earns Catch of the Week - Utah Blaze
- Soul Set to Face off against Unbeaten Sharks - Philadelphia Soul
- Jacksonville returns to the road looking to remain unbeaten - Jacksonville Sharks
- Blaze Travel to Cleveland to Battle Gladiators - Utah Blaze
- Game Preview: Rush Head to Iowa Looking to Continue Hot Streak - Chicago Rush
- Undefeated Shock Remain Atop Week 6 Coaches' Poll - AFL
- VooDoo Looks to End Three-Game Skid, Moves to the Superdome - New Orleans VooDoo
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