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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Vipers, Knight Battle for Position

July 26, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The stakes are high when Macon visits Tennessee Valley Saturday. They could be higher in a month if both the Vipers and Knights do what they expect to do.

ArenaCup 2002 is the goal for the Vipers (13-2) and Knights (12-3), who are a combined 13-2 since the first weekend of June. Tennessee Valley has won four games in a row since a June 22 loss to Quad City. Macon had won eight straight before Birmingham squeaked past the Knights 48-46 last week.

Oddly enough, three of the teams' five combined losses have come at home, but that doesn't mean either team is anxious to make postseason travel plans. If Tennessee Valley beats Macon, the Vipers are assured of homefield advantage throughout the ArenaCup playoffs. If Macon beats the Vipers by three points or more, the Knights will be at home all the way through, unless they faced Tulsa in ArenaCup 2002 Presented by Built Ford Tough.

Back on April 27, the Vipers were responsible for the Knights' first loss, edging Macon 50-47 for their af2-record 10th consecutive road victory. Tennessee Valley scored nine straight points to lead 29-20 at halftime, forcing the Knights to play catch-up the entire second half. Macon twice pulled within two, then within three with 2:37 left on a JAQUEZ RUMPH TD catch, but the Vipers escaped when WESLEY WILSON's 52-yard field goal attempt missed wide right as time expired.

The Vipers' cast of characters has changed somewhat since that early-season tilt. Gone is QB WES COUNTS, who won game MVP honors with 290 passing yards and two touchdowns. A broken leg sidelined him last month. JERMAINE ALFRED has stepped in successfully, passing for 1,010 yards and 19 touchdowns against just two interceptions in five games. His primary target is OS/KR RODNEY BROWN, who has made an immediate impact in his first three games as a Viper. With af2 career receiving leader KELLY FIELDS sidelined with a wrist injury, Brown has exploded for 345 receiving yards, 43 rushing yards, 295 kickoff return yards as well as a blocked field goal recovery for TD. He has 11 overall touchdowns in four games and has returned a kickoff for a touchdown in three straight games. WR/DB REGGIE WORTHY, the ADT Defensive Player of the Game in the teams' first meeting, is the Vipers' top Ironman with 31 offensive TDs, 871 receiving yards and 29 tackles.

Offensive Player of the Year candidate JOHN RAYBORN leads a Macon offensive attack that ranks second in af2 with 55.1 points per game (Tennessee Valley' s 50.3 ppg ranks seventh). Rayborn has passed for 2,914 yards and 61 TDs with only 11 interceptions since making his af2 debut against the Vipers in April. His 114.3 pass rating is third in af2 while is 242.8 passing ypg ranks fifth. Rayborn has a wealth of targets in Rumph (who has three kickoff return TDs), MARTEZ WESLEY and GABE AMEY. Wesley and Rumph have almost identical receiving numbers – Wesley with 86 catches for 986 yards, Rumph with 84 catches for 976 yards. Both have 21 touchdown catches. Amey has 853 yards and 19 TDs on 65 receptions.

The Vipers, whose 37.4 ppg allowed is fifth best in af2, have countermeasures for the Knights' offensive firepower. DS KELLY SNELL is the new af2 single-season record-holder with 15 interceptions this year. Teammate KENNY BAILEY has eight picks. Tennessee Valley's 28 interceptions as a team leads the league. Macon is almost as opportunistic, creating 35 turnovers to the Vipers' 38. DENARIO SMALLS has forced five fumbles (second in af2) to go with four interceptions and a team-high 58 tackles. ELTON DAVIS has 57.5 tackles on the season and a team-leading five picks. QUESAUN WIGFALL and midseason pickup NORMAN MASON each have four INTs for the Knights.

Tennessee Valley already has locked up its division championship and homefield advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Ironically, Alfred could do his old Augusta teammates a favor with a victory (Alfred quarterbacked the Stallions last year before moving to Orlando of the Arena Football League and then to the Vipers). A Macon loss combined with an Augusta win over Norfolk would give the Stallions the Eastern Division title and force the Knights to hit the road to Augusta for the opening round.

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Rochester (7-8) sealed a postseason berth last weekend with a 28-18 victory over Mohegan. When the Brigade faces New Haven (5-10) Saturday it will try to build momentum for its first-round playoff game at Albany. New Haven hopes to finish the season with a two-game win streak. The Ninjas defeated Norfolk 55-42 last weekend and will look for a repeat performance against the Brigade. New Haven averages 39.7 points a game compared to Rochester's 42.5. The Brigade's defense surrenders 1.6 points a game fewer than the Ninjas' 45.9. MARTINO THEUS set a new af2 record for receptions in a season last week against Mohegan and has 149 on the season. Theus is just 11 shy of equaling the overall professional football mark of 160. MATT D'ORAZIO enters Saturday's contest third in the league with 331 rushing yards. The Brigade quarterback has scored 19 times on the ground this season, also throwing 50 touchdown passes. ANTONIO DINGLE has 9.5 sacks to lead Rochester's linemen. For New Haven, ANTHONY COMER has recorded 49.5 tackles and seven interceptions on defense in addition to 848 receiving yards and 17 scores on offense. DAMON RICHARDSON also has picked off six passes for New Haven and recorded 55.0 tackles. CHRIS BODEN has thrown for 1,378 yards and 31 touchdowns in just seven games.

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The Cape Fear Wildcats (12-3) get one final tuneup for the playoffs when they head to Charleston to battle the Swamp Foxes (7-8). Cape Fear will be auditioning quarterbacks in the game because starter MIKE GLUSKI (13-1 this season with both Macon and Cape Fear) suffered a broken collarbone last week and is out for the rest of the season. Scheduled to take snaps for the Wildcats in the first half will be backup MATT LEFEVER. In the second half, newly-assigned BOBBY PESAVENTO and ZAMIR AMIN could see action under center. Luckily for the Wildcats, their defense has been their calling card all season and they'll look to it again as they try to obtain homefield advantage in the first round of the playoffs. With a win, the Swamp Foxes can finish the campaign one victory better than last year and can boast one of the best home records in the league by finishing 7-1 at North Charleston Coliseum. MICHAEL BROWN will no doubt try to take advantage of the inexperienced Wildcat gunslingers. Brown has 11 interceptions and stands a chance at finishing among the top three in the league in that category. This is the second meeting between these clubs. Cape Fear took the first game 38-19 back on May 10.

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Jacksonville seeks revenge for an embarrassing 70-31 loss to Tallahassee three weeks ago. The Tomcats (7-8) also can take pleasure in knowing that, if they win, they could knock the Thunder (9-6) out of first place in the American Conference Southern Division and hand Florida homefield advantage for the playoffs. Naturally, Tallahassee has other plans and looks to seal the division championship in front of its home crowd. Defensively, the two teams are equal, giving up 45.0 points a game. Offensively, however, Tallahassee has the edge, scoring 48.8 points per game compared to Jacksonville's 44.2. JOHN WELSH is scheduled to make his first start for the Tomcats at the quarterback position. In limited action, Welsh has completed 6-of-13 passes for 39 yards. LAWRENCE PULLEN equaled ADLAI TRONE's mark of eight kickoff returns for touchdowns in a season with one last week against Mobile. Pullen can set a new af2 mark with one against the Thunder. The Jacksonville offensive specialist also leads the team with 51 receptions for 771 yards and 16 scores. MARCELLE HOUGH added tough interceptions against the Wizards to bring his season total to nine. For Tallahassee, CAINON LAMB comes into Saturday's game with a team-high 91 receptions for 1,135 yards and 26 touchdowns. Teammate MESIAH PORTER is in the running for af2 Ironman of the Year honors. Porter has 258 yards rushing, 21 rushing scores and a team high 52.0 tackles this season. VIC PENN has thrown for 960 yards and 15 scores in five games with the Thunder.

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The Mobile Wizards (0-15) travel to Columbus for a season-ending matchup with the Wardogs (3-12). Both teams look to end the season on a positive note by finishing with a win. One positive in the second half of the season for the Wizards has been the play of OS/KR KENDRICK LEE. Lee has given the Wizards' offense a charge over the past two months, racking up nearly 1,000 yards receiving and going over 1,000 yards in kick returns in just nine games. He also has scored 24 TDs during that span is among the league leaders in the second half. The Wardogs' offense is led by QB BILLY LUCKIE. Luckie has tossed 35 TDs this season and will likely reach 2,000 yards passing this week. One of his main targets has been PHIL TAYLOR, who leads the Wardogs with 78 receptions for 1,237 yards and 26 scores. This game could become a shootout, as both teams' defenses have allowed a lot of points this season. This is the first meeting between these teams.

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Birmingham (10-5) heads to Louisville (2-13) looking to build upon its 48-46 win against Macon before facing Tennessee Valley in the first round of postseason play. Louisville, which leads the league with 9,995 fans per game, plays in front of its home fans and looks to end the season on a high note. With 38-year-old QB DAN ENGLISH, there is plenty of experience under center for the Fire, but scoring has been a nemesis as Louisville averages 32.0 points. Birmingham's offense is dangerous both through the air and on the ground thanks to QB MONTRESSA KIRBY. Kirby's 3,143 passing yards and 271 rushing yards have helped the Steeldogs post an average of 49.1 points a game. CEDRICK BUCHANNON leads Birmingham receivers with 598 yards, but also adds 41.0 tackles on a defense that yields 40 points a contest. MICHAEL FEAGIN leads the team with 56.0 tackles and four interceptions. For Louisville, ANTHONY PAYTON has 94 catches for 1,344 yards, giving the Fire a deep threat. ANTHONY SHELMAN has added 116 yards rushing. MIKE SUMMERS leads the Fire's defense with 48.5 tackles and four interceptions.

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After last weekend's 36-35 victory over Cape Fear, the Richmond Speed (12-3) has positioned itself for the Atlantic Division title. The Speed needs to defeat the Carolina Rhinos (4-11) – or have Cape Fear lose at Charleston – in order to be crowned division champion. The Rhinos defeated Charleston 60-48 last weekend and would like to end the season on a two-game win streak. Carolina defeated Richmond 40-37 last year in their most recent meeting, but Richmond holds a 2-1 overall advantage. Carolina's offense has mustered only 37.4 points a game this season and faces a challenge this week in a Richmond defense surrendering just 33.3 points a game. The Speed offense averages 53.0 points a game. QB BOB BEES has thrown for 3,378 yards and 58 touchdowns this season. OS/KR JEFF TOWNSLEY was named af2 Offensive Player of the Week for his instrumental role in Richmond's victory at Cape Fear. Townsley caught 14 passes for 191 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner with 25 seconds remaining. Ironman KEVIN HARVEY leads the Speed defense with 55.0 tackles. For Carolina, RAMONE ROBINSON and CALEB SLOVER split time under center. The two combined for 217 yards three touchdowns and no interceptions. OS NICK JOHNSON leads the offense with 69 receptions for 812 yards. On defense, ARKEE THOMPSON has given the Rhinos a proven coverage man. Thompson has seven interceptions in nine games.

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Mohegan (3-12) and Albany (12-3) face off at Pepsi Arena Saturday in the regular-season finale. The two expansion teams have traveled different paths in 2002, with the Conquest earning a Northeast Division title and the Wolves enduring freshman growing pains. Albany has locked up homefield advantage in the first round of the playoffs and hopes to maintain a winning attitude headed into its matchup against Rochester. The Wolves have had a strong offense all season, but have struggled to put points on the board. Despite ranking in the top 10 for passing yardage, the Wolves score just 35.3 points. Conversely, on defense, Mohegan yields just 179.4 passing yards a game and allows 44.7 points. For Albany, defense has keyed its inaugural season success. The Conquest gives up just 36 points a game and scores 41.8. QB RYAN VENA leads the offense with 2,876 passing yards and 52 touchdowns. His favorite target has been COREY HILL who leads af2 with 1,641 receiving yards. Hill has 149 receptions and 31 receiving touchdowns to rank second in both categories. BRANDON TINSON has recorded 70.0 tackles to lead Albany's defense and ALEX HOUSTON has 10.5 sacks. BRANDON BURNSIDE has 101 catches for 1,516 yards to lead Mohegan. KEVIN CARTY starts his third game since taking over signal-calling duties after the departure of CABLE DAVIS to the CFL. CARLOS McLAURIN has 84.5 tackles to pace the Mohegan defense. HERON O' NEAL has added six interceptions.

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Augusta (12-3) rebounded from a two-game losing skid with a 65-45 victory over Tallahassee and, with Macon's 48-46 loss to Birmingham, moved into a tie with the Knights for the top spot on the Eastern Division. With an Augusta victory and a Macon loss to Tennessee Valley Saturday, the Stallions would win the division title and host the first-round playoff game between the two teams. Norfolk looks to spoil the party and end the season 9-7. The Nighthawks' five-game win streak came to an end with a 55-42 loss to New Haven last weekend. But Norfolk's offense has recovered from a slow start, and now averages 40.5 points. Defensively, DESMOND WASHINGTON and JAY CLARKE star for a unit giving up 46.2 points. CHRIS WALLACE passed for 345 yards in the loss to New Haven. For the year, Wallace has amassed 2,529 yards and 50 touchdowns with just eight interceptions. TRAVIS BURNS has 1,033 yards receiving and 146 yards rushing to add to the Nighthawks' scoring threats. The Stallions score 52.5 points on offense and yield 42.6. QB GLEN GAUNTT broke out of a slump last week with a six-touchdown, no-interception performance. Gauntt has 78 TD passes this season and 3,555 yards. OS TIM DUMAS leads Stallions' receivers with 1,296 yards and 27 scores. LAVAR RAINEY paces Augusta's defense with 10 interceptions and 66.5 tackles.

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San Diego (7-8) travels to Quad City (9-6) trying to gear up for the playoffs. San Diego has dropped two straight and is looking to rebound before starting postseason play. Quad City suffered a heartbreaking 56-55 loss at Hawaii last weekend and hopes to bounce back in the season finale. The Steamwheelers' offense scores just over 50 points a game behind the receiving tandem of CHRIS ANTHONY and IRA GOOCH. The pair has been nothing short of extraordinary this season, combining for 2,989 yards and 61 touchdowns. Gooch ranks first in the league with 3,310 all-purpose yards and is a threat on kickoff returns as well as through the air. BRENT BROWNER, with his nine interceptions, leads a Quad City defense yielding 46.3 points a game. MIKE CAWLEY will be under center for the 'Wheelers. The signal caller has thrown for 1,532 yards and 33 scores in six games. San Diego WR/LB RICO CURTIS set the af2 record for tackles in a season last weekend with eight against the Twisters. Curtis has recorded 118.5 this season to lead the Riptide defense. San Diego's defense surrenders 245.4 yards per game. On offense, QB KANE CLAUNCH has helped the Riptide average 45.7 points a game, completing 55 percent of his passes for 3,119 yards and 59 scores. JERRY GARRETT has emerged in recent weeks as a go-to guy for San Diego and has 36 receptions on the season for 485 yards and eight touchdowns.

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Florida (9-6) secured a playoff spot last weekend against Columbus and now heads to Pensacola (7-8) in search of homefield advantage. With the Firecats in a tie with Tallahassee for first in the American Conference Southern Division, a victory over the Barracudas and a Thunder loss will mean Florida hosts in the first round of postseason play. Pensacola has other ideas, and hopes to put on a show in its home finale. The 'Cudas are fresh off a confidence-boosting 55-52 victory over Bossier City and can finish the season 8-8 with a win over their Florida rivals. Pensacola's offense outscores Florida's by 7.6 points a game (47.8 – 40.2). On defense, the Firecats have the edge, holding opponents to 36.7 compared to Pensacola's 45.5. BRYAN SPARACINO leads the Firecats' offense with 2,267 yards passing and 38 scores. ANTHONY DIXON is closing in on 1,000 receiving yards this season, needing just 57 to reach the mark. Two weeks ago, Dixon scored the overtime winner against the 'Cudas on a six-yard run. Since losing ROY STABLER to injury, Florida has looked to QUINCY SORRELL for leadership on defense. Sorrell has 62.0 tackles and three interceptions. For Pensacola, CHARLIE PETERSON is fresh off of a 282-yard, seven-touchdown performance against Bossier City. Kicker DAVE ADAMS is on a high after kicking the game-winning field goal against the Battle Wings. PATRICK DYSON leads the Barracudas' defense with 63.0 tackles.

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The last time Peoria and Memphis squared off, the two treated fans to a thrilling 49-48 Xplorers overtime victory. The Pirates (10-5) travel to Memphis (5-10) with hopes of returning the favor. The newly-crowned Midwest Division champion Pirates look to regain their midseason form where they strung together seven consecutive victories. Since then, Peoria has struggled with the loss of starting quarterback WALTER CHURCH. The Xplorers started the year 3-1, but injuries have plagued the team since. The Pirates' defense comes into Saturday's game averaging 49.9 points a game on offense and yields just 38.1 defensively. TIM LESTER has Memphis averaging 43.7 points a game. Lester has surpassed 3,000 yards passing and thrown for 63 touchdowns this season. A neck injury has slowed the Xplorers' signal caller in recent weeks. BILL BORCHERS leads the home team's pass rush with 7.0 sacks. OS CARLOS McNEARY eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards last weekend and now has 1,021 this season. The wideout has latched onto 26 scores to lead Memphis. LINCOLN DUPREE has been a gamebreaker for Peoria this season and a dangerous return man. The DS/KR has seven kickoff returns for touchdowns and a missed field goal return for a score. With one kick return for a touchdown against Memphis, the Pirates' ballhawk will equal LAWRENCE PULLEN's and ADLAI TRONE's mark of eight in a season. Dupree has added 12 interceptions this season to pace Peoria's secondary. KEVIN BOUIE and ERIC JOHNSON give the Pirates a formidable pass rush with 12.0 sacks each. CORNELL CRAIG has 96 receptions for 1,337 yards and 26 scores to pace the Pirates' receiving corps.

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Two division champions square off at Centennial Garden Saturday when Bakersfield (9-6) hosts the Tulsa Talons (13-2) in the regular-season finale. Both teams have locked up homefield advantage for the first round of the postseason and are trying to preserve win streaks heading into the playoffs. Tulsa has the psychological edge heading into Saturday's contest, having defeated the Blitz 48-27 earlier in the season. The Talons take their top-ranked offense (57.1 ppg) into Bakersfield to face a defense yielding just 37.9 points a game. The Blitz scores 45.7 points a game and looks to exploit a Talons defense that surrenders 260.7 yards per game. Tulsa QB ANTHONY BUICH has settled into the full-time starter's role with ease and is among the league leaders in passing with a 114.3 rating and 65.2 completion percentage. Buich has passed for 2,773 yards and 58 scores despite splitting time with JOE PHEARS earlier in the season. MITCH ALLNER has been a sparkplug on offense, scoring a league-high 246 points. The offensive specialist has 1,481 receiving yards and 32 receptions for touchdowns. LARRY HOLLINQUEST leads the Talons' defense with nine interceptions and 83.0 tackles. Bakersfield has a standout defender of its own in J'SHARLON JONES, who has intercepted 11 passes and registered 70.0 tackles. JULIAN YEARWOOD was af2's Built Ford Tough Player of the Week for his efforts in the Blitz's 45-7 victory over Fresno. Yearwood leads the team with 136 rushing yards and has 4.5 sacks and five fumble recoveries on defense. CHAD ELLIOTT has completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 3,470 yards and 65 scores.

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Hawaii (4-11) rolls into Fresno (4-11) after a 56-55 upset win over Quad City. The Frenzy has lost four straight games and want to end the season with a victory. With the series tied 1-1 and the teams tied for third place in the Western Division, Saturday's winner will earn sole possession of third spot and series bragging rights. Since the signing of WR/DB/KR NIAN TAYLOR, the Islanders have been very competitive. Hawaii is 2-2 since signing Taylor, with its two losses by 10 points or fewer against plus-.500 teams. Taylor has injected a new life into Hawaii's offense, averaging a league-high 264.5 all-purpose yards a game and a team-high 111.1 receiving yards a game. In four weeks of action, Taylor also has earned af2 weekly honors three times, winning Ironman recognition twice and Built Ford Tough accolades once. QB DARNELL ARCENEAUX has led Hawaii's second-half resurgence with his record-breaking rushing performances and efficient passing style. Arceneaux has set af2 season records for yards in a season (442) and rushing touchdowns (25) while throwing for 2,862 yards and 44 touchdowns. For Fresno, KENNY ROSE has thrown for 1,012 yards and 14 scores. LAMONT WEBB is among the league leaders in scoring with 190 points. The OS/KR has 73 receptions for 1,004 yards and 22 scores in 13 games. Defensively, the Frenzy has relied on CHRIS BAYNE, who has amassed 62.0 tackles and two forced fumbles. CHRIS PAOGOFIE has 33.0 tackles, four fumble recoveries and an interception for Hawaii.

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PLAYOFF QUALIFIERS/SCENARIOS FOR WEEK 18

ALBANY: Clinched playoff berth. Clinched Northeast Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs. Can clinch second-round home game (if victorious in first round) with win vs. Mohegan AND Cape Fear loss at Charleston AND Richmond loss at Carolina.

ARKANSAS: Can clinch playoff berth with win at Bossier City.

AUGUSTA: Clinched playoff berth. Clinched second-round home game (if victorious in first round). Can clinch Eastern Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs with win vs. Norfolk AND Macon loss at Tennessee Valley.

BAKERSFIELD: Clinched playoff berth. Clinched Western Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs.

BIRMINGHAM: Clinched playoff berth.

BOSSIER CITY: Can clinch playoff berth with win vs. Arkansas.

CAPE FEAR: Clinched playoff berth. Can clinch Atlantic Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs with win at Charleston AND Richmond loss at Carolina. Can clinch second-round home game (if victorious in first round) with win at Charleston OR Albany loss vs. Mohegan.

FLORIDA: Clinched playoff berth. Can clinch American Conference Southern Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs with win at Pensacola AND Tallahassee loss vs. Jacksonville.

MACON: Clinched playoff berth. Clinched second-round home game (if victorious in first round). Can clinch Eastern Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs with win at Tennessee Valley OR Augusta loss vs. Norfolk.

PEORIA: Clinched playoff berth. Clinched Midwest Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs. Clinched second-round home game (if victorious in first round).

RICHMOND: Clinched playoff berth. Can clinch Atlantic Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs with win at Carolina OR Cape Fear loss at Charleston. Can clinch second-round home game (if victorious in first round) with win at Carolina OR Albany loss vs. Mohegan.

ROCHESTER: Clinched playoff berth.

SAN DIEGO: Clinched playoff berth.

TALLAHASSEE: Clinched playoff berth. Can clinch American Conference Southern Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs with win vs. Jacksonville OR Florida loss at Pensacola.

TENNESSEE VALLEY: Clinched playoff berth. Clinched National Conference Southern Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs. Can clinch homefield advantage throughout National Conference playoffs (if victorious in first two rounds) with win vs. Macon OR Tulsa loss at Bakersfield. Can clinch homefield advantage throughout entire playoffs with win vs. Macon.

TULSA: Clinched playoff berth. Clinched Central Division championship and homefield advantage in first round of playoffs. Can clinch homefield advantage throughout entire playoffs with win at Bakersfield AND Tennessee Valley loss vs. Macon.

WICHITA: Clinched playoff berth.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 26, 2002


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