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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Week Eight Game Previews

June 5, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


ARIZONA AT CAROLINA -- Before the Carolina Hurricanes return to Raleigh, N.C. for the Stanley Cup Finals this weekend, the AFL's Southern Division leading Carolina Cobras (4-3) will host DANNY WHITE and the Arizona Rattlers (5-2) inside Entertainment & Sports Arena this Friday at 7:30 p.m. (ET). Carolina gave up only 33 points last week, but face the AFL's top receiver CHRIS HORN, who has snared seven touchdown catches in the Rattlers' last two contests. (No TV)

NEW YORK AT BUFFALO -- This Saturday, two of the league's best return men battle when STEVE PAPIN and the New York Dragons (2-5) travel to Western New York to take on LAMONT COOPER and the Buffalo Destroyers (3-4) at 7:00 p.m. (ET). Combined, these Don't Blink! superstars have returned an eye-popping 45 career kickoffs for touchdowns. (Fox Sports New York)

GRAND RAPIDS AT NEW JERSEY -- CLINT DOLEZEL and the defending champion Grand Rapids Rampage (5-2) continue their road trip this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (ET) when they head to Continental Airlines Arena and clash with New Jersey Gladiators' (4-3), who possess the AFL's top-ranked defense. (Yes Network, WXSP-18)

DETROIT AT CHICAGO -- In a Central Division shootout, SCOTT SEMPTIMPHELTER, who returned to the Detroit Fury (1-6) lineup this week, look to end his team's six-game slide when they travel to the Windy City to take on the former Purdue quarterback BILLY DICKEN and Chicago Rush (4-3) this Saturday at 8:00 p.m. (ET) inside Allstate Arena. (Fox Sports Chicago)

INDIANA AT DALLAS -- Narrowly defeated by only four points total in their last two contests, the Indiana Firebirds (3-4), who also boast the league's best red-zone defense, are burning for a win against JOE AVEZZANO and the expansion Dallas Desperados (3-4) this Saturday when the two teams square off at 8:30 p.m. (ET) inside Dallas' American Airlines Center. (No TV)

SAN JOSE AT LOS ANGELES -- The undefeated San Jose SaberCats (7-0) make the short hop south to face the Los Angeles Avengers (4-3) this Saturday at 10:30 p.m. (ET) inside Staples Center. Waiting when they arrive will be the AFL's top scorer CHRIS JACKSON and Ironman GREG HOPKINS. Together, with second-year quarterback TONY GRAZIANI, the Avengers team seeks revenge for the 78-44 loss to San Jose a month ago. (Fox Sports West 2, NBC3/WB20 San Jose)

TORONTO AT GEORGIA -- Coach MARK STOUTE and his league-leading defense (allow just 41.9 points on average) hope to pick up a non-divisional victory to keep the Toronto Phantoms (4-3) on top of the Eastern Division this Sunday when they face the Georgia Force (2-5) inside Atlanta's Philips Arena at 7:30 p.m. (ET). Fresh off last week's win, new Georgia head coach MARTY LOWE will have his fourth-ranked scoring offense ready to battle as they fight to climb the Southern Division standings. (No TV)

TAMPA BAY AT ORLANDO -- When these two rivals meet inside TD Waterhouse Centre this Sunday at 4:30 p.m. (ET), it will be as friendly as an NFL Redskins-Cowboys or the Yankees-Red Sox match-up. The intensity steps up a notch as the Tampa Bay Storm (2-5) travel down Interstate-4 to battle the Orlando Predators (3-4) for playoff positioning. New Tampa Bay offensive specialist CALVIN SCHEXNAYDER showed Storm fans a glimpse of things to come with last week's four-touchdown performance against Indiana. However, ball-hawking Orlando defensive specialist KENNY MCENTYRE, who has already snared a league-high six interceptions, has a different plan in mind. (TNN)



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 5, 2002


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