Sports stats

AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Week three brings "madness" as teams jockey for divisional playoffs

March 14, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK - Week 3 of the AFL season brings "Madness" and divisional chaos as Cinderella teams look to upset division leaders.

A showdown in Kansas City is one of the highlights of the week as the undefeated Dallas Desperados, ranked No. 1 in this week's Schutt Sports Poll, travel to Kemper Arena to face the Kansas City Brigade, ranked No. 10, this Friday, March 16, at 8 p.m. ET (FSN Midwest- Live and FSN Southwest- Delay, Saturday, 3/17 at 1:30 p.m. ET).

This is the second all-time meeting between the two franchises, with Dallas taking the air out of the Brigade in their inaugural game, 58-44, to kick off the 2006 season. The Desperados are 8-1 in their last nine road contests. QB CLINT DOLEZEL has picked up where he left off last season, having completed 46-of-65 passes for 543 yards and 15 touchdowns with only one interception. Led by three-time ADT Defensive Player of the Year DB KENNY MCENTYRE, who is tied for the League lead with two interceptions, Kansas City's defense will need some Cinderella magic to stop the Desperados aerial assault. Both teams are looking to take command of their division, with Dallas undefeated and out in front of the Eastern Division, and Kansas City tied for first place in the Central.

The Southern Division showcases a game with early-season playoff implications as the Orlando Predators (1-1) host the Austin Wranglers (1-1) on Friday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. ET (Bright House TV- local, AFL NET, and SIRIUS RADIO channel 119).

With QB ADRIAN MCPHERSON (549 YDS, 9 TDs) at the helm, the Wranglers, No. 9 in this week's Schutt Sports Poll, will look to WR/DB KEVIN NICKERSON (16 REC, 178 YDS, 2 TDs) and rookie WR OTIS AMEY (10 REC, 147 YDS, 1 TD) to push the ball down field against the Predators defense. Austin holds a 2-1 all-time record in Orlando. The game is also critical for Austin as five of its next seven contests are against division opponents.

Orlando, No. 8 in the poll, has won six of their last nine at home, and are led by QB SHANE STAFFORD, who is 4-2 all-time against Austin as a starter and has thrown for 1,729 yards, and 32 touchdowns.

The Philadelphia Soul (1-0) and Grand Rapids Rampage (1-1) meet for only the second time in AFL history and first at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Thursday, March 15, at 7 p.m. on (Comcast- local, and CSN Philadelphia- Delay, Saturday, 3/17, at 10:30 p.m. ET).

The Soul, ranked No. 4, look to continue their three-game regular-season winning streak after defeating the Nashville Kats, 63-30, in Nashville on Friday, March 9. Historically, Philadelphia QB TONY GRAZIANI has the magic touch when he faces the Rampage. With an all-time record of 4-0 versus Grand Rapids, Graziani has thrown for 1,059 yards, 27 touchdowns and no interceptions. Rampage QB MATT SAUK (461 YDS, 9 TDs) will face his former team for the first time, having spent 2006 as Graziani's backup/replacement where he appeared in 14 games, and threw for 1,046 yards, 20 touchdowns, and three interceptions. Sauk currently has the third-highest passing performance of the season with a 360-yard day against Las Vegas in Week 2. The Rampage defense will need a strong showing to make the March upset a reality. With a win, the Rampage can secure their first 2-1 start since 1999 and tie for the Central Division lead.

The Central and Western Divisions collide when the Colorado Crush host the Arizona Rattlers on Friday, March 16 at 9 p.m. ET (FSN- Rocky Mountain- Live and AFL NET). The Crush hope to crush any Cinderella thoughts by the Rattlers, having won consecutive home games against Arizona and posting a 7-3 record in their last 10 home games. The Crush are led by WR DAMIAN HARRELL (11 REC, 113 YDS, 5 TDs), who looks to push his consecutive games with a touchdown reception mark to 68. Arizona currently ranks first in the AFL in total offense (370.5 ypg.) and first downs (59), while QB SHERDRICK BONNER ranks second in passing yards (680).

This week's games also include: Georgia at Tampa Bay on Saturday (Bright House- Local- Live, CSS- Delay, Monday- 3/19 at 8 p.m., SIRIUS RADIO- Channel 143 and AFL NET); New York at Chicago on Sunday (FSN New York- Live, CSN Chicago- SDD at 8 p.m. ET, SIRIUS RADIO- Channel 143); Utah at Nashville on Sunday (FSN- Rocky Mountain- Live, FSN South- SDD 11 p.m. ET); and New Orleans at Las Vegas (CST- Local- Live). Columbus, Los Angeles and San Jose have byes.

SCHUTT SPORTS TOP 12 POLL

(As selected by the AFLWA)

RANKING TEAM RECORD POINTS 1 Dallas Desperados (14) 2-0 169

2 Georgia Force (1) 2-0 154

3 Utah Blaze 2-0 142

4 Philadelphia Soul 1-0 130

5 Chicago Rush 1-1 91

6 San Jose Sabercats 1-1 86

7 Colorado Crush 1-1 75

8 Orlando Predators 1-1 72

9 Austin Wranglers 1-1 60

10 Kansas City Brigade 1-1 41

11 New Orleans VooDoo 1-1 38

12 Los Angeles Avengers 1-1 36

Also receiving votes: Las Vegas Gladiators 17, Grand Rapids Rampage 15, Columbus Destroyers 14, Arizona Rattlers 7, Nashville Kats 4

As a reminder, TV stations can download a satellite feed of game highlights every Friday and Saturday from 10:30- 10:45 p.m. (ET) at Galaxy 25/14 (Formally IA 5/14), Downlink frequency 3980 Horizontal (C-Band). On Sundays, TV stations can download all the Sunday action plus top plays of the week and a preview of the Monday game, if applicable, from 8- 8:30 p.m. on Galaxy 25/13 (Formally IA 5/13), Downlink frequency 3980 Horizontal (C-Band).

PHILADELPHIA SOUL (1-0) AT GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE (1-1)

THURSDAY, MARCH 15, AT 7:00 P.M. ET

(Comcast Local- Live)

(CSN Philadelphia- Delay, Saturday, 3/17 at 10:30 p.m. ET)

Soul: Going for second 2-0 start in franchise history (2006)...Team ranks first in third down efficiency (80%)...Offense tied for first in redzone efficiency (Arizona, Georgia) (100%)...QB TONY GRAZIANI is 4-0 all-time against Grand Rapids and has thrown for 1,059 yards, 27 TDs and zero interceptions...Team ranks second in total defense (237.0 YPG)...Defense ranks second in sacks (3)...DB EDDIE MOTEN 43-yard interception return for touchdown longest in AFL this season. Also ranks third in AFL with four passes defensed...Rampage: Going for first 2-1 start since 1999...QB MATT SAUK has third-highest single-game performance of 2007 season with 360 passing yards in Week 2. Also top rated third-down passer in AFL (72.7%)...WR SCOTTY ANDERSON tied for third in AFL in third-down receiving (4)...WR/DB TIMON MARSHALL ranks second in AFL in all-purpose yards (458)...WR/LB CHUCK WESLEY tied for lead in passes defensed with 5 (Chris Brown, Dallas)...Defense ranks first in kick return average (12.6).

2007 LEADERS SOUL RAMPAGE SERIES LEADER LEADS 1-0

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 2-3

LAST GAME Won at Nashville: 63-30 Lost vs. Las Vegas: 79-69

2007 LEADERS SOUL RAMPAGE

PASSING Graziani: 14-21-215-5-1 Sauk: 36-62-461-9-2

RECEIVING Scott: 7-75-1 Marshall: 13-157-4

RUSHING Ours: 3-16-0 Ryan: 10-18-1

TACKLES Harris: 7 Wesley: 13

SACKS Price/Save/Missouri: 1 Garnett/Nwokorie: 1

INTERCEPTIONS Moten: 1 Riley/ Doster: 1

KICKING France: 9-9 PAT; 9 PTS Gowins: 14-15 PAT; 3-5 FGs: 23 PTS

TEAM OFFENSE 63.0 PPG (4); 270.0 YPG (16) 56.5 PPG (7); 274.0 YPG (15)

TEAM DEFENSE 30.0 PPG (2); 237.0 YPG (2) 60.5 PPG (15); 341.5 YPG (17)

AUSTIN WRANGLERS (1-1) AT ORLANDO PREDATORS (1-1)

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, AT 7:30 P.M. ET AFL NET

Wranglers: First win in franchise history was 49-48 win at Orlando in first-ever game...2-1 all-time record in Orlando...Team is 6-3 on road in last nine games...Offense ranks first in rushing average per attempt (3.7)...Second in rushing yards per game (39.0)...WR/DB GREG BROWN ranks third in special teams tackles with 4.5...Defense ranks first in third down efficiency (25.0%)...Predators: Have won six of last nine at home...QB SHANE STAFFORD is 4-2 all-time against Wranglers as a starter...WR DEANDREW RUBIN ranks third in AFL in all-purpose yards (433)...Defense ranks first in redzone (50% TD pct.)...Defense ranks third in takeaways (4)...Ranks first in sacks with 5 (tied with Georgia)...DL GREG WHITE leads AFL in sacks and tackles for loss with 3...FB/LB LANCE MITCHELL leads all rookies in tackles for loss with 2...DB LIN-J SHELL ranks second in tackles with 19.5.

2007 LEADERS WRANGLERS PREDATORS SERIES LEADER TIED 3-3

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-1

LAST GAME Loss at Georgia: 60-51 Loss vs. Los Angeles: 44-37

2007 LEADERS WRANGLERS PREDATORS PASSING McPherson: 43-69-549-9-0 Stafford: 46-80-600-8-1

RECEIVING Nickerson: 16-178-2 Rubin: 19-263-5

RUSHING McPherson: 8-39-1 Dudley: 3-7-1

TACKLES Brown: 13 Shell: 19.5

SACKS Krager: 2 White: 3

INTERCEPTIONS Coggins/ Krager: 1 Bowers/Reed: 1

KICKING M. Lewis:13-13 PAT; 5-7 FGs: 28 PTS J. Taylor: 11-12 PAT; 2-4 FGs: 17 PTS

TEAM OFFENSE 54.0 PPG (10); 303.5 YPG (10) 44.5 PPG (14); 306.0 YPG (9)

TEAM DEFENSE 48.0 PPG (6); 280.5 (8) 35.5 PPG (3); 308.5 YPG (11)

DALLAS DESPERADOS (2-0) AT KANSAS CITY BRIGADE (1-1)

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, AT 8:00 P.M. ET

(FSN Midwest- Live)

(FSN Southwest- Delay, Saturday, 3/17 at 1:30 p.m. ET)

Desperados: Defeated Kansas City 58-44 in Brigade's first AFL game in 2006...Going for second 3-0 start in franchise history (2006)...8-1 in last nine road games... Have best record in AFL over last 20 games with 16-4 mark...WR WILL PETTIS became 20th player in AFL history to record 10,000 receiving yards with his 143 yards in Week 2...WR/LB CHRIS BROWN tied for lead in passes defensed with 5 (Wesley, Grand Rapids)...Defense ranks first in takeaways (6)...Team ranks third in total defense (241.5 YPG)...Brigade: Going for first consecutive home wins in franchise history...Rookie WR/LB CHARLES FREDERICK leads AFL with 65 rushing yards. Is on pace to break AFL record for yards in season by rookie (424, Major Harris- 1991 Columbus) and all-time (459, Michael Bishop- 2005 Grand Rapids). Also leads team in receiving yards with 169...DB KENNY MCENTYRE ranks second in League with 4 passes defensed.

2007 LEADERS DESPERADOS BRIGADE SERIES LEADER LEADS 1-0

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 1-4

LAST GAME Won vs. Tampa Bay: 59-40 Loss at Colorado: 44-40

2007 LEADERS DESPERADOS BRIGADE PASSING Dolezel: 46-65-543-15-1 Philyaw: 52-72-516-7-1

RECEIVING Pettis: 18-228-7 Frederick: 16-169-2

RUSHING White: 15-59-1 Frederick: 13-65-3

TACKLES Jones: 14 Smalls: 12.5

SACKS Weatherington: 2 Cohen/Demaree: 1

INTERCEPTIONS Jones/Brown/Keyes/Perry: 1 McEntyre: 2

KICKING Bell: 11-17 PAT; 0-1 FG: 11 PTS Rush: 8-13 PAT; 0-1 FG: 8 PTS

TEAM OFFENSE 59.5 PPG (5); 322.5 YPG (5) 47.0 PPG (13); 314.0 YPG (7)

TEAM DEFENSE 23.5 PPG (1); 241.5 YPG (3) 42.5 PPG (5); 254.5 YPG (5)

ARIZONA RATTLERS (0-2) AT COLORADO CRUSH (1-1)

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, AT 9:00 P.M. ET

(FSN- Rocky Mountain- Local- Live)

AFL NET

Rattlers: Two out of four times team has started 0-2 they advanced to Semifinal/ Conference Championship Game...Team ranks first in total offense (370.5 ypg.)...Ranks first in first downs (59)...Offense tied for first in redzone efficiency (100%-Philadelphia, Georgia)...Ranks second in AFL with 68 points per game...Head coach GENE NUDO going for 10th career victory...QB SHERDRICK BONNER ranks second in AFL in passing yards (679)...FB/LB BO KELLY is second in AFL in rushing (63) and on pace to break single-season rushing record (459, Michael Bishop- 2005 Grand Rapids). Also leads AFL in attempts (16)...Crush: Have won two consecutive games against Rattlers...7-3 home record in last 10 games...WR DAMIAN HARRELL looking to extend streak of consecutive games with a touchdown reception to 68...WR WILLIE QUINNIE ranks third as a rookie in first downs with 10...OL/DL ANTHONY DUNN ranks third in sacks with 1.5...DB RASHAD FLOYD leads AFL in combined tackles with 24.

2007 LEADERS RATTLERS CRUSH SERIES LEADER TIED 2-2

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 3-2

LAST GAME Lost vs. Utah: 75-71 Won vs. Kansas City: 44-40

2007 LEADERS RATTLERS CRUSH PASSING Bonner: 55-86-680-15-1 Dutton: 52-83-561-10-2

RECEIVING Gatewood: 20-218-4 Quinnie: 15-163-3

RUSHING Kelly: 16-64-3 Thomas: 4-6-1

TACKLES Todd: 16.5 Floyd: 24

SACKS N/A Dunn: 1.5

INTERCEPTIONS Todd/Damond: 1 N/A

KICKING Kral: 13-19 PAT; 1-2 FG: 16 PTS Ball: 11-11 PAT; 3-5 FGs: 20 PTS

TEAM OFFENSE 68.0 PPG (2); 370.5 YPG (2) 43.0 PPG (16); 284.0 YPG (13)

TEAM DEFENSE 72.0 PPG (19); 386.5 YPG (19) 42.0 PPG (4); 244.0 YPG (4)

GEORGIA FORCE (2-0) AT TAMPA BAY STORM (0-2)

SATURDAY, MARCH 17, AT 7:30 P.M. ET

(Bright House- Local- Live)

(CSS- Delay, Monday- 3/19 at 8 p.m.)

SIRIUS RADIO- Channel 143

AFL NET

Force: Going for first 3-0 start in team history...3-2 against Southern Division opponents in last five games...First consecutive 60+ point games in franchise history in Weeks 1 & 2...Offense tied for first in redzone efficiency (100%-Arizona, Philadelphia)...QB CHRIS GREISEN leads League in passing (134.3 rating) and touchdown passes (16). Averaging 8 touchdown passes per game...WR TROY BERGERON ranks fourth in League with 265 receiving yards...FB/LB MATT HUEBNER tied for second in tackles for loss with 2...Defense ranks first in sacks with 5 (tied with Orlando)...Storm: Trying to avoid first back-to-back home losses since 2003 (25 games)...Offense ranks second in rushing average per attempt (3.7)...FB/LB RODNEY FILER is tied for lead in rushing TDs (4- Nashville's Dan Alexander)... WR LAWRENCE SAMUELS became 21st player to record 10,000 receiving yards with 62-yard performance in Week 2. Samuels now has 10,002 yards...WR T.T. TOLIVER leads team with 235 total yards...DL TOM BRIGGS is tied for second in sacks with 2.

2007 LEADERS FORCE STORM SERIES LEADER LEADS 7-4

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 1-4

LAST GAME Won vs. Austin: 60-51 Loss at Dallas: 59-40

2007 LEADERS FORCE STORM PASSING Greisen: 48-62-619-16-2 Kaleo: 49-80-560-6-3

RECEIVING Bergeron: 20-265-6 Toliver: 16-222-3

RUSHING Bergeron: 1-4-0 Filer: 10-31-4

TACKLES Milligan: 13.5 Johnson: 14.5

SACKS Smith: 2 Briggs: 1

INTERCEPTIONS Whitley: 2 Smith: 1

KICKING Gispert: 15-19 PAT: 15 PTS Leach: 4-6 PAT; 0-1 FG: 4 PTS

TEAM OFFENSE 64.5 PPG (3); 314.5 YPG (6) 33.5 PPG (18); 289.0 YPG (11)

TEAM DEFENSE 58.0 PPG (13); 361.5 YPG (18) 55.5 PPG (12); 324.5 YPG (13)

NEW YORK DRAGONS (0-1) AT CHICAGO RUSH (1-1) SUNDAY, MARCH 18, AT 3:00 P.M. ET

(FSN New York- Live)

(CSN Chicago- SDD at 8 p.m. ET)

SIRIUS RADIO- Channel 143

Dragons: Won last two meetings in Chicago...5-2 all-time after losing season opener...Three out of four seasons Dragons made playoffs they lost season opener (2001, '03, '06)...QB ROHAN DAVEY is making first-ever start in AFL game at Chicago. Threw for 131 yards and 1 touchdown in Week 1...WR MIKE HORACEK leads offense in receiving with 6 receptions for 67 yards and 1 touchdown...DB WILL HOLDER leads team in tackles with 6 and 1 pass defensed...Defense is first in kick return average (6.5)...Rush: Last two wins against New York decided by three points combined...Head coach MIKE HOHENSEE going for 97th regular season victory...WR/DB BOBBY SIPPIO ranks third in AFL in scoring (48 pts.)...DB JEREMY UNERTL is tied for first in interceptions with 2. Second in interception return yards with 38...DB JONATHAN ORDWAY ranks third in AFL in kickoff return average (27.8)...WR/ DB DEJUAN ALFONZO ranks third in AFL interception return average and fourth in yards with 24. Also ranks third in tackles with 17.5.

2007 LEADERS DRAGONS RUSH SERIES LEADER LEADS 3-2

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-2

LAST GAME Loss vs. Dallas: 60-7 Won vs. San Jose: 48-45

2007 LEADERS DRAGONS RUSH PASSING Davey: 12-21-131-1-2 D'Orazio: 35-55-355-10-3

RECEIVING Horacek: 6-67-1 Sippio: 12-163-8

RUSHING Hall: 2-1-0 D'Orazio: 9-18-0

TACKLES Holder: 6 Alfonzo: 17.5

SACKS N/A Eason: 1

INTERCEPTIONS N/A Unertl: 2

KICKING Warley:1-1 PAT; 0-1 FG:3 PTS Frantz: 9-12 PAT; 2-4 FGs: 15 PTS

TEAM OFFENSE 7.0 PPG (19); 182.0 YPG (19) 44.5 PPG (14); 183.0 YPG (18)

TEAM DEFENSE 60.0 PPG (14);330.0 YPG (15) 49.5 PPG (7); 334.5 YPG (16)

UTAH BLAZE (2-0) AT NASHVILLE KATS (0-2) SUNDAY, MARCH 18, AT 4:00 P.M. ET

(FSN- Rocky Mountain- Live)

(FSN South- SDD 11 p.m. ET)

Blaze: Head coach DANNY WHITE became second coach in AFL history to win 150 games with win at Arizona in Week 2...Team ranks first in total offense with (387.5 ypg.). Ranks second in AFL in first downs (50)...QB JOE GERMAINE completed 22 consecutive passes and 10 TDs in Week 2 win at Arizona. 22 consecutive completions is third-longest streak in AFL since 2004. His 433 passing yards in Week 2 is top passing performance of season...WR/LB RYAN DENNARD set team-record with 7 TD receptions against Arizona in Week 2. Is second in League in points (54)...DL CHRIS JANEK ranks first in tackles for loss (2.0) and is tied for second in sacks with 2.0...Kats: Trying to avoid first 0-3 start in team history...QB CLINT STOERNER ranks second in League in fourth quarter passing (72.7%)...WR CORNELIUS BONNER ranks seventh in AFL in total yards from scrimmage (241)...RB DAN ALEXANDER is tied for lead in rushing TDs (4-Tampa's Rodney Filer)...DB KEON RAYMOND leads all rookies in interception (1) and return yardage (7).

2007 LEADERS BLAZE KATS SERIES LEADER LEADS 1-0

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 1-4

LAST GAME Won at Arizona: 75-71 Loss vs. Philadelphia: 63-30

2007 LEADERS BLAZE KATS

PASSING Germaine: 58-84-763-15-1 Stoerner: 35-63-456-6-2

RECEIVING Dennard: 17-183-8 Bonner: 15-241-5

RUSHING Dennard: 1-5-1 Alexander: 13-28-4

TACKLES Joseph: 13.5 Ezekiel/Raymond: 8.5

SACKS Janek: 2 McConnell/Hunter: 1

INTERCEPTIONS N/A Raymond/Hawkins: 1

KICKING Videtich: 13-16 PAT; 1-2 FGs: 16 PTS Witczak: 9-10 PAT; 1-3 FGs: 12 PTS

TEAM OFFENSE 69.0 PPG (1); 387.5 YPG (1) 43.0 PPG (16);289.0 YPG (11)

TEAM DEFENSE 66.0 PPG (18);324.5 YPG (13) 60.5 PPG (15); 263.0 YPG (6)

NEW ORLEANS VOODOO (1-1) AT LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (1-1) SUNDAY, MARCH 18, AT 6:00 P.M. ET

(CST- Local- Live)

VooDoo: QB ANDY KELLY ranks third in AFL in passing (130.6 rating). Also ranks second in third-down passing (147.0 rating)...WR DARNELL MCDONALD ranks first fourth in AFL in receptions with 21. Also leads rookies in first downs with 15...WR/DB TYRONNE JONES ranks fourth in League in all-purpose yards (421). Tied for third in AFL in third-down receiving (4)...DB ALEX WALLACE ranks third among rookies in tackles with 11.5...Gladiators: QB SHAUN KING threw for 373 passing yards and 10 TDs in Week 2. His 373 passing yards is second-highest output of season. His 10 TDs tie Utah's Joe Germaine for single game-high of 2007...WR KEVIN PRENTISS set all-time single-game touchdown reception mark with 9 in Week 2. Ranks third in AFL in receptions with 23. Leads AFL in scoring with 60 points...DB EARTHWIND MORELAND tied for League lead with two interceptions. Leads AFL in interception return yards with 51.

2007 LEADERS VOODOO GLADIATORS SERIES LEADER LEADS 1-0

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 1-4

LAST GAME Won vs. Columbus: 52-45 Won at Grand Rapids: 79-69

2007 LEADERS VOODOO GLADIATORS PASSING Kelly: 48-71-555-12-0 King: 50-78-648-11-1

RECEIVING McDonald: 21-223-3 Prentiss: 23-235-10

RUSHING Curran: 12-28-2 Rue: 4-20-2

TACKLES Brown: 13.5 Canonico: 13.5

SACKS Taylor: 1 Nix: 1

INTERCEPTIONS Wallace: 1 Moreland: 2

KICKING Houle: 14-15 PAT; 1-4 FG: 17 PTS Azar: 14-15 PAT; 3-4 FGs: 23 PTS

TEAM OFFENSE 56.5 PPG (7); 276.5 YPG (14) 57.5 PPG (6); 326.5 YPG (4)

TEAM DEFENSE 54.0 PPG (10); 302.0 YPG (9) 63.0 PPG (17); 312.0 YPG (12)



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 14, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central