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Blaze of Glory: Philadelphia Soul capture ArenaBowl XXII title

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:06:54 GMT

D'Orazio also added a rushing touchdown in the Soul's first title-game appearance.

Larry Brackins contributed six receptions for 70 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Eddie Moten posted a game-altering interception in the second quarter.

Blaze of Glory: Philadelphia Soul capture ArenaBowl XXII championship

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:57:11 GMT

D'Orazio also added a rushing touchdown in the Soul's first title-game appearance.

Larry Brackins contributed six receptions for 70 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Eddie Moten posted a game-altering interception in the second quarter.

Philly & San Jose battle for ArenaBowl Title

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:09:18 GMT

New York, NY (Sports Network) - The Mitsubishi Motors Drive to Virgin Mobile ArenaBowl XXII New Orleans makes its final stop in the Crescent City as the National Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul (13-3, 2-0) host the American Conference Champion San Jose SaberCats (11-5, 2-0) on Sunday, July 27 at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN on ABC HD, ESPN360.com, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 127).

The defending ArenaBowl XXI Champion SaberCats are making their second consecutive ArenaBowl appearance, and fourth in seven seasons, after defeating the #6 Grand Rapids Rampage (8-11), 81-55, at HP Pavilion in the American Conference Championship game two weeks ago.

D'Orazio, Smith and Geathers earn weekly honors

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:35:41 GMT

OFFENSIVE: D'Orazio (6-4, 230, Otterbein) completed 17-of-25 passes for 184 yards and eight touchdowns as the Philadelphia Soul (15-3) defeated the Cleveland Gladiators (11-8), 70-35, on Saturday in the National Conference Championship game. D'Orazio led Philadelphia's offense on scoring drives on 10 of the team's 11 possessions while compiling a passer rating of 129.0. The Soul will make its first-ever ArenaBowl appearance when it faces the San Jose SaberCats (13-5) in Virgin Mobile ArenaBowl XXII on Sunday, July 27 at 3 p.m. ET (ABC HD).

ADT DEFENSIVE: Smith (5-9, 186, San Jose St.) registered four-and-a-half tackles, a Conference Championship Round-high t

Sperduto takes over Destroyers

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:36:43 GMT

"Pat brings a winning tradition to Columbus along with 14 years of experience as a player and a coach in the Arena Football League," said general manager Jim Renacci.

The 41-year-old Sperduto coached the Nashville Kats to back-to-back ArenaBowl appearances in 2000 and 2001, while posting a regular season record of 48-41-1 in six seasons.

Philadelphia and San Jose to battle in ArenaBowl XXII

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:35:15 GMT

The Soul (15-3) beat Cleveland, 70-35, in the National Conference Championship Game, while the Sabercats (13-5) defeated Grand Rapids, 81-55, in the American Conference title contest.

The Sabercats, the defending Arena Bowl champions, are making their fourth appearance in the league title game in seven years. They are attempting to become the first team to win back-to-back ArenaBowl titles since the Tampa Bay Storm (1995-96) and to become only the third team to win four ArenaBowls.

Ron James named Utah Blaze head coach

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:30:25 GMT

James has been the defensive coordinator and director of player personnel for the past two seasons, and has been the head coach for the Las Vegas Gladiators - who have since moved to Cleveland - from 2005 to 2006.

"Ron has been in our system, knows our expectations, and shares our vision of where we need to take our team," Blaze owner John Garff said. "Ron has the confidence of the players, and with that we can make a seamless transition into the 2009 season.

Four teams battle for trip to ArenaBow XXII

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:03:39 GMT

The #1 Philadelphia Soul (14-3) welcome the #4 Cleveland Gladiators (11-7) to the Wachovia Center in the National Conference Championship game on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Saturday, July 12 at 1 p.m. ET (ESPN HD, ESPN360.com, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 127).

The game will be immediately followed by the #6 Grand Rapids Rampage (8-10) traveling to HP Pavilion to face the #2 San Jose SaberCats (12-5) in the American Conference Championship game on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Saturday, July 12 at 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN HD, ESPN360.com, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 127).

MacPherson, Floyd and Rue honored by the AFL

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:38:02 GMT

Courtesy of Arena Football League New York, NY (Sports Network) - Grand Rapids Rampage QB JAMES MACPHERSON, San Jose SaberCats DB MARQUIS FLOYD and Cleveland Gladiators FB/LB JAMES RUE have been named Offensive Player, ADT Defensive Player, and Ironman of the Week, respectively, for the Divisional Round of the 2008 playoffs.

OFFENSIVE: MacPherson (6-2, 200, Wake Forest) completed 33-of-39 passes for 326 yards and accounted for seven touchdowns (6 - passing, 1 - rushing) and set an AFL postseason record for completion percentage (84.6) as the Grand Rapids Rampage (8-10) defeated the Chicago Rush (11-6), 58-41, on Sunday. MacPherson led the Rampage?s offense on scoring drives on nine of the teams 10 possessions while posting a passer rating of 129.2. Grand Rapids travels to HP Pavilion to face the San Jose SaberCats (12-5) in the American Conference Championship Game on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Saturday, July 12 at 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN HD, ESPN360.com, SIRIUS Radio

Cleveland's Wilpolt named AFL Coach of the Year

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:32:17 GMT

In his first year with the Gladiators, Wilpolt engineered a remarkable turnaround, taking a team that finished 2-14 in 2007 to a 9-7 regular season mark this season and the fourth seed in the National Conference playoffs.

Cleveland has since pulled off two straight wins to set up a National Conference Championship matchup with the league-best Philadelphia Soul on Saturday.

Garcia, Hefflin and Price earn weekly honors

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:54:36 GMT

OFFENSIVE: Garcia (6-1, 195, Sacramento St.) completed 28-of-39 passes for 330 yards and tied an AFL postseason single-game record with nine touchdowns as the New York Dragons (9-8) defeated the Dallas Desperados (12-5), 77-63, on Friday. Garcia led the Dragons offense on scoring drives on 11 of the teams 12 possessions, including 11 consecutive while compiling a postseason leading passer rating of 126.1. The Dragons travel to the Wachovia Center to face the Philadelphia Soul (13-3) on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Saturday, July 5 at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN HD, ESPN360.com, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 127).

ADT DEFENSIVE: Hefflin (6-1, 185, Toledo) registered

White resigns as Blaze head coach

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:38:42 GMT

White, who had been with the Blaze since their inaugural season in 2006, stepped down after a season where the Blaze went 6-11 and were eliminated in the wild card round of the Arena Football League playoffs.

"After a lot of thought and soul-searching and conferring with my family, I have decided to resign from the Utah Blaze," White said. "It's time for me to take a break. It's been a long, hard season, but I have never been more proud of any team that I have coached because of the way they came back." White, a former NFL quarterback with the Dallas Cowboys, came to the Blaze after serving as the head coach and general manager of the Arizona Rattlers from 1992-2004. He was the 1993 AFL Coach of the Year and took Arizona to the Arena Bowl five times, capturing the title in 1994 and 1997.

Playoffs begin with Wild Card match-ups

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:59:18 GMT

For the first time in its 22-year history, the AFL will debut instant replay for all postseason games. Each coach will have a total of two (2) challenges per game that can be used at anytime during regulation.

Coaches will be equipped with a red "challenge" flag to be thrown on the field to alert officials that they wish to challenge a play. Reviewable plays will include: scoring, change of possession, fan interference and, at the referee?s discretion, game administration.

Saintil, Moten and Samuels honored by the AFL

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:52:09 GMT

OFFENSIVE: Saintil (6-0, 190, Middle Tennessee St.) recorded 12 receptions for 155 yards and a League-best seven touchdowns as the San Jose SaberCats (11-5) defeated the Georgia Force (10-6), 68-62, on Saturday. Saintil registered receiving touchdowns of 15, four, six, 16, 31, 13 and 11 yards as San Jose's offense scored on 10 of 13 possessions. The SaberCats will host a Divisional Round matchup on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Saturday, July 5 at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 127).

ADT DEFENSIVE: Moten (5-10, 185, Texas A&M - Kingsville) registered two tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble as the Philadelphia Soul (13-3) defeated the New

Avengers fire Hodgkiss

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:43:42 GMT

Hodgkiss spent the past seven seasons with the Avengers, guiding them to a regular-season record of 57-53. The club reached the playoffs five times during his tenure, but managed just one postseason win.

"The coaching staff worked tirelessly and was extremely dedicated to the goal of winning an Arena Bowl championship, but the production simply wasn't there in recent seasons," said Avengers owner Casey Wasserman. "We recognize and appreciate the significant contributions that Ed Hodgkiss and his assistant coaches made to our franchise, but I feel strongly that we need to go in a new direction." The Avengers were 9-7 in 2007 and won a playoff game for the first time in club history, earning Hodgkiss a contract extension through the 2011 season with an option for 2012.

Kay won't return for Columbus

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:51:41 GMT

The Destroyers followed up a trip to the Arena Bowl in 2007 with a dismal 3-13 season in 2008, finishing last in the Eastern Division of the National Conference.

"Coach Kay helped our team become a better organization," said Destroyers partner, general manager and president Jim Renacci.

Eight teams battle for six playoff spots in week 17

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:31:41 GMT

The Chicago Rush (10-5), No. 5, in this week's Schutt Sports Poll, welcome the Dallas Desperados (12-3), No. 2, to Allstate Arena on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Sunday, June 22 at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN2 HD, ESPN360.com) with home- field advantage throughout the playoffs on the line for both teams in what some are saying is the first of two potential ArenaBowl XXII previews this weekend.

The Rush holds the second-best home record in the AFL at 6-1 and can clinch home-field advantage throughout the American Conference playoffs with a win. Chicago can secure at least 11 regular-season victories for the third time in franchise history with a win.

D'Orazio, Thomas and Morris earn weekly honors

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:06:17 GMT

OFFENSIVE: D'Orazio (6-4, 230, Otterbein) completed 25-of-39 passes for 283 yards and accounted for eight touchdowns (6 - passing, 2 - rushing) as the Philadelphia Soul (12-3) defeated the Cleveland Gladiators (8-7), 62-61, on Saturday. D'Orazio led the Soul's offense on scoring drives on nine of the teams 12 possessions, including six consecutive, while compiling a passer rating of 124.1. Philadelphia travels to Nassau Coliseum to face the New York Dragons (8-7) on Sunday, June 22 at 3 p.m. ET.

ADT DEFENSIVE: Thomas (5-10, 199, Florida St.) registered six tackles, two passes defensed and tied a Week-16 high with two interceptions as the San Jose SaberCats (10-5) defeated t

Seven teams can clinch playoff berths in week 16

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:39:32 GMT

The Arizona Rattlers (8-6), No. 7 in this week's Schutt Sports Poll, welcome the Colorado Crush (4-10) to US Airways Center on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday, June 16 at 10 p.m. ET (ESPN2 HD, ESPN360.com).

Arizona is one game behind San Jose for first place in the Mitsubishi Motors Western Division and has sole possession of third place in the American Conference playoff standings.

MacPherson, Rachal and Smith honored by the AFL

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:05:31 GMT

OFFENSIVE: MacPherson (6-2, 200, Wake Forest) completed 35-of-43 passes for a Week 15-high 388 yards and accounted for a League-best 11 touchdowns (10 - passing, 1 - rushing) as the Grand Rapids Rampage (4-10) defeated the Colorado Crush (4-10), 84-65, on Saturday. MacPherson recorded a passer rating of 133.8 while leading the Rampage offense on scoring drives on 13 of the teams' 15 possessions, including nine consecutive. The Rampage travel to Nationwide Arena to face the Columbus Destroyers (3-11) on Saturday, June 14 at 7 p.m. ET (CSS - Live).

ADT DEFENSIVE: Rachal (6-2, 200, Texas A&M - Commerce) registered 10.5 tackles, one fumble recovery and one interception

Two teams can clinch playoff berths in week 15

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:08:38 GMT

Georgia will clinch its fourth consecutive playoff berth with a win in Columbus coupled with losses by New York (7-6) and Tampa Bay (6-7), or New York and Cleveland (7-6), or Tampa Bay and Cleveland. The Force face the Columbus Destroyers (3-10) on Saturday, June 7 at 7 p.m. ET (AFL NET, CSS - Live, Columbus Sports Net Local - Live).

Utah hosts the Los Angeles Avengers (4-9) on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday, June 9 at 10 p.m. ET (ESPN2 HD, ESPN360.com). The Blaze, who have won four of its last five games, can secure its third consecutive playoff berth with a win by at least 17 points combined with a Grand Rapids loss, or a win coupled with losses by Grand Rapids (3-10) and Kansas City (3-10).

Morris, Trufant and Pettis earn weekly honors

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:21:57 GMT

OFFENSIVE: Morris (6-3, 213, Harvard) recorded Week 14-highs of 15 receptions for 157 yards and three touchdowns as the Georgia Force (8-5) defeated the Tampa Bay Storm (6-7), 56-55, on Saturday. Morris registered receiving touchdowns of 31, 14 and seven yards as Georgia's offense scored on eight of 10 possessions. Georgia travels to Nationwide Arena to face the Columbus Destroyers (3-10) on Saturday, June 7 at 7 p.m. ET (AFL NET, CSS - Live, Columbus Sports Net - Live).

ADT DEFENSIVE: Trufant (5-8, 170, Eastern Washington) recorded six tackles, two forced fumbles, one interception and one pass defensed as the Arizona Rattlers (7-6) defeated the Orlando Predators (8-6), 60-

Toliver, Floyd, and Pettis grab weekly honors

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:34:59 GMT

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Orlando Predators WR T.T. TOLIVER, Colorado Crush DB RASHAD FLOYD, and Dallas Desperados WR/DB WILL PETTIS have been named Offensive Player, ADT Defensive Player, and Ironman of the Week, respectively, for Week 7 of the 2008 season.

OFFENSIVE: Toliver (5-10, 175, Bethune-Cookman) recorded a game-high 12 receptions for a Week 7 high of 181 yards, and accounted for four touchdowns (three receiving, one rushing) as the Orlando Predators (5-2) defeated the Grand Rapids Rampage (2-4), 75-56, on Sunday. Toliver registered receiving touchdowns of 30, 10 and 43 yards along with a 28-yard rushing touchdown that currently stands as the second-longest run from scrimmage in the League this season. The Predators offense scored on 11 of 13 possessions, while Toliver's 181-yard performance ranks fifth-highest in the League in 2008. The Predators travel to The Arena at Gwinnett Center to take on the Georgia Force (3-

Four of five division leaders face off in week 7

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:23:52 GMT

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Undefeated records, a key interconference matchup between division leaders, winning streaks, and old rivalries revisited highlight Week 7 as divisional and conference structure begins to take shape in the AFL.

The Dallas Desperados (6-0), No. 2 in this week's AFLWA rankings and tied for first in the Mitsubishi Motors Eastern Division, welcome the Mitsubishi Motors Southern Division leading New Orleans VooDoo (5-1), No. 3, to American Airlines Center on Saturday, April 12 at 8 p.m. ET (Metro Sports Local - Live, ESPN360.com).

Nelson, Newton, Walker and Anthony grab weekly honors

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:52:04 GMT

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Colorado Crush WR BEN NELSON, Georgia Force DB CAM NEWTON, New York Dragons WR/DB JOHN WALKER and New York Dragons WR/DB CHRIS ANTHONY have been named Offensive Player, Co-ADT Defensive Player, and Ironman of the Week, respectively, for Week 6 of the 2008 season.

OFFENSIVE: Nelson (6-3, 191, St. Cloud St.) recorded a game-high 13 receptions for 174 yards and five touchdowns as the Colorado Crush (2-3) defeated the Los Angeles Avengers (2-4), 67-54, on Friday. Nelson registered receiving touchdowns of four, 37, five, 37 and nine yards as he single-handedly outscored the Avengers 24-20 in the second half. The Crush?s offense scored on 10 of 12 possessions, while Nelson?s 174-yard performance ranks fifth-highest in the League this season. The Crush travel to Cleveland to face the Gladiators (3-2) on Friday, April 11 at 7 p.m. ET (SIRIUS Radio - Channel 130).