|
|
CHICAGO -- The undefeated San Jose Sabercats
(8-0) garnered all 16 first-place votes in the Arena Football League's
inaugural Media Poll, the League office announced on Wednesday.
The SaberCats handed the Spokane Shock
(2-5) their worst loss in franchise history in an 83-28 road victory
last week on their way to becoming 8-0 for just the second time ever.
San Jose began the 2002 season 12-0 en route to an ArenaBowl XVI
championship. While there is still plenty of football left to be played,
this year's SaberCats appear poised for title contention once again,
boasting the League's top-ranked offensive and defensive units heading
into Week 9. San Jose hosts the defending American Conference champion Cleveland Gladiators (5-3) this Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN3.Despite suffering their first loss of the season, 47-55, to the Jacksonville Sharks (3-5) in Week 8, the Philadelphia Soul (7-1) still managed to carry every second-place vote in the first Media Poll of the season. Philadelphia's high-powered offense has been propelled by quarterback Dan Raudabaugh, the AFL's passing leader with 196 completions on 302 attempts for 2,337 yards and 55 touchdowns in 2015, while defensive back James Romain has emerged as one of the League's top young playmakers, tallying five interceptions already this season. The Soul will travel to the Sunshine State this Saturday for a 7:30 p.m. ET matchup with the Tampa Bay Storm (3-4) on ESPN3.
The three-time defending ArenaBowl champion Arizona Rattlers (6-2) came in at No. 3 in this week's Media Poll after avenging an early-season loss to the Las Vegas Outlaws (3-4) with a 60-42 win in Week 8. With reigning AFL MVP Nick Davila on injured reserve, rookie quarterback B.J. Coleman has progressed admirably, seeing an increase in touchdown passes and a decrease in interceptions in each of his three starts this year. The Rattlers have a bye in Week 9.
On the heels of a 64-42 victory over the New Orleans VooDoo (2-6) in Week 8, the Cleveland Gladiators (5-3) were voted in at No. 4 in this week's Media Poll. Steve Thonn's squad will face its toughest test yet this weekend when the Gladiators travel to San Jose for a matchup with the undefeated SaberCats. All-Arena quarterback Shane Austin, who has thrown a League-high 10 interceptions this season, will have his work cut out for him against the aggressive and opportunistic San Jose defense. The SaberCats lead the AFL with 25 sacks and 15 interceptions this year.
Fresh off a dramatic 63-62 overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Storm (3-4) in the "War on I-4," the Orlando Predators (4-3) edged their way into the Top 5 of this week's AFL Media Poll. Trailing by 15 with just more than a minute remaining in the contest, the Predators rallied to send the game to overtime. The squad showed their moxie in the extra period, responding to a Tampa touchdown with a score of their own and punching in a two-point conversion for the win. The Preds return to national television this weekend as they host the Portland Thunder (3-4) for the first time ever at 7:00 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
The AFL Media Poll consists of voters from television, radio, and newspaper outlets who regularly cover the League in their respective markets, along with national personalities from ESPN and CBS Sports, who provide game and studio commentary about the Arena Football League.
|
May 20 AFL Media Poll
|
||||
|
Rank
|
Team (1st Place Votes)
|
W-L
|
Points
|
Last Week
|
|
1. |
San Jose Sabercats (16) |
8-0
|
192
|
--
|
|
2. |
Philadelphia Soul |
7-1
|
174
|
--
|
|
3. |
Arizona Rattlers |
6-2
|
160
|
--
|
|
4. |
Cleveland Gladiators |
5-3
|
143
|
--
|
|
5. |
Orlando Predators |
4-4
|
124
|
--
|
|
6. |
Jacksonville Sharks |
3-5
|
105
|
--
|
|
7. |
Tampa Bay Storm |
3-4
|
97
|
--
|
|
8. |
Las Vegas Outlaws |
3-4
|
79
|
--
|
|
9. |
Portland Thunder |
3-4
|
73
|
--
|
|
10. |
New Orleans VooDoo |
2-6
|
44
|
--
|
|
11. |
Spokane Shock |
2-5
|
41
|
--
|
|
12. |
LA KISS |
0-8
|
16
|
--
|
No comments:
Post a Comment