AFLWA > News > Schutt Sports Top 12 Poll

Feb. 21, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mark Anderson
702-379-0154

Unbeaten Wranglers unseat Colorado at the top

AUSTIN TOPS SCHUTT SPORTS TOP 12 POLL

LAS VEGAS (AFLWA) – The Austin Wranglers, now the only undefeated team, supplanted the Colorado Crush atop the Schutt Sports Top 12 Poll.

Austin (4-0) moved up two spots to become the first team other than Colorado to hold the top ranking the poll, which is voted on by members of the Arena Football League Writers Association (AFLWA). The Wranglers, who defeated the Dallas Desperados 56-49, received 18 first-place votes and 248 points. They are at the No. 8 Tampa Bay Storm (2-2) this weekend.

The Nashville Kats (3-1) received the other three first-place votes, and totaled 209 points following their 58-36 victory over Colorado. Nashville, which moved up two places to No. 2, hosts No. 11 Grand Rapids (2-2). The Rampage entered the poll after defeating the San Jose SaberCats 66-52.

Colorado (3-1), which fell two spaces to No. 3, is at the Philadelphia Soul (3-1), which is tied for fourth with Dallas (3-1). Philadelphia advanced five places after its 75-59 defeat of the New York Dragons. Dallas, which fell two spots, is at home against the Las Vegas Gladiators (1-3).

The Orlando Predators (3-1) remained at No. 6 after edging Tampa Bay 67-64 in overtime. Orlando visits No. 10 New York (2-2), which dropped three slots. The Storm fell four places.

Moving up a spot to No. 7 was the Georgia Force (2-2), a 54-34 winner over Las Vegas. Georgia is at home against the Kansas City Brigade (1-3).

The Chicago Rush (2-2) moved up one space thanks to a 65-46 victory over the Los Angeles Avengers. Chicago hosts San Jose (1-3).

Despite a 45-38 loss to the Arizona Rattlers, the Utah Blaze (1-3) dropped only one place to No. 12. Utah is at Los Angeles (1-3).

2006 SCHUTT SPORTS AFL TOP 12 POLL (FEB. 21)
Rk.	Team [1st Place]	W-L	Pts.	Pvs.
1.	Austin Wranglers [18]	4-0	248	3
2.	Nashville Kats [3]	3-1	209	t4
3.	Colorado Crush	3-1	196	1
t4.	Dallas Desperados	3-1	172	2
t4.	Philadelphia Soul	3-1	172	9
6.	Orlando Predators	3-1	163	6
7.	Georgia Force	2-2	129	8
8.	Tampa Bay Storm	2-2	95	t4
9.	Chicago Rush	2-2	94	10
10.	New York Dragons	2-2	76	7
11.	Grand Rapids Rampage	2-2	51	-
12.	Utah Blaze	1-3	9	11
Others receiving votes: Los Angeles Avengers 8, Kansas City Brigade 7, Arizona Rattlers 5, Las Vegas Gladiators 3, San Jose SaberCats 1
Dropped out: Las Vegas Gladiators (12)

Schutt Sports, the sports gear company with a reputation for innovation, is sponsoring this season's Top 12 Poll. Its website is schuttsports.com.

The AFLWA, founded at the start of the 2004 season, is a national organization made up of media members who cover the Arena Football League. Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review-Journal is the AFLWA's founder and executive director.

2006 AFLWA Rankings (No 1. team):
• Preseason (Colorado) • Jan. 31 (Colorado) • Feb. 8 (Colorado) • Feb. 14 (Colorado) • Feb. 21 (Austin) • Feb. 28 (Nashville)	• March 7 (Colorado) • March 15 (Colorado) • March 21 (Dallas) • March 28 (Dallas) • April 4 (Dallas) • April 11 (Dallas)	• April 18 (Dallas) • April 25 (Dallas) • May 2 (Dallas) • May 9 (Dallas) • May 16 (Dallas)