AFLWA > News > Schutt Sports Top 12 Poll

Feb. 28, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mark Anderson
702-379-0154

Kats are third team in three weeks to sit atop AFLWA rankings

NASHVILLE TOPS SCHUTT SPORTS TOP 12 POLL

LAS VEGAS (AFLWA) – After the Austin Wranglers suffered their first loss of the season, the Schutt Sports Top 12 Poll received a new No. 1 when the Nashville Kats were elevated to the top.

Nashville (4-1) received 12 first-place votes from members of the Arena Football League Writers Association (AFLWA), giving the Kats 215 points. The Kats, who defeated the Grand Rapids Rampage 47-31 to move up a spot, are at the Arizona Rattlers (1-4) this week.

The Colorado Crush (4-1) moved up a spot to No. 2, receiving five first-place votes and 209 points. Colorado, which beat the Philadelphia Soul 48-38, hosts No. 12 Grand Rapids (2-3).

Austin (4-1) fell two spots to No. 3, taking in one first-place vote and totaling 200 points. The Wranglers, who fell to the Tampa Bay Storm 58-48, visits the No. 5 Georgia Force (3-2).

The other first-place vote went to the No. 4 Dallas Desperados (4-1), who totaled 159 points to remain in the same spot after a 55-48 victory over the Las Vegas Gladiators. Dallas is at the Chicago Rush (3-2), which is tied with the New York Dragons (3-2) at No. 7.

Georgia advanced two places following its 51-19 rout of the Kansas City Brigade, and Tampa Bay (3-2) gained two slots to No. 6. The Storm plays at Kansas City (1-4).

Chicago defeated the San Jose SaberCats 58-48 to move up two places, and New York moved up three spots after drubbing the Orlando Predators 55-35. The Dragons host the Columbus Destroyers (2-3).

Philadelphia (3-2), which dropped five spots to No. 9, is at Las Vegas (1-4). Orlando (3-2), also taking a major tumble in going from No. 6 to No. 10, is at home against the Los Angeles Avengers (1-4).

The No. 11 Utah Blaze (2-3) and No. 12 Grand Rapids switched places. Utah, a 68-66 winner over Los Angeles, hosts San Jose.

2006 SCHUTT SPORTS AFL TOP 12 POLL (FEB. 28)
Rk.	Team [1st Place]	W-L	Pts.	Pvs.
1.	Nashville Kats [12]	4-1	215	2
2.	Colorado Crush [5]	4-1	209	3
3.	Austin Wranglers [1]	4-1	200	1
4.	Dallas Desperados [1]	4-1	159	t4
5.	Georgia Force	3-2	127	7
6.	Tampa Bay Storm	3-2	121	8
t7.	Chicago Rush	3-2	102	9
t7.	New York Dragons	3-2	102	10
9.	Philadelphia Soul	3-2	94	t4
10.	Orlando Predators	3-2	82	6
11.	Utah Blaze	2-3	29	12
12.	Grand Rapids Rampage	2-3	15	11
Others receiving votes: Columbus Destroyers 10, Los Angeles Avengers 5, San Jose SaberCats 2
Dropped out: None

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)