 |
Rattlers Ticket Hotline: 602-514-TDTD |
The 2008 playoffs are rapidly approaching and almost every game from here on out will have major implications to determine who makes the postseason. This week, the 4-7 Los Angeles Avengers, who sit in fifth in the American Conference, travel east to seek revenge on the Central Division leading Chicago Rush on the Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday, May 19 at 6 p.m. PST (ESPN2 HD, ESPN360.com).
The last time these teams met on July 9th, 2007, the Rush pummeled the Avengers 52-20 in the second round of the American Conference playoffs in Chicago. The Avengers are 5-3 all-time against the Rush, but have lost the only two playoffs match-ups between the two teams.
The Avengers have battled through an up and down season, starting out 2-0 before losing their next four games in a row. The Avengers are only ½ game up on the sixth and final playoff team, Grand Rapids, and just 1 ½ games from being out of the playoffs completely. However, in the tightly contested, balanced American Conference, the Avengers also sit just ½ game out of the third seed.
LA is led by QB TIM HICKS who has passed for 1,766 yards, 35 touchdowns, and eight interceptions after taking over the starting role from incumbent QB SONNY CUMBIE in Week 6. Hicks is 2-4 as a starter, but as compiled a 107.0 quarterback rating.
WR TIMON MARSHALL is second in the AFL in all-purpose yards, averaging 203.3 per game. He’s ninth with a 20.0 yard kickoff return average and leads the team 74 catches for 1,013 yards and his 14 touchdowns are good for third on the Avengers.
DB DAMEN WHEELER is fourth in the AFL with six interceptions while leading the team with 48 tackles. DL JOSH JEFFRIES leads the team with four sacks and six tackles for loss.
The playoff picture is a lot clearer for the Rush, who have the best record in the Conference and have already clinched a playoff spot. The Rush have a four game lead over second place Colorado and can clinch the Central Division with a Colorado loss and a win over the Avengers on Monday night.
The Rush opened the season with former Rattler legend and future hall-of-famer QB SHERDRICK BONNER under center, but have since switched to second-year QB RUSS MICHNA. Michna, who attended Western Illinois University, is 5-0 in his five starts this season. He is 112-of-159 (70.4%) for 1,246 yards and 26 touchdowns and his 122.5 passer rating is fourth best in the AFL.
The Rush added another high-profile free-agent by signing AFL great WR DAMIAN HARRELL to catch passes from whichever quarterback was under center. Harrell, who set the all-time AFL record with his 304th career touchdown catch, needs just 14 catches to pass Lawrence Samuels for second on the career reception list. So far this season, Harrell has caught 65 passes for 837 yards and 17 touchdowns, all good for tops on the team.
DB DENNISON ROBINSON leads a potent Rush pass defense that ranks as one of the tops in the AFL. Robinson leads the league with eight interceptions as well as amassing a team high 65.5 tackles. Next to Robinson is DB JEREMY UNERTL who has 60.5 tackles and four interceptions.
