Arena Football Week 1 Recap

The AFL's attendance for the first week was the highest total ever for an eight-game Week 1 in league history. The average attendance was up 10 percent from last year's opening week games. It was also the second highest Week 1 total in league history—111,829.

The average for those games was 13,979. The overall attendance total exceeded the first week of games of the 2003 season, which was 104,247. That was the previous total for an eight-game inaugural week.

The Philadelphia Soul had the highest attendance with 17,869 fans against the Orlando Predators. The Cleveland Gladiators drew the second most fans with 17,391 in their inaugural game at home against the New York Dragons.

The Los Angeles Avengers (1-0) defeated the New Orleans VooDoo (0-1) 59-42. In that game DB Damien Wheeler earned the ADT Defensive Player of the Week. Wheeler registered two tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery for a touchdown, one interception, and four passes defensed in the win. 

The Dallas Desperados (1-0) defeated the Gorgia Force (0-1) 51-41 on Saturday in a game that was televised nationally on ABC. During the game, Dallas lost quarterback Clint Dolezel to a shoulder injury.

The Philadelphia Soul (1-0), who are celebrating their fifth year in the league, defeated the Orlando Predators (0-1) 77-56. QB Tony Graziani was 15-22 for 257 yards passing. He threw a franchise-high nine touchdowns and no interceptions, earning him the Offensive Player of the Week.

The Cleveland Gladiators (1-0) made their debut, relocating from Las Vegas, to defeat the New York Dragons (0-1) at home 61-49.

The Colorado Crush (1-0) defeated the Columbus Destroyers (0-1) 50-47 in their home opener.

The Tampa Bay Storm (1-0) defeated the Kansas City Brigade (0-1) 51-49. The Brigade lost their opening in the new Sprint Center. They previously at Kemper Arena.

The Arizona Rattlers (1-0)—whose owner has made a promise to fans that if the Rattlers don't make the playoff's this year all fans will get a full refund on their tickets—defeated the Utah Blaze (0-1) 63-62.

The game of the week, televised on ESPN2 Monday night, featured the previous two ArenaBowl Champions. The 2007 ArenaBowl Champion San Jose SaberCats traveled to Chicago to play the 2006 ArenaBowl Champion Chicago Rush.

It was the first time that the last two ArenaBowl Champs started a season off against each other.

In that game WR/LB DEJUAN ALFONZO earned the Ironman of the Week. Alfonzo posted one rush for two yards on offense, along with a key offensive fumble recovery for a touchdown, as the Chicago Rush (1-0) defeated the defending ArenaBowl XXI Champion San Jose SaberCats (0-1), 70-47.

On defense, Alfonzo recorded five tackles, one fumble recovery for a touchdown, and one interception. Alfonzo’s recovery of a MARK GRIEB fumble and 20-yard touchdown return came on the third play of the game and gave the Rush an early 14-0 lead. His offensive fumble recovery in San Jose’s end zone with 2:13 remaining complimented his defensive play and gave the Rush a 63-41 lead, sealing the victory.