2002 Schedule

Hey AFL fans, the 2002 schedule, such as it is, has been released by the league. Right now coaches all over the league are contemplating the future of their team, and pointing out key match-ups. I guess I'll do the same here.

The pre-season starts officially on Friday, March 29th in San Jose, California and the regular season begins on Friday April 19th. Pre-season games are necessary but for now I'll ignore them.

While every game in professional football is a must-win game, there are a few games that stand out to this long-time observer and fan, even before most of the teams even have their roster completed. I point them out because historically, they've been either high-scoreing slugfests, heated rivalries, or both.

In week 1, two rivals go head to head right away when the San Jose Sabercats host their western rivals the Arizona Rattlers. Both teams sport a potent offense even by AFL standards, and both have head coaches who aren't afraid to open it up. The rivalry has heated up recently since the Sabercats have joined the Rattlers to become perennial ArenaBowl contenders.

Week 2 sports a game between the reigning Champion Grand Rapids Rampage against the dangerous Indiana Firebirds. G.R. can play both sides of the football well but nothing short of a great defense will slow down the Firebird attack.

Now, understand that I'm writing this in December of 2001 and going mostly by last season's performances.

You have to go to week 5 to find the next key match-up, and that is a game between New York and New Jersey. Normally, this game wouldn't garner much attention but it is between two future rivals. As soon as the New Jersey Gladiators get their act together and become contenders, the battle between them and the New York Dragons will be one of the bitterest rivalries going.

You can't speak of rivalries without talking about the "War on I-4". The twice-a-season battle between the Orlando Predators and the Tampa Bay Storm. Six total Championships between the two teams and 11 years of history makes this battle the best the AFL has to offer. Week 8 showcases the first 2002 meeting between the two. It will be in Orlando.

In week 12, the Indiana Firebirds face the San Jose Sabercats.....should be a high-scoring affair, and then in that same weekend the second installment in the "War on I-4" when Orlando makes its trip to Tampa. Week 13 showcases the rematch between the Sabercats and the Rattlers.

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