It was the battle of No.1’s to determine the ultimate No.1. And, thus, ArenaBowl XIX was decided on the game’s final play, as the American Conference representatives, the Colorado Crush edged their counterparts, the Georgia Force, in a 51-48 thriller at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The two teams had been virtual strangers to one another. They had met only once before, with Georgia winning, 44-40, at the Pepsi Center, in the Crush’s inaugural game of 2003. This was the first time the Arena Football League has played their most important game on a neutral site; in past years, the team with the better record had home field advantage.

«FULL STORY»

A week ago, the American Conference Championship Game was first advertised as the celebrity round of the playoffs because the Chicago and Colorado franchises each feature management groups that include an NFL Hall-of-Famer. But, in the end, even the presence of John Elway and Mike Ditka could not match the drama that unfolded in the final minute and subsequent overtime of the Crush’s thrilling 49-43 victory over the Rush at the Pepsi Center.

«FULL STORY»