Arena Bowl XXI, Brief Franchise Histories.
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by Cobras36
#6 Seed, 10-9 National Conference Champion Columbus Destroyers:
Franchise for an Arena Football team was granted on 23 Aug 97. Then in Buffalo, the Destroyers played their first game on 30 Apr 99 in the Marine Midland Arena, losing 59-26 to the New England Seawolves. Over the next 5 years, the Destroyers managed to win 23 games (only 8 on the road) while switching coaches and starting QBs trying to find a winning combination. They lost their only two playoff appearances, in 2000 and 2002, 41-34 and 32-27. On 25 Sep 03, the Destroyers move to Columbus to obtain a more stable ownership and arena situation. After 3 more years of coaching switches and roster reshufflings, Columbus names defensive coaching whiz Doug Kay to the head coaching position. The Destroyers ran their record to 6-4 in 2007, before a series of lapses lead to a five game losing streak, leaving a must-win-and-need-help game on Long Island vs the Dragons, which they won 73-48 and clinched the 6 th and final playoff spot.<p> <p>Overall franchise: 141 games, 49 wins, 92 losses, 3-2 in 3 years of playoffs in 9 years of their existence.
#1 Seed, 15-3 American Conference Champion San Jose SaberCats:
Franchise for an Arena Football team was granted on 26 Oct 94. The ‘Cats played their first game 12 May 95, a 43-37 home loss to the Arizona Rattlers. In their 13 seasons, the SaberCats have posted 10 winning seasons and won two Arena Bowls, in 2002 and again in 2004. One of the perennial AFL power house teams, San Jose has posted at least 10 regular season wins in 7 of the past 8 seasons. After starting off 0-3 in their first 5 seasons in the playoffs, San Jose is sporting a 10-5 record since Coach Darrel Arbet has taken over. San Jose also boasts an 11-4 record in home playoff games and San Jose will be the “home” team on the 29 th in New Orleans. San Jose has been a model of coaching and front office stability and nobody wants to go to the HP Pavilion to play.<p> <p>Overall franchise: 210 games, 137 wins, 73 losses, 12-8 in 11 playoff years in the 13 years of their existence.
Overall head-to-head record
5 meetings between Buffalo and San Jose, with the ‘Cats taking all 5, only 2 under 28 and 1 within 6 points. One meeting between Columbus and San Jose, last year won by San Jose by 21 in the HP Pavilion.
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