Kats Hope Third Time is a Charm

Joseph Lenard
Friday August 18, 2000

You would think the entire state of Tennessee will be watching the ArenaBowl this Sunday as it is telecast on ABC from the TD Waterhouse Center in Orlando Florida as the Nashville Kats of the Arena Football League take on the Orlando Predators. The Kats, as well as the rest of Tennessee, are hoping the third time is a charm.

If you’re puzzled, don`t be. Indeed this is the Kats first ArenaBowl appearance, but the state of Tennessee`s third Football team to make it to their respective sports Championship game, this year!

First, the Tennessee Titans earned a birth in the NFL`s SuperBowl, and who could forget the heartbreak the Titans fans felt as they came up just a few feet short of forcing the game into overtime? Many, this Arena Football fan included, were pulling for Kurt Warner and the St. Louis Rams. We hoped Kurt could finally prove the talent of the AFL and raise hope for others to move from the AFL ranks into the NFL.

Ron Carpenter and the Nashville Kats hope `third time is a charm` for Tennessee football teams Image courtesy of Jeff Marshall

Then, just a few short months later and few weeks ago, Indoor Football fans watched as the Tennessee Valley Vipers, who actually play their home games in Huntsville Alabama, lost to the Quad City Steamwheelers in the first ever AF2 Arena Cup game. The post-season ended with the Vipers coming up short in their final game losing 68-59, handing the AF2 League`s first ever title to the Steamwheelers.

The Kats provide the state of Tennessee that "third time is a charm" hope.

The Nashville Kats ended the 2000 Regular Season play, as they had all the seasons before, with a Playoff birth. While some have considered Nashville as the surprise of the Playoffs this year, it does not surprise this reporter. Just a look at the brief history of the Kats shows a pattern of winning and building. Since the Kats joining the Arena Football League in 1997, the Kats have not suffered a losing season, having posted records of 9-5, 8-6, 9-5, and this year`s 10-4 record. This just may be the year of the Kat!

A quick glance at the teams on paper suggests a very close and hard fought match-up. This game may truly come down to the cliché of “who turns over the ball the least.” The turnover margins of the Kats is +11 and Orlando is +5. The other big catagory, and a factor in the first half of Orlando`s semifinal game against the Rattlers, are the Predators 23 sacks allowed, compared to the Kats impressive 4. If Orlando turns over the ball, possibly just once, and fails to protect the Quarterback, this will be a Nashville win and the state of Tennessees vengence. Other states may be asking themselves, just what are they putting in the water in Tennessee? A state with no Football just a few short years ago, and in the year 2000 no less than 3 Championship game visits!

 

The opinions expressed in the article above are only those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts, opinions, or official stance of ArenaFan Online or its staff, or the Arena Football League, or any AFL or af2 teams.

Joseph Lenard Articles
arenafootball2 – No 2nd Fiddle Here! 4/18/2001
XFL vs. AFL: An Objective Comparison 4/8/2001
Detroit Fury Open House II 2/3/2001
The Kick is up, The Kick is Good 11/7/2000
Where`s the Fury? 11/1/2000
Kats Hope Third Time is a Charm 8/18/2000
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