FORCE TO OPEN 2008 SEASON ON NATIONAL TELEVISION
ON ABC AGAINST THE DALLAS DESPERADOS

The Georgia Force today announced their 2008 regular season schedule, which is highlighted by a Week 1 contest against the Dallas Desperados on Saturday, March 1, at The Arena at Gwinnett Center.

The 2007 Southern Division Champions, Georgia Force, will host the Dallas Desperados in a Week 1 match-up that will air on ABC with the action being called by Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic. In 2007, Georgia (14-2) and Dallas (15-1) finished with the AFL’s best records in the regular season with the Force handing the Desperados their lone loss (78-63). Georgia has posted the league’s best record at home over the past three seasons (20-4), and Dallas has recorded the best record on the road over that time (18-6). With over 5,000 free parking spots at The Arena at Gwinnett Center there will be adequate space for tailgating and pre-game festivities for the Force fans.

“We are elated that the AFL has chosen the Force and the community of Gwinnett to kickoff the 2008 season on ABC in front of a national audience,” stated team President Dick Sullivan. “The move to The Arena at Gwinnett Center has enabled us to host an additional game on ESPN 2, which will provide our fans the opportunity to show why they are the best in the AFL. We are looking forward to the start of the 2008 season as we prepare to compete for our ultimate goal of an ArenaBowl Championship.”

Georgia will appear on ESPN a total of three times throughout the season, including the Dallas game. In Week 11, the Force will play host to the Philadelphia Soul and former Force WR Chris Jackson on ESPN 2. Georgia will travel to New Orleans to take on the VooDoo in Week 13 in a division game that will air on ESPN 2. The Force will also have two contests between division opponents; the Orlando Predators and Tampa Bay Storm, in addition to a final meeting vs. New Orleans. Head Coach Doug Plank will lead the Force into Utah in Week 5 to take on his former coaching colleague, Danny White, and the Blaze. The Force will also face-off against the past two AFL Champions when the Chicago Rush visit The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Week 16 and Georgia travels to San Jose the following week.