WITH NO. 1 PLAYOFF SEED, KATS HAVE 4 PLAYERS LEAD AF1 REGULAR SEASON IN MULTIPLE CATEGORIES

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Nashville Kats closed the regular season by winning nine games in a row to claim the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Arena Football One (AF1) playoffs.

The Kats will host a semifinal playoff game on Sunday, Aug. 3 at 3 p.m. CDT at F&M Bank Arena against a team to be determined by this weekend’s opening round results, as the lowest remaining seed will come to visit.

Two weeks ago, the Kats won 57-54 at Albany to sweep the season series versus the defending champion Firebirds to secure the No. 1 seed. Should the Kats win their semifinal game, they will host the Arena Crown championship game the weekend of Aug. 8-9.

The AF1 playoffs begin this coming Saturday with No. 4 seed Kentucky Barrels (7-5) playing at No. 5 seed Michigan Arsenal (6-6) at 3 p.m. CDT. On Sunday at 6 p.m. CDT, the No. 3 seed Minnesota Monsters (8-4) play host to the No. 6 seed Washington Wolfpack (5-7).

Not surprisingly with the regular season closing this past weekend, the Kats had four different players ranked first or tied for first in the league for the regular season in multiple individual statistical categories. Plus, another five Kats finished in the top five in individual categories as well.

“Our players really developed this season,” Kats head coach Darren Arbet said, “and you can see that by their stats and performances. A lot of players had great years and really stepped up. We all wanted to finish the season as the No. 1 seed and the individual honors would then come. We have two more goals in our sights.”

AF1 most valuable player candidate Tyler Kulka, a Lawrence Tech product, led the league in two categories -- total passing yards (2,835) and total offensive yards (2,817). The quarterback finished second in three categories – touchdown passes (56), passing yards per game (236.3) and offensive yards per game (234.8).

Kats wide receiver Malik Honeycutt, a Murray State alum, led the league in two categories -- total receiving yards (1,047) and receiving yards per game (95.2). He was third in touchdowns (19) and fourth in points scored (114).

Fellow receiver Kendyl Williams, also a Lawrence Tech alum, tied for the league lead in two categories -- points scored per game (12) and TDs per game (2). He was fourth in points scored per game (10.9).

Kats running back Desmond Maxwell, a Western Kentucky product, was first in AF1 in rushing touchdowns (12) and fifth in total rushing yards (121). Fullback Austin Collier was fourth in rushing TDs (4).

Kats kicker Kyle Kaplan, a Notre Dame College alum, was second in points scored (131) and fourth in points per game (10.9). He was the only kicker in the league to be ranked in the top five in either category.

Defensive back Derrick Jones, a product of Ole Miss, was second in solo tackles (65), while defensive lineman Jaquan Artis, a Lenoir-Rhyne product, was second in sacks (10).

Defensive back Omari Alexander, also a WKU alum, was tied for second in interceptions (7). He was named the AF1 Defensive Player of the Week in consecutive weeks to close the regular season.

“MEET THE KATS THURSDAY AT BWW”

In advance of their Arena Football One (AF1) home semifinal playoff game, the Nashville Kats will host a “Meet the Kats” night this coming Thursday at Buffalo Wild Wings in Clarksville.

Kats players, coaches and staffers will be on hand Thursday at 5 p.m. at Buffalo Wild Wings to greet fans, sign autographs and take photographs. There will be giveaways, door prizes and surprise guests.

Buffalo Wild Wings is located at 110 South Hampton Place in Clarksville. The location has been an official caterer of the Kats this season, providing both teams pre-game and post-game meals on game days.

For the regular season, the Kats finished 7-0 at home during the regular season with wins April 14 versus the Michigan Arsenal (78-40), April 27 over the Washington Wolfpack (45-3), May 9 against the Oregon Lightning (64-21), May 16 versus the Oceanside Bombers (63-49), June 13 versus the Minnesota Monsters (48-32), June 20 against the Albany Firebirds (78- 69) and June 27 versus the Beaumont Renegades (72-20).

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