NEW YORK – San Jose SaberCats wide receiver/defensive back BARRY WAGNER has been named U.S. Army Ironman of the Week for the Semifinal Round of the 2004 season.

Wagner (6-3, 225, Alabama A&M), who is in his 13th AFL season, aided San

Jose on both sides of the ball to prevail over the Rush, 49-35, on Saturday.

On defense, the 13-year veteran tallied 5.5 total tackles, one forced fumble, one rushing

touchdown and 40 receiving yards and a touchdown in addition to two kickoff

returns for 15 yards. This marks the AFL-record 39th time that the six-time

Ironman of the Year has earned an AFL weekly honor and second this season

(Week 15). The SaberCats now head to Phoenix to face the Rattlers for

ArenaBowl XVIII, their first ArenaBowl appearance since they won against

Arizona at home in 2002.

Wagner and the SaberCats will face the No. 1-seeded Arizona Rattlers (13-5) in ArenaBowl XVIII, the AFL’s championship game, on Sunday, June 27 at 4 p.m. ET on NBC, live from America West Arena in Phoenix.

U.S. Army Ironman of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s Hunkie Cooper, Chicago’s Etu Molden and Colorado’s Willis Marshall.