SAN JOSE, Calif. (July 14) -- A former Central Oklahoma All-American has helped lead his team to the Arena Football League championship game in New Orleans.

 

Place-kicker A.J. Haglund made 9-of-10 extra points and two field goals in San Jose's 81-55 rout of Grand Rapids in the American Conference finals last weekend, with the defending champion SaberCats set to take on Philadelphia in ArenaBowl XXII on July 27.  He's made all three field goal tries and 16-of-19 PATs in two playoff wins.

 

Haglund, who was named AFL Kicker of the Year earlier this month, has scored a league-record 204 points this season.  He's hit 24-of-28 field goals and 132-of-143 extra points while also making 18.0 special teams tackles for San Jose, 13-5 on the year.

 

A native of El Reno, Haglund was UCO's place-kicker for four straight years from 2001-04 and was a two-time first-team All-Lone Star Conference pick who earned All-America honors as a senior.  He set school records for field goals made in a game (five), season (15) and career (40) and PATs (139) in a career while finishing second in career points (259).

 

Haglund started his professional career for the arenafootball2 team in Oklahoma City and is in his second season with the SaberCats.

 

Click here to watch Haglund's interview on ESPN.