Saturday, February 21st 2004
Kevin Pakos - S&E News
Rattlers Shed Cobras Skin!
A lot of good things happened in this
game. The first score of the game was by
the Rattlers. That score was a field goal
by Nelson Garner for 32 yards. That broke
a drought and gave the Snakes some hope.
Add to that, the Rattlers won in the Snake
Pit, sure it was in Carolina, but now it
is AZ's. The Rattlers put a dent in the
Cobras 2-0 start.
The best part of the day had to be that
the Rattlers went into this game
determined to get the ball to someone
other than Burley. In the first two games,
Siaha looked as if he was the only
receiver on the squad. LA and Detroit kept
the others in check and forced Bonner to
throw to one guy instead his usual hit
everyone style.
For Rattler fans, this is a good sign.
For Arena fans it is even better. It shows
the league and the teams around the
country that Arizona is not done, over the
hill or stale. That will be good for NBC,
the AFL and for Arizona. In the world of
Arena Ball, the Rattlers are "America's
Team". Oooppss, did I say that out loud.
Last year the Crush in a lousy season led
the league in merchandise sales. But the
Rattlers are the team that everyone wants
to beat.
Scoring in this game went like this:
Garner a 32 yard field goal.
Tom Pace Setter a 7 yard TD catch from
Bonner - Garner kick is GOOD.....
Randy Superstar Gatewood a 7 yard TD pass
from Bonner - Garner kick is GOOD....
Bonner a one yard run for a TD - Garner
kick is GOOD....
Siaha Burley a 14 yard TD pass from Bonner
- Garner kick is GOOD.....
Bo Dozer Kelly a 2 yard TD run - Garner,
oops....
Bonner a 1 yard TD run followed by an EP 2
point pass to Pace
Final Score after the Rattlers Final
Score is Rattlers 45 - Cobras 38. Too bad,
so sad. There have been a lot of Rattlers
fans that were calling for the skin of
players and coaches after the 0-2 start.
Even after this win many are saying, so
what, it's just one. But the Rattlers are
for real. Last year they had record
setting 20 game season. At one point they
were 4-5 and pronounced dead.
The Rattlers pretty much dominated in
every category in this game. Not bad for
an old, dead team. Even better with the
2-0 Cobra start. Bonner was 32 of 47 for
296 yards while the Cobra QB threw for a
wobly 153 yards. Could it be the "D". The
old dead "D". Oh yeah, the defense
picked off 3 of Nagy's passes. Who done
it, well there was one each by Orshawante
Bryant, Hamin Milligan and Tom Pace.
Bonner, he did not throw any INT's, again.
Bonner won the Offensive Player of the
Game award while the Ironman title went to
Tom Pace. Nice to see the press in
Carolina watches the game, maybe they
don't have TV's on press row. Carolina's
Damon Mason won the Defensive Player of
the Game.
| |
| Arizona
Rattlers 1-3 |
3 |
21 |
7 |
14 |
45 |
| Carolina
Cobras 2-1 |
7 |
24 |
7 |
0 |
38 |
|
|
Don't
forget, the AFL is on NBC every Sunday.
The
Rattlers quest for a third straight
ArenaBowl began February 8, when they took on the Los Angeles Avengers at
America West Arena. For season ticket
information, call 602-514-TDTD or visit
azrattlers.com
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