Arizona Rattlers (7-2) vs. Tampa Bay Storm (4-5) Game Preview
June 2, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Arizona Rattlers News Release
Phoenix. Ariz - At the midway point in the season, the Arizona Rattlers (7-2) are finding their stride once again. This Saturday, June 6th they will be back at home to host the Tampa Bay Storm (4-5). Both teams enter Saturday's contest coming off of a win.
It was a clutch performance last Saturday night, as the Rattlers fought off the Spokane Shock in an impressive 69-47 victory. The win came behind the arm of backup quarterback Shane Boyd, who made his first start of the season with quarterback BJ Coleman leaving the team earlier in the week. Boyd's performance earned him the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game recognition.
Boyd tossed seven touchdowns to four different Rattler receivers, accumulating 269 yards. Wide receiver Markee White and Boyd had quite the connection, with White snagging three of the seven touchdown passes.
Rattlers' running back Mykel Benson continued to run strong, picking up his tenth rushing touchdown of the season. His consistent rushing attack ranks Arizona 4th in the AFL in rushing. Benson also caught a touchdown to help propel the Rattlers to victory last weekend.
The Tampa Bay Storm are coming off of an exciting 35-34 win on the road against the New Orleans VooDoo. In a tightly contested defensive battle, Tampa Bay's defensive back James Harrell had two interceptions and earned the Riddell Defensive Player of the Game award. Consistent efforts like this from Harrell and his fellow defensive backs are a large factor as to why the Storm rank 2nd in the AFL for passing defense.
The Storm and Rattlers meet this Saturday, June 6th at 6 PM for the first time since May 1st, 2010, in a game that ended in dramatic fashion, with the Storm escaping narrowly 62-61 behind a controversial no-call on a possible defensive holding in the end zone on the Rattler's two-point conversion attempt. Catch the game live on Fox Sports Arizona Plus, when the Arizona Rattlers look to extend their winning streak to four games in the Snake Pit.
Arena Football League Stories from June 2, 2015
- Portland faces LA KISS for third, last time in 2015 - Portland Thunder
- Storm Retools Offensive Line - Tampa Bay Storm
- Arizona Rattlers (7-2) vs. Tampa Bay Storm (4-5) Game Preview - Arizona Rattlers
- Outlaws Become First Professional Football Team to Host a Drone Camera During a Live Game - Las Vegas Outlaws
- Thunder WR Lacey Awarded Cutters Catch of the Week - Portland Thunder
- Harrell Named Riddell Defensive Player of the Week - Tampa Bay Storm
- Thomas and Richardson Receive Weekly AFL Awards - Philadelphia Soul
- Soul Hold Town Takeover with Edgewater Park on June 4 - Philadelphia Soul
- Gray, Harrell, and Thomas Earn Weekly Honors - AFL
- Storm heads to Arizona to take on the Rattlers this Saturday - Tampa Bay Storm
- Shock visit San Jose for second match-up against Sabercats in 2015 - Spokane Shock
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
