Arizona Rattlers Back in the Desert Friday Night
Published on April 17, 2010 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Arizona Rattlers News Release
PHOENIX - The Arizona Rattlers were back in the desert for the first time in nearly two years Friday night, playing in front of a packed house at USAirways Center in the first free professional event in sports history.
The team played a back and forth match-up with the Chicago Rush all night, but came up short in the end, dropping a heartbreaking 70-56 decision.
Despite the loss, the Rattlers offense put up some tremendous numbers. All three Rattlers starting wide receivers had at least 10 grabs, at least 100 yards and at least one score each. The Russell Athletic Player of the Game, JJ MCKELVEY, playing in his first game as a Rattler, came up huge with 12 receptions for 110 yards and four scores.
Rookie WR ROD WINDSOR, who caught 13 passes for 175 yards in Cleveland, followed up that performance with an 11 catch, 108 yard outing on Friday, also netting a touchdown. At the pace he is currently on, Windsor is poised to break Calvin Schexnayder's Rattler receiving yards record. Schexnayder ran off 1,982 yards in 1998. Windsor is currently projected to finish the season with 2,264 yards. The Rattler rookie record is held by WR TRANDON HARVEY, who netted 1,412 his first season in 2007.
Harvey, who was also named the Nifty Playmaker of the Game, hauled in 10 catches for 121 yards and 2 scores. Harvey also added six kick returns for 121 yards; over a 20 yard average per return.
Arizona's defense intercepted Rush QB Russ Michna twice, bringing their season total to six. DB RILEY SWANSON, who was named AFL Defensive Player of the Week in his first ever AFL game in Cleveland two weeks ago, added his second pick of the season.
It was a back and forth battle for most of the night for the Rattlers and the Rush. Arizona seemed poised to break the log-jam early in the second quarter following Swanson's interception, however Chicago's Nygel Rogers stepped in front of Rattler QB NICK DAVILA'S pass and returned 14 yards for the touchdown. Davila finished the night with eight touchdown passes and 354 passing yards.
Things repeated themselves late in the fourth quarter when Arizona DB SERGIO GILLIAM snagged a Michna pass to give Arizona the ball back with under three minutes to play. However this time it was Rush WR/LB DeJuan Alfonzo who got the better of Davila, running back an interception 48 yards for the game-clinching score. Alfonzo received the Spalding Highlight of the Game and the Riddell Defensive Player of the Game awards for his efforts.
The Rattlers are back in the Snake Pit next Friday night when they take on the Tulsa Talons in the teams' first-ever meeting. Kickoff is slated for 7:30pm
Arena Football League Stories from April 17, 2010
- Cleveland drops third-straight before heading into the Bye Week - Cleveland Gladiators
- Blaze suffer second loss of season - Utah Blaze
- Dawgz Win - Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz
- Saturday Night Matchups - AFL
- Arizona Rattlers Back in the Desert Friday Night - Arizona Rattlers
- Rattlers fall to Rush - Arizona Rattlers
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