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AFL I Arizona Rattlers

Arizona Rattlers game notes

February 24, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


The Stakes: The Rattlers go for their second straight win when they take on the Dragons of New York. New York has dropped two in a row after an opening day win over Georgia.

The Series: This will be the 10th meeting between these two franchises. New York used to be the Iowa Barnstormers, who Arizona defeated 55-33 in ArenaBowl XI in 1997. Arizona is 5-4 all-time against New York, including a 3-3 mark at home.

Radio: All Rattler games are broadcast on KMVP 860 AM. All games are also simulcast over the internet at www.AZRattlers.com.

NBC: Today's game will be broadcast nationally on NBC. Tom Hammond, Pat Haden, and Lewis Johnson will call all the action.

ARIZONA RATTLERS (1-2)
Date Opponent Time TV
2/8 Los Angeles Loss 32-51
2/13 Detroit Loss 31-48
2/21 @ Carolina Win 45-38
2/29 New York 1:00 NBC
3/5 Columbus 7:00
3/14 @ Las Vegas 4:00 FSAZ
3/18 New Orleans 7:00
3/27 @ Colorado 7:00 FSAZ
4/4 @ Grand Rapids 12:00
4/10 Las Vegas 7:00 FSAZ
4/18 Dallas 12:00 NBC
4/25 @ Indiana 12:00 NBC
5/1 @ Los Angeles 7:30 FSAZ
5/9 San Jose 12:00 NBC
5/15 @ Detroit 4:30
5/30 @ San Jose 1:00 NBC

NEW YORK DRAGONS (1-2)
Date Opponent Time TV
2/8 @ Georgia Win 54-28
2/14 Chicago Loss 54-56
2/22 Dallas Loss 44-56
2/29 @ Arizona 1:00 NBC
3/7 San Jose 9:00a NBC
3/14 @ Tampa Bay 9:00a NBC
3/20 Columbus 4:00
4/4 @ Carolina 12:00
4/10 @ Columbus 4:00
4/18 Colorado 12:00 NBC
4/24 @ Philadelphia 4:30
5/2 @ Dallas 12:00 NBC
5/8 Carolina 4:00
5/16 Los Angeles 12:00 NBC
5/23 @ Orlando 12:00 NBC
5/30 Philadelphia 1:00 NBC

Head Coaches: Head Coach and General Manager Danny White (129-61 overall, 111-52 regular season) is in his 13th season with the Arizona Rattlers. The 2002 Arena Football Hall of Fame inductee is second all-time in coaching victories, with 129 wins. White is only the second coach in AFL history to notch 100 wins. White's career-winning percentage of .679 ranks fifth all-time in AFL history. He is a two-time ArenaBowl Champion (1994, 1997).

Todd Shell is in his first full season with the Dragons. Shell took over in week five last season, following an 0-4 start by John Gregory. He went 8-4 the rest of the way, earning Coach of the Year honors and the Eastern Division crown. Shell has a career record of 38-31, having served as the first coach in San Jose history as well. Shell was the first Defensive Coordinator of the Rattlers, coaching Arizona from 1992 to 1994.

Last Meeting: These two teams haven't met since 2001, when New York defeated the Rattlers 62-55 at America West Arena. Aaron Garcia threw for 305 yards and seven touchdowns to lead the Dragons to victory. It was the second match-up of that season, with New York taking the first meeting in New York.

Back For More: WR/LB Hunkie Cooper returns to Arizona for his 12th season. In the AFL record book, Cooper ranks first all-time in kickoff returns, second all-time in all-purpose yards, third in kickoff return touchdowns, and fourth in pass receptions.
All-Purpose Yards:
1. George LaFrance 20,480
2. # Hunkie Cooper 19,776
3. # Barry Wagner 19,122
Kickoff Returns
1. # Hunkie Cooper 483
2. George LaFrance 460
Kickoff Return Touchdowns
1. Lamont Cooper 24
2. Steve Papin 23
3. # Hunkie Cooper 19
Pass Receptions:
1. Eddie Brown 949
2. # Barry Wagner 897
3. # Gary Compton 736
4. # Hunkie Cooper 723
# denotes Active Player

The Big Lefty: Rattlers Quarterback Sherdrick Bonner is third all-time in Arena Football history with 543 touchdown passes. He ranks second in passing yards (27, 563) and second in pass completions (2, 182). Bonner also ranks second for pass attempts (3, 523).

Most Passing Touchdowns
1. # Aaron Garcia 561
2. # Andy Kelly 559
3. # Sherdrick Bonner 543
Most Passing Yards
1. # Andy Kelly 28,532
2. # Sherdrick Bonner 27,563
3. # Aaron Garcia 27,510
Most Pass Completions
1. # Andy Kelly 2,570
2. # Sherdrick Bonner 2,182
3. # Aaron Garcia 2,148
4. # Clint Dolezel 2,123
Most Pass Attempts:
1. # Andy Kelly 4,207
2. # Sherdrick Bonner 3,523
3. # Todd Hammel 3,501
4. # Aaron Garcia 3,433
# denotes Active Player

Changes: Arizona activated lineman Jason Andersen prior to the Carolina game. Andersen is a rookie out of BYU.

Count Down: This season, Hunkie Cooper needs only 224 yards to reach 20, 000 all-purpose yards for his career. Only George LaFrance has reached that milestone. Sherdrick Bonner needs 2,437 passing yards to reach 30, 000 for his career.

Next Week: Arizona continues its home stand, taking on the Columbus Destroyers on Friday March 5th. Kickoff is at 7:00.

Officials: Officials for today's game are: Tom McCabe (Referee), Matt Jordan (Umpire), Neil Brunner (Head Linesman), Bob McElwee (Line Judge), and Joe Duncan (Back Judge).

Injury Report: The Rattlers have five players currently on Injured Reserve. QB Travis Cole has a left ankle sprain, OL/DL Tim Engelhardt suffered a right groin strain, WR/LB Terence Davis is dealing with an eye injury, OL/DL Pete Tramontanas has a right ankle sprain, and WR/LB Larry Nixon has a right thigh contusion.

Last Week: The Rattlers earned their first win of 2004 with a 45-38 victory over the Carolina Cobras. Sherdrick Bonner threw for three scores and ran two others in to help Arizona secure the victory in Charlotte over the previously unbeaten Cobras.

You Look Familiar: New York's roster is full of former Rattlers. QB Aaron Garcia began his career in the desert, throwing his first career touchdown pass as a Rattler. Ken Talanoa spent part of 2002 with Arizona, and Kelvin Ingram played the first two games this season in Black and Copper. Head Coach Todd Shell started his coaching career as the Defensive Coordinator of the Rattlers from 1992 until 1994. Shell also served as the color commentator on TV broadcasts for the Rattlers last season before being named Dragons Head Coach.

Slow Starters: Arizona has not been able to get off to a good start in any of their three games so far this season. The Rattlers have been outscored 24-9 in the first quarter in their three games this season. They have scored the least amount of opening quarter points in the League.

Coaching Staff: Every member of Coach Danny White's staff returns for 2004. Doug Plank is the Defensive Coordinator, Chris Conlin is the Line Coach, and Bob O'Connor coaches the Special Teams and Receivers. Coach White has added Ron Wolfley to his staff in 2004. Wolfley will be the fullback/linebacker coach, and will not be on the sidelines during games. He will remain the color commentator for radio broadcasts.

Arms Race: Two of the most prolific passers in AFL history match-up today. Aaron Garcia and Sherdrick Bonner are ranked in the top three in all major passing categories. Bonner trails Detroit's Andy Kelly and Garcia in TD passes, but Garcia trails Kelly and Bonner in yards and completions.

Breaking Through: Arizona recorded their first three pass interceptions on the season Saturday night. The "D" picked off Matt Nagy three times, including Hamin Milligan's first career interception. Milligan's pick sealed the victory in the closing seconds for Arizona.

Children's Hospital: Every week during the 2004 season, Arizona Rattler players will visit the Phoenix Children's Hospital to brighten the day of the kids. The players will visit a different floor each week, and hand out posters and sign autographs. The team has also donated 50 tickets to each home game to the Hospital, so the children and their families can enjoy Rattlers football in person.

Key AFL Dates: The AFL Trading deadline is April 7...The AFL claiming order will be established on April 8...The Regular Season ends May 30...AFL Playoffs begin on June 5...ArenaBowl XVIII is on June 27.

Other Games This Week:
Austin (2-0) @ Colorado (2-1)
Orlando (0-2) @ Carolina (2-1)
Grand Rapids (0-3) @ San Jose (2-0)
Chicago (3-0) @ Indiana (0-3)
Philadelphia (1-2) @ Tampa Bay (1-2)
Dallas (2-1) @ Columbus (1-2)
New Orleans (3-0) @ Las Vegas (1-2)
Georgia (1-2) @ Los Angeles (2-2)
BYE: Detroit (2-1)

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 24, 2004


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