Arizona Rattlers game notes
Published on March 22, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release
The Stakes: Something has to give tonight as both Arizona and Nashville are looking to break losing streaks. The Rattlers come in on a seven game slide, while the Kats are losers of six straight. Arizona fell 66-63 to the Gladiators last weekends, while Nashville had a bye.
The Series: This will be the sixth meeting between the Kats and Rattlers, with Arizona holding a 3-2 edge. The Kats, who return to the AFL after a three year absence, are 1-1 at home against Arizona.
Who To Watch: Joe Germaine will get the start this weekend, his fourth of the season. On the year, Germaine has thrown for 23 touchdowns and 1,139 yards.
Radio: All Rattler games are broadcast on KMVP 860 AM. Kent Derdivanis and Ron Wolfley will provide the commentary.
ARIZONA RATTLERS (1-7)
Date Opponent Time TV
1/28 @ Grand Rapids Win 58-38
2/3 ORLANDO Loss 40-51
2/12 @ Georgia Loss 47-61
2/19 COLORADO Loss 69-74
2/27 @ New York Loss 37-61
3/6 LOS ANGELES Loss 29-33
3/13 @ Tampa Bay Loss 56-59
3/19 LAS VEGAS Loss 63-66
3/28 @ Nashville 6:30 -
4/3 @ San Jose 6:00 FSNAZ
4/8 COLUMBUS 7:00 FSNAZ
4/22 AUSTIN 7:00 FSNAZ
4/30 @ Los Angeles 7:30 -
5/7 CHICAGO 7:00 FSNAZ
5/14 SAN JOSE 7:00 -
5/22 @ Las Vegas 12:00 NBC
NASHVILLE KATS (1-6)
Date Opponent Time TV
1/26 @ Columbus Win 47-38
2/4 NEW ORLEANS Loss 34-59
2/13 @ Philadelphia Loss 48-59
2/19 @ New York Loss 49-62
2/26 LAS VEGAS Loss 32-40
3/6 @ Chicago Loss 38-45
3/12 COLORADO Loss 35-42
3/26 ARIZONA 6:30 -
4/3 @ Grand Rapids 11:30a FSN
4/8 @ Dallas 5:30 FSN
4/17 LOS ANGELES 10:00a NBC
4/24 TAMPA BAY 10:00a NBC
4/29 @ San Jose 7:30 FSN
5/7 GRAND RAPIDS 6:30 FSN
5/13 @ Colorado 6:00 -
5/22 CHICAGO 12:00 NBC
Head Coaches: Todd Shell is in his first season as Head Coach of the Rattlers. The 2003 AFL Coach of the Year has a regular season record of 47-43 (.522), with stints in San Jose and New York. Shell has won three division titles, including back-to-back Eastern Divisions with New York in 2003 and 2004. Shell was Arizona's original Defensive Coordinator, helping lead the team to the 1994 ArenaBowl Title.
Pat Sperduto returns as Head Coach of the Kats, after coaching the first incarnation for three years. During his original stint with the club, Sperduto compiled a record of 32-18, including back-to-back ArenaBowl appearances.
Last Meeting: This will be the first meeting between these teams since May 6, 2000. Turnovers did in the Rattlers that day, as Arizona turned it over five times, including four Sherdrick Bonner fumbles to help Nashville to a 66-46 win at AWA. Andy Kelly threw five scores for the Kats, while Bonner threw seven TDs in the loss.
Next Week: Arizona continues their road swing, heading to San Jose for a meeting with their arch-rivals on Sunday night, April 3. Kickoff for the Rattlers/SaberCats tilt is set for 6:00 on FSN Arizona.
Officials: Officials for today's game are: Tom McCabe (Referee), Matt Jordan (Umpire), Neil Brunner (Head Linesman), Bob McElwee (Line Judge), and Keith Washington (Back Judge).
Last Week: The last second woes continued for Arizona, as they fell to Las Vegas 66-63. Clint Dolezel found Marcus Nash with two seconds left for the game-winner, sending the Rattlers to their seventh straight loss.
Bonner Update: Sherdrick Bonner left the Las Vegas game in the first quarter with a left knee sprain and did not return. Bonner is expected to miss two to four weeks. Joe Germaine will start in his absence.
#1 Tackler: With his seven tackles against the Storm on 3/13, Randy Gatewood passed Cecil Doggette to become the franchise's all-time leader in tackles. Gatewood now has 292 tackles for his career, besting Doggette's 280.
Climbing The Charts: Wendall Gaines is making his ascent up the Rattlers all-time sack list. Thanks to his sack of Jim Kubiak against Georgia on 2/12, Gaines now has ten career sacks, one short of Bryan Henderson's team record.
Mistakes A-Plenty: The Rattlers have been plagued all season long by mistakes. The Rattlers have had four TDs called back due to penalties, and two fumble recoveries and two interceptions reversed due to flags.
Yellow Fever: The Rattlers have committed 79 penalties so far this season, after being flagged 119 times last season. Those flags have translated into 483 yards, or 60.4 yards a game. They have given opponents 26 first downs via the penalty.
Baby Hold On To Me: The Rattlers have turned the ball over 19 times already this season, after giving it up only 22 times last season. The Rattlers are tied for second in the league in giveaways and third in turnover differential at -7.
Roster Moves: Prior to the Vegas game, the Rattlers activated K Anthony Brenner from IR. Brenner missed two weeks with a hamstring pull.
Kats Kame Back: Charlie Morris will line up and play against the Rattlers for the first time. Morris spent five seasons in Arizona before signing with Nashville in the off season. Jerry Sharp spent one season with the Kats in 1998, and Phil Glover was a member of the Tennessee Titans Super Bowl squad in 1999. Kats Coach Darrin Kenney was a Rattler from 1996 to 2000, earning a ring in 1997. Kats Head Coach Pat Sperduto played under Lary Kuharich in Tampa Bay.
Burley Stats: Siaha Burley leads the AFL in scoring, having totaled 146 points thus far...Burley trails only Philly's Steve Smith in all-purpose yards. Siaha trails Smith by 185 yards, 1,665 to 1,480...Burley is also second in receptions, trailing Aaron Bailey by two 69-67, but he leads the AFL in receiving yards with 943 yards.
Other Games:
March 25
Austin Wranglers at Orlando Predators
Colorado Crush at Dallas Desperados
March 26
Tampa Bay Storm at Los Angeles Avengers
Georgia Force New Orleans VooDoo
New York Dragons at Columbus Destroyers
Grand Rapids Rampage at Philadelphia Soul
March 28
San Jose SaberCats at Las Vegas Gladiators
BYE: Chicago Rush
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