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AFL I Arizona Rattlers

Arizona Rattlers game notes

May 17, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


The Stakes: The Rattlers close out the 2005 season hoping to end the Gladiators playoff hopes. Arizona has won two in a row, and can knock Las Vegas out of the postseason with a win. Las Vegas needs a win and either San Jose or Chicago to lose to get in.

The Series: This is the seventh meeting between these two, with the Rattlers holding a 4-2 advantage.

What To Watch: Siaha Burley goes for an AFL record today, as he needs three TD receptions to tie the AFL record of 46 in one season. The record is held by four players, including Marcus Nash of the Gladiators, who tied it last season.

Radio: All Rattler games are broadcast on KMVP 860 AM. Kent Derdivanis and Ron Wolfley will provide the commentary.

ARIZONA RATTLERS (6-9)
Date Opponent Result Score
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 Win 48-35
4/3 @ San Jose Loss 27-48
4/8 COLUMBUS Win 70-53
4/22 AUSTIN Win 52-26
4/30 @ Los Angeles Loss 56-59
5/6 CHICAGO Win 61-43
5/14 SAN JOSE Win 54-44
5/22 @ Las Vegas 12:00 -

LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (8-7)
Date Opponent Time TV
1/30 LOS ANGELES Win 46-37
2/5 @ San Jose Loss 31-66
2/11 NEW YORK Win 41-37
2/20 GEORGIA Loss 13-38
2/26 @ Nashville Win 40-32
3/4 AUSTIN Loss 41-42
3/12 @ Columbus Win 63-34
3/19 @ Arizona Win 66-63
3/28 SAN JOSE Loss 75-81
4/3 @ Colorado Loss 40-61
4/8 GRAND RAPIDS Win 56-28
4/17 @ Philadelphia Win 56-49
5/1 @ Chicago Loss 62-63
5/7 DALLAS Win 38-58
5/14 @ Los Angeles Loss 60-63
5/22 ARIZONA 12:00 -

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 52-45 (.536), 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.

Ron James is in his first season as a Head Coach in the Arena Football League. James spent the past three seasons as an assistant for the Gladiators. He also was a coach for the Houston Thunderbears.

Last Meeting: 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.

Officials: Officials for today's game are: Bill LeMonnier (Referee), Mike Delaney (Umpire), Allen Baynes (Head Linesman), Dana McKinzie (Line Judge), and Billy Beckett (Back Judge).

Last Game: The Rattlers handed San Jose their third straight loss, handling the defending champs 54-44. Randy Gatewood had two interceptions and two TD catches, while Tom Pace returned two kickoffs for scores in the win. Arizona finished the season 4-4 at home after losing the first four at AWA.

Record in Sight: Siaha Burley has his sights set on the Rattlers single season touchdown record. Burley has 43 TD receptions, one short of the team record held by Calvin Schexnayder in 1998. The AFL record is 46 in a single season, held by four players. Burley has 115 receptions this season, the second highest total in team history. Schexnayder had 136 in 1998.

Still Throwing: Rattlers Quarterback Sherdrick Bonner ranks third in touchdown passes (656), passing yards (32,736) and fourth in pass completions (2,630) in AFL history. Bonner also ranks third for pass attempts (4,235). Bonner is the all-time leader in wins by a starting QB. He has 93 regular season wins and 110 total victories as a starter.
Most Passing Touchdowns
1. # Aaron Garcia 718
2. # Andy Kelly 713
3. # Sherdrick Bonner 656
4. # Clint Dolezel 655
Most Passing Yards
1. # Andy Kelly 36,498
2. # Aaron Garcia 34,436
3. # Sherdrick Bonner 32,736
4. # Clint Dolezel 32,393
Most Pass Completions
1. # Andy Kelly 3,306
2. # Clint Dolezel 2,719
3. # Aaron Garcia 2,687
4. # Sherdrick Bonner 2,630
Most Pass Attempts:
1. # Andy Kelly 5,333
2. # Aaron Garcia 4,284
3. # Sherdrick Bonner 4,235
Regular Season Wins as a Starting QB:
1. # Sherdrick Bonner 93
2. # Andy Kelly 82
3. # Aaron Garcia 71
4. # Clint Dolezel 61
# denotes Active Player

Penalty Marker Down: The Rattlers have committed 142 penalties so far this season, after being flagged 119 times last season. Those flags have translated into 847 yards, or 56.5 yards a game. They have given opponents 45 first downs via the penalty, and have had five touchdowns and six takeaways overturned by the flags.

Slippery Fingers: The Rattlers have turned the ball over 26 times this season. Arizona has forced 22 turnovers, giving them a -4 ration on the year.

Quietly Stellar: Since most of the attention has been on Siaha Burley's chase for the TD record, Randy Gatewood's career year has gone under the radar. Gatewood has set new career highs in receptions with 78, and yardage with 1,023. It is the first 1,000 yard receiving season of the ten year veteran's career. During his Ironman of the Year season in 2003, Gatewood had 69 catches for 779 yards, and a career high 32 touchdowns. He
has scored 16 TDs this season. Since switching back to WR/DB from WR/LB against Chicago, Gatewood has had three interceptions, including two against the SaberCats.

Milestones: The win over the Austin was the 50th career victory for Head Coach Todd Shell...The triumph over the SaberCats was the 93rd regular season win for Sherdrick Bonner. Bonner is first all-time for wins by a starting QB. He has 110 career wins, including 18 playoff victories...Randy Gatewood has 1,023 receiving yards, the first 1,000 yard season of his career.

Burley Stats: Siaha Burley leads the AFL in scoring with 266 points. Marcus Nash of Las Vegas trails him by 20 points... He leads Rashied Davis and Marcus Nash in touchdowns, 44-41... Burley is fourth in receptions. Aaron Bailey leads the AFL with 139. Burley is also third in yards with 1,533. He trails Marcus Nash by 156...Burley's 43 touchdown receptions this season is second all-time in team history.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 17, 2005


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