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Command vs. Rattlers Game Preview

July 20, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Kansas City Command News Release


KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Command (3-14) close out the regular-season on the road taking on the Arizona Rattlers (12-5) at US Airways Arena in Phoenix. The Command are coming off a one-point loss to the Spokane Shock last Saturday, and the Rattlers have lost back-to-back games for the first time all season. Kickoff from Arizona is at 9 p.m. (CT) Saturday and can been seen on KSMO-TV, heard on SportsRadio 810 WHB, and viewed online at http://www.ustream.tv/kansascitycommand .

The Command defense has been the backbone of the franchise all season, holding near the top of the League on total defense from week to week. KC has recovered a league-high 17 fumbles and leads the League in rushing defense, allowing an average of 11.2 yards on the ground per game. For the Week 20 matchup with the Rattlers, KC's fourth-ranked total defense will have their hands full with Arizona's third ranked total offense; led by quarterback Nick Davila who has passed for 5,137 yards, 106 touchdowns and hails as the AFL's most-efficient QB.

The 2012 season saw an ever-changing offensive roster for the Command; 16 different players have caught a pass at wide receiver for KC, and four different quarterbacks have settled in behind a solid front line of Cornelius Dixon, Kimani Jones and Ken Scott. In comparison, Arizona's third ranked scoring offense has been consistently led by Davila, who has started every game for the Rattlers.

Heading into Saturday, there are a few franchise records on the line. Defensive back's J.C. Neal and Rashad Barksdale are tied for third in the AFL with 109 total tackles and each are in line to surpass the single-season franchise record of 110 tackles set by Ken Fontenette in 2011. Barksdale is coming of a record-setting 15 tackles against the Shock in Week 19, besting his own previous franchise single-game record of 14 tackles.

Kickoff return specialist, Jackie Chambers ranks sixth in the League in kick return average (20) and seventh in all-purpose yardage (157.2 yards per game). He has recorded at least 100 kickoff return yards in each of the last six games and at least 100 all-purpose yards in nine straight. Chambers is just four yards shy of Jerel Myer's single-season franchise record of 1,023 combined kick return yards, set in 2008.

The Command are 1-3 in their series history with the Rattlers; most recently hosting their Week 3 matchup in Kansas City with Arizona taking the win 56-28. This will be the first time the Command have traveled to Arizona. While the Rattlers have already secured a playoff berth and can best their seeding with a win, the Command look to head into the off-season with a victory in their back pocket.



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