Double Dip: Division, Home-Field Clinched
April 29, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
DALLAS - The Dallas Desperados won't have to make travel plans for the upcoming postseason.
Dallas (12-2) clinched the Eastern Division and home-field advantage throughout the National Conference playoffs Friday with a convincing 54-46 win over the Arizona Rattlers at American Airlines Center.
"It's big," said Desperados head coach Will McClay, whose team still owns the AFL's best record. "We've got to win them wherever we play them, but we're glad to play them at home."
The Desperados needed one win to clinch their first division title since 2003. Orlando (9-4) still had a chance to finish with the conference's best record, but Friday's win assured them of at least a tie with the Predators. Dallas held the head-to-head tiebreaker by virtue of its 60-57 victory over the Predators in Week 7.
Desperados quarterback Clint Dolezel continued to frustrate opposing defenses, finishing 25-of-41 for 290 yards and seven touchdowns. His lone blemish was a fourth-quarter interception that led to a Rattlers touchdown.
Arizona (7-7) trimmed the lead to eight with 8.4 seconds left, but WR/DB Bobby Perry recovered the ensuing onside kick. The Desperados ran out the clock to earn a first-round bye once the playoffs start in three weeks.
"I think maybe some younger guys will get some playing time," Dolezel said. "Those guys are hungry and they're good. I don't expect it to be a letdown either way it goes."
Offensive specialist Terrill Shaw was named Offensive Player of the Game with eight catches for 101 yards and a spectacular diving touchdown grab late in the second quarter. He set single-season club records for points (204), touchdowns (34) and yards (1,370).
But the Desperados' defense set the tone early. Dallas held Arizona scoreless until the final minute of the first half, when Rattlers quarterback Sherdrick Bonner hit Curtis Fagan for a 19-yard touchdown with 55.5 seconds left. Arizona scored again before halftime, but the Desperados also added a pair of touchdowns to make the score 34-14.
Bonner struggled in the first half but finished with 312 yards and seven touchdowns. WR/DB Randy Gatewood had 10 catches for 138 yards and two scores for the Rattlers, who failed to clinch a playoff berth with the loss.
Desperados WR/DB Will Pettis took home Ironman of the Game honors with a team-high three touchdown catches. He and Gatewood are likely the leading candidates for this year's Ironman of the Year Award.
The Dallas defense stalled another Rattlers drive early in the fourth quarter, when FB/LB Duke Pettijohn recovered Bonner's botched pitch intended for Bo Kelly at the Dallas 7.
"We wanted to get pressure on him and do those things, and we did it," McClay said.
Next Saturday at Philadelphia, the Desperados will try to become the first team in league history to go 8-0 on the road in one season. They finish the regular season at home May 13 against New York.
But the players were excited about the chance to rest once the playoffs start. The AFL eliminated bye weeks this year, which has made for a grueling regular season at times.
"It's so important," Desperados OL/DL Jeff Chase said. "We're going to need that rest for the run to Vegas, I promise you."
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 29, 2006
- New York takes the Soul - New York Dragons
- Rampage Bags Kats 61-54 - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Wranglers lose heartbreaker, 40-33 - Austin Wranglers
- Storm Keep Playoff Hopes Alive With Rout of Kansas City - Tampa Bay Storm
- Destroyers pick off Wranglers, 40-33 - Columbus Destroyers
- Kansas City Brigade falls short in 58-42 loss at Tampa Bay - Kansas City Brigade
- One-step closer, Georgia 55 Chicago 20 - Georgia Force
- The Force is with Georgia as Rush falls, 55-20 - Chicago Rush
- Double Dip: Division, Home-Field Clinched - Dallas Desperados
- Rush signs Frantz, activates Cook - Chicago Rush
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