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Portland Faces Challenge against Rejuvenated Davila, Streaking Rattlers

June 9, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Portland Thunder News Release


PORTLAND - The Portland Thunder (3-7, 1-2 in Pacific) return home to face the three-time defending ArenaBowl Champion Arizona Rattlers (8-2, 2-1 in West) Friday evening from the Moda Center. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm and fans can listen on 750AM/102.9FM THE GAME starting at 6:30pm, and watch live on CSNNW, ESPN3, or the WatchESPN.com app.

This will be the sixth meeting between the clubs, with Arizona holding a 5-0 record over the Thunder all-time. Portland will look to bounce back, on a short week, from a 52-40 loss in Los Angeles this past Sunday, while the streaking Rattlers are winners of their last four.

Portland was outmatched by the veteran laden Arizona side in their first meeting this season, suffering a 65-47 loss at Talking Stick Resort Arena on April 18th. A difficult second quarter for the Thunder defined the game, and saw Portland surrender three unanswered scores to the Rattlers off of three total turnovers in the frame.

Showing well for the Thunder that evening were WR V'Keon Lacey and JLB Bryce Peila. Peila's second quarter interception nearly broke up the aforementioned string of scores that turned the tide in Arizona's favor, while Lacey hauled in eight catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns for the second of his three 100+ yard games this season.

Lacey currently leads the Thunder in receptions (67) and receiving yards (738), and should look to replicate his performance from earlier this season against a Rattler defensive back corps that has yielded an average of 296.5 yards passing in their last two outings. That is not to say the Arizona back four are not dangerous. Arizona boasts a +15 turnover margin, second best in the AFL, with 15 interceptions to their credit.

Nine of those interceptions have found their way into the hands of DB Jeremy Kellem. Kellem made a diving interception in the end zone during the second quarter of Arizona's 69-46 win over the Tampa Bay Storm last week, earning the fourth-year pro 'Cutters Catch of the Week' honors, and tying him for the League-lead in picks.

WR/KR Duane Brooks continued his hot-streak against the KISS last weekend, scoring yet another two kick return touchdowns, while adding two more receiving. The 252 yard all-purpose showing landed Brooks the 'J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week' award for Week 11. Brooks still leads the league in both return yardage and return touchdowns, sitting on 1216 yards and the five scores respectively.

Back under center for Arizona is two time AFL MVP QB Nick Davila. The veteran passed for 275 yards and nine touchdowns against the Storm, earning the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week in his first appearance since suffering a foot injury in Week 5.

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