Rattlers fall to Gladiators, Bonner hurt
Published on March 20, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release
Phoenix- For the third straight week, the outcome of the game came down to the final seconds, but once again the Rattlers came out on the short side of things, falling to the Las Vegas Gladiators 66-63. QB Sherdrick Bonner left the game early in the first quarter with an apparent knee injury. Joe Germaine filled in admirably, going 17-24 for 238 yards and six scores in the loss. Gladiators QB Clint Dolezel had nine touchdown passes to pace Las Vegas to the victory.
Arizona started things off, as Siaha Burley hauled in a Sherdrick Bonner pass from six yards out for the games first score. Anthony Brenner's PAT was blocked, giving the Rattlers a 6-0 lead. The lead was short-lived, as Coco Blalock returned the ensuing kickoff 55 yards for the touchdown, giving Vegas a 7-6 lead after the PAT. It was the sixth kickoff return for touchdown given up by the Rattlers this year.
On the next Arizona possession, Bonner was forced to run after being flushed out of the pocket and was dropped for no gain. He remained in for two more plays, but was relieved by Germaine at the 6:06 mark of the first. Germaine finished the drive with a TD pass to Siaha Burley, putting the Rattlers up 12-7 after another failed PAT. The Gladiators wasted little time regaining the lead, as Dolezel found Marcus Nash from 30 yards out for the score. After Vegas missed the PAT, it was 13-12 in favor of the Gladiators.
Evan Hlavacek returned the following kickoff to midfield, and the Rattlers appeared to be in business. But as it has during the seven game losing streak, the Arizona offense sputtered in the red zone. The Rattlers had first and goal, but failed to convert, giving the ball back to the Gladiators. The Arizona defense would step up, as Terrance Joseph picked off Dolezel in the end zone to stop the Gladiators scoring threat.
Arizona took advantage of the turnover, as Germaine found Randy Gatewood for 44 yards down to the five, and Tom Pace did the rest, running it in for the score and a 19-13 lead. Las Vegas was not rattled, as they answered right back with a Dolezel to Joe Douglass TD strike to regain the one point lead. After a failed onside kick, Arizona was poised to take the lead, but John Frank fumbled at the Vegas eight yard line, giving the Gladiators the ball back. Dolezel returned the favor, as he was intercepted again by Joseph. This led to a Germaine to Pace TD pass and a 26-20 Arizona edge.
Like two heavyweights battling it out in the ring, these two western division rivals kept throwing haymakers at each other. The second half featured three ties and two lead changes, setting up for a classic finish. Down 60-55, Arizona had the ball at the Gladiator six with just over 40 seconds to go. Phil Glover took it in for the score, giving the Rattlers a 61-60 lead. After a leaping two-point conversion by Gatewood, the Rattlers had a 63-60 lead with 30 seconds. But Dolezel calmly led the Gladiators methodically down the field, finding Marcus Nash on a 16 yard pass for the score with two seconds to go. Las Vegas led 66-63, but Arizona had one last chance to win.
A fake field goal attempt by the Rattlers at the buzzer would prove to be futile, and Las Vegas escaped America West Arena with a 66-63 victory. Marcus Nash had nine catches for 160 yards and five scores, while Siaha Burley brought in ten balls for 132 yards and four scores. It was the second time this season the Rattlers scored 60 points and lost, and the third straight home game that came down to the final seconds.
Arizona now goes back on the road, as they travel to Nashville to play the Kats on Saturday March 26.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 20, 2005
- Turnovers lead to sixth loss of season for Destroyers - Columbus Destroyers
- Soul light up scoreboard in 69-63 win over Storm - Philadelphia Soul
- Rush succumbs to VooDoo in overtime, 46-40 - Chicago Rush
- Gladiators pull out victory in Arizona, 66-63 - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Rattlers fall to Gladiators, Bonner hurt - Arizona Rattlers
- Dragons lassoed in Austin - New York Dragons
- Wranglers shock Dragons, 57-47 - Austin Wranglers
- Preds lose McEntyre, game - Orlando Predators
- Force continue to dominate the South, beat Predators 49-47 - Georgia Force
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