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AFL I Arizona Rattlers

Rattlers Fall to KC in OT 62-61

March 31, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Arizona Rattlers (1-4) had lost three of their first four games by a combined 10 points, but Friday night's 62-61 overtime defeat at Kansas City (2-2) was an especially tough pill to swallow.

Making the defeat even more devastating for the team was that the Rattlers held a 41-20 advantage with just over four minutes remaining in the third quarter.

"We shot ourselves in the foot with turnovers," Vince Amey said. "We were up on them by 21 points. We just need to learn how to finish. We're a good ball club, but we've got to learn how to finish."

A game of great highs and large lows for the Rattlers all came down to one play. After the Brigade opened the overtime period with a Boo Williams 35-yard touchdown reception, Arizona responded with a 31-yard TD connection from Sherdrick Bonner to Kevin McKenzie.

With the end of overtime's opening part - in which each team gets possession of the ball - near, and sudden-death overtime looming, the Rattlers took a shot at a victory with a two-point conversion. However, Bonner's pass to McKenzie in the right corner of the end zone went incomplete.

For many of the players, the decision to go for two was the right call.

"It came down to one play and both teams wanted it," Jeremiah Pope said. "I think that was the right decision because we had the momentum and they hadn't stopped us much in the red zone all game. They made a defensive play and it went in their favor."

The Rattlers started the game strong, stymieing Kansas City's opening drive on a Grant Steen interception - his second of the season. The play gave Arizona first-and-goal at the Brigade 5-yard line, leading to a touchdown reception by Trandon Harvey and an early 7-0 lead. Arizona would maintain an advantage throughout the game until Kansas City tied the score at 41-41 on a Denario Smalls' 42-yard interception return two minutes into the final quarter.

Smalls' interception capped a 21-point comeback by the Brigade, which also used an onside kick during a run of three consecutive scores. The comeback came on the heels of a strong second quarter by the Rattlers defense, which held the Brigade scoreless during the period to take a 27-13 halftime lead.

The two teams battled back and forth throughout the final quarter with Kansas City taking a 55-47 lead with 35 seconds left in the game. Bonner led Arizona down the field for the final drive of regulation, connecting with Harvey on a 20-yard pass with five seconds remaining on the clock.

Down by a pair of points, the Rattlers were faced with their first two-point conversion situation of the night, this one to force overtime. Bonner found Pope in the end zone to tie the score at 55-55. Kansas City was left with a 55-yard field goal attempt that was no good.

The 62-points allowed by Arizona overshadowed a strong defensive effort by the Rattlers. Keyuo Craver led all players in the game with nine tackles along with a pair of forced fumbles. Joe Todd recovered a loose ball and Vince Amey tallied a sack.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 31, 2007


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