Rattlers "force" key turnovers in win over Georgia
Published on April 26, 2008 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release
PHOENIX - WR TRANDON HARVEY caught five passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns and ran back a kickoff for 58-yards for another score as the Playoff-Guaranteed Arizona Rattlers beat the Georgia Force 66-61 in front of 10,444 at U.S. Airways Center.
"The fans were the ones that made the difference tonight," said Rattlers Head Coach KEVIN GUY. "They brought a great energy to the game."
Harvey finished the game with a 30.8 yard return average on five kick returns. QB LANG CAMPBELL was impressive as well, completing 17-of-29 passes for 187 yards and five touchdowns with no turnovers.
The Rattlers offensive line unit of STEVE MASCORRO, ATLAS HERRION and ERIC THOMAS anchored the trenches and didn't allow a sack for the third straight game. They led the charge in three rushing touchdowns, and assisted an offense that scored on every possession save one.
"We came out and executed in all phases of the game," said Guy, "There was a big difference on offense from last week, and it all started with protection."
After Harvey helped the Rattlers get off to a quick start by returning the opening kick 25-yards to set up good field position. The Rattlers then scored three touchdowns on their first three offensive plays of the game, including touchdown passes of 36, 7, and 25-yards to three different receivers.
"This was a big win for us," said Harvey, who won the Ironman of the Game award for the second straight contest. "We're like a freight train: once we get rolling, you can't stop us."
FB CHRIS ROBINSON carried the ball eight times for 19 yards and finished with his first career three-touchdown game, scoring on runs of 1, 3, and 1-yard.
With the scored tied at 42 at the half, the Rattlers controlled both sides of the ball in the second half and forced two crucial Force interceptions. DB ARIC WILLIAMS made his second interception of the season on an acrobatic play in the back of the end zone in front of the Rattlers bench. After a quick Rattlers score, LB KURT KAHUI, the beneficiary of intense pressure by new starting DL MKRISTO BRUCE, made another interception and ran it back 33-yards to the Force's three-yard line.
"The defense made some adjustments at the half and came out and did a great job," said Guy.
After the Force closed the gap to eight points late in the fourth quarter, K ERIC HOULE made a clutch 25-yard field-goal to give the Rattlers a 66-55 lead. It was the first successful field-goal of the season for the Rattlers
WR SIAHA BURLEY made five catches for 46 yards and two touchdowns and WR TODD DEVOE added six catches, a touchdown, and a fumble recovery.
With the win, the Rattlers improve to 4-4 on the season and sit in third place in the American Conference. The team will travel to Los Angeles next week to face division rival, the Avengers. They next play at home against the defending AFL champion San Jsoe SaberCats on Friday, May 9. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm at USAirways Center.
"We have Los Angeles next week, and I think we have something to prove," said Guy, "We're not the same team we were in Week 2."
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