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AFL Arizona Rattlers

Rattlers Game Notes

February 25, 2003 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


The Stakes: The Rattlers look to make it two in a row as they return home to battle the Dallas Desperados in a Sunday afternoon contest. Arizona is coming off a 62-54 victory over the Indiana Firebirds at Conseco Fieldhouse last Sunday. Dallas looks to rebound after a 53-49 loss in Detroit at the hands of the Fury.

The Series: This will be the third meeting between the second year Desperados and the Rattlers. The teams split two games last season, with the road team winning each time.

TV: Today's game will be carried nationally on NBC. Tom Hammond and Pat Haden will call the action.

Radio: All Rattler games are broadcast on KMVP 860 AM. Kent Derdivanis and Ron Wolfley will provide the commentary. Head Coaches: Head Coach and General Manager Danny White (117-54 overall, 102-46 regular season) is in his 12th season with the Arizona Rattlers. The 2002 Arena Football Hall of Fame inductee is second all-time in coaching victories, with 117 wins. White is only the second coach in AFL history to notch 100 wins. White's career winning percentage of .684 ranks fifth all-time in AFL history. He is a two-time ArenaBowl Champion (1994, 1997).

Joe Avezzano is in his second season with Dallas. Avezzano holds a career mark of 10-10, including last year's 8-8 campaign. Avezzano led Dallas into the playoffs in their inaguaral season, defeating the Indiana Firebirds in the first round, then falling to the Chicago Rush in the quarterfinals. He served as the Special Teams coach of the Dallas Cowboys from 1990 until 2002.

Last Meeting: In the first meeting between the two franchises, it was the Sherdrick Bonner show, as he threw for 215 yards on 17-29 passing to go along with his seven touchdowns in a 53-30 victory in Dallas. The second meeting was a different story, as Dallas jumped out to a 20-6 halftime lead, and clinched the 36-33 road win over Arizona on a Jason Wells field goal as time expired. The 34-yard kick gave Dallas their first win over the Rattlers. Dallas spent the 2002 season in the Western Division, but moved to the Central Division for 2003.

Welcome Back, Bonner: Last week in Indiana, Quarterback Sherdrick Bonner returned to the lineup after missing the previous two weeks with a separated shoulder. Bonner showed no signs of rust in throwing for 309 yards and seven touchdowns on 24-28 passing. Bonner suffered a Grade II separation of his right (non-throwing) AC joint in the first half of the opening week loss to San Jose. He spent two weeks on Injured Reserve before his return against the Firebirds.

Iron Gatewood: Randy Gatewood, the AFL's Ironman of the Week for week two, returned to action after missing the Buffalo game with a sprained ankle. Gatewood made his return a memorable one, catching 9 passes for 82 yards and tied a career high with four touchdowns in the win over Indiana. Just for good measure, Gatewood also intercepted two passes, his third and fourth of the season, including one on the last play of the game to seal the victory for the Rattlers.

14 is #1: WR/LB Hunkie Cooper made his way into the record books last week in Indiana. With his 22-yard kickoff return in the second quarter Cooper passed George LaFrance for the most career kickoff returns. Cooper now has sole possession of first place with 461. Cooper ranks second all-time in all purpose yards, third in kickoff return touchdowns, and fourth in pass receptions. Cooper is also third in Interceptions Returned for Touchdowns with six. Teammate Mark Ricks trails only Greg Hopkins for the top spot with seven.

Knock Down: Defensive Specialist Mark Ricks currently ranks fourth all-time for pass deflections in AFL history with 100.

Award Winners: The Rattlers had two players earn weekly AFL honors for their win over the Firebirds. QB Sherdrick Bonner was named the Offensive Player of the Week after his 24-28, 309 yard, seven touchdown performance. WR/LB Hunkie Cooper was named the Ironman of the Week, for his touchdown catch, run, and pass in addition to his record setting kickoff return. Randy Gatewood was the week two winner of Ironman of the Week for his performance against Las Vegas.

More Milestones: The Rattlers all-time leading rusher, Bo Kelly, reached 300 career carries on 2/9 against Las Vegas. Kelly is 119 yards away from becoming only the third player in AFL history to rush for 1,000 yards. Lineman Robert Stewart needs only 1.5 sacks to become the third player in AFL history with 40 career sacks. He had one sack versus Buffalo in week three.

QB Danger: The Rattlers have knocked the opponents starting quarterback out of the game in each of the last two games. Two weeks ago in Buffalo, Jeff Loots suffered a separated shoulder and was placed on IR. Last week, Raymond Philyaw of Indiana suffered a dislocated right index finger and is expected to miss two to four weeks.

Next Week: The Rattlers continue with game two of their three game home stand, taking on the surprising Detroit Fury on March 7. The Friday night game is set for a 7:00 PM kickoff.

Roster Moves: Prior to the game against the Firebirds, Arizona made several roster adjustments. The Rattlers added Lineman Mike Lawson to the fold. Lawson spent 2002 with Georgia, after playing in Florida during the 2001 season. Lineman Lindsey Hassell was activated off Injured Reserve, where he had been since the beginning of the season following knee surgery. Linemen Pete Tramontanas (turf toe) and Wendall Gaines (left ankle) were both placed on the Injured List prior to the Indiana game. QB Sherdrick Bonner was also activated from IR before the win over the Firebirds.

Trifecta for Hunkie: Hunkie Cooper certainly had a game to remember in Indiana. In addition to taking sole possession of the top spot on the career kickoff return list, Cooper accomplished a rare offensive feat. With his touchdown pass in the closing seconds of Sunday's win over Indiana, Cooper had thrown, ran for, and caught a touchdown pass in the same game.

All Purpose Horn: Offensive Specialist Chris Horn ranks number one in all purpose yards this season. Horn has accumulated 901 yards so far this season, more than 150 yards ahead of Chicago's Antonio Chatman. Horn averages an incredible 225.2 all purpose yards a game, by far tops in the Arena Football League. Last Week: The Rattlers, sparked by the return of quarterback Sherdrick Bonner, handed the Indiana Firebirds their first loss of the season, 62-54 in front of 13, 123 fans at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Game MVP Bonner started the game by completing his first six passes, on his way to a 24-28, 309 yards and seven touchdown day. Randy Gatewood returned from a sprained ankle to catch 9 passes for 82 yards and four scores, and added two interceptions to pace both the Rattler offense and defense. Chris Horn continued his dominance on the return team, returning seven kicks for 143 yards. Horn returned one kick 57 yards, but was stopped at the one-yard line.

Practice: The Veteran's Memorial Coliseum is the official practice facility of the Arizona Rattlers. Contact the Rattlers PR Department at (602) 514-8302 for more information.

Officials: Officials for today's game are: Riley Johnson (Referee), Rick DiBernado (Umpire), Neil Brunner (Head Linesman), Paul Engelberts (Line Judge), and Bud McCleskey (Back Judge).

Sun Devil Ties: Dallas Lineman Shante Carver played college football at Arizona State. Carver was named an All-American for the Sun Devils following his senior season in 1993. Passing Fancy: Rattlers Quarterback Sherdrick Bonner is third all-time in Arena Football history with 454 touchdown passes. He is also third in passing yards (23,475) and third in completions (1,855). Bonner ranks fourth for pass attempts (3,023).

More NBC: In addition to Tom Hammond and Pat Haden, Lewis Johnson will be providing updates from the sidelines.

Yellow Flagging: The Rattlers are the second most penalized team in the Arena Football League. They have been flagged 35 times, tied for second most in the league, for a total of 191 yards. They average 47.8 penalty yards a game.

Notables: Rattler TV Commentator Todd Shell has been named Head Coach of the New York Dragons. Shell was a former defensive coordinator for the Rattlers, in addition to being the Head Coach of the San Jose SaberCats.

INT Time: Randy Gatewood is second in the AFL in interceptions. After his two pick performance against the Firebirds, Gatewood has four interceptions in three games. The team record for interceptions in a season is six, held by Gatewood and Cecil Doggette. As a team, the Rattlers are second in the AFL in interceptions with eight, two behind leader San Jose.

Coaching Staff: Danny White is in his 12th season as Head Coach of the Arizona Rattlers. Doug Plank is in his second season as Defensive Coordinator. Bob O'Connor celebrates his third season as Receivers coach, and Chris Conlin continues his fourth year as Line Coach.



Arena Football League Stories from February 25, 2003


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