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AFL Arizona Rattlers

Rattlers Head East to Take on Soul

June 22, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


MESA, Ariz. - The National Conference West Division Champion Arizona Rattlers (12-2) will make their furthest road trip this season as they head to Philadelphia to take on the Soul (5-9) on Saturday night (June 25) at the Wells Fargo Center.

Heading into this match up, WR JASON GEATHERS has emerged as one of the team's top receivers, catching 15 passes for 164 yards and six touchdowns in the last two games.

Geathers has benefitted from the passing efficiency of QB NICK DAVILA, who leads the league in passing efficiency, with a quarterback rating of 128.2. The signal caller has completed a league best 71% of his passes for 3,838 passing yards and 85 touchdowns, while only throwing eight interceptions.

Defensively the Rattlers have been led by a ball-hawking secondary. Arizona has capitalized on 29 interceptions and 14 fumbles. The defense's 43 forced turnovers are the most by any defense this season. DB VIRGIL GRAY has garnered the most turnovers, snaring eight interceptions this season.

At 5-9 Philadelphia is still alive for the post-season, but with the regular season winding down they will likely need to win out to have any chance. Meanwhile, Arizona has punched their playoff ticket, but the Rattlers have little room for error if they hope to earn home field advantage throughout the post-season.

The Soul's strength is the play of its defense. Philadelphia is third in the league in total defense, only forfeiting an average of 270 yards per game. As a defensive unit the Soul feature the second best run defense in the AFL and the sixth best pass defense.

WR Donovan Morgan is the Soul's offensive standout. Morgan averages more than 124 yards per game, second most in the league this season. Helping Morgan shoulder the offensive load is WR/KR Keith Stokes. Stokes' 152-yard all-purpose average is the third most in the AFL.

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