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AFL I Arizona Rattlers

Rattlers Outlast Avengers, 58-45

March 25, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


PHOENIX - Guided by new Rattlers in the past weeks, it was the old Rattlers that stepped up and extended Arizona's winning streak to four during a 58-45 victory over the Los Angeles Avengers in front of 10,075 at US Airways Center.

Going into the contest, Rattler quarterback Sherdrick Bonner needed five touchdowns to become the fourth quarterback in AFL history to throw for 700. Bonner responded by taking "Offensive Player of the Game" honors with seven touchdowns passes, including five to Randy Gatewood, who was named "Ironman of the Game."

"I am fortunate to have a guy like Randy around to help me achieve this milestone," said Bonner. "More importantly we got the win. This was a real testament to what happens when we play as a team."

The win gives Arizona (5-4) a two-game lead in the Western Division and puts them above .500 for the first time this season.

"We pulled it together after a rough first half," head coach Gene Nudo said. "Our guys really took things into their own hands tonight."

The Rattlers struck first when Bonner, who was under intense pressure from Avenger lineman Silas Demary, scrambled out of the pocket and dropped a 24-yard lob pass to wide receiver/defensive back Curtis Fagan, who was able to keep both feet inbounds. The catch gave Arizona an early 7-0 lead.

Faced with a third-and-long on their first drive, the Avengers opening series was capped by a two-yard touchdown run by fullback/linebacker Lonnie Ford to tie the game at seven.

The Rattlers were held to a field goal on the next possession, but Los Angeles return man Antoine Burns took the ensuing kickoff back 52 yards to give the Avengers the lead back, 14-10, with 1:45 left in the first quarter.

After forcing Arizona to attempt a 43-yard field goal that sailed wide right on the next series, the Avengers overcame two more third-and-longs on the ensuing drive to set up a 16 yard touchdown pass from Cumbie to wide receiver/defensive back Kevin Ingram to give them an 11 point lead, 21-10. Rattler defensive specialist Joe Todd nearly intercepted a Cumbie pass two plays before the score.

Wide receiver/defensive back Randy Gatewood caught touchdowns on the next two Arizona possessions. The first was a two-yard reception and the second was an eight-yard score to cut the Avenger lead to 28-24 with under a minute to go in the half

Ingram caught his second touchdown, which appeared to be the final points of the half with four seconds left to give L.A. a 34-24 lead, but Gatewood appeared to score his third straight touchdown of the half when he caught a dump pass from Bonner, running it in from 49 yards out as time expired.

Emotions were high, after the play was negated by a holding penalty on offensive/defensive lineman Wendall Gaines, giving Los Angeles a 10-point halftime lead.

The Rattlers went into the second half with out offensive specialist Darrell Jones, who was lost with an ankle injury.

The half opened with two consecutive stops, as Arizona forced the Avengers into a four-and-out to take over at the L.A. one-yard line on the first series, but Ingram intercepted Bonner on a fourth-and-goal in the endzone to give Los Angeles possession back.

Los Angeles kicker Remy Hamilton broke the nine and a half minute third quarter scoring drought when he nailed a 17-yard field goal to give the Avengers their biggest lead, 38-24.

The Rattlers scored two consecutive touchdowns before the quarter ended. The first was a 24-yard strike from Bonner to wide receiver/line backer Cosmo DeMatteo. The Rattler defense forced their first turnover of the game when offensive/defensive lineman Zach Rupp sacked Cumbie in the endzone while stripping the ball loose. Offensive/defensive lineman Kelvin Ingram recovered the ball to tie the game at 38.

Arizona's defense recorded another stop when Hamilton missed a 38-yard attempt, giving Arizona a chance to take the lead with 12:28 left.

Two plays later, Bonner tallied his 700th career touchdown pass, a 35-yard strike, to Gatewood that gave the Rattlers their first lead since the first quarter, 45-38 with 11:02 remaining in the game.

Arizona never relinquished the lead while extending it to 14, 52-38, when Bonner hooked up with Gatewood for the fourth time after another defensive stop.

The Avengers scored their first touchdown of the half when Cumbie hit Burns from seven yards out to cut the Rattler lead to 52-45 with 3:35 left, but Bonner hooked up with Gatewood for a fifth time after Travis Cole recovered an onside kick. Kral missed the extra point attempt to keep it at 58-45 with less than two minutes left.

"It was great to come out and make some big plays," said Gatewood. "We just need to keep this positive momentum going."

DeMatteo recovered a fumble after Gaines sacked Cumbie to seal the Rattler victory.

Defensive specialist Joe Todd earned "Defensive Player of the Game" honors with six and half tackles and seven pass breakups. Bonner finished 16-of-29 for 236 yards while Gatewood was the leading receiver with seven catches for 112 yards.

The Rattlers look for there fifth win in as many weeks when they travel to San Jose for the first of two consecutive road games to take on the SaberCats at HP Pavilion on Sunday, April 2. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m.

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