Rattlers Run Past Predators, 60-57
Published on March 11, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release
PHOENIX - Guided by three kick returns for touchdowns, including two by wide/receiver back Darrell Jones, the Arizona Rattlers (3-4) took a 60-57 contest over the Orlando Predators (4-3) in front of 10,158 at US Airways Center.
It was Arizona second-straight victory and third-straight at home. The win keeps them atop the Western Division with Utah and Las Vegas.
"We have really turned the corner," said head coach Gene Nudo. "This is a direct reflection of the effort we have put fourth in the last couple of weeks."
The 60 points marks the most that the Rattlers have scored this season, including a 30 point second quarter that featured a 54-yard kickoff return by Jones and a 50-yard kickoff return by wide receiver/defensive back Cosmo DeMatteo.
Jones, who ran six kickoffs back for 203 yards, including a second return for a 56-yard score, earned "Offensive Player of the Game" honors while DeMatteo took home "Ironman of the Game" honors with seven catches for 70 yards and a touchdown along with his kick return for a score.
"It took some great blocking," said Jones who is playing in his third game as a Rattler and the first as a kick returner. "I just do anything I can possibly do to make something happen."
Ironically, both Arizona kick returns for touchdowns in the second quarter came after interception returns for scores by Orlando defensive specialist Jeroid Johnson, who earned "Defensive Player of the Game".
Johnson returned a 39-yarder to give the Predators a 17-3 on the first play of the second quarter and would later tack back a 16-yard interception for a score to put Orlando up, 32-17, with just under three minutes to go in the first half.
After DeMatteo's return for a score, the Rattlers recovered an onside kick which lead to a 20-yard touchdown pass to Randy Gatewood from quarterback Sherdrick Bonner. The touchdown brought Arizona within two, 32-30 with 56 seconds left.
Orlando's next possession ended with an 18-yard missed field goal by kicker Jay Taylor. The Rattlers capped the second quarter scoring, which featured 52 points total, with a 47-yard Gary Kral field goal as time expired to give Arizona a 33-32 lead going into halftime.
Arizona first drive of the second half ended with a 38-yard field goal attempt by Gary Kral that missed. After an Orlando touchdown that put them up 40-39, the Rattlers faced a third-and-two at their own 20-yard line. DeMatteo caught a one-handed pass from Bonner good for 17 yards. Three plays later, Bonner found DeMatteo for an 11-yard strike to give the Rattlers the lead back, 40-39 with 1:21 left in the third.
"This was a total team victory," said DeMatteo. "Hopefully this is something we can build off of."
Orlando answered with a touchdown, to go up 45-40, but Jones returned the ensuing kick to put the Rattlers, 46-45.
On the next series, Rattler defensive specialist Erin Damond, who signed with the team just this week, intercepted a Joe Hamilton pass. The turnover led to a 31-yard Curtis Fagan touchdown, giving Arizona their biggest lead, 53-45.
Damond came up big on the next series, intercepting an Orlando two-point conversion attempt to the game offensive specialist DeAndrew Ruben caught a five-yard touchdown to pull the Predators to within two 53-51.
"It felt good to be back out there," said Damond, who signed with the Rattlers yesterday and played with Rattler defensive coordinator Mike Church in San Jose last season. "I felt really comfortable out there because I know Church's system."
The two teams traded touchdowns, including a second touchdown to Fagan before Randy Gatewood recovered and onside kick with 29 seconds left to seal the Arizona victory.
Quarterback Sherdrick Bonner finished 17-of-30 for 220 yards and five touchdowns while Orlando quarterback Joe Hamilton completed 25 of his 36 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns.
"We have a good thing going," said Nudo. "We just need to continue on it."
The Rattlers will travel to Las Vegas next week to take on the Gladiators at Thomas and Mack Center. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 11, 2006
- SaberCats activate Wagner - San Jose SaberCats
- Defense fuels Blaze blowout, 63-34 - Utah Blaze
- Rampage loses 66-41 to Las Vegas - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Gladiators roll, beating Grand Rapids, 66-41 - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Rattlers Run Past Predators, 60-57 - Arizona Rattlers
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