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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Rattlers seek third AFL title

June 26, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


PHOENIX – The Arena Football League's biggest and brightest season comes to a fitting end on Sunday, when the Arizona Rattlers (13-5) host the San Jose SaberCats (13-5) in ArenaBowl XVIII. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. local) at a sold-out America West Arena, and the game will also be televised live on NBC.

The Arizona Rattlers, the top seed in the playoffs, are making their third straight appearance in the championship game and fifth overall, seeking their third Arena Football League title. The No. 2 seeded San Jose SaberCats are making their second appearance in the ArenaBowl, having won their first title in 2002 over Arizona.

Arizona head coach DANNY WHITE will be looking to reverse Arizona's recent fortunes in the ArenaBowl. His team has been outscored 95-43 in the last two championship games, losing to San Jose, 52-14, in 2002 and 43-29 at Tampa Bay a year ago.

"Everything tells me we are going to be ready to play on Sunday," White said. "But to be honest with you, I thought we were ready to play last year and the year before."

White said that playing at home is an important factor. Both the losses came in hostile territory, an advantage not lost on White. "I think home field is huge in Arena Football," White said. "We played in Tampa last year in front of 20,000-plus, and that certainly helped them. The fans are really getting knowledgeable in this league. They know when to make noise, when to be quiet and when to create energy. They are worth a number of points to the home team."

White added that the Rattler faithful have inspired his team all season. "Our fans are so loyal to us. Our players genuinely feel obligated to go out there and give them their money's worth. That helps me as a coach and an organization to have that drive coming from some place other than the coaches."

Arizona wrestled home field advantage away from the SaberCats by winning eight straight games to finish the regular season. Although both teams finished at 11-5, San Jose dropped three of their last four games, including two to Arizona, to fall to a No. 2 seed.

Injuries played a key role in the SaberCats slide, but the team won their first two playoff games, got healthier, and are poised to claim their second title in three seasons.

"We kept our eyes on the prize, which was get to this game and win it," San Jose Head Coach DARREN ARBET said. "We had some guys step in and get the job done when we had some injuries, and they got it done for us."

Despite the troubles towards the end of the season and the fact San Jose has lost three straight to the Rattlers, the SaberCats remain confident. The SaberCats suffered the two regular season losses against the Rattlers without their several key starters, most notably star WR/LB JAMES ROE. The ‘Cats have also won eight of the last 12 against their archrivals.

SaberCats receiver JAMES HUNDON said his team's familiarity with Arizona negates any home field advantage. "There is nothing Arizona is going to do that is going to surprise us. We watch the film. Both teams know each other extremely well," Hundon said. "It is things we didn't do that lost those games for us, things like penalties and blown coverage. One or two mistakes changed the course of the game for us. The fact that this game is on the road will not matter to us."

Story lines of the two Western Division teams competing include:

*A match-up of two of the greatest players in AFL history as San Jose's BARRY WAGNER and Arizona's HUNKIE COOPER compete for their third championship ring.

*Will San Jose's pass rush be able to get to Arizona QB SHERDRICK BONNER, who has only been sacked six times all season?

*Will the Rattler defense be able to contain SaberCats quarterback MARK GRIEB, who set AFL records for completion percentage and quarterback rating points?

*Can SaberCats DS OMARR SMITH become the first player in AFL history to win three consecutive ArenaBowls while playing for at least two different teams?

*How will San Jose receiver CALVIN SCHEXNAYDER perform against the Rattlers, his former team for seven seasons?

Both teams are expecting a tight game with neither side backing down. "We have played so many big games against these guys," White said. "This one, on paper, has all the makings of a knock down, drag out, down to the last play type of game."

"We have the utmost respect for Arizona," Grieb added. "Being out ahead in the standings like we were, then losing three out of our last four was disappointing. But I think it is a credit to our team, the way we bounced back and have gotten to this point. Our goal was to get here and now we want to finish."



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 26, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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