AFL Arena Football League

Rattlers, Shock Ready to Renew Rivalry on CBS Sports Network

Published on March 21, 2014 under Arena Football League (AFL) News Release


PHOENIX - The Arizona Rattlers (1-0) host the Spokane Shock (1-0) in NET10 Wireless Arena Football action on CBS Sports Network this Sunday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m. EST.

The contest will be a rematch of last year's National Conference Championship Game that saw the Rattlers defeat the Shock, 65-57, en route to a second consecutive ArenaBowl victory. It will also be the second consecutive year that the former division rivals are both undefeated heading into their first matchup of the year. The No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams in the latest AFL Coaches' Poll are 4-4 against each other all-time in regular season play, while the Rattlers own the series lead in the postseason with a 2-1 record against Spokane. The home team has won 6-of-8 regular season matchups and all three playoff games in the series.

The Rattlers are led by quarterback Nick Davila, who compiled a 38-3 record as the signal-caller for the Spokane Shock in af2 and guided the team to an ArenaCup championship in 2009. Since then, the one-time League MVP has led the Rattlers to three straight ArenaBowl appearances and back-to-back championship victories. He completed 25-of-41 passes for 337 yards and seven touchdowns last week and can move into sole possession of 10th place in AFL history for passing touchdowns with one scoring strike against the Shock. He has passed for 449 touchdowns during his five-year run with the Rattlers.

Reigning AFL MVP Erik Meyer will guide the Shock. Meyer completed 21-of-28 passes for 183 yards and five touchdowns in a 64-35 victory over the Iowa Barnstormers (0-1) last week. "E-Money" has also rushed for a touchdown in each of his last 10 regular season contests. He passed for 344 yards and seven scores with one interception against Arizona in last year's National Conference title game.

In addition to elite quarterback play, both teams possess outstanding perimeter performers. The Shock boast receivers Mike Washington, Brandon Thompkins and reigning Cutters Wide Receiver of the Year, Adron Tennell, while the Rattlers will line up ArenaBowl XXVI MVP Rod Windsor, ArenaBowl XXV Offensive Player of the Game Maurice Purify and the increasingly difficult to defend Tysson Poots. All six recorded touchdown receptions a week ago.

Defensively, both squads draw their strength from the secondary. The Rattlers line up four former All-Arena talents in the defensive backfield, including defensive backs Arkeith Brown, Vic Hall, Marquis Floyd and Jack linebacker Jeremy Kellem. For the Shock, Terrance Sanders, Paul Stephens and rookie Bryant Nnabuife will play the three defensive back positions while Terence Moore, who has come away with a turnover in four straight games, will line up at Jack.

With two of the top quarterbacks in the AFL guiding the offenses, the pass rush may well be the key to victory in this game. The Shock recorded sacks from the defensive end, nose guard and Mac linebacker positions in Week 1, thanks to the stellar play of James Ruffin, Terrance Taylor and Derrick Summers. Arizona was unable to get to the quarterback in their 62-55 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Soul (0-1) last week; however, the Rattlers defensive line should not be taken lightly. Defensive end Cliff Dukes is a former AFL Defensive Lineman of the Year, while the combination of Marcus Pittman, Tyre Glasper and rookie Louis Nzegwu will be no easy task for the Spokane offensive line to handle.

On special teams, the Rattlers will want to keep the ball out of the hands of Terrance Sanders. A member of the Rattlers in 2010, Sanders has become arguably the League's most dangerous return man since coming to Spokane. On the final play of the first half last week, Sanders electrified the "Deaf Valley" crowd with a 56-yard missed field goal return for a touchdown. Conversely, the Shock will also have to be cognizant of Arizona return man Arkeith Brown. The two-time All-Arena defensive back returned just 13 kickoffs last season, but managed to take two of them in for scores.

Though the Shock and Rattlers now play in different divisions, this early season matchup could go a long way in determining the top overall seed in the National Conference playoff picture. Set against the backdrop of one of the most heated rivalries in Arena Football, the highly anticipated meeting is sure be to among the League's most entertaining and intense games of the year.

Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. EST on CBS Sports Network.

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