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AFL Arizona Rattlers

Rattlers Six-Game Win Streak Snapped in Intense Division Match-Up

July 3, 2010 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


Spokane, Wash. - They have only played in the same division for a year, but it's obvious that the Arizona Rattlers and Spokane Shock have already developed one of the most spirited, contentious rivalries in the entire AFL, as evidenced by the Shock's 37-36 victory over the Rattlers in Spokane Friday night.

Tensions were clearly high and tempers flared all night long in a game riddled with penalties, personal foul calls, and players partaking in extra-curricular activities after the play as both teams understood the significance of the battle. The Rattlers trailed Spokane by just one game entering the contest and both knew that the winner of the game would have the inside track to winning the West Division.

The two highest scoring offenses in the league came into the game with expectations of a wild shootout, but both teams played tough defense and forced the opposing offense into short completions and long drives. Each team had only two second half possessions, one in each quarter, and both had multiple drives that last over seven minutes. In the end, the Rattlers swarming defense couldn't make the one deciding play to stop Spokane's offense, and the Shock benefited from a very questionable call to hold on for the victory.

With the Rattlers (8-4) trailing 30-28 with nine seconds left in the third quarter, the Shock (10-2) embarked on a drive that will be remembered for years to come in this rivalry. On the first play of the series, DL ALEX GUERRERO sacked Shock quarterback Kyle Rowley for a six yard loss. After the Rattlers defense forced an incomplete pass, DL RON JONES got his turn, sacking Rowley and setting up a key fourth down. On the fourth down play, DB BRANDON FREEMAN made a spectacular play to seemingly end the drive, but the Rattlers were called for a tough penalty that kept Spokane's drive alive. The defense again forced Spokane into a third and long situation and again the Shock converted. A determined defensive line continued to push forward, pressuring Rowley and forcing yet another fourth down.

Then, the controversy really began. On fourth down, Rowley dropped back and fired a pass into the endzone that skipped through receiver Quorey Payne's hands and hit against the back wall. The ball appeared to hit the wall and skip off the ground and back into Payne's body, but the officials declared it a touchdown despite loud protests from the Rattlers bench and a shocked crowd. The score put Spokane up by nine, 37-28, making it a two-possession game. In all, the drive took 13 plays to finish and lasted a remarkable nine minutes and 24 seconds.

QB NICK DAVILA, in his first appearance back in Spokane since winning the Arena Cup for the af2 Shock in 2009, fought admirably to lead the team back against his former team. He led the Rattlers on a gritty 11 play, 40 yard drive that took up over six minutes of game-clock and capped it off with a clutch touchdown pass on fourth down to WR ROD WINDSOR. The two record-breaking rookies had another stellar performance, as Davila went 23-35 for 200 yards and four touchdowns without turning the ball over and Windsor made one great catch after another, finishing with 13 grabs for 92 yards and two touchdowns.

Windsor was involved in another controversial play in the first quarter, catching a nine-yard pass and stretching his arm out over the endzone line before losing the football for what seemed to be a go-ahead score, but the officials said he didn't get in and called the play a fumble, awarding the ball back to Spokane.

For the Rattlers, the loss snapped their season-high six-game win streak and extended the Shock's to eight games. Spokane now has a two-game lead in the West Division and hold the tie-breaker after winning both games against Arizona this year. The Rattlers are still in good position to make the playoffs, however, as they hold a 2 1/2 game lead over fifth-placed Iowa and currently hold the tie-breaker over the Barnstormers as well. The top four teams from each conference make the playoffs.

Up next for the Rattlers on their brutal road trip is the 9-4 Chicago Rush, a team they lost two earlier in the season. Despite the score showing a 14-point Rush win, the Rattlers had a chance to tie the game with under a minute to play, but had a pass intercepted and returned for a touchdown.

GAME NOTES

The 37 points the Rattlers allowed were the fewest they've allowed this season and the fewest they've allowed in a loss since March 6th, 2005 against Los Angeles.... The Rattlers allowed just 10 points in the second half, the second straight game they've had a half allowing 10 points or fewer... After allowing 64 points per game in their first five games, the Rattlers are allowing a paltry 52.2 over their last seven games... Windsor now has 151 catches on the year, just 16 shy of breaking the all-time AFL record held by former Rattler Siaha Burley... Windsor also has 1,752 yards and only needs 378 yards over his final four games to set a new league record in that category as well... The Rattlers defense now has 11 sacks in the past three games...

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