Rattlers Wrap Up Rush
May 11, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
Rush lineman John Moyer had a career day, recording 6.5 tackles and three sacks, but it wasn't enough as the Arizona Rattlers used a balanced attack led by QB Sherdrick Bonner to defeat the Chicago Rush on Sunday, 56-44, in front of a Mother's Day crowd of 12, 948 at the Allstate Arena.
Chicago (7-8) was unable to clinch its third consecutive spot in the AFL playoffs, missing key opportunities, while Arizona (9-6) took advantage of the Rush mistakes en route to its third consecutive win over Chicago.
"We didn't take advantage of some opportunities and they made plays when they needed to," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "We had chances to score some points but couldn't make the plays."
The Rattlers took control of the game with 44 seconds remaining in the first half. Up 28-21, Arizona lineman Mark Tucker intercepted a deflected Billy Dicken pass at the Rattlers 19 yard line.
The Rattlers capitalized on the interception, with Bonner hitting WR/DB Randy Gatewood in the end zone to give Arizona a 35-21 lead.
"Billy (18-32, 221 yards, four TDs and on interception) just wasn't consistent for us today," said Hohensee. "We need him to make big plays for us in order for us to make some noise here late in the season."
The Rush added a Keith Gispert 21-yard field goal on the last play of the half to go into the locker room down 11, 35-24.
But when Chicago couldn't score on its opening possession of the third quarter, Arizona began to pull away.
Bonner and Gatewood connected again, this time on a 38-yard scoring strike that put Arizona up 42-24 with 9:37 remaining in the third quarter.
Bonner finished the contest 21-30 for 226 yards for Arizona, along with six touchdowns and no interceptions.
Gatewood was just as impressive, hauling in seven receptions for 78 yards and four scores for the Rattlers.
The Rush again pulled within 11 points at 49-38 early in the fourth quarter, as Dicken found WR/LB Lindsay Fleshman roaming in the back of the end zone for a touchdown with 11:23 remaining in the contest.
The Rattler attack wouldn't give in though, as Bonner flashed his mettle. Bonner stretched the clock on a six-play, 26-yard drive that concluded with a Tom Pace five-yard touchdown run giving the Rattlers a 56-38 advantage with 6:02 to play.
Dicken connected with WR/LB Anthony Ladd to cut the score to 56-44 with 2:56 remaining in the game, but Chicago failed to recover the ensuing on-side kick and Arizona was able to run out the clock.
The Rush proved the aggressors early on, as Moyer sacked Bonner in the first quarter, forcing him into a fumble, which Chicago's Bob McMillen quickly pounced on, to give the Rush possession in Rattler territory at the 19-yard line.
Following Moyer's big play, Dicken then found Fleshman streaking from right to left at the goal line for an eight-yard score for a quick Chicago lead at the 10:07 mark of the first. A tricky 11-yard reception by lineman James Baron set-up the first score of the game.
Bonner and the Rattlers rebounded quickly, as the AFL legend found Gatewood in the end zone for an eight-yard score to cap an eight-play, 41-yard drive and even the score at 7-7 with 4:21 to play in the first.
Early in the second period following a missed field goal attempt by Gispert, Arizona converted a healthy drive into seven points, as Bonner spotted a wide open Hunkie Cooper down the left side for a 31-yard score.
Moments later, Dicken found Chatman one-on-one with Arizona's Gatewood, and Chatman juked the Arizona WR/DB to the tune of a 27-yard touchdown to tie the game at 14-14 with 11:15 left in the first half.
Arizona countered once again, as Bonner hooked up with WR/LB Terence Davis twice on the drive. The touchdown was set-up when Bonner found Davis at midfield with Rush DS Dameon Porter gambling for the pick. Davis snagged the pass and ran free for a 28-yard gain. Three plays later, Bonner scrambled and found Davis for the score to put the visitors up seven, 21-14, with 6:42 left in the first half.
On the next drive for Chicago, WR/DB Cornelius Bonner made his presence felt, snagging a 33-yard reception from Dicken, which set-up a second down one-yard plunge to pay dirt for McGourty to tie the game at 21-21 with 2:39 left in the half.
The Rattlers would not be denied the intermission lead, however, as Arizona FB/LB Bo Kelly rumbled 17 yards for a Rattler score two plays later for a 28-21 lead.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 11, 2003
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- L.A. Avengers clinch first-round bye in AFL playoffs - Los Angeles Avengers
- Fourth Quarter Breakdown Sinks Gladiators - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Grand Rapids' Slide Continues Against Indiana - Grand Rapids Rampage
- 'Birds Remain In Playoff Contention - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Defense The Key In San Jose's Win - San Jose SaberCats
- Rattlers Wrap Up Rush - Chicago Rush
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