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AFL I Arizona Rattlers

Storm nip Rattlers, 59-56

March 13, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


Tampa, FL- After an offensive explosion by both teams, Tampa's Matt George connected on a 20-yard field goal as time expired to give the Tampa Bay Storm a 59-56 win over the Rattlers at the St. Pete Times Forum. Sherdrick Bonner threw eight touchdown passes, five of them to Siaha Burley, but it wasn't enough as Arizona dropped their sixth straight game.

The Storm started off the game by going on a seven play, 45 yard, 5:12 second drive to take a 7-0 lead after a T.T. Toliver two yard TD reception from Shane Stafford. The Rattlers wasted no time in answering back, needing only one play, a 41-yard Sherdrick Bonner to Randy Gatewood connection, to even things at seven. The start would be the indicator for the rest of the afternoon, as Arizona and Tampa Bay traded scores for most of the game.

After the Gatewood touchdown, Evan Hlavacek recovered a Storm fumble on the ensuing kickoff to put the Rattlers in scoring range. Bonner found Hlavack from seven yards out to give the Rattlers a 14-7 lead. Stafford and the Storm came right back, as David Saunders found the end zone on a five yard pass to put the game back even. Sherdrick Bonner was intercepted on the next Rattlers drive, his ninth of the year, and Tampa Bay was poised to regain the lead. But Stafford fumbled on the Storm's next possession, giving the ball right back to Arizona. The Rattlers drive stalled, and Arizona gave the ball back on downs. The Storm would take the lead back on another Toliver TD reception, going up 21-14. The two teams would alternate touchdowns for the remainder of the half, except for the final two possessions, when each team would miss a field goal.

The beginning of the second half mirrored the end of the first half, as both teams missed field goals on their first two possessions. The Rattlers would draw first blood in the second half, as Burley caught another touchdown with 2:05 left in the third. Anthony Derricks returned the following kickoff 58-yards for the score, giving Tampa back the lead at 42-35. It was the fifth kickoff return for touchdown given up by Rattlers special teams on the season.

After more alternating scores, Tampa took the lead with 46 second left, after David Saunders caught a four yard score from Stafford to put the Storm up 56-49. Bonner and the Rattlers stormed back, pulling even after Siaha Burley's fifth touchdown catch of the game. The Storm had 34 seconds to score, and they did just that. Stafford led the Storm down the field, setting up Matt George's 20-yarder to win it for Tampa Bay.

Siaha Burley ended with ten catches for 160 yards and five scores to lead the Rattlers, whole Bonner threw for 263 yards and eight scores on 20-41 passing. Stafford had 321 yards and seven touchdowns, finding mostly Lawrence Samuels, who ended with 12 catches for 145 yards and score.

Arizona returns home to host the Las Vegas Gladiators next Saturday at 7:00 PM.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 13, 2005


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