Sports stats



Thunder to Battle Rattlers

July 18, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Portland Thunder News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Thunder are on the precipice of the playoffs.

Just one more win or a Los Angeles KISS loss would hoist them onto terra firma and allow them to start thinking about that extra week of the season, where they'd go down and play...the Arizona Rattlers.

This is the dress rehearsal for a potential playoff battle. The Thunder take to the road after picking up a huge win at home on Saturday against the KISS and will attempt to keep Arizona's losing streak rolling.

The Rattlers are in the midst of their longest losing streak in years, a two-game streak at the hands of the Thunder's fellow Pacific Division mates, the San Jose Sabercats and Spokane Shock. Prior to that, they'd clinched the first seed in the National Conference with a 14-game win streak to start the season that included two wins over the Thunder in Portland that ruined a couple of Thunder win streaks.

The Thunder travel to the desert with a bit of revenge on their minds.

The Rattlers aren't interested in trying out a three-game losing streak, something the team hasn't done since 2008. They'll bring firepower in the form of a deep, talented, and experience wide reciever corps, starting with Rod Windsor. Windsor leads the league with 39 touchdown receptions, but his teammates aren't far behind, with Maurice Purify having 20, Kerry Reed hauling in 24, and Tysson Poots pulling down 20. All four wideouts have more touchdown receptions than any Thunder player on the roster.

But the Thunder are bringing their own weaponry to this duel. Jamar Howard, who has racked up 120+ yards in each of the last two games, leads a Thunder attack that is poised to make a name for itself. Howard is augmented by Douglas McNeil III, who is Portland's touchdown machine, having produced five in the last two games through a series of impressive snares.

Portland also brings some defensive threats to the table - just ask Aaron Garcia, who spent most of the second half on Saturday on the ground or on the way to it. Antron Dillon will make his return to the Southwest, where he won a couple of titles with the Rattlers. He'll bring his friends, Donte Paige-Moss and K.C. Obi, who are tied for the team lead in tackles for a loss with nine. Marquis Jackson, acquired last week, will join them on the edge as they hunt for Rattlers' quarterback Nick Davila.

The Rattlers got a couple of quick strikes in early against the Thunder, winning both games.

Will the third time be the charm for the Thunder twice?

The Thunder will take on the Rattlers at US Airways Center at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 20. The game will be streamed online on ESPN3 and carried on 750 AM The Game.



Arena Football League Stories from July 18, 2014


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.

OurSports Central