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Thunder Try to Topple Rattlers

June 5, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Portland Thunder News Release


PORTLAND, OR - The AFL's Goliath comes to Portland on Friday.

The Arizona Rattlers (11-0) have amassed a 45-8 record, including playoffs, over the past two and a half seasons. No other team in the league has fewer losses over that time frame, including teams like Portland (3-8) and Los Angeles (2-8), who have played less than a season.

Quarterback Nick Davila leads the league in touchdown passes and quarterback rating. Roughly one in every four Rattlers plays on offense ends in a touchdown.

Last time these two teams faced each other, Arizona's defense forced five sacks and picked off three passes en route to a 61-32 win over the Thunder in Portland.

The Thunder, however, have a few reasons to believe they can put a "1" in the Rattlers' loss column.

For starters, the team's leading receiver in terms of yardage, Jeffrey Solomon, has returned to the squad. He's gone for more than 110 yards in four of his six games with the Thunder.

The Thunder also still have Eric Rogers, who exploded for 152 yards and four touchdowns in the first meeting between these two teams.

The lines have been juggled as well; Abe Markowitz has taken over the center position and Stanley Daniels has moved to the tight end position. Harold Love III provides a big nose tackle to anchor the line - in the last game against the Rattlers, the Thunder rotated various defensive ends through the position.

Last game against the Rattlers was the first (and still only) time the Thunder defense failed to produce a turnover. Bryce Peila got back on the turnover board last week with a late interception and will look to push back into the league lead in fumble recoveries. With Peila (5 INT), Eric Crocker (6), and Varmah Sonie (5), the Thunder have three of the top ball-hawks in the league.

The Rattlers can be felled - but the Thunder will have to play their best game of the season.

Friday's game starts at 7 p.m. and is sponsored by Spirit Mountain Casino, who will provide free drink holders to the first 2,000 fans through the doors. For all the latest news and discussion on the Portland Thunder, follow the team on Facebook (facebook.com/PDXThunder), Twitter and Instagram (@PDXThunder).



Arena Football League Stories from June 5, 2014


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