SaberCats and Rattlers: A Rivalry
Tim Ball
Thursday March 27, 2003
Legends grow from stories of accomplishment and victory, where chance favors the winner. Games are won and lost it seems by dramatics set up by fate. Since its inception in the league in 1995, San Jose has faced the Rattlers twenty times. No other team but these two have been Western Division Champions since this rivalry began and now they stand equal in that history with ten wins each.
In their last meeting the game was tied at 58 all with no time left on the clock. There was no luck involved in getting the players to this place of decisiveness. When a play went wrong or a referee’s call was in doubt, the players regrouped and made the plays when it counted.
This game was played as if every play was going to be the last one and sure enough it came down to that. As the extra point that decided the outcome hit the net, the game and one more chapter in this rivalry came to an end. San Jose won, 59-58.
Arizona head coach Danny White had a game plan that adapted to every San Jose move. Rattlers quarterback Sherdrick Bonner executed that strategy. “We came in wanting to take control and not to let San Jose dictate the pace of the game. The SaberCats adjusted well during the game and got the breaks when they needed it most. We felt we were matching up with them one on one on every down. It came down to one kick and one point, ” said Bonner.
There were nine lead changes in the first half of the game and the Rattlers led going into halftime 37-34. The second half witnessed San Jose commit two turnovers on an interception (Gatewood) and a fumble out of the endzone on their first two possessions. Arizona scored after the first turnover, stretching their lead to ten points. San Jose’s defense stopped Arizona cold on the next.
San Jose’s quarterback Mark Grieb kept his team from slipping away with his calm persistence and trust in his players. “It was clear from the first quarter that this game was going to be close. No matter what happened we both answered back. Neither team gave up, that’s obvious.”
With an ever-changing cast of starters, Grieb has had to look at a different receiver core virtually every game. This one was no different. Aaron Bailey was moved from offensive specialist to a two-way spot (more on this later) and Jerry Reese, the SaberCats all-time leader in touchdown receptions (73) was brought in to play this position.
Grieb was given his final instructions and led an offense that masterfully managed the clock in the game’s final two minutes and fifty-three seconds. In what seemed like an eternity in Arena Football, San Jose took eight plays to go 38 yards and tie the game with no chance for the Rattlers in regulation play.
With time long gone from the clock, James Roe, who was hit hard by a defender at his first touch on the ball, bobbled and then hauled in Grieb’s pass to add another dramatic moment in the long sage of San Jose and Arizona.
Adding one more piece of drama, K Daron Alcorn turned earlier boos from frustrated fans (who endured the kicker’s three missed extra points) into joyous shouts when his extra point went dead center.
From their perspective
“There’s an intensity in playing Arizona because we always had to battle them in our division,” said Jerry Reese. “I’m glad to be back and having it be against Arizona is great.”
“It’s tough knowing that every play you make or don’t make is crucial in this league and against a team like San Jose,” said Arizona kicker Nelson Garner. “You know have to step up.”
“You knew it was going to go down to the last play,” said Roe. “I was hit hard right when I caught the ball. It was fortunate that I got hold of it when I did. Mark put the ball right on the money. That was key to that play.”
“Arizona had a great rush all game long.,” said Grieb. The first half was back and forth. When they came up with the turnovers at the start of the second half we just kept battling. There were so many guys who made clutch plays made when we needed them. Roe’s catch was great but we just never gave up. I couldn’t be more proud of our team for this one.”
“It’s hard to put this one in words,” said Bonner. “They came up big with that onside kick and made the plays from there on. This is a rivalry that’s not going to end with this one.”
Play-makers
In San Jose, as one star player goes down another rises in his place. As in 2002, the bench continues to be the strongest asset for the SaberCats. This game saw Reese not only replacing a fallen teammate but also scoring three touchdowns in the process. Roe goes down as the clutch hero of the game, but Reese’s play cannot be overlooked.
Wagner has been relatively quiet so far this season but it was Wagner’s legendary dependability that coaches called on for the decisive on-side kick in the fourth quarter. Earlier in the game, San Jose attempted another on-side kick, the “you have to see it to believe it” pass/kick from Alcorn to “Wags.” Alcorn sort of flips the ball with his foot to a streaking Wagner. It worked last year in Dallas but this time the play developed so close to the sideline official, (the ball was caught at his feet) that when the play went against the SaberCats even the Rattlers were stunned.
It’s this ability of San Jose to depend on so many different players that is challenge for other teams to overcome.
Offensive specialist James Hundon was on a pace of greatness when he went down and was replaced by Aaron Bailey. Bailey answered his call to action with a five-touchdown day against Chicago in his debut.
The only surprise with Reese’s performance is that it came as the offensive specialist. Bailey was moved to a two-way position, though this move may have been illadvised. Later in the game Bailey was moved back to offensive specialist as Arizona exploited his lack of experience on defense.
“It’s easier to go forward than it is to backup in this league,” said Bonner on Bailey playing defense. “We noticed that he was having some trouble adjusting.”
Who knows who else is waiting in the wings for his chance to come? Whether veteran, rookie or new addition, nothing seems to slow San Jose’s productivity. Though Bailey’s move to another position caused some concern, it was only rookie running back Keala Keanaaina and Roe the veteran receiver, who were used on the final winning drive.
Rivalry lives in history
So this meeting between San Jose and Arizona goes in the books. It bears noting that a visit to the stats pages may show what the players accomplished but not how it happened.
On every play something goes right or wrong. Then it starts all over again. A rivalry never ends, there really is a next time.
The Rattlers and the SaberCats battled down not only to the last second but far beyond. San Jose won the game but had to do it with zeroes on the clock. That means that every player gave it everything. That is what a rivalry is.
The story of these two teams is far from over. Accomplishments, wins and losses will come and go and the players know there will be a next time.
Rivalry lives on.
Tim Ball is a writer in the Chicagoland area. Married and father of three, his opinions on Arena Football reflects the positive aspect of the game as a family event second to none in pro sports.
