Defense Shines As Rattlers Pound Orlando
Brian Knapp
Wednesday April 9, 2003
At 4-5, Rattler players and fans alike began to feel a sense of urgency heading into the backstretch of the season. Following two straight road losses, the Rattlers needed their defense to step up as well as find an offensive specialist to replace Orshawonte Bryant who suffered a hamstring injury in their loss to Tampa Bay.
Both needs were fulfilled to perfection, as the Rattler defense held Orlando to just 36 points, while OS Terence Davis blew up the Predators for 127 yards and three touchdowns in his first appearance in a Rattler uniform. “He made some great plays, and he’s a great receiver, no question about it,” Rattler head coach Danny White said.
Arizona’s defense played strong from the get-go holding Orlando to just two field goals on their first three drives of the game. Orlando QB Connell Maynor felt the pressure early and often as he hit only 12 of his 34 pass attempts.
For the first time this season, the Rattler defensive line seemed to have no trouble getting consistent pressure on the quarterback. “The biggest factor in the game were the guys up front,” White said. “That’s what we were doing a great job of, was collapsing the middle of the pocket and keeping containment on him (Maynor) outside so he couldn’t run, and I think really if there were a game ball it would go to our guys up front.”
Rattler lineman Nikia Adderson definitely had one of his best games of the year as part of the Arizona pass rush. Adderson seemed to play a role in every play on both sides of the ball tallying three tackles, a sack, and a touchdown.
“We’re just clicking as a team, and we’re starting to gel,” Adderson said. “You could just see it out there, the energy, the fans, I love playing out here.”
Arizona’s offense came to play hard for four quarters against Orlando as well, something they had trouble doing in their 29-point loss last week to the Storm.
Rattler QB Sherdrick Bonner shared the wealth this week, as he often does, hitting six different receivers, five of which caught touchdowns.
In the third quarter, Bonner hit Adderson for 15 yards and a touchdown which put him in the 25,000-yard club with fellow active QB’s Aaron Garcia and Andy Kelly. “I’ve been blessed to play with some great players,” Bonner said. “It’s an honor to be able to accomplish those things.”
WR Tom Pace scored twice on the day for Arizona, each of which proved detrimental to the Predators. His second quarter touchdown reception put Arizona up by two scores, 28-13, while his 15-yard interception return added to Orlando’s frustration, giving Arizona a 34-point advantage at 54-20.
The Rattlers won the battle of struggling teams, and earned a large amount of respect in the process. At 5-5, the Rattlers are probably the best mediocre team in the league, and despite what the standings say the Rattlers proved themselves to be a dominant force.
Arizona heads to Los Angeles for their first meeting of the season with the Avengers. Unlike Arizona, the Avengers have won those close, last-second games. Arizona could easily have the 8-2 record while L.A. carried the weight of a 5-5 season.
You can throw the records out the window however, as this match-up has all the makings of a great game and should turn out to be nothing less.
Brian Knapp was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2003 to 2005.
