Here Come the Rattlers
Brian Knapp
Wednesday April 23, 2003
In their last two games on the road, against Los Angeles and Grand Rapids, Arizona has scored 23 touchdowns and a total of 164 points, and most importantly the Rattlers are coming home for week 13 riding a three-game win streak putting them at a respectable 7-5. Arizona is definitely showing their worth on offense, as well as their strength up front on both sides of the ball.
Despite giving up 81 points to Grand Rapids, the Rattler “D” stuffed the Rampage when it counted most, stopping QB Clint Dolezel and company on three consecutive two-point conversion tries that would have given the Rampage the win.
 Sherdrick Bonner Image courtesy of Ken LaRue |
There have been many questions this season about how the Rattlers are going to succeed with seven starters over the age of 30, as well as the loss of arguably the best offensive specialist in the past two years in Chris Horn.
However, anyone who has followed the Rattlers this season can tell you that age can be thrown out the window when it comes to this Arizona team.
I don’t care how old they are, any group of guys who can win in this league over Los Angeles and Grand Rapids in back-to-back road games definitely deserves attention.
The Rattler locker room has been filled with smiles and this team is definitely enjoying this winning feeling; however every player in that locker room knows full well that there are still four crucial games left to play. A home game in the first round of the playoffs is on the line as the Rattlers look to end the season as, at least, one of the top eight teams in the league.
So, the roller coaster that is the Arizona Rattlers season continues with a bit of good news heading into week 13. Arizona will face off with the 0-12 Carolina Cobras who will have their hands full trying to stop a Rattler team that is coming off a winning streak over three teams with a combined 25-11 record.
The Cobras, despite plenty of embarrassing outings, have shown that the can rumble with the best of them, taking Tampa Bay to the brink, as well as one score losses to playoff hopefuls Detroit and Georgia.
Arizona has appeared to be an unstoppable force in recent weeks with a venomous game plan, and a touch of luck. With their veterans set in their roles, a line that has proven to be one of the best in the league, and irreplaceable talents such as DS Ricky Parker, and two-way brawler Tom Pace, the Rattlers are ready to finish the season strong and head into the post season with a full head of steam.
The ball can bounce any way in any game, and as the Colorado Crush will tell you following their 29-point second half turn around over number one ranked Tampa Bay, it isn’t over until it’s over.
Brian Knapp was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2003 to 2005.
