Streaking Rattlers Overwhelm Carolina
Brian Knapp
Monday April 28, 2003
Carolina appeared anything but winless, as Cobra offensive specialist Bernard Holmes returned the opening kickoff 57 yards for the touchdown. Rattler veteran receiver Hunkie Cooper then fumbled the ensuing kickoff, which was recovered by the Cobras. Although the Rattler defense held Carolina to just a field goal, it was obvious that, at least for now, the Cobras came to play.
The Cobras were playing flawless football until late in the second quarter, when Rattler linebacker Tom Pace picked up a fumble by Carolina quarterback Stewart Patridge and sprinted 16 yards for the score. So, instead of an eight-point halftime lead, the Cobras found themselves behind by six at the break, 28-22.
“The ball just popped right up to me, it seems like luck’s on my side so far,” Pace said. “I picked it up and ran as fast as I could.”
Unfortunately for Carolina’s Mike Hold, the chances of tallying his first win as an Arena Football League head coach began to vanish, as Arizona turned up the heat in the third quarter, scoring four unanswered touchdowns.
“I feel sorry for Mike (Hold) because he’s a quality coach and a quality guy,” Rattler head coach Danny White said. “They just aren’t getting any breaks or anything right now.”
Carolina quarterback Robert Hall, who replaced Patridge at the half, had a dismal third quarter throwing two interceptions resulting in 13 points for Arizona.
After three quarters of play, the onslaught was on as Arizona took a 33-point lead into the final quarter. As the game droned on, the only thing keeping fans from filing out was the chance at shutting out the Cobras in the second half. Despite the one-sided score, the Rattler defense didn’t give an inch, delivering to the fans exactly what they wanted.
Arizona held Carolina scoreless for over 30 minutes and scored the game’s final 41 points on their way to a much-needed win.
“Our defensive backs were feeding off of the efforts of the pass rush tonight,” White said. “It was well coordinated, and any time you shut a team out for an entire half, you’re doing something right.”
With their win over Carolina, combined with Georgia’s loss to Orlando, the Rattlers move up in the playoff standings. If the playoffs started today, Arizona would have a home game in the first round.
“We’re going to have to just keep practicing hard and doing what were doing and keep the momentum going,” Pace said.
Although the Rattler defense seemed absent in their previous two outings, giving up a combined 157 points, this win over Carolina showed just how valuable the defense is to this team.
It doesn’t matter if the opponent is 12-0 or 0-12, any time you can rock your home crowd to sleep with a 40-point win, you’re doing something right.
The Rattlers have an extra day to rest following their win, as they prepare for what could be the most important game of the season against Los Angeles. Rattler OS Terence Davis didn’t play in the second half, and will most likely sit out against Los Angeles because of a broken finger.
The Rattlers had a little trouble getting going at home this season, but it is becoming clear that the “Snake Pit” will be a dangerous place once again.
Brian Knapp was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2003 to 2005.
