Rattlers Ready For Avengers
Brian Knapp
Sunday May 4, 2003
The Rattlers seemed to be on the verge of missing the playoffs for the first time in over a decade, starting the season 4-5, and heading into arguably the toughest 3-game stretch in the AFL against Orlando, Grand Rapids, and the Avengers. However, Arizona’s defense came to life, and their offense seemed unstoppable defeating all three teams to move to 7-5. The Rattlers continued their winning streak last week, defeating lowly Carolina by 40 points, 62-22.
 Sherdrick Bonner Image courtesy of Ken LaRue |
Arizona’s offense behind QB Sherdrick Bonner hopes to once again keep pace with the deadly air attack of the Avengers on Sunday. In their first meeting of the season, Avenger QB Tony Graziani threw 11 touchdowns on just 22 passes, while WR Greg Hopkins tallied 9 receptions for 162 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Despite being compared to Avenger receivers such as Hopkins and Chris Jackson, Rattler OS Oshawonte Bryant is coming into his own in this league as one of the top receivers in the AFL. “I usually don’t compare myself to other people,” Bryant said. “I’m my own person and that’s the way I go out and play, trying to bring something different and something new to them every time that I face them.”
Bryant has put up huge numbers since returning from a leg injury following Arizona’s loss to Tampa Bay in week 9. Since his return, which ironically came against the Avengers, “O-B” has racked up 321 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in just three games.
“I’m still trying to fill those shoes (of former Rattler Chris Horn), and make those big plays,” Bryant said. “But I’m working on it, and hopefully by the end of the season we’ll have it all together.”
Now, add Rattler veteran receivers Hunkie Cooper, Randy Gatewood, and Terence Davis to the mold and you have yourself one of the most potent offenses in the league.
Arizona hopes to keep its hopes alive for a first-round bye in the playoffs, as Los Angeles looks to smash the Rattlers’ dreams of a Western Division title.
“We all know it’s a big game, and we’re all going at it as if it’s a playoff game,” Bryant said. “With a great team like L.A., you have to bring your top guys and your top plays, and go out there and do the best you can.”
Look forward to a back and forth battle between these two teams, much like the one seen just three weeks ago in Los Angeles. The Rattlers and Avengers are quickly becoming one of the most heated rivalries in the AFL, second only to the War-on-I-4 brawl between the Orlando Predators and the Tampa Bay Storm.
Hmm, do I smell a possible War on I-10 brewing? Yes, I know its pretty lame, but come on, what good is a rivalry without a witty nametag?
Brian Knapp was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2003 to 2005.
