Rattlers Bounce Back, Earn Home Field
Brian Knapp
Wednesday May 14, 2003
The Rattlers seemed to have no trouble bouncing back from the beating they suffered at the hands of Los Angeles last week, as Arizona held the upper hand for most of this weeks contest against the Rush.
Arizona played a little shaky to begin the game, with quarterback Sherdrick Bonner fumbling the football on the Rattlers’ opening drive, leaving Chicago an opening to score the game’s first points.
Back and forth they went in the first and midway through the second quarters. Late in the second quarter, the Rattlers were up by two touchdowns with less than 10 seconds remaining in the half. Celebration quickly turned into confusion however, as Rattler kicker Nelson Garner booted an onside kick, giving the Rush the ball in the red zone with five seconds remaining.
The Rush appeared to chisel away at the momentum the Rattlers had built throughout the half, as K Keith Gispert split the uprights to end the half, cutting Arizona’s lead to 35-24.
Despite getting the ball to begin the third quarter, the Rush wouldn’t fair any closer than the 11-point deficit they faced at halftime. The Rattler offense built an 18-point lead three times in the second half, as Chicago’s defense could find no answer for Arizona wide receiver Randy Gatewood. Gatewood ended the day with 7 receptions for 78 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Ironically enough, if the playoffs were to start today, the Rattlers and Rush would meet again in the first round. There is still one pivotal week remaining in this makeover season however, and the Rattlers know exactly what they’ll be up against come week 16.
The Colorado Crush are anxiously waiting for Arizona, and are definitely preparing hard, as they seek revenge for the lashing they received that the hands of the Rattlers in week seven. Despite a disappointing rookie season for owner John Elway and company, the Crush have shown that they can indeed run with the big boys.
It was just four weeks ago that these same Crush rallied to defeat the top-ranked Tampa Bay Storm on the road.
Through 15 weeks, the Rattlers have proven that their veterans can come through in the clutch. Now, if the Rattlers can just remain healthy through week 16 and into the playoffs, Arizona will not be on anyone’s playoff wish list this year.
Brian Knapp was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2003 to 2005.
