Rattlers Earn Trip to Tampa in 66-49 Victory
Brian Knapp
Tuesday June 10, 2003
The Rattlers started Sunday’s game a little shaky, going three and out on their first possession. SaberCat quarterback Mark Grieb didn’t waste any time, as he hit wide receiver James Roe for a touchdown on San Jose’s first play from scrimmage. The teams went back and forth trading touchdowns until midway through the second quarter when Arizona’s Randy Gatewood caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from All-Arena quarterback Sherdrick Bonner giving Arizona a 28-14 advantage. Rattler kicker Nelson Garner ended the half with an important 36-yard field goal giving Arizona a 10-point halftime lead.
 Sherdrick Bonner will lead the Rattlers in Tampa. Image courtesy of Ken LaRue |
The SaberCats appeared to have the Rattlers number late in the third quarter, when Arizona’s Orshawonte Bryant was pinned on a kickoff return at his own one-yard-line. The crowd’s chants of defense were quickly hushed however, as Bonner hit a sprinting Gatewood 49-yards for the touchdown. Whether you were among the crowd, or enjoying the game from your living room, it was obvious that the air was slowly being let out of the home arena.
Despite the success of the underdog Rattlers, the SaberCats refused to go away. All-Arena receiver Barry Wagner caught a six-yard touchdown pass from Grieb and cut Arizona’s lead to three early in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for San Jose, that would be the last score anyone would see out of them in 2003. Two touchdowns later, the Rattlers won the game 66-49 and were on their way to Tampa Bay.
For the third week in a row, the Rattlers won the turnover battle and capitalized on every mistake made by their opponent. In what could be the last season for Rattler veterans like Bonner, Hunkie Cooper, and Mark Tucker, the Rattlers have one more shot at AFL supremacy.
After starting the season 4-5, not many people gave Arizona a chance at winning it all, but here they are. Tampa Bay versus Arizona is a perfect title match up, pairing two of the leagues all time best coaches, and two of the most notable franchises in the history of the AFL. You can throw the seeds out the window, as this will not be a game between #2 and #6, but rather a match-up of the proven #1 and #2.
Brian Knapp was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2003 to 2005.
