Celebrating the history of the Arena Football League

Arizona Closes the Door on Buffalo

Michael Wright
Saturday July 29, 2000


They haven’t changed the Media Guide, but anyone that has seen the Buffalo Destroyers play since May 8, knows that a massive change has taken place. The Eastern Division will never be the same.

After a grinding battle against San Jose, the Destroyers didn’t go home. Instead they came straight to Phoenix to prepare for a chance that no one thought they’d have. No one, that is, except Ray Bentley and the men who play for him.

"Our team fought their hearts out tonight," Bentley told The Buffalo News, "and they`re hurting right now. But this is something to build on. This was our first playoff game, but it won`t be the last."

The condensed drive chart view of the game, it went like this for Buffalo:
1st Q, Missed FG, Touchdown.
2nd Q, Missed FG, Field Goal, Missed FG.
3rd Q, Field Goal, Touchdown.
4th Q, Touchdown, Touchdown.


There`s no question Ray Bentley gave Buffalo a shot at glory.
Image courtesy of Mike Wright
Mike Black finished the season as the second best kicker in the League with 139 points. Thursday night he missed two at 31 yards and one at 40 yards. Those nine points loomed large when the final buzzer sounded. Final Score: 41-34. Nagle finished the night 18 of 29 for 254 yards and two TD’s. Owner Mark Hamister made the right call with Ray Bentley. I’m casting my vote for Ray Bentley for Coach of the Year.

For Arizona the drive chart looked like this:
1st Q, Intercepted, Missed FG, Touchdown.
2nd Q, Touchdown, Touchdown.
3rd Q, Touchdown.
4th Q, Touchdown, Touchdown.

Maurice Bryant returned to play and lead all receivers with 9 catches for 112 yards. QB Serdrick Bonner was 26 of 32 for 264 yards, 5 TD’s and 1 INT.

Neither QB was sacked, there were 19 penalties for a total of 92 yards. There was some nastiness between AZ’s Cedric Walker and Buffalo’s Eddie Brown. It appears that Brown scratched Walker’s eye, I’m not sure of the intent but Walker took it quite seriously as you might imagine. Walker was so upset, I thought Coach Danny White was going to toss Walker from the game.

Can Arizona repeat their May 20th, 24 point drubbing of Albany? They have been perfect on the road all season. Mad Mike will be at the Pepsi to bring you words and views…


 
Michael Wright was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2000 to 2001.
The opinions expressed in the article above are only those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts, opinions, or official stance of ArenaFan Online or its staff, or the Arena Football League, or any AFL or af2 teams.
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