Rattlers Grasp Exceeds their Reach
Michael Wright
Tuesday August 15, 2000
For the Arizona Rattlers, Sunday’s defeat will linger long into the offseason. Some will say the injury last week to Quarterback Sherdrick Bonner was the end of the season for Arizona. Almost. Funderburk helped clinch the win versus Albany, but couldn’t take the Rattlers any further. They are certainly a different team when lucky 13 is at the helm. To his credit, QB Lance Funderburk grew immensely on Sunday. It is difficult to mature in the long shadow of number 13, especially in the league semifinals against one of the toughest defenses in the league. Just ask Donnie Davis about growing during the postseason.
Scoring a touchdown in the Red Zone was impossible for Arizona in the first half. Kicker Bjorn Nitmo did all the scoring when the ball was inside the Orlando ten-yard line. Not what the fans are used to seeing from the copper and teal. Two passes, one for 15 yards and another for 39 to the acrobatic and lucky Maurice Byant made the score 22 – 17 at the half.
 Funderburk talked things over with injured QB Sherdrick Bonner throughout the game Image courtesy of Mike Wright |
The touchdown pace quickened between the two teams as the seconds ticked away with an interception by Bret Cooper at the Orlando 11 to end the frenzy. With 9:34 left, victory still seemed possible; 9:34 is an eternity in Arena Football. Orlando only managed three points from the turnover to make it 37 – 49 Orlando. Both teams would again score to make it 44 – 56.
The last 38 seconds, I am sure, will be played back repeatedly in the head of QB Lance Funderburk. Two completed passes, 25 seconds left and then all sight and sound was distorted. First Rick Hamilton with a crushing sackwith 13 seconds remaining. B.J. Cohen’s sack would put the final punctuation mark on the story. When time returned to normal and the sound came rushing back, the lights would be bright but not for Arizona and Mr. Funderburk.
Michael Wright was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2000 to 2001.
