$50,000 Trophy Priceless to San Jose
Brian Knapp
Saturday June 26, 2004
Eight weeks later, the Rattlers wrapped up home field advantage throughout the playoffs with a comeback win over San Jose.
So, in three years, the SaberCats embarrassed the Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVI, the Rattlers knocked San Jose from hosting ArenaBowl XVII, and San Jose blew a chance to host ArenaBowl XVIII with two losses to, who else, the Rattlers.
“They are arguably playing the best football that’s ever been played in the AFL,” San Jose head coach Darren Arbet said of the Rattlers 10-game win streak. “Their defense down by the goal line is real tough, Sherdrick Bonner plays great in big games, and Hunkie Cooper has been there a lot.”
Now, while those four meetings alone sound like enough to earn the title of a rivalry, keep in mind these teams have played 23 times in less than a decade.
Since San Jose’s inception in 1995, bragging rights have been transferred back and forth, players have moved between the two teams, and, most importantly, one of the most heated rivalries in all of sports has erupted.
Another chapter will be etched into the storybook rivalry on Sunday when the Rattlers and SaberCats play in ArenaBowl XVIII.
The visiting SaberCats have revenge on their mind, playing against the team that stood in their way of hosting this year’s championship. The SaberCats blew a 20-point halftime lead over the Rattlers in the regular season finale, allowing Arizona to crawl back into and somehow win the game.
With the regular season and first two rounds of the playoffs behind them, the SaberCats are now focused on one final game, the ArenaBowl.
“Our goal was to get here to the championship and we’re excited to be playing,” quarterback Mark Grieb said.
Hungry veterans like Grieb, WR/DB Barry Wagner, and DS Omarr Smith have been in this situation before and know what it takes to win the big one.
Wagner, arguably the best player to step foot into an AFL arena, will play in his seventh ArenaBowl on Sunday. His nemesis on the other side of the field is fellow veteran WR/LB Hunkie Cooper of the Rattlers. Cooper earned his first ring in 1994 in an upset over Wagner’s Orlando Predators, while Wagner enjoyed a 52-14 thrashing of Cooper’s Rattlers two years ago in ArenaBowl XVI.
“On the field we’re like bulldogs out there battling and scrapping for that bone,” Wagner said of the rivalry between him and Cooper. “It’s a whole lot of fun playing against each other, especially when we’ve been around for so long and still going.”
Smith, San Jose’s leader in both tackles (71) and interceptions (9), will play in his third straight ArenaBowl on Sunday. Smith earned a ring as a member of the SaberCats in 2002 and another in last year’s win over the Rattlers as a member of the Tampa Bay Storm.
“It’s hard just to make it to one championship and I’ve been lucky enough to make it to three,” Smith said. “Hopefully, I can get the same result as the previous two”
Smith was able to enjoy his first two championships in the friendly confines of his home arena, but will have to earn ring number three on the road.
“It’s kind of different being on the road this time, but I’m happy that were here and hopefully we can play a good game on Sunday and come out on top,” Smith said.
Over the last three years, the SaberCats and Rattlers have become used to meeting three times each season. While most teams in the league play their two games within the division during the season, these two teams have become accustomed to extending their rivalry, not only into the playoffs, but into the championship.
“We play each other three times a year now and we understand that, and we have an opportunity to take care of our goal that we set out day one,” Arbet said. “It’s a fun game to play in. The players really enjoy it and they give it their all.”
This championship carries more weight because of the intensity of the rivalry. These two teams are playing for more than a $50,000 trophy and an enormous diamond ring. One of these teams will walk away with not only bragging rights, but with the memory of defeating the team they hate the most in the game that counts the most.
The end of an era is approaching for some veterans, while the dawn of a new era lurks for both teams. The rivalry has been ignited and will burn for years to come. Come Sunday, the SaberCats and Rattlers will do what they’ve been doing for 10 years, only this time they’re on a larger stage.
“Shakes” Returns to Arizona
For seven years, WR/LB Calvin Schexnayder was the cornerstone of the Rattlers’ offense, leading Arizona to two championsips. Schexnayder returns to his old stomping grounds on Sunday as a member of the SaberCats.
“I won two championships here (Arizona) and to be back here playing against my former team is exciting,” Schexnayder said.
While a member of the Rattlers, Schexnayder was all but convinced he would end his career in Arizona. Unfortunately, due to a nagging knee injury, Schexnayder was let go by the Rattlers.
There were some question marks as to why such a superstar and household name in Arizona was let go, and it’s clear Schexnayder was upset about the decision.
“I thought I was going to finish here in Arizona, but when they let me go there was nothing I could do about it,” Schexnayder said. “I have a lot of family and friends here and there are some mixed feelings, but I put that aside to stay focused.”
As for the ArenaBowl, Schexnayder hopes he can get a chance to show his former team that he still has the ability to win a championship. Schexnayder sets his goal at the beginning of the season to help his team get to the championship, and will play in his third ArenaBowl on Sunday.
“These are games dreams are made of,” Schexnayder said. “We’re here and now it’s time to get it done on the field.”
Schexnayder also wasn’t shy about voicing his opinion on who will walk home with the AFL title.
“I predict we win,” Schexnayder said. “I don’t care by how many points, just win.”
Brian Knapp was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2003 to 2005.
