National Conference Final Preview: Arizona Rattlers at San Jose SaberCats
Thursday August 20, 2015
Phoenix, Ariz. – The biggest rivalry in Arena Football once again heads to the National Conference championship game. The Arizona Rattlers (15-4) and the San Jose SaberCats (18-1) will face each other in this game for the fourth straight season. The Arizona Rattlers have come out on top each time, and once again will defend the National Conference title against their rival.
The Arizona Rattlers seem to be peaking at just the right time. Last Saturday, the Rattlers faced the Spokane Shock in the National Conference Semifinal game, and despite a slow start, and for the second game in a row, Arizona scored on all three phases of the game. Quarterback Nick Davila threw for 315 yards, 8 touchdowns and no interceptions. Cliff Dukes sacked Spokane quarterback Arvell Nelson in the endzone for a safety on the first play of the second quarter. Kicker Alex Zendejas went 10 for 10 in point after touchdowns (PATs), the second straight game the Rattlers were perfect on PATs.
The San Jose SaberCats earned their trip to the National Conference championship game by knocking off the Portland Thunder on Friday night. Despite a close game early, the SaberCats scored 21 unanswered points midway through the second and the beginning of the third quarters. Portland was unable to dig themselves out of that deficit, and the SaberCats came away with a 55-28 victory.
San Jose quarterback Erik Meyer led the SaberCats completing 20 of 36 passes for 215 yards and 5 touchdowns with one interception. Meyer earned the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game award for his efforts.
While the Rattlers are undefeated this decade against the SaberCats in the post-season, in the 2015 regular season, San Jose is 2-0 against Arizona. On Saturday, August 22nd, one of these streaks will fall when the Rattlers head to the Stockton Arena to face the SaberCats for one final time this season. The winner advances to the ArenaBowl, the loser goes home. The game is at 5:00 pm PDT and will be nationally broadcasted on ESPNEWS and also streamed online on ESPN3.com or on the WatchESPN app on a tablet or smartphone.