Steel lose to the Rattlers in the first round of the Playoffs, 84-40

Sunday August 7, 2016

 Seven Steel turnovers turn into 42 Rattler points; Portland finishes the season 3-14 overall

PHOENIX - The Portland Steel lost to the Arizona Rattlers in the First Round of the Arena Football League Playoffs, 84-40, in front of 13,192 fans in attendance at Talking Stick Resort Arena Saturday night. The Steel close out their first season in Portland with a record of​ 3-14 while the Rattlers will move on to the National Conference Championship Game where they will face the winner of the LA KISS/Cleveland Gladiators game that will be played tomorrow in San Diego, California.

Shane Austin threw for 257 yards on 21-of-33 passing with two touchdowns and four interceptions. His counterpart Nick Davila completed 12-of-17 passes for 209 yards and six touchdowns en route to being named the Under Armor Offensive Player of the Game.

Newly signed kicker Nich Pertuit sent the first kickoff of the game off the goal post and the Rattlers recovered on their own 2-yard line. Arizona fullback Mykel Benson scored on the very next play to give the Rattlers their first touchdown of the night. On the ensuing Steel drive, Rashaad Carter fumbled a caught pass that was recovered by Arizona. Davila found Rod Windsor for a 3-yard score and the first quarter ended with a 14-point advantage for the Rattlers.

Down by 21, the Steel got on the board as fullback Kevin Myers rumbled in from a yard out for Portland’s first score of the game. The Rattlers immediately answered back as Davila found Anthony Amos for a 28-yard touchdown, Arizona led 28-7. The next Steel drive supplied one of the best catches of the game as Jared Perry corralled a ball over the head over a Rattler defender for a 12-yard touchdown.

The Rattlers would close out the half on a 21-point scoring binge aided by two Austin interceptions. The Rattlers would get an 18-yard touchdown from Maurice Purify. After Austin was intercepted at the goal line, it was converted into a Windsor 2-yard score. At the end of the half, KJ Morton intercepted Austin and would return the turnover 33 yards to give the Rattlers a 49-14 lead going to the locker room.

After scoring on their opening possession of the half, Rattlers backup quarterback Shane Boyd was intercepted by Bryce Peila who promptly took returned the turnover for a 41-yard interception return for touchdown. The Steel trailed by 35 points, 56-21. The quarter closed out with Rashaad Carter scoring a touchdown from six yards out, Arizona led by a tally of 63-27 at the end of the third.

The Rattlers would score the first 21 points to open the fourth quarter, capped off by Arkeith Brown intercepting Austin and returning it for a touchdown and a 84-27 lead. The turnover was the Steel’s seventh of the night (four interceptions, three fumbles). Darron Thomas filled in the final quarter and completed 4-of-6 passes for 56 yards, one touchdown and added a rushing touchdown.


Under Offensive Player of the Game: ARI, QB Nick Davila
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: ARI, DB KJ Morton
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game: ARI, WR Anthony Amos
Cutters Catch of the Game: ARI, WR Anthony Amos – 17 yard TD catch 2nd Qtr
AFL Highlight of the Game: ARI, DB KJ Morton INT for TD to end 1st half