ArenaBowl Spot on the Line as Rattlers, Shock Clash on CBS Sports Network

Monday August 5, 2013

 CHICAGO – The rubber match between the Arizona Rattlers (15-3) and Spokane Shock (14-4) is set to air live on CBS Sports Network on Saturday, August 10 at 9:30 p.m. ET. The winner will represent the National Conference at ArenaBowl XXVI in Orlando, which will be broadcast on CBS at 1:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 17.

The two West Division rivals split the regular season series in 2013, with the Shock claiming the first victory, 66-49, in Spokane on April 12, while Arizona took the second game at home on June 15, 59-42. This will also be the third time the two teams have met in the postseason, as Spokane earned a 57-49 victory in “Deaf Valley” over Kevin Guy’s squad en route to an ArenaBowl XXIII championship in 2010, while Arizona returned the favor in 2011 with a 62-33 win in the “Snake Pit”.

The Conference Championship matchup will feature the two top scoring offenses in the League. Arizona’s high-powered offense, which averages an AFL-high 66.8 points per game, is led by southpaw quarterback Nick Davila. This season, the “Latin Laser” became the first player in pro football history to record four consecutive seasons with at least 100 passing touchdowns. Davila is aided by one of the top receiving corps in the game, with three former AFL Rookie of the Year winners at his disposal. Rod Windsor, who won the award in 2010, leads the team with 110 receptions for 1,590 yards and 42 touchdowns in 2013. However, the Shock defense will also have to account for a combination Maurice Purify, Jared Perry, Tysson Poots and Kerry Reed, as well as fullback Odie Armstrong, who provides a pounding change of pace for the Arizona offense.

The Shock have plenty of firepower on offense as well. Quarterback Erik Meyer put together a career year in 2013, setting new single-season franchise records with 4,667 passing yards, 112 passing touchdowns, 120 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. “E Money” set the tone right away, beginning the season with an AFL-record 193 pass attempts without an interception. The fourth-year pro has been aided by the development of two of the League’s top young receivers in Adron Tennell and Kamar Jorden. Tennell led the League in scoring with a franchise-record 336 points in 2013.

Arizona and Spokane also boast the League’s two most opportunistic defenses, leading the AFL with 58 and 54 takeaways, respectively. Arizona’s Virgil Gray proved to be among the League’s best ball hawks in the secondary, closing out the regular season with a franchise-record 15 interceptions, including at least one in four straight games. Fellow Arizona defensive backs Marquis Floyd and Arkeith Brown combined for another 17 picks on the season. Meanwhile Spokane had a pair of record-breakers in the secondary, as defensive back Terrance Sanders set a new franchise-high with 101 tackles on the year, while Paul Stephens tallied 12 interceptions. Sanders also broke the single-season AFL record for kickoff return yards, totaling 2,265 in 2013.

The winner of Saturday night’s game will face the winner of the American Conference championship game between the Jacksonville Sharks (12-6) and Philadelphia Soul (12-6) at ArenaBowl XXVI in Orlando on August 17. Spokane has appeared in one ArenaBowl, defeating the Tampa Bay Storm, 69-57, at ArenaBowl XXIII in 2010, while Arizona is looking to make its third straight ArenaBowl appearance and seventh overall. The Rattlers defeated the Soul 72-54 at ArenaBowl XXV in 2012. Kickoff for the National Conference championship game is set for 9:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.

About the AFL
Since its inception in 1987, the Arena Football League has showcased a fast-paced and exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. CBS Sports Network will telecast an AFL National Game of the Week on Saturday nights for the entire regular season and postseason through the semifinal round. The ArenaBowl XXVI Championship Game will air on the CBS Television Network on August 17, 2013.