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PHOENIX, Ariz. – The three-time defending ArenaBowl champion Arizona Rattlers (15-4) are headed to their fifth consecutive National Conference Championship Game after knocking off the Spokane Shock (7-12), 72-41, in front of 10,322 fans Saturday night in the AFL Quarterfinals.
Kevin Guy’s team got off to a slow start, trailing by 14 early in the first quarter; however, a safety on the first play in the second quarter turned the game around.
“Traditionally, we always kind of start slow in the first round,” Guy said. “I was proud of the guys to find a way to overcome it. We were down 14 to nothing. I thought we showed some impressive resilience. ”
For the second straight week, the Rattlers were perfect on special teams. Rattlers rookie kicker Alex Zendejas has not missed an extra point since being acquired last week as a fill-in for injured veteran Fabrizio Scaccia.
“Alex has been great for us, not only in his extra points, but his kickoffs have been outstanding,” Guy said. “I have been very happy with him. I think the sky’s the limit with him.”
Arizona’s first two drives of the game ended on downs. Spokane capitalized by scoring two quick touchdowns. The first was a 34 yard pass from quarterback Arvell Nelson to fullback Deveric Gallington. The second was an 11-yard pass from Nelson to wide receiver Nick Truesdell. The Rattlers were able to get on the board with a six-yard touchdown pass from Davila to wide receiver Chase Deadder with a minute to go in the first. Deadder finished the game with three touchdowns and 121 yards, and was the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game.
The second quarter belonged to the Rattlers. On the first play of the second quarter, defensive end Cliff Dukes got to Nelson in the end zone forcing him to throw the ball away, which was ruled intentional grounding and a safety.
“That safety for us was huge,” said Guy. “I thought our guys up front did a great job and our guys in the back did a great job.”
The Rattlers scored on the ensuing possession with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Davila to Deadder. The Rattlers and Shock traded blows for the rest of the half, with Arizona ending the half with an 11-yard pass from Davila to wide receiver Kerry Reed, who earned the J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game award.
A late attempt by Spokane to close the gap was foiled by defensive back Jeremy Kellem, who intercepted the ball in his own end zone for a touchback with six seconds left in the half. Kellem finished the game with four tackles and two pass breakups to go along with the interception. His efforts earned him the Riddell Defensive Player of the Game award.
The Rattlers extended their lead when they forced the Shock to turn the ball over on downs, and turned that into a 14-yard touchdown pass from Davila to Deadder. Spokane scored on the next possession with an 8 yard pass from Nelson to wide receiver Braylon Bell. Arizona answered with two more touchdowns, both from Davila to wide receiver Rod Windsor.
The fourth quarter began with a Spokane touchdown from Nelson to wide receiver Jabin Sambrano. This was the last time the Shock would score, as the Rattlers reached the end zone three more times; one a four-yard pass from Davila to Windsor, followed by two rushing touchdowns from fullback Mykel Benson.
The Rattlers’ will travel to Stockton, California to face the San Jose Sabercats in the National Conference championship. The game will take place at the Stockton Arena. The Rattlers have knocked the SaberCats out of the playoffs each of the last three seasons, including in last year’s National Conference Championship Game. However, San Jose has both games against Arizona this season.
The 2015 National Conference Championship Game will be televised live on ESPNEWS on Saturday, August 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
MEDIA AWARDS
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: Chase Deadder (AZ)
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: Jeremy Kellem (AZ)
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game: Kerry Reed (AZ)
Cutters Catch of the Game: Rod Windsor (AZ) 22 yard TD in 3rd
AFL Highlight of the Game: Ben Wells (AZ) INT in the 3rd
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