Ranking the ArenaBowls, #1: ArenaBowl XXIV

ArenaBowl XXIV featured the Arizona Rattlers and Jacksonville Sharks. The game was played at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ.

Arizona got on the board first when fullback Odie Armstrong rushed from two yards out. Jacksonville scored when quarterback Aaron Garcia threw a 41 yard touchdown to Jomo Wilson. Unfortunately, the extra point was no good, so Arizona maintained a 7-6 lead.

They expanded their lead when Nick Davila connected with Kerry Reed for a touchdown. Garcia threw a touchdown to Jeron Harvey to close the gap to 14-12 at the end of the first quarter.

The Sharks took their first lead of the game when Wilson recovered an Arizona fumble and returned it for a touchdown. Following the Rattlers scoring to re-take the lead, the Sharks scored the next 14 points to open up a 32-21 lead with 2:54 left in the first half.

Arizona scored 14 consecutive points of their own to take a 35-32 lead at halftime.

After the two teams exchanged one score apiece in the third quarter, Armstrong rushed for a one-yard touchdown and the Rattlers led 49-38 in the fourth. Jacksonville didn’t go down that easy.

It was back and forth the rest of the way. With 12 seconds left, Davila and Reed hooked up for a 12-yard touchdown. It looked as if the Rattlers were going to win another title.

However, Garcia threw a pass into the end zone as time expired in the game and it landed in Harvey’s hands. The Sharks won ArenaBowl XXIV, 73-70, with a touchdown as time expired.

The multiple comebacks in this game, as well as the most exciting finish in ArenaBowl history, is why this game winds up as the top ArenaBowl game on our list.

Ranking the ArenaBowls, #9: ArenaBowl XXVI

The Arizona Rattlers and Philadelphia Soul met in ArenaBowl XXVI one year after meeting in ArenaBowl XXV. Arizona won the first meeting by a final score of 72-54. They were looking for a repeat while Philadelphia was looking for revenge.

Arizona scored first when Nick Davila threw an eight yard touchdown to Maurice Purify. Philadelphia tied the game when Dan Raudabaugh found Ryan McDaniel from 15 yards. The game was tied at seven at the end of one.

Davila’s second touchdown pass went to Rod Windsor to give Arizona a 14-7 lead. Derrick Ross rushed for a one-yard touchdown to tie the game at 14. After both teams scored again, Arizona kicked a 18 yard field goal with 26 seconds left to give them a 24-21 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, the Souk took their first lead when Raudabaugh connected with McDaniel for a second time. Arizona took the lead back with a touchdown from Davila from Kerry Reed. They took their 31-27 lead into the final quarter.

Arizona pulled away in the fourth quarter when Davila and Windsor connected on another touchdown to expand their lead to 38-27. The Soul were not able to overcome it and Arizona went on to win by a final score of 48-39.

Windsor (10 receptions, 245 yards, two touchdowns) went on to win the offensive player of the game. Mauric(nine tackles) was named the game’s defensive player of the game.

Ranking the ArenaBowls, #28: ArenaBowl XXVII

The Cleveland Gladiators hosted the Arizona Rattlers at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH in ArenaBowl XXVII. The 18,410 fans were expecting to see an exciting matchup between these two teams.

Arizona got on the board first when quarterback Nick Davila found wide receiver Rod Windsor for a 41 yard touchdown. Cleveland took their turn and most thought it would be a tie game in no time. Arizona had other plans.

Kerry Reed picked off a Shane Austin pass and returned it for a touchdown. The Rattlers held a 14-0 lead. Austin would find Collin Taylor for a nine-yard touchdown. Arizona led 14-6 after one.

They took over in the second quarter. Davila three four touchdowns to four different receivers and the defense added a safety to hold a commanding 44-13 lead over Cleveland at halftime.

Two more touchdown passes from Davila brought the lead up to 58-13 with 6:49 left in the third quarter. Cleveland was never able to overcome.

Arizona would go on to win ArenaBowl XXVII by a final score of 72-32. Davila won the Offensive Player of the Game award with his 237 yards passing and eight touchdown passes. Cliff Dukes won the Defensive Player of the Game with his sack and four total tackles.

Rattlers Bye Week Report

As the Arena Football League celebrates the Fourth Of July, there are several teams who are in good position heading for the playoffs.

One of those teams is the Arizona Rattlers, who are streaking towards the finish line with a 10-3 record, atop the National Conference. Looking for redemption after their run of three straight titles ended last season, Arizona has already clinched a first round home playoff game and has its sights set on Arena Bowl XXIX.

At this point in the season, the Rattlers have many positives. They have one of the leagues best quarterbacks in Nick Davila. They have a dangerous receiving corp led by Rattlers’ all-time leading receiver Rod Windsor, and they have a defense that has been able to change games, including two weeks ago in their win over Philadelphia.

As many positives as there are, the Rattlers also have concerns.

For one, they are just 1-2 against the top two teams in the AFL- the Orlando Predators and Philadelphia Soul. They were blown out in their first meeting with the Predators and they ended strong but started slow against the Soul in Philadelphia, though they were able to gain revenge with an 80-63 win on June 24.

The other concern is can the Rattlers defense continue to shine without Kerry Reed. Reed has been the heart and soul of the Rattlers defense, but after being lost with an injury earlier this year, the Rattlers have had to have others step up on defense. To this point, it has worked, but can they keep it up through the playoffs?

The Rattlers start the second half of the season on July 9 against the Jacksonville Sharks.