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PHOENIX - Offense was the story coming into the key divisional game between the Arizona Rattlers and the Spokane Shock, but in the end, it was the Shock defense that made the final statement with a 63-56 victory in front of 10,203 fans at U.S. Airways Center.
The teams battled back and forth all game, with both offenses having little trouble at all. But in the fourth quarter with three seconds left on the clock, the Arizona Rattlers (2-3) had one more chance from three yards out to add the potential game-tying touchdown. Rattlers QB NICK DAVILA chucked the last second prayer off the net but no receivers could come down with it as it landed in the hands of Spokane.
While the loss was tough to take, it was yet another big day for the Rattlers offense. Davila, playing in his first game against his former team for which he won an af2 championship last season, had 346 yards passing, going 28-of-43 with seven touchdowns giving him a league-best 1,692 yards.
His favorite target, WR ROD WINDSOR, hauled in 14 receptions for 157 yards and three scores. Windsor continues his incredible season and now has a league-leading 62 receptions on the year. His 157 receiving yards now make it his 5th consecutive 100+ yard receiving outing as he maintained his league-lead in that category as well with 779 yards.
Fellow big play option WR JJ MCKELVEY also had a very successful day. He added seven receptions with four of them ending in pay dirt. McKelvey knows the importance of coming off this week’s Bye hungry to get back on the winning track.
“I told everyone to have fun with their families (during the Bye Week),” McKelvey said, “but when we get back we have to go to work. I’m not comfortable being 2-3… we all have to step our game up.”
DB TERRANCE SANDERS led the team with nine tackles, one for a loss, and a pass breakup while big DL DARRELL SHROPSHIRE batted down two passes at the line.
This was the first ever meeting between the two teams, and with the win, Spokane (3-2) took the outright lead in the division. Shock quarterback Kyle Rowley threw for 369 yards and seven touchdowns, four of which went to Raul Vijil.
After this week’s bye, the team will travel to Iowa to play the Barnstormers and will be broadcast on the NFL Network on Friday, 5/21 at 5:05 pm. The Rattlers have won five-straight in the series, the most memorable coming in 1997 when the Rattlers beat the Barnstormers to capture the ArenaBowl Championship.
GAME NOTES
FB JOHNIE KIRTON scored his first AFL touchdown as he bulled his way in for a four-yard score in the fourth. It was the second-straight week a Rattlers rookie FB scored his first career touchdown after FB BRENNAN CARVALHO notched his first last week in Tampa Bay… In his first game back with the team, WR SIAHA BURLEY caught seven passes for 83 yards…
| BOX SCORE |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
F |
| Shock |
14 |
14 |
14 |
21 |
63 |
| Rattlers |
14 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
56 |
GAME STATISTICS
Passing
Arizona – Nick Davila, 28-43, 346 yards, 7 touchdowns, 2 INT.
Spokane – Kyle Rowley, 22-37, 369 yards, 7 touchdowns.
Receiving
Arizona – Rod Windsor, 14 catches, 157 yards, 3 touchdowns.
Spokane – Raul Vijil, 10 catches, 157, 4 touchdowns.
Rushing
Arizona – Johnie Kirton, 4 rushes, 14 yards, 1 touchdown.
Spokane – Kyle Rowley, 1 rush, 3 yards, 1 touchdown.
Defense
Arizona – Terrance Sanders, 9 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass breakup.
Spokane – Alex Teems, 11 tackles, 1 INT.
Players of the Game
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game – Rod Windsor (Arizona)
JLS Ironman of the Game – Raul Vijil (Spokane)
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game – Alex Teems (Spokane)
Spalding Highlight of the Game – Rod Windsor’s 46-yard touchdown reception
Nifty Playmaker of the Game – Rod Windsor (Arizona)
Cutters Catch of the Game – Rod Windsor’s 46-yard touchdown reception
