Rattlers Suffer First Loss of the Season

Spokane, WASH – The Arizona Rattlers (6-1) suffered their first loss of the season 70-69 on Saturday (April 30) in the hands of the Spokane Shock (3-4) at Veteran’s Memorial Arena.

QB NICK DAVILA was 29-of-43 for 318 yards and six touchdowns, but fumbled away a snap on the second play of the game that the Shock capitalized on with a three-play drive that saw QB Kyle Rowley enter the endzone on a one-yard quarterback keeper to put the Shock up 7-0 with 11:12 left in the first quarter.

FB ODIE ARMSTRONG carried the ball nine times for 40 yards and four touchdowns.

Davila connected with WR TRANDON HARVEY seven times for 97 yards and two touchdowns.

The AFL’s third-ranked defense was relatively quiet, with Arizona’s only defensive stop coming from a DB VIRGIL GRAY interception with 3:10 left in the first quarter.

KICKER FABRIZIO SCACCIA executed two successful on-side kicks to help the Rattlers keep the game in reach.

Rowley went 21-of-31 for 219 yards, with eight touchdowns and one pick. Of the five Rowley connections to WR Raul Vijil (57 yards receiving), four of those completions went for scores.

The turnover ratio played as the difference maker in the contest. With 1:20 left in the third quarter and the score in the Shock’s favor at 49-42, an Armstrong fumble at the Arizona seven yard-line set up a Vijil four-yard touchdown reception to put the Shock up by two scores at 56-42.

Next week, the Rattlers stay on the road to take on the San Jose SaberCats (5-2). Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at HP Pavilion. The game can be seen on AFL Live, provided by http://www.niftytv.com/.