Post by DiamondThief on Apr 15, 2015 13:13:17 GMT -8
Portland Thunder at Arizona Rattlers
What: The Thunder are in the desert to take on the defending champion Rattlers.
When: Saturday, April 18 at 6 p.m. (PT).
Where: U.S. Airways Center; Phoenix, AZ.
Thunder Media: Radio - 750/102.9 The Game.
National Media: Stream - ESPN3.
Schedule: June 12 - Rattlers at Thunder. Aug. 8 - Thunder at Rattlers.
Series History: Regular season - Rattlers lead 3-0. Playoffs - Rattlers lead 1-0.
Note: This is the first of three straight road games for the Thunder.
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The Thunder are 2-1 overall, 0-0 on the road at home and 2-0 in conference play. They are coming off a 47-43 home win over the Tampa Bay Storm on April 9. They are averaging 45.7 points per game (10th in the AFL), allowing 44.7 points (2nd), and are averaging 265.0 yards of total offense (7th).
The Rattlers are 2-1 overall, 1-0 at home and 1-1 in conference play. They are coming off a 49-41 road win over the Cleveland Gladiators on April 11. They are averaging 54.0 points per game (5th in the AFL), allowing 51.3 points (5th), and are averaging 315.3 yards of total offense (4th).
PORTLAND THUNDER
Thunder DB Bryce Peila (photo courtesy Portland Tribune)
ROSTER
# - name (pos)
1 - Darron Thomas (QB)
2 - Duane Brooks (WR)
3 - Kyle Rowley (QB)
4 - Osagie Odiase (DB)
5 - V'Keon Lacey (WR)
6 - Okechukwu Okoroha (DB)
7 - Marquis Jackson (DL)
8 - KC Obi (DL)
12 - Jamar Howard (WR)
14 - Michael Braunstein (K)
15 - Perez Ashford (WR)
16 - Quincy Butler (DB)
20 - Bryce Peila (DB)
21 - Allen Chapman (DB)
28 - Remond Willis (LB)
32 - Brandon Tett (LB)
50 - Jeraill McCuller (OL)
52 - Frank Trotter (DL)
66 - Jake McDonough (OL/DL)
70 - John Martinez (OL)
75 - Jordan Mudge (OL)
79 - John Collins (OL)
91 - Sione Tuihalamaka (DE)
Mike Hohensee - Head Coach
Ernesto Purnsley - Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
Lee Johnson - Special Teams Coordinator/Assistant Defensive Coordinator
Will Harrell - Offensive/Defensive Line Coach
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Yards - Kyle Rowley 738
Passing TDs - Kyle Rowley 13
Rushing TDs - Kyle Rowley 2
Receptions - Jamar Howard 34
Receiving Yards - Jamar Howard 447
Receiving TDs - Jamar Howard 9
Tackles - Andre' Martin 22
Sacks - Marquis Jackson 4
Interceptions - three with 1
ARIZONA RATTLERS
Rattlers QB Nick Davila (photo courtesy zimbio.com)
ROSTER
# - name (pos)
1 Rod Windsor (WR)
6 - Cliff Dukes (DE)
7 - A.J. Cruz (DB)
8 - Markee White (WR)
9 - Mykel Benson (FB)
10 - Nick Davila (QB)
11 - Arkeith Brown (DB)
15 - Kerry Reed (WR)
16 - B.J. Coleman (QB)
19 - Marquis Floyed (DB)
20 - Jeremy Kellem (JLB)
25 - Ben Wells (DB)
60 - Sherman Carter (C)
63 - Derek Dennis (OL)
65 - Will Simmons (OL)
70 - Marcus Pittman (DE)
73 - Joe Gibbs (OL)
77 - Anttaj Hawthorne (NG)
79 - Andre Cureton (OL)
84 - Chase Deadder (WR)
87 - Chris Summers (WR)
91 - Alex Magee (DL)
94 - Tyre Glasper (MLB)
Fabrizio Scaccia (K)
Kevin Guy - Head Coach
Kani Kauahi - Assistant Head Coach
Dave Ewart - Defensive Coordinator
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Yards - Nick Davila 862
Passing TDs - Nick Davila 17
Rushing TD's - Mykel Benson 4
Receptions - Markee White 22
Receiving Yards - Markee White 261
Receiving TDs - Markee White 5
Tackles - Jeremy Kellem 22
Sacks - Tyre Gasper 2
Interceptions - two with 2
ANGI'S TAKES
THUNDER
Portland is looking for it's first-ever win over the Rattlers. Each time last season the Thunder came closer to that goal, culminating in the playoff game where they were one touchdown play away from taking the lead with 15 seconds left, but were unable to convert. Howard has been among the AFL's best thus far this season. He leads the league in receptions (34), he's second in receiving yards (447) and is just one off the league lead in touchdown grabs (9). Peila was the hero of last week's win over the Shock with an interception return TD and a fumble recovery TD -- both in the third quarter. Both were instrumental in the come-from-behind win, and he was named defensive player of the week for his efforts. Jackson leads the AFL with 4 sacks.
RATTLERS
The Rattlers, who lost to the expansion Las Vegas Outlaws in week two, are looking to build on their win over the Cleveland Gladiators last week in their rematch of ArenaBowl XXVII. Davila, the "Latin Laser," is as good as it gets when it comes to AFL quarterbacks. He's second in the AFL among starters with a 66.1 percent completion percentage. He has 17 TD tosses against 2 interceptions. His 862 passing yards are third in the league. Windsor and White are a solid one-two punch at wide receiver and quality targets for Davila. Jared Perry was second in receiving yards for the Rattlers, before they put him on waivers on April 11. He was claimed by the Thunder three days later. Brown and Kellem each have 2 interceptions on the season.
QUOTABLE
Thunder DB Bryce Peila on limiting the Shock to 14 second half points: “The message going into have time was to not get down on ourselves (and have a) short-term memory as far as the DBs, cause we have a new guy, Allen Champan. We just made it a key to finish the game strong, be physical and do all the things that we do; the little things to finish the game.”
FEATURED TWEETS
EXTRA
Music superstar Garth Brooks is in town, and this in-concert rendition of The Thunder Rolls just seemed appropriate for this matchup.
Video courtesy Lukes Rarities via youtube
GAME MEME
Blast from the past: A look at Darron Thomas' pick six against Nick Davila and the Rattlers in their playoff game last season.
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