ARIZONA RATTLERS CELEBRATE MILITARY NIGHT
Items donated on May 25 will go to Packages From Home, to support deployed American troops

Scottsdale, Ariz. – The Arizona Rattlers will celebrate Military Night as they face-off against the Iowa Barnstormers on Saturday, May 25 on Ak-Chin Field at US Airways Center. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m.

Military members with proper identification will receive 20% off any ticket to the May 25 game. This offer is limited to six (6) discounted tickets per identification for active, discharged, or retired military members.

Fans who bring an item to donate to the game on May 25 will receive one complimentary upper level ticket. This ticket can also be used as $6 towards an upgrade to a lower level ticket. Items will be collected inside the Casino Arizona Pavilion located at the Northwest entrance on Jefferson and 2nd street from 4:30 p.m. until kickoff. All donations collected will be used to create Packages From Home which will be sent to deployed troops.

Packages From Home is a non-profit organization that provides food, personal care and recreational items to deployed American troops at no cost to them. 1,000 to 1,500 packages on average are shipped to our heroes every month.

On Tuesday, May 28 members of the Arizona Rattlers team will host a packaging party to put together all of the collected items to be shipped overseas. The packaging party is open to the public and will take place in the Casino Arizona Pavilion at US Airways Center from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m..

Food, hygiene, and recreational items are acceptable for donation, for the full list click here.

Tickets for the game can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 602-514-TDTD (8383) or at the Arena box office.

For additional information on the Arizona Rattlers, please visit www.azrattlers.com.

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About the Arizona Rattlers

The Arizona Rattlers are the 2012 ArenaBowl XXV World Champions and are proud members of the Arena Football League (AFL). ArenaBowl XXV marked the Rattlers seventh appearance in the AFL Championship Game where they have earned Arena Bowl titles in 1994, 1997 and 2012.

For 2013 season ticket information please call (602) 514-TDTD (8383) or visit www.azrattlers.com.

ABOUT PACKAGES FROM HOME

Packages From Home is a non-profit organization that provides food, personal care, and recreational items to deployed American troops, at no cost to the them. 1,000 to 1,500 packages on average are shipped to our heroes every month. Packages From Home collects donated items from generous patriotic citizens who live all across America, packages the goods and mails them to U.S. servicemen and women who are deployed overseas in harm’s way. Monetary donations go towards mailing costs and/or purchasing of special items to send to the troops. For more information please visit www.packagesfromhome.org.

About Steve LeVine Entertainment & Public Relations (SLE)

Steve LeVine Entertainment & Public Relations (SLE) is a full service entertainment, events and public relations agency. SLE specializes in public relations, event planning, coordination, and production, talent booking and management, marketing and promotions, new media and design.

Just 1:40 into the game, Rattlers QB Nick Davila connected with a wide open Kerry Reed on a 25-yard pass to put Arizona on top. The Rush answered on their possession but back came Davila, this time to Rod Windsor with a 15-yard touchdown pass. For the second consecutive week, Chicago WR Rodney Wright returned a kickoff into the end zone, this time going 57-yards to knot the game at 14. But the Rattlers capped off the half with another TD from Davila to Reed.

Chicago got the ball to start eh second half but their possession didn’t last long as Rush QB Luke Drone was picked off by Virgil Gray. The Rattlers capitalized as Davila found Trandon Harvey, making it 28-14. After Reggie Gray scored his second of the afternoon, Arizona got the ball back and on fourth and goal Davila was able to find former Rush WR Jared Perry.

Chicago downed the ball intentionally at the 1-yard line in hopes to run down the clock, but two tackles from Anttaj Hawthorne, a blocked pass by Cliff Dukes and a QB rush from Tyre Glasper stifled the Rush offense and Arizona took a 35-21 lead into the break.

After the Rush scored on the opening drive of the half, Davila found Windsor on 3rd and long to give the Rattlers a 42-28 advantage. Chicago fumbled on the opening play of the next drive. It was recovered by Virgil gray to make it 1st and goal at the 1-yard line. Armstrong rushed it in, giving the Rattlers their largest lead of the game at 21.

The two teams traded scores before things got interesting. Up 56-42, Arizona was called for two false starts and offsides, negating a touchdown and forcing a 62-yard field goal attempt. The FG came up short giving Chicago the ball. Drone capitalized, hitting Reggie Gray on a 32-yard pass and making it a one touchdown game at 56-49.

The kickoff hit the bracket and the Rush recovered with five minutes to play. Defensive pass interference on fourth down gave Chicago a fresh set of downs but the Rush were unable to convert giving Arizona the ball back with 32 seconds to play and sealing the victory.

Davila finished the game 18-for-31 for 301 yards and seven touchdowns, running his streak to five games without an interception. Windsor led the way with 10 catches for 186 yards and three TDS, while Perry had two receptions, both resulting in scores against his former team.

Drone was 14-for-34 in the game for 261 yards, six touchdowns and one interception. Reggie Gray posted a game-high four touchdowns on eight catches for 194 yards.

The Rattlers return to the Snake Pit next Saturday, May 25, to take on the Iowa Barnstormers on Military Appreciation Night.

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About the Arizona Rattlers
The Arizona Rattlers are the 2012 ArenaBowl XXV World Champions and are proud members of the Arena Football League (AFL). ArenaBowl XXV marked the Rattlers seventh appearance in the AFL Championship Game where they have earned Arena Bowl titles in 1994, 1997 and 2012.

For 2013 season ticket information please call (602) 514-TDTD (8383) or visit www.azrattlers.com

Arizona wins division game 65-49

Phoenix, AZ – The Arizona Rattlers (7-1) took down division rivals the Utah Blaze  (3-4) by a score of 65-49 on Saturday night on Ak-Chin Field at the US Airways Center in front of season high 10,216 fans.

Rattlers QB Nick Davila went 19-31 for 208 yards with five touchdowns while Utah QB Tommy Grady went 25-50 for 302 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions. Odie Armstrong ran for two touchdowns and added another through the air. Mario Urrutia had 9 catches for 174 yards and 3 touchdowns for the Blaze.

Utah started off the game with a long, battle of a drive that they eventually won with a touchdown pass to Aaron Lesué on fourth down. Urrutia then scored on a 39-yard catch-and-run after a Davila incompletion on fourth down to give the Blaze a quick 14-0 lead.

Virgil Gray sparked Arizona with a 56-yard kickoff return touchdown following the Blaze score. Arkeith Brown then intercepted Grady and Armstrong cashed in on the turnover on a short rush to tie the game 14-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Gray and Brown continued to create big plays at the start of the second quarter. Gray ran down Lesué and stripped him from behind to force a fumble that was picked up by Brown in the end zone and returned 15-yards. Armstrong again flipped the turnover into points on a short pass from Davila.

Grady connected with Urrutia on an 18-yard touchdown pass, which was answered by Davila on a 21-yard strike to Rod Windsor. Utah’s next possession stalled early on an incompletion on fourth down by Grady. Davila scored off the turnover with 41 seconds left on a pass to Jared Perry. Chase Deadder made the nice grab in the end zone for the Blaze to answer the Rattlers score with 18 seconds left.  Garrett Lindholm misfired on a field goal to end the first half with Arizona on top 35-28.

Utah gambled on an onside kick to start off the second half, which was recovered by Arizona and turned quickly into points by Kerry Reed. Tyre Glasper and Cliff Dukes pressured Grady on the next Blaze possession and Jeremy Kellem broke up a pass on fourth down.

Trandon Harvey joined in on the Rattlers scoring with a 1-yard rush touchdown to put the Rattlers up by 20. The Blaze continued to struggle on fourth-down as Grady threw four straight incompletions from the Rattlers’ 20-yard line.

This time the Rattlers offense could not convert the Blaze turnover into points. Ben Stallings ran home the first Utah rushing touchdown after a long drive down the field. The Blaze again tried to gain an extra possession with an onside kick, but it was recovered by the Rattlers and turned into Windsor’s second touchdown.

Another long drive by the Blaze was capped off by Deadder’s second touchdown of the night. Caesar Rayford stripped Davila on the next possession and Urrutia scored his third touchdown of the night on the next play to bring the Blaze within a score. With the pressure on, Lindholm connected on a 20-yard field goal to put the Rattlers up by 2 possessions. Arizona regained a comfy lead after Marcus Pittman recovered a Utah fumble and Armstrong scored his third touchdown of the night. Brown finished off the Blaze by picking off another Grady pass.

The Rattlers are back on the road next week as they travel to Chicago to take on the Rush.

Media Awards

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game
Arizona Rattlers QB Nick Davila

Riddell Defensive Player of the Game
Arizona Rattlers DB Arkeith Brown

J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game
Utah Blaze DB David Hyland

Cutters Catch of the Game
Utah Blaze WR Mario Urrutia, 39yrd catch from Grady with 5:38 to play in the 1^st quarter

AFL Highlight of the Game
Arizona Rattlers DB Virgil Gray, 56yrd kickoff return for a touchdown with 4:47 to play in the 1^st quarter

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About the Arizona Rattlers

The Arizona Rattlers are the 2012 ArenaBowl XXV World Champions and are proud members of the Arena Football League (AFL). ArenaBowl XXV marked the Rattlers seventh appearance in the AFL Championship Game where they have earned Arena Bowl titles in 1994, 1997 and 2012.

For 2013 season ticket information please call (602) 514-TDTD (8383) or visit www.azrattlers.com.

RATTLERS TO HOST MULTICULTURAL NIGHT

Phoenix, AZ – The Arizona Rattlers announced the first ever Multicultural Night on Saturday, May 11, when they play host to the Utah Blaze at 6pm at the US Airways Center.

Numerous cultural groups from around the Valley will take part in the event. There will be live performances by the Ak-Chin Tribal Community and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Community, as well as a Chinese Lion Dance by Arizona Martial Arts Lion Dance Association, Folklorico Mexican Dance by Thompson Park Elementary, a Bollywood performance from Kriti Dance Studio and an Irish Step dance from Bracken Irish Dance Studio.

Booths will be set up throughout the arena for fans to learn more about some of the many cultures that make up the Valley. The Ak-Chin Tribal Community, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the Hopi Cultural Center and the Irish Cultural Center will be on hand.

In addition, the Rattlers will be celebrating Mother’s Day with a special photo station for fans to get their picture with their mom as well as the reveal of the Mommy Makeover, crafted by Par Exsalonce CityScape. The Sidewinders will also perform a special routine with their mothers.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.azrattlers.com/tickets.

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About the Arizona Rattlers

The Arizona Rattlers are the 2012 ArenaBowl XXV World Champions and are proud members of the Arena Football League (AFL). ArenaBowl XXV marked the Rattlers seventh appearance in the AFL Championship Game where they have earned Arena Bowl titles in 1994, 1997 and 2012.

For 2013 season ticket information please call (602) 514-TDTD (8383) or visit www.azrattlers.com

RATTLERS KNOCK OFF UNDEFEATED SHARKS

Jacksonville, FL – The Jacksonville Sharks (6-1) led the Arena Football League in defense, holding their opponents to just 42 points per game, but they couldn’t stop the number one offense of the Arizona Rattlers (6-1) who handed them their first loss of the season, 58-48, on Saturday night at Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in front of 11,076 fans.

Arizona’s point tally was well under its League leading average of 71, but that didn’t factor in as the Rattler defense put up stop after stop against the Sharks.

After coming up short on the first drive of the game and seeing Jacksonville take the early 7-0 lead, Arizona turned on all cylinders. Davila accounted for all five touchdowns in the first half as he rushed in the first to put Arizona on the board.

Davila and WR Rod Windsor were on the same page all night as the two connected for scores on a total of two plays. It took just four plays for the Rattlers to notch another score as WR Trandon Harvey caught a 30-yard pass to make it 27-13. After Marcus Pittman came up with a sack for the Rattler defense, Davila found Windsor one more time in the half, this time on two plays, to make it 34-13 with 1:48 to play.

Former Rattler Markee White scored for Jacksonville with just 20 seconds to go to send it into the break a 34-19 ballgame.

The Sharks got the ball to open the second half and used a six play drive to cut the Rattlers lead to eight at 34-26. But that was as close as they would get. Arizona worked their way back downfield and Odie Armstrong rushed it in to put the Rattlers back up by 15.

A forced fumble by Arkeith Brown and recovery from Tyre Glasper gave the Rattlers the ball back on the 23-yard line. Arizona took full advantage of the turnover, stringing together a four play, 32-yard drive that ended with Windsor in the end zone to close out the third quarter.

Jacksonville outscored the Rattlers 22-10 in the fourth quarter, picking up three touchdowns and recording a two-point conversion, but it wasn’t enough to catch the Rattlers. The Sharks scored on their first drive of the quarter and immediately tried for an on-side kick. But Arizona recovered and took over at the Sharks 17-yard line.

On just two plays, yet again, Davila found Windsor for his fifth touchdown of the game. Lindholm would kick a 30-yard field goal with 48 seconds to play to put the Rattlers ahead 58-41.

Davila finished the game 21-of-30 for 215 yards and six touchdowns while Windsor pulled in 14 catches for 145 yards and five TDs on the night.

Jacksonville WR Jeron Harvey tallied 16 receptions for 143 yards and three touchdowns. QB Bernard Morris finished the game going 27-for-41 for 255 yards and three TDs.

On the defensive side, DB Marquis Floyd led all players with seven solo tackles and three pass breakups. Jeremy Kellem picked up six tackles of his own along with two pass breakups. Antron Dillon and Marcus Pittman each recorded a sack for the Rattlers, while Cliff Dukes accounted for the other fumble.

Arizona returns home to take on division rivals, the Utah Blaze next Saturday, May 11, 6pm on Ak-Chin Field at the US Airways Center.

Media Awards

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game – Arizona WR Rod Windsor

Riddell Defensive Player of the Game - Arizona DB Marquis Floyd

J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game – Arizona QB Nick Davila

Cutters Catch of the Game – Jacksonville WR Jarvis Williams’ one-handed 21-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter

AFL Highlight of the Game – Arizona WR Trandon Harvey’s 30-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter

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About the Arizona Rattlers

The Arizona Rattlers are the 2012 ArenaBowl XXV World Champions and are proud members of the Arena Football League (AFL). ArenaBowl XXV marked the Rattlers seventh appearance in the AFL Championship Game where they have earned Arena Bowl titles in 1994, 1997 and 2012.

For 2013 season ticket information please call (602) 514-TDTD (8383) or visit www.azrattlers.com

RILEY SWANSON RETURNS TO ARIZONA
DB back with the Rattlers

Mesa, AZ – The Arena Football League has assigned defensive back Riley Swanson III to the Arizona Rattlers.

Swanson (5-11, 190, Wake Forest) began his AFL career with Arizona, playing for the Rattlers in 2010 and 2011. He recorded 151 tackles, six interceptions, 14 pass breakups, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble over the two seasons.

He spent 2012 with the Tampa Bay Storm where he recorded five interceptions. He also tallied two fumble recoveries for two touchdowns.

Swanson signed as an undrafted free agent with the Buffalo Bills in 2007.

At Wake Forest, Riley played in 47 games for the Demon Deacons and finished his career with 179 tackles, seven interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

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About the Arizona Rattlers

The Arizona Rattlers are the 2012 ArenaBowl XXV World Champions and are proud members of the Arena Football League (AFL). ArenaBowl XXV marked the Rattlers seventh appearance in the AFL Championship Game where they have earned Arena Bowl titles in 1994, 1997 and 2012.

For 2013 season ticket information please call (602) 514-TDTD (8383) or visitwww.azrattlers.com.

RATTLERS ROLL PAST PREDATORS

Phoenix, AZ – The Arizona Rattlers (5-1) handed the Orlando Predators (0-5) their fifth loss of the season with an 82-42 victory on Sunday in front of 8,062 fans at Ak-Chin Field at the US Airways Center.

Arizona led from start to finish, getting solid performances on both sides of the ball. Odie Armstrong tied the Rattlers record for rushing touchdowns in a single game, which he set in 2011, with 4. Rattlers QB Nick Davila went 17-20 for 197 yards and 6 touchdowns. The Rattlers league-leading secondary intercepted Orlando QB Kyle Rowley 3 times giving them a total of 15 on the season.

Kerry Reed led the Rattlers strong opening drive with a short rush and a 19-yard touchdown reception. Marquis Floyd and Virgil Gray intercepted Rowley on the first two possessions and the Predators were quickly down 21-0 after 2 more Davila touchdown passes. Prechae Rodriguez responded with a 38-yard catch down the sideline and then scored a touchdown on the next play. Jared Perry caught his second touchdown of the quarter to wrap up the first quarter with the Rattlers on top 28-7.

Armstrong had a pair of rushing touchdowns and a 12-yard catch for the Rattlers in the second quarter. T.T. Toliver, who led the Predator receivers with 11 receptions for 139 yards and 1 score, tallied a touchdown reception and a 40-yard catch to set up a Marlon Moye-Moore rushing touchdown. Reed ended the first half scoring with an 11-yard pass from Davila to put the Rattlers on top 48-21

The Predators opening drive of the second half was aided by two roughing the passer penalties and capped off by another Rodriguez touchdown. Both teams returned to the ground as Moye-Moore and Armstrong exchanged touchdowns. Perry scored his third touchdown of the game to end the quarter with the Rattlers leading 62-35.

Anttaj Hawthorne batted down a pass on third down and Jeremy Kellem swatted another away on fourth down to force another Orlando turnover. For the second straight game Jason Murrietta entered the game for Davila to start the fourth quarter. Armstrong continued his big game by adding his fourth touchdown of the game. A Jason Geathers touchdown catch from Rowley would be the only Predators score of the quarter. Trandon Harvey joined the Rattlers ground game with the fifth rushing touchdown of the game with just under five minutes to play. Arkeith Brown capped off the scoring barrage when he got his hands on a Rowley pass in the endzone and returned it 51-yards for another Rattlers touchdown.

The Rattlers will now travel to Jacksonville to play the 6-0 Sharks on Saturday, May 4^th.

MEDIA AWARDS

Russell Athletic Offensive Player:
Arizona Rattlers FB Odie Armstrong

Riddell Defensive Player:
Arizona Rattlers DB Jeremy Kellem

J Lewis Small AFL Playmaker:
Orlando Predators DB Dominic Jones

Cutter’s Catch of the Game:
Jared Perry 13yrd pass from Davila with 34 seconds left in the 1^st quarter

Spalding Highlight of the Game:
Arkeith Brown 51yrd pass interception for a touchdown with 1:26 in the 4^th quarter

RATTLERS TROUNCE TALONS

Phoenix, AZ – The best defense in the Arena Football League was no match for the stellar offense of the Arizona Rattlers, who handily defeated the San Antonio Talons 83-40 on Saturday night on Ak-Chin Field at the US Airways Center.

Rattlers QB Nick Davila connected on 22-of-26 passes on the night without throwing a single interception. He threw for 278 yards and nine touchdowns. WR Rod Windsor finished with 12 catches for 166 yards and five touchdowns. QB Nick Hill was just 20-for-40 on the night for San Antonio and was picked off twice. Jomo Wilson led the Talons receivers with 10 receptions for 164 yards and three TDs.

San Antonio started the game out strong with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Jomo Wilson on the opening drive, but then struggled for the rest of the 1^st quarter.  Nick Hill threw an incompletion and interception, both on 4^th down.

Nick Davila fired off 3 straight completions to Rod Windsor on the Rattlers opening drive for a score. Davila went right back to Windsor for a 12 yard strike. Jeremy Kellem intercepted Hill in the endzone on 4^th down for the 2^nd Talons turnover of the quarter. Davila then sent a 33-yard bomb downfield to Windsor for their 3^rd touchdown of the first quarter and extended the lead to 21-7 Rattlers.

Hill recovered from a Cliff Dukes sack by throwing a 43-yard bomb to Wilson on the next play to start out the 2^nd quarter. The Talons, still down a 7, then tried an onside kick, but it was recovered by the Rattlers and turned into a touchdown by Jared Perry.

San Antonio then went 4 and out again, and this time Kerry Reed converted the turnover into points. Hill threw another interception on the next drive, but a roughing the passer penalty on Anttaj Hawthorne negated it. Hill found Wilson in the endzone for the 3^rd time in the half to capitalize on the penalty. Hawthorne then got a hand on Marc Demos’ extra point attempt for a block.

Davila went right back to work by connecting with Perry again for another Rattlers touchdown. The Talons offense stalled near their own goal line when Tyre Glasper dropped Hill for a 3-yard sack on 3^rd down. A delay of game penalty backed the Talons up further and Demos was forced to kick the ball out-of-bounds from his own endzone. Windsor then scored his 4^th touchdown of the first half with 7 seconds left on the clock to make the score 48-20 at half.

Davila and the Rattlers offense picked up right where they left off at the start of the 3^rd quarter. Davila used Perry, then Windsor, and then Reed to score a touchdown on the opening drive of the 2^nd half. Hill hooked up with Dwayne Eley Jr. in the endzone to put the Talons on the scoreboard for the first time in the half.

A series of penalties on both teams delayed the Rattlers quick strike offense, but not enough to keep Windsor from his 5^th touchdown of the game. The Talons responded by driving right down the field on the Rattlers, but on 1^st and goal Virgil Gray picked off Hill to bring the 3^rd quarter to a close with the Rattlers on top 62-27.

With a huge lead in hand, Jason Murrietta replaced Davila at quarterback for the 4^th quarter. Like Davila, Murrietta had no problem scoring on the San Antonio defense by connecting with Reed for a touchdown on his first possession. Hill responded by running the ball into the endzone himself, but Demos misfired on the extra point attempt. Odie Armstrong then punched in a rushing touchdown of his own and he had a huge hit on the following kickoff. Another Glasper sack and incompletion on 4^th down led to Perry punching in another rushing touchdown for the Rattlers. The Talons then capped off the high scoring game with another Hill rushing touchdown.

The Rattlers remain at home next week to take on the Orlando Predators on Sunday, April 28^th, with kickoff set for 3pm MST at the US Airways Center.

MEDIA AWARDS

Russell Athletic Offensive Player:
Arizona Rattlers QB Nick Davila

Riddell Defensive Player:
Arizona Rattlers DB Virgil Gray

J Lewis Small AFL Playmaker:
Arizona Rattlers WR Rod Windsor

Cutter’s Catch of the Game:
2^nd quarter, Arizona Rattlers Jared Perry 18 yard catch from Davila

Spalding Highlight of the Game:
3^rd quarter, San Antonio Talons Mouth Ruffians 28 yard catch from Hill