Rattlers Look to Bounce Back in Conference Matchup
By Colin Hogan | Rattlers Media
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Following the Arizona Rattlers 63-42 loss to the Fishers Freight, the Rattlers will look to get back on track as the San Antonio Gunslingers travel to the desert for a conference clash Saturday night.
Arizona enters the game even at 1-1, but 1-0 in the Western Conference. The Gunslingers opened their season last week with a 29-22 home loss to the Tulsa Oilers. Kickoff at Desert Diamond Arena is set for 6:00 p.m. MST. The game will be streamed on Overnight.
"We got exactly what we deserved," Rattlers Head Coach Kevin Guy said of last week's outcome. "We weren't ready to play, and there is a learning curve to playing in this game."
Offensively, the Rattlers have some rookies sprinkled into the mix with some key veterans. On the other side of the ball, outside of linebacker Hayden Hatcher, the defense is composed of all rookies between the walls.
"We have such a complicated system to learn," Guy said. "It always takes several weeks to learn, and we are going to make mistakes early in the season."
Guy viewed the loss as a teaching moment for his young team and voiced that to his staff this week. He said the focus is taking everything one day at a time and improving daily.
"We need to understand where we're at as a team and where we're planning on being by the end of the year," Guy said. "We have great leadership in the locker room this year, and I thought the guys came out and practiced really hard. That's a sign of a winning group. I expect them to play a lot different this weekend."
The Rattlers took both meetings against the Gunslingers last season but won those games by a combined 10 points. Guy is expecting another hard-fought matchup under new Head Coach Jonathan Bane.
Gunslingers quarterback Joaquin Collazo accounted for all three of their touchdowns against the Oilers. San Antonio picked up over 275 yards of offense while its defense held Tulsa to fewer than 180 yards.
"Defensively, they played really well," Guy said. "They are going to be tough. San Antonio has always played us tough, so it should be a great game Saturday night."
One thing the Rattlers may look to build on this week against a hard-nosed Gunslinger defense is their dynamic duo of running backs, Ron Brown Jr. and Kymani Clarke. Against the Freight, the tandem combined for more than 100 yards of offense and five total touchdowns.
Clarke accounted for three of those scores seeing his first game action this season. This week, Clarke is aiming to score four touchdowns, as he hopes to build off his big night.
"It felt awesome," Clarke said. "It really felt amazing, but I honestly know I can do more and can do better. I made some mistakes out there, but I can't wait to keep working."
After allowing 63 points on the road, linebacker DJ Lundy said the defense must trust its and the process, and the rest will gel.
"We're trying to pick up the intensity this week, hold each other accountable, and make fewer mistakes," Lundy said. "Regardless of who we play, it's us against us. We can't change how we play depending on who we play against. Each week, we have to be at our best, and that starts with competing against ourselves every time we step onto the field."