The
Kansas City Command (3-15) wrapped up a disappointing season on the
road, losing 47-22 to the Arizona Rattlers (13-5) who were led by
quarterback Nick Davila’s 363 passing yards and seven touchdown
performance Saturday night at US Airways Center. Arizona has already
earned a playoff berth, and need a loss by the Utah Blaze tomorrow to
earn the National Conference Western Division Championship outright.
Kansas
City’s defense held the Rattlers scoreless in the first quarter and the
Command jumped on the board with a seven yard touchdown pass from
quarterback Matt Gutierrez to Jackie Chambers with 2:26 left in the
first quarter. Command DB Rashad Barksdale’s aggressive play kept the
Rattlers from finding a rhythm early, breaking up key fourth down
passing attempts, giving KC’s offense a few more opportunities in the
first half. Barksdale and J.C. Neal both surpassed Ken Fontenette’s
single-season franchise record of 110 tackles, set in 2011; ending with
116.5 and 113.5 total tackles respectively.
Chambers
gave an Ironman effort and finished the night with nine receptions for
88 yards and two touchdowns (one rushing). His five kickoff returns for
144 yards extended his record of at least 100 kickoff return yards to
seven games, and at least 100 all-purpose yards to ten straight.
Rattlers
QB Davila threw a touchdown pass to four different Arizona receivers;
led by Maurice Purify who hauled in four TD’s and has recorded a
touchdown pass in every game this season for Arizona. Davila broke his
own single-season franchise record of 4,916 passing yards, set in 2011,
and now has 5,500 passing yards heading into the playoffs.
Command
defensive end Chris Lyle returned a Davila fumble 49 yards with 56
seconds left in the second quarter put KC up 20-13. Rattlers QB Davila
quickly connected with Jason Geathers for a 20-yard touchdown, but the
blocked extra point sent KC into halftime with a 20-19 lead. Lyle’s
fumble recovery was his fourth of the season; bringing the Command’s
League-high fumble recovery total to 18.
A
one-sided shootout unfolded in the second half. It only took three
plays for Arizona to take a 26-20 lead to jump start the third quarter
with a touchdown toss from Davila to Chris Carter, and the rout was on.
Kansas City’s offense was held scoreless through the entire second half,
and linebacker Tyler Knight’s sack of Davila and subsequent safety kept
KC from being completely shutout. Arizona outscored Kansas City 28-2 in
the second half and will have to wait for the outcome of tomorrow’s
Utah Blaze/Philadelphia Soul game to get their final seeding for the
playoffs.
Showing posts with label Arizona Rattlers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arizona Rattlers. Show all posts
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
The Command Head To Arizona For Last Game Of The Season
Kansas
City Command (3-14) close out the regular-season on the road taking on
the Arizona Rattlers (12-5) at US Airways Arena in Phoenix. The Command
are coming off a one-point loss to the Spokane Shock last Saturday, and
the Rattlers have lost back-to-back games for the first time all
season. Kickoff from Arizona is at 9 p.m. (CT) Saturday and can been
seen on KSMO-TV, heard on SportsRadio 810 WHB, and viewed online at http://www.ustream.tv/kansascitycommand.
The Command defense has been the backbone of the franchise all season, holding near the top of the League on total defense from week to week. KC has recovered a league-high 17 fumbles and leads the League in rushing defense, allowing an average of 11.2 yards on the ground per game. For the Week 20 matchup with the Rattlers, KC’s fourth-ranked total defense will have their hands full with Arizona’s third ranked total offense; led by quarterback Nick Davila who has passed for 5,137 yards, 106 touchdowns and hails as the AFL’s most-efficient QB.
The 2012 season saw an ever-changing offensive roster for the Command; 16 different players have caught a pass at wide receiver for KC, and four different quarterbacks have settled in behind a solid front line of Cornelius Dixon, Kimani Jones and Ken Scott. In comparison, Arizona’s third ranked scoring offense has been consistently led by Davila, who has started every game for the Rattlers.
Heading into Saturday, there are a few franchise records on the line. Defensive back’s J.C. Neal and Rashad Barksdale are tied for third in the AFL with 109 total tackles and each are in line to surpass the single-season franchise record of 110 tackles set by Ken Fontenette in 2011. Barksdale is coming of a record-setting 15 tackles against the Shock in Week 19, besting his own previous franchise single-game record of 14 tackles.
Kickoff return specialist, Jackie Chambers ranks sixth in the League in kick return average (20) and seventh in all-purpose yardage (157.2 yards per game). He has recorded at least 100 kickoff return yards in each of the last six games and at least 100 all-purpose yards in nine straight. Chambers is just four yards shy of Jerel Myer’s single-season franchise record of 1,023 combined kick return yards, set in 2008.
The Command are 1-3 in their series history with the Rattlers; most recently hosting their Week 3 matchup in Kansas City with Arizona taking the win 56-28. This will be the first time the Command have traveled to Arizona. While the Rattlers have already secured a playoff berth and can best their seeding with a win, the Command look to head into the off-season with a victory in their back pocket.
The Command defense has been the backbone of the franchise all season, holding near the top of the League on total defense from week to week. KC has recovered a league-high 17 fumbles and leads the League in rushing defense, allowing an average of 11.2 yards on the ground per game. For the Week 20 matchup with the Rattlers, KC’s fourth-ranked total defense will have their hands full with Arizona’s third ranked total offense; led by quarterback Nick Davila who has passed for 5,137 yards, 106 touchdowns and hails as the AFL’s most-efficient QB.
The 2012 season saw an ever-changing offensive roster for the Command; 16 different players have caught a pass at wide receiver for KC, and four different quarterbacks have settled in behind a solid front line of Cornelius Dixon, Kimani Jones and Ken Scott. In comparison, Arizona’s third ranked scoring offense has been consistently led by Davila, who has started every game for the Rattlers.
Heading into Saturday, there are a few franchise records on the line. Defensive back’s J.C. Neal and Rashad Barksdale are tied for third in the AFL with 109 total tackles and each are in line to surpass the single-season franchise record of 110 tackles set by Ken Fontenette in 2011. Barksdale is coming of a record-setting 15 tackles against the Shock in Week 19, besting his own previous franchise single-game record of 14 tackles.
Kickoff return specialist, Jackie Chambers ranks sixth in the League in kick return average (20) and seventh in all-purpose yardage (157.2 yards per game). He has recorded at least 100 kickoff return yards in each of the last six games and at least 100 all-purpose yards in nine straight. Chambers is just four yards shy of Jerel Myer’s single-season franchise record of 1,023 combined kick return yards, set in 2008.
The Command are 1-3 in their series history with the Rattlers; most recently hosting their Week 3 matchup in Kansas City with Arizona taking the win 56-28. This will be the first time the Command have traveled to Arizona. While the Rattlers have already secured a playoff berth and can best their seeding with a win, the Command look to head into the off-season with a victory in their back pocket.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Command Suffer Third Straight Loss To Start 2012
The
Kansas City Command fell to 0-3 with a 56-28 loss to Arizona Thursday
night at Sprint Center. The Rattlers got a precision performance from
quarterback Nick Davila who threw for seven touchdowns and nearly 300
yards on the night, earning Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the
Game honors.
Kansas City opened the first quarter with a five-play, 42-yard drive that ended with a one-yard quarterback sneak by Nate Davis. But the lead would be short-lived, as Davila, the 2011 AFL MVP, responded with a six-yard touchdown strike to knot the game up at seven on the ensuing possession.
Arizona was able to grab the team’s first lead on their next offensive possession. Taking over after a missed field goal by Command kicker Gary Cismesia, the Rattlers converted a 16-yard run by fullback Odie Armstrong into six more points, taking a 14-7 lead after a made PAT by kicker Chris Gould.
The Command began the second quarter in the red zone and answered Arizona by getting their running game going. On the quarter’s first play from scrimmage, Command fullback Trey Bryant took a two-yard rush into the end zone with authority, tying the game at 14. Kansas City would score again in less than a minute to retake the lead. KC’s Rashad Barksdale recovered the ensuing kickoff after a hard bounce off the net iron, setting up Davis’ second rushing touchdown of the night on a three-yard draw and putting the Command ahead 21-14.
However, for the third straight game to start this season, the Command allowed an opponent to go on an extended scoring run. The Rattlers scored the game’s next 29 points to open up a 22-point margin. Maurice Purify started the run with an 18-yard touchdown reception to cap a three-play drive that tied the game at 21.
Momentum was once again on Arizona’s side after an interception of Davis by Rattlers defensive back Virgil Gray, but defensive end Tommy Chavis kept the Command in the game by stripping Davila and recovering the fumble. KC could not take advantage as the drive stalled when Cismesia missed his second field goal of the night.
Davila and the Rattlers scored quick, capping a four-play, 49-yard drive with a touchdown strike to receiver Kerry Reed. Following a botched hold on the PAT, Arizona’s lead was 27-21 with 1:27 left in the half. Arizona knocked on the door with two seconds left after another missed KC field goal, but a stand by the Command defense kept them out of the end zone. The Rattlers would have to settle for a 21-yard field goal by Gould, giving Arizona a halftime lead of 30-21.
The Rattlers opened the third quarter with a quick strike, tacking on six more points with a 20-yard TD throw to Purify, last season’s Rookie of the Year. Kansas City turned the ball over on downs and Arizona converted a fourth and goal with a four-yard touchdown pass to receiver Glen Fox, increasing the Rattlers’ lead to 43-21.
Davis and the Kansas City offense finally got back on the board to begin the fourth quarter by finding leading receiver Syvelle Newton in the back of the end zone for a four-yard touchdown. The score cut Arizona’s lead to 43-28 to close out the third quarter.
Arizona stopped any chance of a rally, scoring back-to-back touchdowns to extend the lead to 56-28 with 7:29 left in the game. Neither team scored down the stretch as the Command had two more drives end on failed fourth downs. Kansas City missed three field goals and had three turnovers on downs for the game.
Davila finished the night 21 of 29 passing for 297 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Purify had seven catches for 113 yards and three touchdowns, including a brilliant grab for a score in the fourth quarter, to earn National Guard MVP honors in the game.
The Command’s Davis had his second straight game with a completion rate below 50-percent, hitting 14 of 29 passes for 173 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Davis did run for two scores on the night.
Next up for the Command is a 7 p.m. (CDT) road test with Central Division rival Chicago on Saturday, April 7 at the AllState Arena. The game will air on Sports Radio 810 WHB and Ustream.tv/Kansascitycommand. The Rush currently lead the Central Division at 2-0 and are in action this Saturday at Iowa.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: Nick Davila, Arizona
National Guard MVP: Maurice Purify, Arizona
Ridell Defensive Player of the Game: Marquis Floyd, Arizona
JLS Ironman of the Game: Virgil Gray, Arizona
Cutters Catch of the Game: Syvelle Newton, Kansas City (TD catch :43 3rd quarter)
Spalding Highlight of the Game: 30 yard touchdown, Davila to Reed 14:18 4th quarter)
Kansas City opened the first quarter with a five-play, 42-yard drive that ended with a one-yard quarterback sneak by Nate Davis. But the lead would be short-lived, as Davila, the 2011 AFL MVP, responded with a six-yard touchdown strike to knot the game up at seven on the ensuing possession.
Arizona was able to grab the team’s first lead on their next offensive possession. Taking over after a missed field goal by Command kicker Gary Cismesia, the Rattlers converted a 16-yard run by fullback Odie Armstrong into six more points, taking a 14-7 lead after a made PAT by kicker Chris Gould.
The Command began the second quarter in the red zone and answered Arizona by getting their running game going. On the quarter’s first play from scrimmage, Command fullback Trey Bryant took a two-yard rush into the end zone with authority, tying the game at 14. Kansas City would score again in less than a minute to retake the lead. KC’s Rashad Barksdale recovered the ensuing kickoff after a hard bounce off the net iron, setting up Davis’ second rushing touchdown of the night on a three-yard draw and putting the Command ahead 21-14.
However, for the third straight game to start this season, the Command allowed an opponent to go on an extended scoring run. The Rattlers scored the game’s next 29 points to open up a 22-point margin. Maurice Purify started the run with an 18-yard touchdown reception to cap a three-play drive that tied the game at 21.
Momentum was once again on Arizona’s side after an interception of Davis by Rattlers defensive back Virgil Gray, but defensive end Tommy Chavis kept the Command in the game by stripping Davila and recovering the fumble. KC could not take advantage as the drive stalled when Cismesia missed his second field goal of the night.
Davila and the Rattlers scored quick, capping a four-play, 49-yard drive with a touchdown strike to receiver Kerry Reed. Following a botched hold on the PAT, Arizona’s lead was 27-21 with 1:27 left in the half. Arizona knocked on the door with two seconds left after another missed KC field goal, but a stand by the Command defense kept them out of the end zone. The Rattlers would have to settle for a 21-yard field goal by Gould, giving Arizona a halftime lead of 30-21.
The Rattlers opened the third quarter with a quick strike, tacking on six more points with a 20-yard TD throw to Purify, last season’s Rookie of the Year. Kansas City turned the ball over on downs and Arizona converted a fourth and goal with a four-yard touchdown pass to receiver Glen Fox, increasing the Rattlers’ lead to 43-21.
Davis and the Kansas City offense finally got back on the board to begin the fourth quarter by finding leading receiver Syvelle Newton in the back of the end zone for a four-yard touchdown. The score cut Arizona’s lead to 43-28 to close out the third quarter.
Arizona stopped any chance of a rally, scoring back-to-back touchdowns to extend the lead to 56-28 with 7:29 left in the game. Neither team scored down the stretch as the Command had two more drives end on failed fourth downs. Kansas City missed three field goals and had three turnovers on downs for the game.
Davila finished the night 21 of 29 passing for 297 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Purify had seven catches for 113 yards and three touchdowns, including a brilliant grab for a score in the fourth quarter, to earn National Guard MVP honors in the game.
The Command’s Davis had his second straight game with a completion rate below 50-percent, hitting 14 of 29 passes for 173 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Davis did run for two scores on the night.
Next up for the Command is a 7 p.m. (CDT) road test with Central Division rival Chicago on Saturday, April 7 at the AllState Arena. The game will air on Sports Radio 810 WHB and Ustream.tv/Kansascitycommand. The Rush currently lead the Central Division at 2-0 and are in action this Saturday at Iowa.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: Nick Davila, Arizona
National Guard MVP: Maurice Purify, Arizona
Ridell Defensive Player of the Game: Marquis Floyd, Arizona
JLS Ironman of the Game: Virgil Gray, Arizona
Cutters Catch of the Game: Syvelle Newton, Kansas City (TD catch :43 3rd quarter)
Spalding Highlight of the Game: 30 yard touchdown, Davila to Reed 14:18 4th quarter)
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Kansas City Command Host The Arizona Rattlers Thursday Night
The
Kansas City Command (0-2) host the Arizona Rattlers (1-1) Thursday
night at Sprint Center in Week 4 of the Arena Football League season.
Kickoff is set for 7:30pm. The Command have twice held leads at halftime
that slipped away due to offensive struggles in the second half,
particularly in the third quarter. The Rattlers are coming off a Week 3
bye after opening with a 71-70 loss at San Jose in Week 1 and a 71-65
home win over Milwaukee.
Last week, Kansas City was up 26-23 at the half on the road against Cleveland. But for the second straight game, the Command offense failed to register a first down in the third quarter. The three Command drives in the period ended with two failed fourth downs and an interception, giving the Gladiators offense prime field position. Cleveland took advantage to the tune of 20 straight points in the third quarter.
Arizona has played two very close games. The Rattlers fell to San Jose in the opener by one point in overtime as a two-point conversion that would have won the game for Arizona failed. In Week 2, Milwaukee took a two-point lead against Arizona with 27 seconds to play but the Rattlers answered with a few seconds left to even their record at 1-1.
The Command hosted Arizona last year as well with the Rattlers claiming a 63-49 victory on April 16. The Kansas City Brigade won the first meeting between the two teams in 2007 by a single point, 62-61. Arizona avenged that loss in 2008 by winning in Kansas City 73-34. The team’s will meet for the first time in Arizona later this year in the season finale for both squads on July 23.
Kansas City will drop to 0-3 with a loss to the Arizona Rattlers. The last time that happened? Kansas City went 0-3 to begin 2011, closing out the year at 6-12. The Command also began the 2006 season at 0-3, but finished 3-13. In the franchise’s only winning season (2007), Kansas City went 1-2 in its first three games. If history repeats itself, it is crucial for the Command to get its first win of 2012 tonight.
The game will air live on KSMO-TV 62 and Sports Radio 810 WHB.
Last week, Kansas City was up 26-23 at the half on the road against Cleveland. But for the second straight game, the Command offense failed to register a first down in the third quarter. The three Command drives in the period ended with two failed fourth downs and an interception, giving the Gladiators offense prime field position. Cleveland took advantage to the tune of 20 straight points in the third quarter.
Arizona has played two very close games. The Rattlers fell to San Jose in the opener by one point in overtime as a two-point conversion that would have won the game for Arizona failed. In Week 2, Milwaukee took a two-point lead against Arizona with 27 seconds to play but the Rattlers answered with a few seconds left to even their record at 1-1.
The Command hosted Arizona last year as well with the Rattlers claiming a 63-49 victory on April 16. The Kansas City Brigade won the first meeting between the two teams in 2007 by a single point, 62-61. Arizona avenged that loss in 2008 by winning in Kansas City 73-34. The team’s will meet for the first time in Arizona later this year in the season finale for both squads on July 23.
Kansas City will drop to 0-3 with a loss to the Arizona Rattlers. The last time that happened? Kansas City went 0-3 to begin 2011, closing out the year at 6-12. The Command also began the 2006 season at 0-3, but finished 3-13. In the franchise’s only winning season (2007), Kansas City went 1-2 in its first three games. If history repeats itself, it is crucial for the Command to get its first win of 2012 tonight.
The game will air live on KSMO-TV 62 and Sports Radio 810 WHB.
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