Arizona Rattlers vs Orlando Predators: Rattlers Endure for Last Second Win

In a game of endurance, the Arizona Rattlers barely escaped the clutches of the Orlando Predators and left the field victorious. Arizona Quarterback Nick Davila’s high-powered engine stalled in the first half but came back to life and finally took the lead with eight seconds left on the clock.

The first half of the game was all Predators all the time. Their defense picked Davila’s passes out of the air three times and returned one for a touchdown. Davila was off with his receivers as they dropped multiple catches and could only put up twelve points in the entire first half. Kicker Joe Schroeder could not get any kicks through the uprights as he missed a field goal and two extra points.

As the Arizona offense was reeling, the Rattlers defense completely underwhelmed the Predators as Orlando quarterback Nick Hill had his choice of open receivers for 30 minutes. If Hill could not find an open receiver, he mastered the scramble against the Rattlers.

With the double threat of big passes or a sneaky rushing game by Hill, the Rattlers defense only relied on multiple fumbles by Hill to kill the clock. The only sparks of defense coming from the Arizona side of the ball were defensive lineman Tyre Glasper’s fumble recovery and a single sack.

Watching the second half of the game, there was a new team that took the field wearing Rattlers uniforms. The passes were still thrown off-rhythm, but receivers Nate Forse, Rod Windsor and Trandon Harvey began pulling them down. Trandon Harvey carried the receiving corps with four of the six touchdown catches thrown.

Joe Schroeder began making most of his extra point attempts but still has trust to win from head coach Kevin Guy as Rod Windsor was called on to make a two-point conversion.

The Arizona defense, though still not in their usual smashmouth form, was able to slow down the Predators and keep the game within a touchdown during the fourth quarter. With only half a minute left and the Predators leading the Rattlers 47-40, defensive back Virgil Gray came down with a key interception that left the Rattlers with the ball and 25 seconds on the clock.

Receiver Jason Geathers, who had not seen any snaps yet, entered the game with a 25-yard pass and on the next play scored a short touchdown that put the Rattlers within one point. With an inconsistent kicker, coach Kevin Guy didn’t hesitate to call for the two point conversion and Trandon Harvey added two points to his total when he came down with it.

With only eight seconds on the clock, the Predators didn’t have enough to work with, and on the final play of the game defensive back Riley Swanson intercepted the Hail Mary by Nick Hill and sealed the victory, a two-game lead in the NC west as well as a 4-0 start to the season.