Anaheim, Ca -The Big bad raining back to back Arena Bowl Champions Arizona Rattlers (10-0) struck the LA Kiss (2-8) hard 70-25. The Kiss are still looking for the right mix on offense and defense to secure their next win. The Rattlers came in all business and continue to show the AFL how to get it done week in and week out. The Kiss did show a little flashes of greatness on the field tonight.
The game started with the Kiss scoring first on two yard run by their new weapon Andres Vargas a big tackle converted to Tight end-Full Back hybrid. Vargas’ number was called a few times tonight during short yardage situations. It took the Rattlers midway through first quarter before they scored on 20 yard touchdown pass to Kerry Reed at 7:50 mark. Then a few series later the Kiss looking to respond back, gave up a pick six to the Rattlers defensive back Marquis Floyd. Now with the lead 14-7 the Rattlers never looked back after that point. When the teams went to halftime the Rattlers had stretched the lead to 16, 35-19H.
The change at quarterback for the Kiss brought future AFL HOF Aaron Garcia. He had an okay game when he wasn’t picking himself off the rug from a big hit. Garcia went 13/25 for 173 yards, 1 TD, back up Tyler Hansen add small spark two touchdown (1 yard Rush, 2 yard Pass). The constant stars for the Kiss are still Donovan “Captain” Morgan 8 catches for 89 yards 1 TD, and bunch key receptions off of sure effort. Then return man AJ Cruz who is always a threat on kickoff return to go the distance. He had 10 returns for 270 yards and a long 52 to the Rattlers 14 yard line before being face masked and stopping him from scoring.
Once the Arizona Rattlers got going those Snakes slithered through the desert with easy and little resistance. Quarterback Nick Davila slashed the Kiss backfield up for 6 touchdown amassing 236 yards on 16/25 passes. Davila spread the ball around tonight with 4 different receivers catching touchdown passes. He did have a favorite Kerry Reed, who led all receivers with 4 touchdowns himself on 101 yards receiving.
The Kiss have another week of practice with the new members on the roster before they travel up north to face San Jose Sabercats (7-3). In their first meeting it was a close battle that the Kiss loss 48-32. The LA Kiss will be watch at home and will be looking forward to seeing their team compete and get that much need victory.
