July 6, 2013
|
Predators Suffer Big Loss at Home as They Hold Tight for a Playoff Spot
BY Daniela Sabillon
Orlando, FL –The Orlando Predators (5-10-0) suffered another loss Saturday evening against the Arizona Rattlers (13-2-0) with a final score of 84-56. This was Orlando’s fifth home loss at the Amway Center, and Arizona’s fifth win away. Both teams previously met in Week 6 at Arizona’s Snake Pit, where the Rattlers defeated the Predators with a whopping 40 point difference of 82-42 (also making it Orlando’s highest point loss of the season). The much anticipated battle on the gridiron was broadcasted live on CBS Sports Network: the Rattlers hold the best AFL record for the season while the Predators hold tight to save a spot in the playoffs with the American Conference against the New Orleans Voodoo. |
Before the game, it was said that the Predators could win against the Rattlers if Predators veteran QB Aaron Garcia (#8, Sacramento State) cut down on turnovers. Although his performance has been nothing short of fantastic this season (with more than 4,000 yards and 85 touchdowns), he did have three interceptions on Saturday evening that could have helped the Predators put more points on the
board. On the other hand, Rattlers QB Nick Davila (#10, Cincinnati), shined on the astro turf with a total of 411 yards, 9 touchdowns, and only one interception.
Arizona was the first to score five minutes into the game with a 26 yard pass to WR Rod Windsor (#1, Western New Mexico); Windsor made two more touchdowns later on in the game. Three other touchdowns were made by WR Maurice Purify (#2, Nebraska), three more by WR Tysson Poots (#12, Southern Utah), and one by FB Odie Armstrong (#32, Grand Valley State).
With the exception of the third quarter, when both teams were tied at 21-21, the Rattlers had the lead the rest of the game. Predators FB Mykel Benson (#24, Florida A&M) made Orlando’s first rushing touchdown shortly after Arizona’s second touchdown in the first quarter, and soon made another one later on in the game. Predators WR T.T. Toliver (#17, Bethune-Cookman) had two receiving touchdowns
for the night with a total of 140 yards. Predators WR Prechae Rodriguez (#15, Auburn) and WR Jarvis Williams (#1, NC State) also assisted with one touchdown each.
However, the big shebang of the night and the last Orlando touchdown was unexpectedly made by Predators OL Julius Wilson (#55, UAB) with just a few minutes left in the game in the fourth quarter, 70-56.
No hard feelings on either team; in fact, after the game ended, players from both Orlando and Arizona gathered around in the middle of gridiron and kneeled for a final prayer. Truly a reflection of great sportsmanship between these two AFL teams.
The Orlando Predators next battle is against the Iowa Barnstormers (6-9-0) on Saturday, July 13 at 7pm at the Amway Center, Central Florida’s premier facility for legendary sports and entertainment. For more information about game statistics and/or tickets please visit: www.arenafootball.com, www.orlandopredators.com, or www.facebook.com/orlandopreds. Follow the Orlando Predators on Twitter @ORLPredators.
board. On the other hand, Rattlers QB Nick Davila (#10, Cincinnati), shined on the astro turf with a total of 411 yards, 9 touchdowns, and only one interception.
Arizona was the first to score five minutes into the game with a 26 yard pass to WR Rod Windsor (#1, Western New Mexico); Windsor made two more touchdowns later on in the game. Three other touchdowns were made by WR Maurice Purify (#2, Nebraska), three more by WR Tysson Poots (#12, Southern Utah), and one by FB Odie Armstrong (#32, Grand Valley State).
With the exception of the third quarter, when both teams were tied at 21-21, the Rattlers had the lead the rest of the game. Predators FB Mykel Benson (#24, Florida A&M) made Orlando’s first rushing touchdown shortly after Arizona’s second touchdown in the first quarter, and soon made another one later on in the game. Predators WR T.T. Toliver (#17, Bethune-Cookman) had two receiving touchdowns
for the night with a total of 140 yards. Predators WR Prechae Rodriguez (#15, Auburn) and WR Jarvis Williams (#1, NC State) also assisted with one touchdown each.
However, the big shebang of the night and the last Orlando touchdown was unexpectedly made by Predators OL Julius Wilson (#55, UAB) with just a few minutes left in the game in the fourth quarter, 70-56.
No hard feelings on either team; in fact, after the game ended, players from both Orlando and Arizona gathered around in the middle of gridiron and kneeled for a final prayer. Truly a reflection of great sportsmanship between these two AFL teams.
The Orlando Predators next battle is against the Iowa Barnstormers (6-9-0) on Saturday, July 13 at 7pm at the Amway Center, Central Florida’s premier facility for legendary sports and entertainment. For more information about game statistics and/or tickets please visit: www.arenafootball.com, www.orlandopredators.com, or www.facebook.com/orlandopreds. Follow the Orlando Predators on Twitter @ORLPredators.