The Arizona Rattlers defeated the Kansas City Command 63-49 at the Sprint Center (April 16) to open the season at 5-0 - the best start in franchise history. WR ROD WINDSOR was a spark in the victory, catching 16 passes for 217 yards and five touchdowns. The Rattlers fired out of the gate early with two quick receiving scores from Windsor. The first touchdown coming less than 90 seconds into the contest, a 28 yard scoring strike, to put the Rattlers up 7-0; the second receiving score, of two yards, came at the 3:43 mark of the first quarter to make the score 14-7. The Rattlers opened up a two touchdown lead when FB ODIE ARMSTRONG rushed over the left side for a two-yard touchdown late in the first quarter to put the Rattlers up 21-7. A WR KERRY REED three-yard TD reception at the 5:26 mark of the second quarter was sandwiched between two Command touchdowns, setting up a halftime score of 28-21. WR Christian Wise opened up the second half by taking the opening kickoff 54 yards to the endzone, knotting the score at 28. Both teams traded scores throughout the second half with Windsor putting six on the board after a 22-yard touchdown reception at the 13:09 mark, and WR TRANDON HARVEY returning a kickoff for a score with 7:11 remaining in the third quarter to tilt the score in the Rattlers' favor at 42-35. As has been the case throughout the season, the defensive turning point came with 2:55 left in the third quarter when DL ANTTAJ HAWTHORNE dropped QB JJ Ratterink for an eight-yard loss to set the Command up for a missed 54-yard field goal by Kicker Brian Umstead. Harvey opened the fourth quarter with a two-yard touchdown reception as the Rattlers began to widen the margin at 49-35. KICKER FABRIZIO SCACCIA made all nine of his PAT attempts in his season debut. Davila finished the night going 29-for-36 for 330 yards, with seven touchdowns and one interception.
