- By: Will Proctor,
- in Uncategorized
This Saturday the LA KISS (1-0) will battle the Arizona Rattlers (1-0) for first place in the National Conference! Both teams are bringing momentum from week one victories to this critical early season matchup. Last week the LA KISS outlasted the defending American Conference Jacksonville Sharks to beat them by a score of 64 to 39, while Arizona went on the road and crushed the Portland Steel by a score of 80 to 26.
Over the organizations first two seasons, the LA KISS have had some epic battles against their conference rival from the desert. Unfortunately, the LA KISS have been unable to beat the Rattlers in the first five matchups. Don’t be discouraged, that was in the past. This is the new era of the LA KISS; last week Coach Smith’s squad proved capable of beating anyone in the league and tonight there will not be a let down!
Both quarterbacks come into tonight’s game after excelling in week one. LA KISS quarterback Nathan Stanley threw for 283 yards and five touchdowns while completing 75 percent of his passes (27 of 36). Stanley earned the Under Armour Player of the Game award after posting a league-high QB rating of 132.1. Arizona Rattlers quarterback Nick Davila also threw five touchdown passes but only threw for 119 yards while completing 10 of 16 pass attempts.
Undoubtedly, Donovan “Captain” Morgan will be the focal point of the Rattlers defensive secondary. In addition to scoring his 250th career touchdown last week, he also was awarded with the Cutter’s Catch of the Game for his one-handed five-yard touchdown catch. However, the Rattlers can’t sleep on the rest of the LA KISS receiving core. In week one, DJ Stephens led the team with 101 receiving yards and nine receptions, while Brandon Collins added two touchdowns.
Rayshaun Kizer, Clevan Thomas and the rest of the LA KISS defensive backfield will need to keep an eye on Arizona wide receiver Rod Windsor. Windsor burned the Steel’s defense last week, leading the team with 7 receptions for 89 yards and four touchdowns.
This will be Marcus Pittman’s first game against his former team. The first-year LA KISS player was a mainstay on the Rattlers defensive line for his first six years in the AFL. Pittman is amped and ready to make the Rattlers sorry they let him leave.
If the LA KISS win today, they will have sole possession of first place in the conference standings for the first time in team history! It is time to send the Rattlers back to the desert with a loss and looking up at the LA KISS in the standings!