LOS ANGELES -- The Arizona Rattlers rolled to their fourth win of the season with a strong performance at the Honda Center on Saturday night against the Los Angeles KISS, defeating L.A. 68-30.
The game, which was nationally televised on the CBS Sports Network, was the first of three games the Rattlers will face the KISS this season.
It was a tale of two halves for Rattlers quarterback Nick Davila. He had an incredibly efficient first half, throwing 19 completions of 22 attempts and six touchdowns passes to four different receivers, including one of the two touchdown passes to 300-pound tight end Joe Gibbs.
The second half however was much different. Davila only threw one more touchdown in the third, and left the game early in the fourth with a lower body injury. "We will get (Davila) back to our doctor and have him take a look at him. If he can't go, he can't go," head coach and general manager Kevin Guy said. "We have a lot of confidence in BJ (Coleman) and it's a team game." Overall, Davila was 24 of 32, seven touchdowns, and one interception.
The KISS started their backup quarterback Brian Zbydniewski after their starter, Adrien McPherson, was hurt after their game last week against Orlando. The Rattlers defense made it difficult on Zbydniewski,who was sacked 4 times, twice by defensive tackle Anttaj Hawthorne, and once by both defensive ends Tyre Glasper and Marcus Pittman.
Zbydniewski was also picked off twice, once by defensive end Arkeith Brown and once by defensive end Jeremy Kellem. Kellem has now caught at least one interception in three straight games. He also recovered a fumble.
Arizona's special teams also looked much better Saturday night. Kicker Fabrizio Scaccia went 8-10 on point-after attempts, one of which was blocked. He was also very strong on kickoffs, hitting the net on all but one attempt. AJ Cruz also returned to the lineup and returned four kickoffs for 75 yards. He also recovered a fumbled off a kickoff.
The Rattlers' next game is 6 p.m. April 25, when they return home to face the undefeated San Jose SaberCats (5-0). This will be the first time the two teams face each other since the 2014 Western Conference Finals, in which the Rattlers defeated the SaberCats 72-56.
