ArenaBowl XXVII breakdown: Who wins it all?
ArenaBowl XXVII is the matchup everybody was waiting for.
Saturday's 5 p.m. game on ESPN features two teams that have been at the top most of the year.
For much of the season, the Rattlers held onto the top spot in the coaches' poll, until the Gladiators kept winning close games and the Rattlers (17-3) stumbled down the stretch. The Gladiators ended up with the better record at 19-1, which earned them home field in the ArenaBowl. But for most of the season, there were ongoing debates on who was the better teams.
Let's break it down:
OFFENSE — The Rattlers were the only team in the league to average more than 60 points a game at 63.9. Even though they lost three of their final four games, they showed Cleveland-like resiliency in a 52-48, first-round win over Portland, rallying in the final minute. And, with 30 new plays put in, the offense was clicking in a 72-56 win over San Jose with guard Michael Huey filling in at fullback for injured Alex Singleton. Huey was a pleasant discovery. But will coach Kevin Guy go back to Singleton and lineman Joe Gibbs sharing the fullback position? Or will he stick with Huey, who was a difference maker against San Jose? That is one of the intriguing story lines that will unfold during the game. The other is how will the Rattlers do once again without wide receiver Maurice Purify, who has been a key player in the last two ArenaBowl wins. Purify has not played in the playoffs because of an injury, which led to Guy calling on Arena legend Chris Jackson, who had a couple of catches against San Jose in his first game action since Guy brought in Jackson for the 2011 playoffs. Rod Windsor, Kerry Reed and Tysson Poots are money in big games. The Gladiators find a different player in every game to make clutch plays. But the key has been the great chemistry among QB Shane Austin and receivers Dominick Goodman and Thyron Lewis, who had 71 touchdown catches between them in the regular season. Austin threw 99 TD pass after earning the starting job the fourth game of the season.
Edge: Rattlers.
DEFENSE — Great defensive plays have led to offensive heroics all year for the Gladiators. Marrio Norman led the team with 12 interceptions. Willie McGinnis had nine sacks, and Joe Phinisee has been a playmaker, recovering five fumbles and intercepting four passes. The Rattlers have a way of turning up the heat on quarterbacks in big games. This is the ultimate game, so expect them to unleash their fury on the mobile Austin. They will be physical, aggressive and take chances. But it will be up to the secondary, led by Jeremy Kellem and Marquis Floyd, to stay with their men tight in coverage to allow the pressure to get to Austin. Floyd won the Defensive Back of the Year award, leading the league with 13 regular-season interceptions. He has had two more in the playoffs.
Edge: Rattlers.
SPECIAL TEAMS — Even though Rattlers kick Craig Ratanamorn has been clutch in the playoffs on extra points and field goals, the Gladiators have the most clutch kicker in the league in Aaron Pettrey, who beat the Philadelphia Soul 39-37 in the playoffs with a 36-yard field goal as time expired. Pettrey also might be the best in the league with on-side kicks. His onside kicks late in games have keyed remarkable comeback wins. And it is why the Rattlers spent a large amount of their time preparing for Cleveland's on-side kicks. That has been the Rattlers' Achilles heel.
Edge: Gladiators.
FINAL ANALYSIS — The Gladiators get bonus points for being at home. Even though the Browns are playing a preseason NFL game at the same time and the Indians are at home, about 18,000 still are expected for this game. It may be the loudest crowd the Rattlers will ever hear. They are going to have to tune them out and jump on the Gladiators quickly or the noise could be deafening. The Rattlers are still looking for their first road win since June 14. Their only road win against a team that finished with a winning record came April 12 in San Jose. But the Rattlers have championship experience with a core group that knows how to get it done when it matters most.
Prediction: Rattlers 55, Gladiators 52