PHOENIX-The Orlando Predators pitched the first shutout of the AFL season, as they defeated the Arizona Rattlers 26-0 in a Week 9 game.
Both teams punted to start the game, and Orlando found themselves on the 1-yard line. On the second play of that drive, D.J. Giles completed a 31-yard halfback option pass to DJ Haji to the Predators' 32-yard line. The Predators would finish the 12-play, 99-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Haji to RW Courier to put them up 7-0 with 3:20 remaining in the first quarter.
The touchdown drive seemed to suck the air out of Arizona, and they spent most of the game fruitlessly trying to establish an offensive gameplan. After an exchange of punts, Don Fawcett threw an interception to Cleveland Whitaker at the Orlando 40. After a 7-play, 31-yard drive, Abel White kicked a 46-yard field goal with 5:19 to go in the first half, making it 10-0. Arizona punted again, and the Predators drove 45 yards on 8 plays. White kicked a 51-yard field goal to extend Orlando's lead to 13-0 with 53 seconds remaining in the half.
The second half did not go much better for the Rattlers, and after a couple of punts, Orlando worked their way downfield on a 10-play, 67-yard drive. Haji finished the drive off with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Giles, making the score 20-0 with 5:52 to go in the third. Arizona's ensuing drive ended when Stomp Navarro's fumble was recovered by Jack Stuckey at the Predators' 49-yard line. A 9-play, 43-yard drive ended with White kicking a 25-yard field goal to put Orlando up 23-0 with 14:41 to go in the game.
Stuckey would intercept Fawcett on Arizona's next drive, but White's 33-yard field goal attempt was partially blocked and fell short. The Rattlers tried to drive for a score, but Fahad Ruff picked Fawcett off and returned it to the Predators' 31-yard line. Orlando would then drive 64 yards on 13 plays, and White kicked his fourth field goal, a 22-yard kick with 18 seconds to go to end the scoring.
Orlando (3-6) gained 372 yards of total offense. The Predators rushed for 73 yards on 33 carries. Giles led the team with 59 yards on 17 carries. Haji went 27-of-38 passing for 268 yards and 2 TD and was not sacked. Caleb Doering led Orlando's receivers with 8 catches for 75 yards. Orlando will visit the Nashville Kats next week, hoping to recover from a 37-27 loss in Week 4 at Orlando.
Arizona (1-8) gained 207 yards of total offense. The Rattlers ran for 60 yards on 22 carries. Fawcett ran for 21 yards on 6 carries, and Pablo Cadwell gained 21 yards on 10 carries. Fawcett went 12-of-23 passing for 161 yards and 3 INT. He was sacked once for a 14-yard loss. Navarro led the Rattlers with 3 catches for 32 yards. Next week, the Rattlers will host the Colorado Crush, who they lost to in Week 4, 28-20 in Denver.
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