Rattlers Take A Bite Out Of LA Kiss’ Playoff Chances
The LA Kiss knew the road to the AFL Playoffs wasn’t going to be easy. On a Sunday afternoon, the 4-11 Kiss traveled to the desert to face off against the 12-3 Arizona Rattlers. The 3-time defending AFL Champion Rattlers have already clinched the West Division Title again, and the Kiss look to get into the AFL Playoffs for the first time with a huge road win.
The Kiss came out flat in the first half. The Rattlers held a 34-0 lead with four seconds left in the first half before Kiss defensive back Josh Victorian intercepted Rattlers quarterback Nick Davila, and returned it to the house to gain a little momentum as the first half ends.
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Kiss Head Coach Bob McMillen must have said an inspiring halftime speech because the Kiss came out the second half like they were the team that was 12-3.
The Kiss’ first play from scrimmage in the second half resulted in Kiss quarterback Danny Southwick finding Donovan Morgan on a 42 yard strike for their second score.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Rattlers would hurt themselves by fumbling the ball as the Kiss recovered. The Kiss will punch in another touchdown, scoring 21 unanswered points to cut the deficit to 34-21.
Entering the 4th quarter, the Kiss were still behind 41-28.
The 4th quarter was one of the best quarters I’ve seen this season in the AFL. The Kiss and Rattlers were scoring touchdown after touchdown, which didn’t help the Kiss because they were still down. Even through all the entertainment, which included two incredible catches: one by DeMarco Sampson running down the sideline and using one hand to hall in the 45 yard touchdown, and Tyrone Goard leaping into the air over the barrier for another score, the Rattlers offense was just too much for the Kiss in this game. The Rattlers defeated the Kiss 68-55.
People might look at the Kiss and say they aren’t very good (in this game or all season), but I see just the opposite. Yea, the Kiss started the season 0-9, and yea they were down in this game 34-0 at one point. But what I saw is a team that has won 4 out of 7, never gave up, and kept their heads held up high. Over the years, I’ve seen plenty of blowouts in sports, and teams could, and sometimes do, just turn over and start thinking about the next game.
The Kiss wouldn’t let themselves do that this time. The heart that the LA Kiss showed today was admirable. Looking at it now, the Kiss outscored the Rattlers 55-34 after the Kiss dug themselves into the 34-0 hole. Not too bad from a 4-12 team against the 3-time defending champs.
The Kiss wideout trio of DeMarco Sampson, Tyrone Goard, and Donovan Morgan were accountable for all seven scores for the LA Kiss. The stat lines for these three giants: Sampson- 6 REC, 87 YDS, 2 TDS, Goard- 4 REC, 36 YDS, 3 TDS, Morgan- 7 REC, 141 YDS, 2 TDS.
The playoff picture in the National Conference looks like this with two weeks to go. Arizona Rattlers (13-3) and San Jose Sabercats (15-1) have already clinched their respective divisions. The Spokane Shock have been playing great as of late and stand at 6-10. The race for the 4th and final spot for the conference has all three teams still alive. Currently, the Las Vegas Outlaws hold the spot at 5-10-1, with both the Portland Thunder and the LA Kiss at 4-12.
The LA Kiss travel to Tampa Bay next week to face the Storm before heading back to Anaheim to face the AFL’s best San Jose Sabercats to end the season.
The Kiss will need some help from other teams at this point if they want to taste the AFL Playoffs, but they have to take matters into their own hands. Beat the Storm and the Sabercats. The rest will fall into place.