ArenaBowl VIII
Encyclopedia
ArenaBowl VIII was the Arena Football League's eighth ArenaBowl
. The game featured the #3 Arizona Rattlers
(8-4) of the American Conference against the #1 Orlando Predators
(11-1) of the National Conference. The Rattlers were in their very first ArenaBowl appearance in their three-year history, while the Predators were in their second ArenaBowl appearance in their four-season history (having lost to the Detroit Drive
in ArenaBowl VI
).
completing a 5-yard TD pass to WR/LB Alex Shell, while Arizona responded with Quarterback Sherdrick Bonner
completing a 33-yard touchdown pass to WR/DB Cedric Tillman
. The Predators would wrap up the first quarter with kicker Jorge Cimadevilla making a 24-yard Field Goal.
In the second quarter, the Rattlers took the lead with Bonner completing a 6-yard TD pass to WR/LB Calvin "Shakes" Schexnayder
, yet the Predators retook the lead with Bennett and Shell hooking up with each other again on a 42-yard touchdown pass. Arizona would regain the lead before halftime with kicker Luis Zendejas
getting a 23-yard and a 40-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Rattlers increased its lead with Bonner completing a 2-yard touchdown pass to WR/DB Milton Vaughn, yet Orlando kept close with Bennett completing a 38-yard touchdown pass to WR/DB Herkie Walls
.
In the fourth quarter, Arizona added on to its lead with Zendejas kicking a 21-yard Field Goal, yet the Predators retook the lead with WR/DB Barry Wagner
getting a 4-yard touchdown run. The Rattlers would regain the lead with Bonner and Schexnayder hooking up with each other again on a 24-yard touchdown pass, but the following two-point conversion failed. In the final seconds, Bennett threw a deep ball to try to get a touchdown in order to take the lead for good, but it ended up incomplete.
With the win, the Arizona Rattlers won their very first ArenaBowl in franchise history.
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
ArenaBowl
The ArenaBowl is the Arena Football League's championship game. From 1987 to 2004, the ArenaBowl was hosted by either the team with the better regular-season record or the higher seeding in the playoffs. From ArenaBowl XIX in 2005 until ArenaBowl XXII in 2008, the game was played at a neutral site...
. The game featured the #3 Arizona Rattlers
Arizona Rattlers
The Arizona Rattlers are a professional arena football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Conference in the Arena Football League . The Rattlers were founded in 1992 as an expansion team. They play their home games at US Airways Center...
(8-4) of the American Conference against the #1 Orlando Predators
Orlando Predators
The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1991. Their playoff streak is currently 19 seasons in a row, as of the season, becoming the ArenaBowl champions in 1998 and 2000...
(11-1) of the National Conference. The Rattlers were in their very first ArenaBowl appearance in their three-year history, while the Predators were in their second ArenaBowl appearance in their four-season history (having lost to the Detroit Drive
Massachusetts Marauders
The Massachusetts Marauders was a professional arena football team that played in the Arena Football League in 1994.-Detroit Drive :...
in ArenaBowl VI
ArenaBowl VI
ArenaBowl '92 was the Arena Football League's sixth Arena Bowl. The game featured the #2 Detroit Drive against the #1 Orlando Predators...
).
Game summary
In the first quarter, Orlando struck first with Quarterback Ben BennettBen Bennett
Ben Bennett is an American football coach most recently the head coach of the af2's Austin Wranglers. He has been involved in professional football as a player and coach since 1984...
completing a 5-yard TD pass to WR/LB Alex Shell, while Arizona responded with Quarterback Sherdrick Bonner
Sherdrick Bonner
Sherdrick Bonner is a former Arena football quarterback who is currently the offensive coordinator of the Chicago Rush in the Arena Football League.-High school years:...
completing a 33-yard touchdown pass to WR/DB Cedric Tillman
Cedric Tillman
Cedric Cornell Tillman is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for four seasons for the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars.-References:...
. The Predators would wrap up the first quarter with kicker Jorge Cimadevilla making a 24-yard Field Goal.
In the second quarter, the Rattlers took the lead with Bonner completing a 6-yard TD pass to WR/LB Calvin "Shakes" Schexnayder
Calvin Schexnayder
Calvin 'Shakes' Schexnayder Calvin 'Shakes' Schexnayder Calvin 'Shakes' Schexnayder (born November 11, 1969 in Fresno, California is a former American football wide receiver in the Arena Football League. He played college football at Washington State....
, yet the Predators retook the lead with Bennett and Shell hooking up with each other again on a 42-yard touchdown pass. Arizona would regain the lead before halftime with kicker Luis Zendejas
Luis Zendejas
Luis Fernando Zendejas is a Mexican former placekicker in American football. He played college football for Arizona State University, and was the all-time career leading scorer in the NCAA when he left Arizona State...
getting a 23-yard and a 40-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Rattlers increased its lead with Bonner completing a 2-yard touchdown pass to WR/DB Milton Vaughn, yet Orlando kept close with Bennett completing a 38-yard touchdown pass to WR/DB Herkie Walls
Herkie Walls
McCurey 'Herkie' Walls is a former Arena Football League wide receiver for the Orlando Predators.Walls was a 7th round pick in the 1983 NFL Draft out of the University of Texas by the Houston Oilers. He played in the 1983-1985 seasons for the Oilers...
.
In the fourth quarter, Arizona added on to its lead with Zendejas kicking a 21-yard Field Goal, yet the Predators retook the lead with WR/DB Barry Wagner
Barry Wagner
Barry Wagner is a retired American football player in the Arena Football League for the Orlando Predators with whom he won his first ArenaBowl Championship and the San Jose SaberCats, with whom he won two championships. He also played in the World Indoor Football League as a wide...
getting a 4-yard touchdown run. The Rattlers would regain the lead with Bonner and Schexnayder hooking up with each other again on a 24-yard touchdown pass, but the following two-point conversion failed. In the final seconds, Bennett threw a deep ball to try to get a touchdown in order to take the lead for good, but it ended up incomplete.
With the win, the Arizona Rattlers won their very first ArenaBowl in franchise history.
Scoring summary
1st Quarter- ORL - Shell 5 pass from Bennett (Cimadevilla kick)
- ARI - Tillman 33 pass from Bonner (Zendejas kick)
- ORL - FG Cimadevilla 24
2nd Quarter
- ARI - Schexnayder 6 pass from Bonner (Zendejas kick)
- ORL - Shell 42 pass from Bennett (Cimadevilla kick)
- ARI - FG Zendejas 23
- ARI - FG Zendejas 40
3rd Quarter
- ARI - Vaughn 2 pass from Bonner (Czyzewski kick)
- ORL - Walls 38 pass from Bennett (Langeloh kick)
4th Quarter
- ARI - FG Zendejas 21
- ORL - Wagner 4 run (Cimadevilla kick)
- ARI - Schexnayder 24 pass from Bonner (Bonner pass failed)
Trivia
- On the Arena Football League's 20 Greatest Highlights Countdown, this game was ranked #14.
- The Orlando Predators were favored by 16 points.