ArenaBowl VIII

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).

Game summary

In the first quarter, Orlando struck first with Quarterback Ben Bennett 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.

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.^[1]
• The Orlando Predators were favored by 16 points.

References

External links

• ArenaFan box score