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LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Sherdrick Bonner threw for 275 yards and seven touchdowns to lead the Arizona Rattlers (12-6) over the Los Angeles Avengers (11-6), 70-63, to advance to the semifinals of the AFL Playoffs. Bonner, who took home the game MVP award, completed 16 of 30 passes with no interceptions and ran in a key touchdown from one yard out to give Arizona a 62-49 lead midway through the fourth quarter. The Rattlers were outgained 364-282 in the game, but turned three fumbles and an interception into 20 points. The last seven points coming when Ironman Award-winner Hunkie Cooper fell on a loose ball in the end zone late in the third quarter, his second fumble recovery of the game. Cooper finished with 136 total yards and a pair of second-half touchdowns receptions. Orshawante Bryant caught two touchdowns passes in the second quarter and Tom Pace hauled in two touchdown catches in the second half for Arizona, which outscored the Avengers 44-28 in the second and third quarters to take a 12-point lead into the fourth. Tony Graziani connected on 23 of 37 passes for 361 yards and six touchdowns to lead Los Angeles, but threw an interception on the opening drive of the game and fumbled three times, losing the ball to Arizona twice. Chris Jackson caught 11 passes for 181 yards and four touchdowns for the Avengers, who finished with seven more first downs than the Rattlers. With the victory, the Rattlers will move on to face the defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats in the semifinals on Sunday, June 8 in San Jose. |
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