Piranhas Are Snake-Bitten in 48-45 Loss to Rattlers

Scooter Molander threw for 248 yards and two touchdowns, but it was not enough as the Piranhas were defeated, 48-45, by the Arizona Rattlers in an Arena Football League game Saturday night at the America West Arena in Phoenix.

Rattler quarterback Shedrick Bonner connected on touchdown passes of 18 and 30 yards, both to Andrew Hill, who finished with four catches for 81 yards.

The Piranhas took an early 6-0 lead in the first quarter and led at the end of the quarter, 13-7.

The Rattlers, who have the league’s top offense averaging 53 points, stormed back in the second quarter with 28 points, including three touchdown passes by Bonner, two to wide receiver Hunkie Cooper.

Bonner finished the night 22 of 38 for 277 yards and four touchdowns.

The Rattlers led, 35-28, at halftime and extended it to 48-35 at the end of the third quarter.

The Piranhas outscored Arizona, 10-0, in the fourth quarter but it proved to be too little too late.

The Piranhas (7-2) lost their second in a row. The Rattlers improved to 8-1.