Avengers Get Early Test in Arizona

The last time the Avengers saw Sherdrick Bonner, the Arizona Rattlers’ veteran quarterback was walking off the field at Staples Center after passing for seven touchdowns in a 70-63 quarterfinal victory.

That was last June, when the Rattlers eliminated the Avengers from the Arena Football League playoffs en route to their second consecutive ArenaBowl appearance.

Today, the Avengers open their fifth AFL season against Bonner and the Rattlers at America West Arena in Phoenix.

“We’ll find out early where we stand,” said the Avengers’ Greg Hopkins, a receiver-linebacker beginning his ninth AFL season. “Arizona hasn’t changed much with their roster. We know what we’re up against.”

The Rattlers are trying to become the first team since the Detroit Drive in 1988-90 to play in three consecutive ArenaBowls.

Bonner is the only player in AFL history to pass for more than 25,000 yards and 500 touchdowns for the same team. The Rattlers also feature veteran wide receiver-linebacker Hunkie Cooper, who scored three second-half touchdowns against the Avengers in last year’s playoff victory. Arizona signed offensive specialist Siaha Burley, who played last season for the Avengers, during the off-season.

The Avengers, who play in the Western Division with Arizona, San Jose and Las Vegas, received no break from the schedule maker. Other AFL teams play a few early games outside their division, but today’s game is the first of three in a row for the Avengers against Western Division opponents.

The Avengers play next Saturday at Las Vegas and then play their home opener against San Jose the following week.

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TODAY

at Arizona, noon PST, Channel 4

Site -- America West Arena, Phoenix.

Radio -- XTRA (690/1150)

Records (2003) -- Avengers 11-6, Arizona 12-7.

Update -- Last season, the Avengers defeated the Rattlers, 63-49, in a regular-season game at Phoenix.