Rattlers bring in enforcer for playoffs
McDowdell provides size, rush over center
Every year the Rattlers find a hidden gem, whether it’s early, mid or late in the season, that locks in a championship team.
Coach and General Manager Kevin Guy is hoping this year it is Lance McDowdell, a former Central Florida defensive tackle, who joined the Rattlers last week and played his first game in the regular-season finale, a 59-23 rout at Nebraska.
McDowdell gives the Rattlers something in the middle of their defensive line they haven’t really had since Anntaj Hawthorne retired after their last Arena Bowl game two years ago: size and a bull rusher over center.
McDowdell is 6 feet, 4 inches, 330 pounds.
“We call him ‘Big Mac,’” Guy said.
“He’s got everything that you’re looking for and it allowed our linebackers and our ends to go make plays.”
Kevin Guy Rattlers coach, on Lance McDowdell
“We needed to improve in our middle. He really held it down in the middle. He can 2-gap, he can bull rush. He’s got everything that you’re looking for and it allowed our linebackers and our ends to go make plays.”
But that was Nebraska, the fourth and final seed that figures to be an easy out for top-seed Iowa this weekend.
Now the Rattlers (11-3), the No. 2 seed, have to face third-seed Sioux Falls Storm (11-3) on Saturday at Talking Stick Resort Arena at 6 p.m. in the other semifinal, the Intense Conference Championship.
The Storm are 7-1 since losing at home to the Rattlers 48-40 on April 16.
“They’ve set the standard in this league,” said Guy, who ended the Storm’s six-year reign as Indoor Football League champions last year in the United Bowl with a 50-41 win.
“We have to keep our composure. They’re a great organization. They’ve always been very good from top to bottom. They’re very well-coached by Coach (Kurtiss) Riggs. Se got our work cut out for us. It should be a great atmosphere and great game for our fans to see.”
Guy tinkered with his lineup last week after building a three-touchdown lead over Nebraska. Verlon Reed came in for quarterback Jeff Ziemba late in the second quarter and ran for four touchdowns.
Guy is good with either Ziemba or Reed at quarterback. He wanted to see what others could do while resting regulars for the playoffs.
For McDowdell, it’s a chance to get a ring. This is his third indoor league this season. He began the year with the Arena Football League’s Albany Empire, then went to the NAL Jacksonville Sharks before finding his way onto the Rattlers last week.
His agent, he said, sent him to the Rattlers.
“I always heard about the Rattlers, so I was like, ‘Yeah, I want to do it,’ ” said McDowdell, who grew up in New York. “I ain’t wasting no time. Out of every indoor football league, AFL, NAL, CIF, or whatever, the Rattlers always came Number 1. And I always wanted to be in Arizona.
“I want to play my part. Superstar status? No, I just want to do what I can. I love it in Arizona. It’s like home to me.”