Rattlers' playoff streak reaches 17 as Arizona rolls past Chupacabras, 60-23

By Zev Black
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GLENDALE — For the 17th straight season, the Arizona Rattlers (8-5) are headed to the playoffs.

“It’s our standard,” Rattlers Head Coach Kevin Guy said after the game. “We expected to be in the playoffs. I’m happy for the guys, happy for the assistant coaches, the players, everyone who works in the front office. I don’t really dwell on success a lot. I get pissed when we lose so I just keep moving and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.”

Arizona put on a show for mascot Stryker's birthday Saturday night as they took down the New Mexico Chupacabras (2-11) 60-23 at Desert Diamond Arena. Rattlers QB Max Meylor started for the first time since the May 3 loss to the Vegas Knight Hawks.

“We thought he gave us the best chance to win tonight, so we played him,” Guy said. “We’ll see where it goes.”

He declined to name Meylor as the starter moving forward, saying “we take it one day at a time around here.”

The Rattlers got off to a quick start when WR Arland Bruce IV took the opening kickoff to the New Mexico 15. It looked like he was going to score had he not stumbled.

Arizona found the end zone two plays later when WR Corey Reed Jr. hauled in a short flip pass from Meylor to punch it in. Kicker Matthew Cook then nailed a deuce to put the Rattlers up 9-0.

Later in the quarter with the Rattlers up 16-0, DB Yahsyn McKee Sr. made arguably the play of the game when he picked off Chupacabras QB Donovan Porterie. McKee Sr. hauled in the ball along the wall, using his legs to push off and keep himself in bounds, then turned upfield and nearly took it to the house. He dove for the goal line, but the ball was knocked loose at the 1-yard line.

This was the fourth straight game the Rattlers defense has held its opponent to fewer than 40 points.

“We’re building chemistry with each other," McKee Sr. said. “We’re starting to figure out how each other plays. We’re going day by day. We trust in each other.”

“Beginning the season, we were really young on defense,” Guy said. “We were learning how to develop some young players. They got motors. We knew we had the athletes, we just had to teach them the game … We’re playing at a high level on defense.”

A couple of plays later, Meylor showcased his own skill on a great individual play.

With the pocket collapsing, he tried breaking to the right only to be met by a New Mexico defender. He corrected course back to his left and found an open RB Ron Brown Jr. for his second passing touchdown of the game.

Another deuce later and Arizona led 25-0 to close the first quarter.

The Chupacabras finally got on the board with a 35-yard field goal off the foot of kicker Kevin Macias. These were the only points New Mexico scored in the first half.

New Mexico had a chance to score late in the half when they got down to the Rattlers’ 9-yard line. However, McKee Sr. had other plans, picking off Porterie for the second time.

“It’s just God-given talent,” McKee Sr. said. “I’m just out there playing the game that I love. I lead the league in interceptions. It’s just something I love doing. It’s fun.”

The Rattlers took a 39-3 lead into the halftime break.

The Chupacabras started the second half in better fashion, scoring on their first drive of the frame.

The ensuing Rattlers drive produced one of the few blemishes for Arizona. On 4th-and-6 from his own 11-yard line, Meylor dropped back for a pass and got strip sacked. New Mexico LB Jamall Thompson fell on the ball and rolled into the end zone for the defensive score.

However, Meylor bounced back for two more passing touchdowns.

He finished the game 15-of-23 for 167 passing yards and four passing touchdowns. He added 12 yards on the ground and another rushing touchdown.

RB Kymani Clarke led the way on the ground with 50 yards and a touchdown. WR Jayden Horace added two more rushing touchdowns. Reed Jr. brought in two receiving touchdowns to go along with his 71 yards.

DB Davontae Merriweather hauled in an interception in addition to McKee Sr.'s two picks.

The Rattlers have made the playoffs in every sseason they've played since 2008. Arizona did not play in 2009 as the Arena Football League suspended operations for one season and did not take the field in 2020 when the Indoor Football League canceled its entire season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Rattlers next play at 6 p.m. Monday, July 6 in San Diego against the Strike Force (9-2). Arizona dealt San Diego one of its two losses 49-27 in Week 3 on March 28. The game will be streamed on the Yahoo! Sports Network.