Sports Story

SaberCats beat down Rattlers in home opener

In a game dominated by intimidating men trying to punish the opposition every play, the smallest player on the field made the biggest difference.
San Jose SaberCats kicker A.J. Haglund tied a franchise record by making 4 field goals and was also named the Offensive Player of the Game, which is a rarity for a kicker.
"Kickers get a lot of work in this game, but usually not field goals," said Haglund, who only attempted 18 field goals last season. "Four of them was crazy."
Haglund and SaberCats won their home opener easily 63-43 over the Arizona Rattlers after celebrating their 2007 ArenaBowl Championship before the game.
With the SaberCats struggling offensively, the Defense picked up the slack by forcing five turnovers, posting four sacks and allowing just 7 first half points.
Defensive Back Clevan Thomas received Defensive Player of the Game honors for his fumble recovery for a touchdown and his interception on 4th and goal.
Defensive backs Marquise Floyd and Omar Smith also picked off Rattlers quarterback Brian Smoker, who looked flustered at times while replacing injured starter Lang Campbell.
Two-time Arena Bowl MVP Mark Grieb followed last week’s 6 touchdown no interception performance, with a lackluster 3 touchdown, 2 interception performance.
Grieb said, “ We did just enough to get the win. I wish we had been more crisp, but it was what it was. Fortunately our defense came up big.”
The one positive that came from the SaberCat offense was Grieb’s ability to connect with Cleannord Santil. Santil caught 6 passes for 110 yards and scored 2 first half touchdowns that led the SaberCats to a huge 27-7 lead at halftime.
The SaberCats held off a potential Rattler comeback by rushing for 3 second half touchdowns, including the first two rushing touchdown’s of wide receiver Jason Geathers’ career. Geathers also caught 7 passes for 64 yards while replacing Rodney Wright who missed Saturday’s game with an apparent injury.