Two years in a row, the San Jose SaberCats' season ended with a bitter one-and-done playoff exit. Two years in a row, it was to their archrival Arizona Rattlers in Phoenix. Two years in a row, they watched the same team that ended their season go on to taste the postseason glory that every franchise longs for.
It almost went as a blip on the screen in the San Jose SaberCats' 55-49 loss to the Georgia Force in Week 11. Mark Grieb became the fifth quarterback in the history of the AFL to throw for at least 40,000 yards. The 358 yards that the longtime signal caller for the SaberCats had on Saturday night brought him to 40,121 for his historic career.
When the Arizona Rattlers take the field this Friday night at Moda Center against the Portland Steel, the five-time AFL champs will have more questions coming out of training camp than they have faced over their past half-decade of dominance.
After a season of heart-stopping finishes and miracle comebacks, the luck ran out and the clock struck midnight for the Cleveland Gladiators on Saturday night as the Arizona Rattlers ascended to dynasty status with a dominating 72-32 victory in ArenaBowl XXVII at Quicken Loans Arena.
When it comes to San Jose's success throughout the 2015 season, credit can certainly be granted to essentially every component of the SaberCats' roster and coaching staff. But it is safe to say that the statistical defensive and offensive leaders, defensive back Ken Fontenette and wide receiver Reggie Gray, are primary factors toward San Jose's 14-1 record.