Arizona Rattlers QB Nick Davila wins 2nd Arena Football MVP

Rattlers quarterback Nick Davila became only the second player in Arena Football League history to be named Most Valuable Player more than once when the 6-foot-3, 220-pound veteran was given the highest honor at the ArenaBowl Gala Thursday at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

Davila joins former Tampa Bay Storm offensive specialist George LaFrance as the only multiple Arena League MVP winners. Davila last won the honor in 2011, when the Rattlers lost the ArenaBowl at home on the final play to the Jacksonville Sharks.

Davila also was named Offensive Player of the Year for passing for a franchise-record 127 touchdowns passes during a 15-3 regular season. His touchdowns were the second-most in league history. He led the league in passer efficiency.

Davila will try to lead the Rattlers to a third consecutive championship on Saturday in the ArenaBowl. They play the Cleveland Gladiators (19-1). Gladiators coach Steve Thonn was given the Marcum-Moss Coach of the Year award at Thursday's gala, turning around a team that went 4-14 last year.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ar.../14421765/

I know it's a very different game than the NFL, but with his success, I'm surprised and NFL team hasn't given him a run-out yet.

Nicks team blowing out Cleveland. Goodman and CJ Cobb are on Cleveland.

First UC game i ever watched was when Davila torched the #6 Rutgers. He's a big part of the reason im such a big fan today. Great to see him doing well for himself.

UC vs Rutgers, ESPN: Davila to Celek......great memory

Arizona Rattlers cement dynasty status with 3rd ArenaBowl win in a row
Richard Obert, azcentral sports 7:41 p.m. MST August 23, 2014


Arizona Rattlers quarterback Nick Davila (10) celebrates with fans following their 72-56 win over the San Jose SaberCats in their National Conference final game Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014 in Phoenix, Ariz.(Photo: David Kadlubowski, David KadlubowskI/The Republic)

Dynasty.

It fits the Rattlers, who can make the argument that these four years have been the most dominant run by any team in Arena Football League history.

They won their third consecutive ArenaBowl on Saturday night in relentless fashion, intercepting passes, scoring quickly and with ease and muffling the noise inside Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland during a 72-32 rout of the Gladiators.

A last-play touchdown by the Jacksonville Sharks in Arizona in 2011 keeps the Rattlers from coming home with their fourth straight Foster Trophy.

But this team can go down as the most resilient and determined in coach Kevin Guy's six seasons leading the Rattlers.

They've played 84 games in four years, a stretch that would test any team's will. But they never broke.

The 40-point win was the largest margin in championship history.

Nick Davila once again was brilliant in the big game.

Kerry Reed showed how the Ironman game once was dominated by the two-way player.

Cliff Dukes had only one practice in two weeks but fueled a defensive front that put constant pressure on quarterback Shane Austin, who never had a chance to pull out another heart-stopping finish.

The Gladiators won six games on the final play, but the Rattlers had ripped out their heart before halftime.

When the Rattlers (18-3) came back out for the second half, they didn't let up.

Guy leaped in the air with Davila and bounced off of each other, celebrating another one of his scoring passes that gave the Rattlers a 38-point lead early in the second half.

So much built-up emotion was let out during ArenaBowl XXVII, as the Rattlers let the 18,000 or so fans who filled the arena know there is no cracking this dynasty, despite the cur.

The Rattlers' matched the greatest run of titles with their third consecutive and fifth overall.

Three straight titles matches the Detroit Drive's run of three in a row from 1988-90.

Guy becomes the first coach in AFL history to win three ArenaBowls in a row.

Davila won his third straight title, rarely missing Rod Windsor, Reed, Tysson Poots and Chris Jackson.

They were physical and relentless, poised and nearly perfect, much the same way they were in New Orleans two years ago when they jumped all over the Philadelphia Soul en route to the first of their three straight championships.

That game was played in a mostly empty arena.

This game was played before Gladiators' fans who were chanting "Yes!" a half hour before kickoff.

They intercepted Shane Austin, a second-team All-Arena selection, four times in the first three quarters.

Dukes, clearly upset over teammate Anntaj Hawthorne being chop blocked, got all over Austin in the end zone, where Marcus Pittman and Tyre Glasper cleaned up for a sack and safety.

Jeremy Kellem had two interceptions.

Reed, taking an interception back for a touchdown early in the game, followed the high-stepping Guy into the end zone.

Guy's emotions rubbed off on the Rattlers.

And the rout was on, a dynasty cemented.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ar.../14515631/

Davila is the Joe Montana of Arena football.

18,000 fans? That is pretty impressive for Arena Football.