The AFL playoffs began with no team hotter than Arizona and that's just the way Rattlers' head coach Danny White wanted it. Before beating Los Angeles in the quarterfinals and Colorado in the semifinals, White's club won its last eight regular-season games, giving Arizona the top seed and home field throughout the playoffs -- an advantage White told me he believes is worth 10 points a game.

SEEKING THE
TOP PRIZE
On Sunday the Rattlers host the San Jose SaberCats in the ArenaBowl.

The San Jose-Arizona showdown is a rematch of the 2002 AFL title game.

Arizona won league titles in 1994 and 1997.

The past two seasons it made it to the ArenaBowl, but came away a loser both times, falling to San Jose in 2002 and Tampa Bay last year.

Both those losses were on the road, so it's no wonder why the Rattlers wanted the home field so badly this postseason.

This is an experienced team with a core of veterans leading it, most notably quarterback Sherdrick Bonner and wide receiver-linebacker Hunkie Cooper.  

The Rattlers aren't getting any younger and I think they realize that after having knocked on the door to a title the last couple of seasons, this is the year where they have to break through and win a championship.

THE TIME IS NOW
Coach White was at the helm for Arizona's two ArenaBowl wins.

I sense that he is somewhat frustrated that the Rattlers have not come away with a championship in recent years.

He may very well be looking at this postseason as one last opportunity to win a title with the current cast of players.

I think Cooper is the heart and soul of the Rattlers.

I don't think I've ever met a player more passionate about the game of football  -- be it indoor or outdoor -- than Cooper.

He is a phenomenal player, who seems to make a significant impact in each game he plays.

I expect Cooper and Bonner will both be chasing hard after a title this postseason, and the rest of the Rattlers will be right behind their lead. 

ALSO IN STARRING ROLES
The Rattlers’ Bryan Henderson, who last year was named to the AFL’s All-Rookie Team, this season was selected to the All-AFL First Team.

The second-year lineman out of Northwest Oklahoma set the single-season franchise record for sacks this year with eight -- and that was good enough for fourth in the league.

Henderson's play was a key to a good Arizona pass rush that had 16 sacks in as many games.

In addition to leveling opposing quarterbacks, Henderson was a force on defense with 19.5 tackles, two batted passes, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

But Henderson is not the only standout when the Rattlers are trying to keep opponents off the scoreboard.

Recognition as being one of the best two-way linemen was given to Wendall Gaines when he was named to the U.S. Army All-Ironman Team.

Gaines has five years AFL experience, but this was probably his best regular season as he chalked up 31 tackles and two sacks.

HARD TO FIGURE OUT
Coach White is an unusual play caller so I think with Arizona there's always the element of surprise and that is an advantage for the Rattlers.

When taking on White's team, opposing coaches don't know what they are going to face -- it's like playing against a left-handed tennis player.

White is not afraid to take chances and gamble some -- and while taking these risks can backfire, most times they work out for White and the Rattlers.

White's coaching strategy and decisions are an intangible in any playoff matchup, and they could make a difference when it counts the most -- in the ArenaBowl.