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By Don Coble
ORLANDO, Fla. (May 6, 2015) - Six years into a career that already includes three ArenaBowl championships, Arizona Rattlers quarterback Nick Davila has played in a lot of high-profile games.
Saturday night's game at the Orlando Predators clearly will be another one - especially since both are the only undefeated teams remaining in the Arena Football League.
According to Davila, the keys for the Rattlers are playing hard and fast.
And most important, enjoying the moment.
"These are the games that make arena football fun," Davila said.
Davila knows Orlando is one of the most-difficult places for a visiting opponent, and that the atmosphere inside the Amway Center will be electric.
That's why he doesn't want to come back for a rematch in the playoffs.
The team with the best regular season record will have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, including ArenaBowl XXIX. Not only will the Arizona-Orlando winner be the lone undefeated team at 6-0, it will take control of home-field advantage.
"It's early. A lot of things can happen. It's only Week 6," Davila said. "But the team that comes out of this with a `W' will have a leg up. That's important."
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
There should be a lot of offensive fireworks. The Rattlers lead the league with a 70.4-points-a-game average, while the Predators are second at 62.2. The teams also are one-two in total offense.
Davila's 32 touchdowns are tied with Philadelphia's Dan Raudabaugh for the League lead. Rod Windsor has been Davila's favorite target. His 53 receptions and 18 TDs are No. 1 among the AFL's receivers.
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Orlando quarterback Randy Hippeard, who set an AFL single-season record last year by completing 74.4 percent of his passes, has 28 touchdown passes in five games.
Like Davila, Hippeard is careful not to approach Saturday as a must-win game.
"You don't win the championship in Week 6," Hippeard said. "Winning, of course, is beneficial. It's a big game because everybody wants to win to set themselves up for the playoffs.
"There's still a lot of football left to play. Right now, you don't want to make it harder on yourself. But you want to win."
So early to have so much at stake, Davila also won't allow himself to be distracted by the buildup.
"Anytime you play a good team you want to win, regardless," Davila said. "All you can worry about as a player is focusing on your assignment. As a quarterback, I have to take care of the ball and eliminate mistakes. We need to play physical, relentless football for four quarters. We expect Orlando to do the same.
"It will be a fun game to be a part of for everyone. It's what's Arena Football is all about."
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