PHOENIX -- Riding the arm of quarterback Mark Grieb and the always-dependable hands of wide receivers James Roe and Ben Nelson, the San Jose SaberCats staked their claim to first-place in the Western Division with a 56-49 defeat of the Arizona Rattlers before 10,017 at US Airways Arena.

The SaberCats (6-3) found the endzone their first seven possessions, featuring four touchdown strikes from Grieb to Roe and three to Nelson. The Rattlers (2-8), who overhauled their defensive secondary during the week, had no answer for Grieb, who finished the night completing 25 of 35 passes for 306 yards. Roe and Nelson both broke the 100 yard mark with 128 and 103 respectively. Fellow receiver Jason Geathers chipped in with a team-high ten receptions for 75 yards.  

The Rattlers were led by veteran quarterback Sherdrick Bonner, who overcame a shaky start to finish 22 of 37 passing for 252 yards and six touchdowns, three to back-up wide receiver Atnaf Harris. Arizona posted 23 first downs to San Jose's 19 and were helped by 11 SaberCat penalties, but could not overcome the efficiency of Grieb's air attack.

With the win, San Jose head coach Darren Arbet moves within one victory of 100 in his AFL coaching career. The fifth coach to reach the century mark in league history. The SaberCats host Las Vegas May 12th.