Rush QB faces his former team

The Rush reunion tour continues at 7:30 p.m. Friday when the Arizona Rattlers pay a visit to Allstate Arena.

Last week, Damian Harrell of the Rush (3-1) became the Arena Football League’s all-time leader in touchdown receptions in a 70-35 victory over his former team, the Colorado Crush.

Now, it’s quarterback Sherdrick Bonner’s turn to face his old teammates from Arizona (2-2). Prior to signing with the Rush in the off-season, Bonner played his first 14 years in the league with the Rattlers.

“It will be a little surreal for a couple of minutes to see those guys on the other side of the ball, but it’s one of those things just about everybody goes through in sports,” Bonner said.

Surreal is a good way to describe the last two weeks for Bonner.

He left the team prior to the March 14 game against Grand Rapids to return home to Denver for the birth of his first child. His wife, Lindsey, gave birth to a boy, Mason.

“When I picked him up, I felt my knees get weak,” Bonner said. “It was the most amazing feeling of unbridled love.”

When his wife and son were napping, he began studying the game plan for the Crush.

“They slept a lot, so I had time to keep my mind fresh,” Bonner said. “I didn’t want to fall behind. I wanted to stay on top of things.”

Bonner’s studying paid off in a big way against the Crush. He completed 24 of 29 passes for 211 yards with 4 touchdown passes and was not intercepted.

“He played almost a perfect game,” coach Mike Hohensee said. “He very easily could have been 28 for 29. There was a calmness about him. He relaxed and didn’t press.”

Friday’s game against Arizona can be heard live at 7:30 p.m. on WSCR 670-AM, and seen on tape delay on Saturday at Comcast SportsNet Chicago.

Playoffs or bust: Sherdrick Bonner was still debating about where to play this year when the Rattlers made a stunning announcement.

The new investor group, led by Brett Bouchy, promised a full refund to season ticket holders if the team did not make the playoffs.

“I thought they were joking at first,” Bonner said. “You couldn’t have a better market tool, but it puts your team in a tough spot. It’s a gutsy move.”

Hohensee was surprised by the guarantee.

“I understand they’re trying to stir up interest, but I think players are more professional than that,” he said. “They’re (already) motivated to play great.”

Score while you can: After the Crush scored four touchdowns in the first half, the Rush defense yielded just 7 points the rest of the game.

Going back to late last season, teams have had little success against the Rush during the final half.

“We get better as the game goes on, and I think a lot of that has to do with (conditioning),” lineman John Moyer said.

In the second half against the Crush, the Rush’s secondary was more straightforward and aggressive.

“We maybe outthought ourselves in the first half,” defensive back Jeremy Unertl said. “We went back to a (simpler) scheme where we were athletic and playing the way we should. It paid off with a bunch of stops.”