Richard Obert

azcentral sports

Former Rattlers safety Virgil Gray leads the league with six interceptions in four games%2C after picking off 15 passes with the Rattlers last season.

Gray is one of three former Rattlers playing defensive back with the Pittsburgh Power.

The Power have 19 new players this season.

Virgil Gray intercepted a franchise-record 15 passes, had another pick in an ArenaBowl win and, a few months later, said goodbye to the Rattlers.

Just like that, the face of the Rattlers' defense during their three-year run of ArenaBowls vanished, seeking another challenge and wanting to be closer to family on the East Coast.

Saturday, the 30-year-old safety returns to US Airways Center as part of the rebuilt Pittsburgh Power. And he hasn't skipped a beat.

Last week, Gray had three interceptions in a 56-14 rout of the New Orleans VooDoo. He comes into the showdown between the hottest team in the East and the best in the West tied for the league lead with six interceptions.

"I'm excited to be coming back to Arizona to play against the champions, my former team," Gray said this week. "I get to see all my fans, friends and family that showed me so much love during my time in Arizona."

Some may say it was too short.

Gray, who was raised in Atlanta, made a huge impact in his three seasons with the Rattlers. He helped the Rattlers capture back-to-back ArenaBowl championships. He keyed the Rattlers to the 2011 ArenaBowl. He has 33 career interceptions and is starting to stockpile picks like he did last season when he went on a roll with the Rattlers, getting two interceptions one week, followed by three the next.

"Virgil is a good football player," Rattlers coach Kevin Guy said. "He really grew when he was with the Rattlers. He learned a lot while he was here. He did a great job. He decided to test free agency. He chose Pittsburgh. That was his choice.

"But again he's wearing the other team's jersey. We know what his strengths are. We know what his weaknesses are. They got two other DBs (Sergio Gilliam and Brandon Freeman) who played here. We got a feel for them. They're a good football team. They're good enough to beat us. We have to be dialed in."

The Power (3-1) have won three in a row since former Utah Blaze coach Ron James took over for Derek Stingley, who was fired after a 63-53 loss to the Cleveland Gladiators, the only other unbeaten team along with the 4-0 Rattlers.

There is a strong Blaze influence, especially with James on board. Quarterback Tommy Grady and receiver Aaron Lesue led the Blaze to the National Conference title game two years ago, before falling to the Rattlers.

This is James' first time coaching Gray, one of 19 new Power players this season.

"I'm sure it will be an emotional return to face a team that had meant so much to him over the years," James said. "I am equally confident that he will handle his surroundings like the consummate professional we all know and respect."

Gray connected with a church in Phoenix. He occasionally exchanges texts messages with Jeremy Kellem, who has taken Gray's spot as the middle man on defense.

"I think the sooner I can calm down my emotions and treat this game like any other game, I will be better off," he said. "It was tough leaving the Rattlers, especially after building great relationships with the fans, making new friends and having a great church to go to. Going to three straight ArenaBowls doesn't make it any easier. I have accomplished a lot in Arizona, and I look forward to much success with the Power."