The Rattlers host the Nebraska Danger in Saturday's Indoor Football League semifinal at a venue in which they've only played once before – and lost.

That begs the questions:

Is there a West Valley curse on the Rattlers?

Can they adapt to Gila River Arena quickly and extend their stay there for a second game this summer?

Will they gain a new allegiance of fans from the West Valley that they haven't had before?

Rattlers President Chris Presson said Wednesday morning in a text that ticket sales for the game are steady.

If they win, the Rattlers (14-0) host the United Bowl against either the defending champion Iowa Barnstormers or the Sioux Falls Storm on July 13 at Gila River Arena.

The only other time the Rattlers played in Glendale, in the 2016 ArenaBowl, the game got away from them quickly and they lost to the Philadelphia Soul.

There was a conflicting event taking place at Talking Stick Resort Arena in downtown Phoenix that prevents the Rattlers from playing in their home digs, known as the Snake Pit since 1992.

Gila River Arena could be the Rattlers' home for the next two seasons, as renovations for the Suns' arena will take place during the next two NBA offseasons.

"As long as the field is still 50 yards and they got two endzones, we'll be fine," quarterback Drew Powell said.

Wide receiver Anthony Amos is the only Rattler who played in the 2016 ArenaBowl, a 65-58 loss.

"It's not our home arena, but it's just another arena," Amos said.

Offensive lineman Lamar Mady and defensive end Chris McAllister were at the 2016 ArenaBowl as part of the team, but they didn't play.

In that loss, the Rattlers lost defensive end Damien Borel on the game's second play to a knee injury. And four minutes into the game, they were down by 21 points.

Borel was a major loss. But five turnovers ended up costing the Rattlers a chance to win their fourth ArenaBowl in five years.

Now they're going for their second IFL title in three years.

"It was something the team didn't really prepare for and it kind of threw them off," McAllister said about playing at Gila River Arena in the biggest game in 2016. "You got guys on that team who were there. We sent a message to the younger guys to let them know what it will be like and we'll be ready this time."

Last time, the Rattlers had a couple of practices at Gila River Arena and they stayed overnight at a hotel near the arena.

On Saturday, coach Kevin Guy is planning on only bringing players to the arena on the day of the game for the 6 p.m. kickoff.

"It doesn't matter where we play," Guy said. "We're excited about playing over at Gila. I look at everything as an opportunity. It's a positive for us. We have an opportunity to grow our west-side fan base and look at potential sponsors on that side.

"It's going to be an opportunity to bring potential expansion to the game, so that they can see the environment and what we're trying to sell, our product. There's a lot of things we get out of these games. As far as the players go, we're worried about what goes on on the field."

Mady said it still feels like home.

"It's just another building," he said. "It's still an advantage that we're still in Arizona, period. It should be fun. I think guys will take it in as a fun experience and soak it up."

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @acz_obert.

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