Post by DiamondThief on Feb 25, 2018 17:09:51 GMT -8
2/25/18 --
A late safety and ensuing touchdown proved to be enough for the Arizona Rattlers to hold off the Sioux Falls Storm in week 1 of Indoor Football League in Phoenix, 39-33.
This is the first meeting between the teams since last July when the Rattlers defeated the Storm in the United Bowl, 50-41.
The Storm got on the scoreboard first courtesy of a 17-yard run from quarterback Lorenzo Brown five minutes into the game, but Miles Bergner's first career extra point miss left the score 6-0. The Rattlers came back, scoring on running back Darrell Monroe's three-yard run just two-and-a-half minutes later. The Storm went back up on running back Lyle McCombs' 8-yard run and Sioux Falls led 13-7 after one quarter of action.
Jamal Miles scored on a 1-yard run early in the second quarter. McCombs scored on his second touchdown run of the game midway through the quarter. Quarterback Jeff Ziemba found wide receiver Anthony Amos for 36 yards to take a 20-19 lead with 4:35 left. Brown hit Mike Tatum on a 31-yard strike two minutes later. That was followed up by a rouge courtesy Robert Haynes, and Sioux Falls led 27-20.
The Rattlers blanked the Storm in the third quarter, scoring on a 2-yard run from Jamal Miles and a 25-yard field goal from Sawyer Petre. Arizona led 30-27 headed into the final quarter.
Sioux Falls drew even at the 13:25 minute mark of the fourth quarter when Bergner hit a field goal from 24 yards. The Storm defense forced the Rattlers to turn it over on downs at their own 21 yard line, but Bergner was unable to connect from 39 yards and the score remained knotted at 30-30 with 7:23 left. With the Storm driving, Brown was sacked, bumbling the ball. In an effort to recover and return it for a touchdown, Rattlers defenders batted the ball into the end zone, where it was recovered by Sioux Falls. The play resulted in a safety, giving Arizona a 32-30 lead with 39 seconds remaining.
The Rattlers recovered the ensuing onside kick, and the Storm allowed the Rattlers to score on a 5-yard run from Ziemba with 34 seconds left. The Rattlers led 39-30. Miles Bergner drew the Storm to within 39-33 with 10 seconds left, with the Storm preparing to onside kick, but it was out of bounds and the Rattlers were able to run out the clock.
Following the game, Rattlers head coach Kevin Guy complimented his defense's second half effort. "I felt defensively, we settled down at halftime. "We only gave up six points to them in the second half," he said.
Arizona had 19 first downs to Sioux Falls' 14, and held a slight edge in total offense, 212-191. A total of 20 penalties were accepted by both teams, with the Storm being flagged for 80 yards and the Rattlers for 60.
Ziemba, who came in for relief of starter Verlon Reed, completed 5 of 12 throws for 78 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He also rushed for 19 yards and a score. Reed left the game early in the first quarter with an injury, according to Rattlers head coach Kevin Guy. Monroe finished with 87 yards off 18 carries with a touchdown, while catching two passes for 31 yards. Amos had one catch, but it was good for 36 yards and a touchdown. Defensive back Chris McAllister's 7 total tackles led the Rattlers defense. Defensive lineman Joshua Gordon recorded the sack and forced fumble which led to Arizona's late safety.
Brown finished 10 of 20 for 106 yards and a touchdown, while rushing 11 times for 59 yards and a score. In addition to his two touchdowns, McCombs had 15 yards on 8 carries. Tatum caught 4 passes for 51 yards and a touchdowns, and fellow receiver Judd Harrold had 5 receptions for 45 yards. Defensive backs and defensive lineman Chris Martin led the Rattlers with 8.5 total tackles. Defensive backs Daniel Lindsey and Jabari Gorman each intercepted a pass.
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The Storm (0-1) have a week 2 bye. They will be in action on March 12 as they welcome the Cedar Rapids Titans (0-1) for a 4:05 (PT) kickoff. The Rattlers (1-0) also have a week 2 bye. They will visit the Iowa Barnstormers (1-0) on March 10. Kickoff is set for 5:05 p.m. in that one.
Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be streamed live on the IFL's Official YouTube Channel. SCtoC will present previews of those, and all, games this season.
- ANM
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