Post by DiamondThief on Jun 2, 2018 19:14:54 GMT -8
FINAL - Barnstormers 41, Rattlers 38
6/2/18 --
DES MOINES, IA - There is a new leader in the Indoor Football League's race for home field advantage in the playoffs.
The Iowa Barnstormers are now in that position after their 41-38 win over the Arizona Rattlers tonight at Wells Fargo Arena. Iowa is in the driver's seat having swept the Rattlers in the season series, 3-0. They face a tough test next week as they visit the Sioux Falls Storm. Should the Barnstormers win that game, they will clinch home field advantage in the semifinals and, should they advance, the United Bowl. The Barnstormers stand at 10-2.
Arizona dropped to 10-3 on the year and are still in prime position to host a semifinal match up. Whether they are at home in that first round predominantly depends on the result of next week's Barnstormers-Storm game.
The Iowa Barnstormers are now in that position after their 41-38 win over the Arizona Rattlers tonight at Wells Fargo Arena. Iowa is in the driver's seat having swept the Rattlers in the season series, 3-0. They face a tough test next week as they visit the Sioux Falls Storm. Should the Barnstormers win that game, they will clinch home field advantage in the semifinals and, should they advance, the United Bowl. The Barnstormers stand at 10-2.
Arizona dropped to 10-3 on the year and are still in prime position to host a semifinal match up. Whether they are at home in that first round predominantly depends on the result of next week's Barnstormers-Storm game.
Ziemba hit Anthony Amos for a 23-yard touchdown early in the second quarter before the Barnstormers scored on Powell's four-yard pass to Ryan Balentine. Arizona extended the lead to 28-20 with six minutes left in the first half when Darrell Monroe plunged in from two yards out. Powell hit a wide open Roland for 36 yards and the Rattlers' lead was back to within a point. Sawyer Petre hit a 27-yard field goal with 31 seconds left. The Rattlers led 31-27 at the half.
The Barnstormers provided the only points of the third quarter which came on a seven-yard run from Powell to give Iowa their first lead of the game at 34-31.
Statistically, the game was quite even. The Barnstormers held an edge in total offense, 253 yards to 236, with a 148 yards to 63 advantage in the running game. Arizona had 173 passing yards to Iowa's 105. The Rattlers were penalized six times for 32 yards, while the Barnstormers were flagged 5 times for 38 yards. The only turnover in the game came on a lost Barnstormers' fumble.
Powell was, as usual solid. He completed 7 of 14 of his passes for 68 yards with 2 touchdowns. He did his damage on the ground, rushing 26 times for 129 yards and another 2 scores. Roland had 4 catches for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns; one being thrown by fellow receiver Balentine. Balentine caught 3 passes for 20 yards and a touchdown. Jourdan Wickliffe had 6.5 touchdowns and Tyrell Pearson finished with 6. Bryce Enyard, the IFL's interception leader, had 2 pass break ups.
Ziemba finished 16 of 31 for 173 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also ran for a score. Monroe, back after two games on Short Term Injured Reserve, rushed 5 times for 52 and a touchdown. Anthony Amos had possibly his best game of the season as he caught 5 passes for 73 yards and a touchdown. Miles had 7 receptions for 57 yards and a pair of scores. Dillon Winfrey led the Rattlers with 10 total tackles, and Davontwe Merriweather recovered a fumble.
The Rattlers have a bye in week 16, and will close out the regular season when they visit the Nebraska Danger on June 16. Kickoff is set for 5:05 p.m. pacific (7:05 p.m. central). The Barnstormers will host the Sioux Falls Storm on June 8 with kickoff slated for 5:05 p.m. pacific (7:05 p.m. pacific
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. Those previews will be posted on the board of the home team in each game.
- ANM
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