Post by Monika on Mar 16, 2024 20:10:27 GMT -8
Rattlers 51, Wranglers 40
3/16/24 --
PRESCOTT VALLEY, AZ - It wasn't always pretty, but it was mission accomplished for the Arizona Rattlers.
The Rattlers opened the season with a 51-40 win over their in-state rival Northern Arizona Wranglers tonight at Findlay Toyota Center. It was the first meeting for the teams since the Wranglers ended the Rattlers' 2023 season with a 62-53 win in the opening round of the playoffs at Phoenix.
The matchup was the 2024 season opener for the Indoor Football League, which is beginning its 16th season with 16 teams. Commissioner Todd Tryon was in attendance for this opener.
The Rattlers won the coin toss and deferred. The Wranglers responded with a seven-play drive capped off by a four-yard run from rookie quarterback Josh Jones, who shook off a would-be tackler in the backfield before heading into the end zone. The Rattlers drove down to the NAZ four, but turned the ball over on downs, giving it back to the Wranglers. The turnover was short-lived though, as Jones was sacked in the end zone by the Rattlers' Harold Love. The Rattlers took their first lead of the game when Dalton Sneed found Glen Gibbons, Jr. in the back of the end zone for a 10-yard score. The Wranglers struck right back when Arsiah McCorker returned the ensuing kickoff 55 yards for the score. The Wranglers led 13-9 at the end of the opening quarter.
Arizona took a 16-13 lead with 11:31 left in the second on Sneed's seven-yard touchdown toss to veteran Jamal Miles. The Wranglers had a chance to take the lead, but Jones fumbled as he scrambled to the right and was recovered by the Rattlers. Arizona took advantage of the turnover when Shannon Brooks bullied his way in from six yards out. McCorker pulled the Wranglers to within a field goal as he returned his second kickoff for touchdown; this one of 56 yards, midway through the second quarter. Brooks' one-yard scoring run around the right guard put the Rattlers up 30-20 with just over three minutes left until halftime. The Wranglers settled for a field goal with just under 21 seconds to go. The Rattlers responded immediately on Sneed's 25-yard touchdown strike to Miles just five seconds later. Perez nailed a 48-yard field goal as time expired to cut the Rattlers' lead to 37-26 at intermission.
Perez struck again for the Wranglers when he hit a deuce on the opening kickoff of the second half. The Rattlers responded with a nine-yard run up the middle from Brooks for his third touchdown of the game. After driving into Rattlers' territory, the Rattlers forced a turnover on downs from the Wranglers to start at their own six yard line. The Wranglers forced Dawson Evitts into a 58-yard field goal attempt, but it went into the stands. The Rattlers held a 44-28 lead heading into the final quarter.
Both teams switched out their quarterbacks in the third quarter; with former Wrangler Garrett Kettle in for Sneed for the Rattlers and Dillon Sterling-Cole in for Jones for the Wranglers.
Northern Arizona cut into the lead when Sterling-Cole found McCorker in the left corner of the end zone for a 23-yard score and the score was 44-34 with 12:19 left. The Rattlers drove down to the NAZ one, but were stuffed by the Wranglers' defense. Northern Arizona was unable to capitalize as they were stopped just short of the line to gain on fourth down. The Rattlers took over at their own 24-yard line. They scored on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Kettle to Gibbons. The Wranglers responded with an eight-yard run from Jarrod Ware, Jr. around the left side at the one-minute warning. Ware attempted to rush a two-point conversion up the middle, but was stopped short. The Rattlers led 51-40 with 60 seconds remaining.
The Wranglers' John Maldonado recovered Perez's onside kick to give the Wranglers the ball right back. However, Sterling-Cole was intercepted in the left side by Dillon Winfrey which allowed the Rattlers to run out the clock.
Sneed finished eight of 15 for 114 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Brooks added 60 yards off 13 carries to his three touchdowns. Gibbons caught five balls for 72 yards and two scores, and Miles hauled in three passes for 41 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Jermaine Doubs led the defense with seven tackles. Love had the Rattlers' lone sack and Winfrey recorded an interception.
Sterling-Cole completed five of 10 passes for 66 yards and a touchdown and an interception. Jones went six of 13 for 36 yards while rushing for 40 yards off eight carries. McCorcker caught three passes for 45 yards and a touchdown to go with his two kickoffs returned for touchdowns. Malik Sonnier and Shanon Reid paced the Wranglers' defense with 10 tackles apiece.
The Rattlers gained 218 total yards compared to 173 for the Wranglers. They had an advantage in receiving yards, 130 to 102, and a five-yard edge in rushing yards. The Wranglers were penalized 12 times for 108 yards, while the Rattlers were flagged 11 times for 65 yards.
The Rattlers will host the Vegas Knight Hawks on March 24 at 3:05 p.m. The Wranglers have a bye next week and are back in action on May 30 for their home opener against the Tucson Sugar Skulls at 6:05 p.m. Times listed are pacific daylight time.
Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be streamed live on the IFL YouTube Channel and Caffeine TV IFL. 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. Click for our complete IFL 2024 Schedule.
3/16/24 --
PRESCOTT VALLEY, AZ - It wasn't always pretty, but it was mission accomplished for the Arizona Rattlers.
The Rattlers opened the season with a 51-40 win over their in-state rival Northern Arizona Wranglers tonight at Findlay Toyota Center. It was the first meeting for the teams since the Wranglers ended the Rattlers' 2023 season with a 62-53 win in the opening round of the playoffs at Phoenix.
The matchup was the 2024 season opener for the Indoor Football League, which is beginning its 16th season with 16 teams. Commissioner Todd Tryon was in attendance for this opener.
The Rattlers won the coin toss and deferred. The Wranglers responded with a seven-play drive capped off by a four-yard run from rookie quarterback Josh Jones, who shook off a would-be tackler in the backfield before heading into the end zone. The Rattlers drove down to the NAZ four, but turned the ball over on downs, giving it back to the Wranglers. The turnover was short-lived though, as Jones was sacked in the end zone by the Rattlers' Harold Love. The Rattlers took their first lead of the game when Dalton Sneed found Glen Gibbons, Jr. in the back of the end zone for a 10-yard score. The Wranglers struck right back when Arsiah McCorker returned the ensuing kickoff 55 yards for the score. The Wranglers led 13-9 at the end of the opening quarter.
Arizona took a 16-13 lead with 11:31 left in the second on Sneed's seven-yard touchdown toss to veteran Jamal Miles. The Wranglers had a chance to take the lead, but Jones fumbled as he scrambled to the right and was recovered by the Rattlers. Arizona took advantage of the turnover when Shannon Brooks bullied his way in from six yards out. McCorker pulled the Wranglers to within a field goal as he returned his second kickoff for touchdown; this one of 56 yards, midway through the second quarter. Brooks' one-yard scoring run around the right guard put the Rattlers up 30-20 with just over three minutes left until halftime. The Wranglers settled for a field goal with just under 21 seconds to go. The Rattlers responded immediately on Sneed's 25-yard touchdown strike to Miles just five seconds later. Perez nailed a 48-yard field goal as time expired to cut the Rattlers' lead to 37-26 at intermission.
Perez struck again for the Wranglers when he hit a deuce on the opening kickoff of the second half. The Rattlers responded with a nine-yard run up the middle from Brooks for his third touchdown of the game. After driving into Rattlers' territory, the Rattlers forced a turnover on downs from the Wranglers to start at their own six yard line. The Wranglers forced Dawson Evitts into a 58-yard field goal attempt, but it went into the stands. The Rattlers held a 44-28 lead heading into the final quarter.
Both teams switched out their quarterbacks in the third quarter; with former Wrangler Garrett Kettle in for Sneed for the Rattlers and Dillon Sterling-Cole in for Jones for the Wranglers.
Northern Arizona cut into the lead when Sterling-Cole found McCorker in the left corner of the end zone for a 23-yard score and the score was 44-34 with 12:19 left. The Rattlers drove down to the NAZ one, but were stuffed by the Wranglers' defense. Northern Arizona was unable to capitalize as they were stopped just short of the line to gain on fourth down. The Rattlers took over at their own 24-yard line. They scored on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Kettle to Gibbons. The Wranglers responded with an eight-yard run from Jarrod Ware, Jr. around the left side at the one-minute warning. Ware attempted to rush a two-point conversion up the middle, but was stopped short. The Rattlers led 51-40 with 60 seconds remaining.
The Wranglers' John Maldonado recovered Perez's onside kick to give the Wranglers the ball right back. However, Sterling-Cole was intercepted in the left side by Dillon Winfrey which allowed the Rattlers to run out the clock.
Sneed finished eight of 15 for 114 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Brooks added 60 yards off 13 carries to his three touchdowns. Gibbons caught five balls for 72 yards and two scores, and Miles hauled in three passes for 41 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Jermaine Doubs led the defense with seven tackles. Love had the Rattlers' lone sack and Winfrey recorded an interception.
Sterling-Cole completed five of 10 passes for 66 yards and a touchdown and an interception. Jones went six of 13 for 36 yards while rushing for 40 yards off eight carries. McCorcker caught three passes for 45 yards and a touchdown to go with his two kickoffs returned for touchdowns. Malik Sonnier and Shanon Reid paced the Wranglers' defense with 10 tackles apiece.
The Rattlers gained 218 total yards compared to 173 for the Wranglers. They had an advantage in receiving yards, 130 to 102, and a five-yard edge in rushing yards. The Wranglers were penalized 12 times for 108 yards, while the Rattlers were flagged 11 times for 65 yards.
The Rattlers will host the Vegas Knight Hawks on March 24 at 3:05 p.m. The Wranglers have a bye next week and are back in action on May 30 for their home opener against the Tucson Sugar Skulls at 6:05 p.m. Times listed are pacific daylight time.
Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be streamed live on the IFL YouTube Channel and Caffeine TV IFL. 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. Click for our complete IFL 2024 Schedule.
-MMM
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