Post by DiamondThief on Jun 24, 2017 19:39:26 GMT -8
6/24/17 --
PHOENIX, AZ - The Arizona Rattlers took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back as they dispatched the Nebraska Danger, 62-36 in the Intense Conference Championship game on Saturday.
Arizona in its first year in the Indoor Football League, will represent the Intense Conference in the United Bowl against the Sioux Falls Storm, who easily defeated the Iowa Barnstormers in the United Conference Championship game, 66-32. The Storm will look to win their seventh straight United Bowl.
The United Bowl will be held in Sioux Falls on July 8 with a 3:05 p.m. (PDT) kickoff. The game will be streamed live on the IFL's YouTube Channel.
The Rattlers got on the board on their opening drive when Cody Sokol hit Anthony Amos for a nine-yard touchdown. They went up 14-0 in on Ketrich Harmon's eight-yard pass from Sokol.
Nebraska got themselves on the board midway through the second quarter on quarterback Drew Powell's one-yard run, but Jamal Miles returned the following kickoff 46 yards for the score. The Danger came right back as Eric Thomas returned the ensuing kickoff 40 yards for the touchdown. The Rattlers scored three times to close out the first half. The first was on a five-yard run from Harmon. They added to that with a 14-yard pass from Sokol to Miles. Miles returned the Danger's missed field goal 52 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the half to put the Rattlers up 41-14.
The Danger cut into the lead in the third quarter on Robert Brown's 40-yard interception return.
Arizona dominated the fourth quarter, opening the final stanza with a 12-yard pass from Sokol to Darrell Monroe, followed by Sokol's four-yard run. Nebraska cut the lead to 55-28 when Powell found Carl Sims for a six-yard score. Amos scored for the Rattlers on a one-yard run before Rob Brown's 24-yard touchdown from Powell.
The Rattlers outgained the Danger in total offense, 247 yards to 139, including a 137 to 22 yard advantage in the rushing game. Nebraska committed six penalties for 23 yards, and Arizona was flagged three times for 24 yards.
Sokol completed 13 of 18 passes for 110 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for a touchdown. Harmon rushed 11 times for 6t0 yards and a touchdown, while Monroe finished with 36 yards on eight carries. Amos caught five passes for 52 yards and a score. Allen Chapman and Winfrey Dillion had interceptions for the Rattlers' defense, and Arkieth Brown led the team in total tackles with six.
Powell finished 14 of 22 for 129 yards with two touchdowns and two picks, and ran for another touchdown. Rob Brown had five receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown. Thomas caught three passes for 33 yards, and Sims tallied 218 yards on four receptions and a score. Demetruce McNeal had 6.5 total tackles and an interception for the Danber, and Robert Brown recorded an interception.
The Rattlers finished the regular season with a 12-4 record. The franchise, which moved to the IFL after spending its first 24 seasons in the Arena Football League, had defeated the Danger in both meetings during the regular season. The Danger finished their regular season 9-7 and were playing in their fifth straight Intense Conference Championship game.
SCtoC will post a preview of the United Bowl within the next week.
- ANM
(Graphic courtesy SCtoC)
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