United Bowl - Rattlers at Storm; 7/8/17; 3:05 p.m. (PT)

[Nevadanut]

UNITED BOWL 



Arizona Rattlers vs. Sioux Falls Storm

What: The Rattlers face the Storm in the 2017 United Bowl.
When: Saturday, July 8 at 3:05 p.m. (PDT).
Where: Denny Sanford Premiere Center; Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
National Stream (Rattlers Radio): IFL YouTube Channel - United Bowl Rattlers.
National Stream (Storm Radio): IFL YouTube Channel - United Bowl Storm.
Head to Head: Storm lead 1-0 (Storm lead 1-0 at home).
Note: The Storm defeated the Rattlers on opening night of the 2017 season, 40-29, in Sioux Falls.

HELPFUL LINKS
Indoor Football League Rules
Indoor Football League Schedule and Results - 2017 Season
2017 Arizona Rattlers Schedule
Arizona Rattlers - Vital Statistics
2017 Sioux Falls Storm Schedule
Sioux Falls Storm - Vital Statistics
IFL Franchise Index

The Rattlers finished the season at 12-4 overall, 7-1 on the road and 5-3 in inter-conference play. They are coming off a 62-36 home win over the Nebraska Danger in the Intense Conference Championship game on June 24. They averaged 48.9 points per game and allowed 38.1 points per game. The Rattlers finished first Intense Conference during the regular season.

The Storm finished the season at 14-2 overall, 7-1 at home and 5-0 in inter-conference play. They are coming off a 66-32 home win over the Iowa Barnstormers in the United Conference Championship game on June 24. They averaged 48.1 points per game and allowed 29.2 points per game. The Storm finished first in the United Conference during the regular season.

REGULAR SEASON BREAKDOWN
Total Yards per Game - Rattlers 240.6; Storm 224.2
Pass Yards per Game - Rattlers 125.3; Storm 111.8
Rush Yards per Game - Rattlers 115.3; Storm 112.4
3rd Down Conversion - Rattlers 52%; Storm 44%
4th Down Conversion - Rattlers 48%; Storm 66%
Total Tackles - Rattlers 544.5; Storm 578
Tackles for Loss - Rattlers 70; Storm 76
Total Sacks - Rattlers 27; Storm 27
Fumble Recoveries - Rattlers 4; Storm 8
Interceptions - Rattlers 14; Storm 27

PLAYOFFS BREAKDOWN (one game each)
Total Yards per Game - Rattlers 247; Storm 238
Pass Yards per Game - Rattlers 110; Storm 175
Rush Yards per Game - Rattlers 137; Storm 63
3rd Down Conversion - Rattlers 78%; Storm 67%
4th Down Conversion - Rattlers 100%; Storm 50%
Total Tackles - Rattlers 34; Storm 35
Tackles for Loss - Rattlers 4; Storm 2
Total Sacks - Rattlers 2; Storm 1
Fumble Recoveries - Rattlers 0; Storm 1
Interceptions - Rattlers 2; Storm 4


ARIZONA RATTLERS


Rattlers WR Anthony Amos (photo courtesy Matt Hinshaw/AZ Rattlers)

ROSTER
# - name (pos)
1 - Markus Smith (DB)
2 - Darron Thomas (QB)
3 - Allen Chapman (DB)
4 - Nathan Lindsey (DB)
5 - Anthony Amos (WR)
6 - Adam Sauder (DB)
9 - Antonio Vaughn (WR)
11 - Arkeith Brown (DB)
12 - Diondre Borel (WR)
14 - Darrell Monroe (RB)
15 - Dillon Winfrey (WR)
16 - Jamal Miles (WR)
17 - Jon Wolf (QB)
19 - Cody Sokol (QB)
22 - Sawyer Petre (K)
30 - Justin Shirk (LB)
31 - Chris McAllister (DL)
42 - Ketrich Harmon (RB)
49 - Edward Mosley (DL)
50 - Glen Haisley (OL)
58 - Damian Love (OL)
91 - Justin Martin (DL)
94 - Lamar Mady (OL)
95 - Joshua Gordon (DL)
96 - Michael Huey (OL)
99 - Jordan Mosley (OL)

Kevin Guy - Head Coach
Kani Kauahi - Assistant Head Coach
Nick Davila - Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

REGULAR SEASON STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Yards - Cody Sokol 1,462
Passing TDs - Cody Sokol 35
Passing INTs - Cody Sokol 7
Rushing Yards - Darrell Monroe 721
Rushing TDs - Darrell Monroe 18
Receptions - Anthony Amos 48
Receiving Yards - Anthony Amos 565
Receiving TDs - Anthony Amos 19
Tackles (Solo) - Adam Sauder 81
Sacks - Chris McAllister 17
Interceptions - Allen Chapman 8
KO Return Ave - Jamal Miles 19.4
KO Return TDs - Jamal Miles 2

Note 1: For the playoffs, statistical leaders include only players on the current roster.

Note 2 : Roster information is subject to change and is presented here as a basic guide for following the game. Roster information is gathered from the IFL, the team's official websites, and other sources.


SIOUX FALLS STORM


Storm QB Lorenzo Brown (Photo courtesy Joe Ahlquist/Argus Leader)

ROSTER
# - name (pos)
1 - Korey Williams (WR)
2 - Rashard Smith (DB)
3 - Tyler Knight (LB)
4 - J'Vontez Blackmon (DB)
6 - Elijah Fields (DB)
8 - Lorenzo Brown (QB)
11 - Judd Harold (WR)
12 - Matt Hermanson (DB)
13 - Melvin Germain (WR)
15 - Claude Davis (DL)
16 - Cory Henry (DL)
18 - Jermaine Robinson (DB)
19 - Justin Syrovatka (K)
20 - Robbie Rouse (RB)
23 - Mike Tatum (WR)
24 - Carlton Watkins Jr. (DB)
34 - Brandon Peguese (DL)
55 - Khalif Mitchell (DL)
56 - Ino Vitale (DL)
56 - Nicholas Richardson (DL)
69 - Rashaud Mungro (OL)
71 - Kyle Bryant (OL)
74 - Jabari Buckley (OL)
75 - Myniya Smith (OL)
88 - Eric Shufford (WR)

Kurtiss Riggs - Head Coach
Brian Hermanson - Defensive Coordinator
Blake Wilson - Wide Receivers Coach/Kick Return Coach
Jared Fredenburg - Defensive Line Coach
Paul Keizer - Offensive Line Coach
Andre Fields - Defensive Backs/Special Teams Coach
Cory Johnsen - Assistant Defensive Line Coach

REGULAR SEASON STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Yards - Lorenzo Brown 1,820
Passing TDs - Lorenzo Brown 34
Passing Ints - Lorenzo Brown 8
Rushing Yards - Lorenzo Brown 700
Rushing TDs - Lorenzo Brown 24
Receptions - Mike Tatum/Korey Williams 32
Receiving Yards - Mike Tatum 433
Receiving TDs - Mike Tatum/Korey Williams 9
Total Tackles - Tyler Knight 102.5
Sacks - Khalif Mitchell 5.5
Interceptions - Rashard Smith 7
KO Return Ave - Lorenzo Brown 39.0
KO Return TDs - Claude Davis/*Latavious Willis 1

Note 1: For the playoffs, statistical leaders include only players on the current roster.

Note 2 : Roster information is subject to change and is presented here as a basic guide for following the game. Roster information is gathered from the IFL, the team's official websites, and other sources.


HEIDI'S TAKES

This will be a matchup between two teams which feature dual threat offenses. Each team's rushing versus passing yards are nearly identical. This game also features strong defenses and offensive lines which can create holes for which to run, and protect their quarterbacks.

ARIZONA RATTLERS:

Due to largely geographic reasons, the Rattlers made the jump from the Arena Football League to the IFL back in October after the demises of the Portland Steel and Los Angeles KISS. Had they attempted to remain in the AFL, the Rattlers would have been the only team west of Cleveland, Ohio. The already fledgling AFL would have been hard pressed to keep the Rattlers, and have to deal with the demands of extended travel for each of its road games and forcing the league to travel teams from the east coast to Arizona for their home games.

Just as the Spokane Empire (formerly the Shock) advanced to the United Bowl in its first season last year, the Rattlers have done the same in their inaugural season in the IFL. After starting the season 2-2, the Rattlers won 10 of their last 12. They had clinched the Intense Conference's first seed by the end of week 16, which guaranteed they would host the conference championship game on June 24. They would end up facing the Nebraska Danger.

The Rattlers opened a 41-14 halftime lead and never looked back as they easily dispatched the Danger in the Intense Conference Championship game. Cody Sokol threw touchdown passes to four different receivers, and Ketrich Harmon rushed for 60 yards on 11 carries and scored a touchdown in the win. Anthony Amos caught five passes for 52 yards and a touchdown. Allen Champman and Dillion Winfrey each had an interception defensively for the Rattlers.

Running back Darrell Monroe led all rushers in the IFL in rushing yards and touchdowns, and Harmon finished fifth in the regular season in rushing yards. The duo provides an excellent one-two punch for the Rattlers. Sokol is capable of making things happen in the running game as well, as he finished with 167 yards on 59 carries with four touchdowns.

Sokol is, essentially, a game manager. In this, his rookie season, he has managed games very well after taking over for the injured Darron Thomas in Arizona's fifth game of the season. His completion rate of 60.6 percent puts him in the middle of the pack when it comes to IFL quarterbacks, but he is not forced to pass as much as those other signal callers. Thomas was called up from injured reserve three weeks ago. Add to that Jon Wolf and the Rattlers, uncharacteristically for indoor football, have three quarterbacks on their roster (Wolf has been used as a running back on several occasions this season). Anthony Amos is the go to receiver for this team. Having played in the AFL for the Rattlers, he appeared in all 16 games this season, as did Jamal Miles, who ranks second on the team in all receiving categories. Harmon, Monroe and Antonio Vaughn will also figure into the passing game for Arizona.

It is a staunch group on the defense for the Rattlers. Adam Sauder led the team in total tackles, and Allen Chapman's eight interceptions were second best in the IFL. Former AFL Rattler Arkeith Brown had 76 total tackles and five interceptions. The Rattlers have gotten to opposing quarterbacks 27 times this season, with Chris McAllister's 10 sacks leading the way. Justin Shirk and Joshua Gordon each had 7.5 and six sacks, respectively. Miles holds a 19.6 yard per kickoff average and returned two for touchdowns during the regular season. Sawyer Petre has provided the kicking duties all season. he is 15 of 25 on his field goal attempts this season and has a 50.1 yard kickoff average.

The Rattlers will have to have to play a full 60 minutes to win this. Even if the Storm are down, they are a resourceful team which can strike often and quickly. If Arizona can earn an early lead and match Sioux Falls in the second half, they could steal the United Bowl title in their first IFL season.

Player to Watch - Allen Chapman (DB).

SIOUX FALLS STORM:

No team in professional sports aside for the NBA's Boston Celtics has had more consecutive championship experience as the Storm. Between 1957 to 1969, the Celtics won 11 championships in 13 seasons, including 10 of 11 from 1959 to 1969. The talk of dynasties is discussed and debated in professional sports constantly, but there is nothing which compares to those Celtics teams. However, the IFL's Storm are making a case to reach that mark as they will vie for their seventh straight United Bowl title.

The Storm have existed in three leagues in their 17-season history, and have won league championships in 10 of those seasons. There is a winning tradition in Sioux Falls, where they went over 70 games without dropping a home game until a 36-21 loss to the Wichita Falls Nighthawks this season. When it comes to the alpha dog of the IFL, you need look no further than this team from southeastern South Dakota. Sioux Falls boasts an estimated population of 174,360, according to the 2010 United States Census projection.

After the Iowa Barnstormers scored on the opening kickoff of the United Conference Championship game, the Storm scored 35-straight points and simply held on to earn their eighth straight United Bowl berth. Lorenzo Brown completed 70.6 percent of his passes for 175 yards and four touchdowns, and ran for a touchdown. Robbie Rouse ran eight times for 29 yards and two touchdowns. Mike Tatum had five receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown. On the defensive side, Rashard smith intercepted Iowa quarterback Travis Partridge twice, and Elijah Fields and Jermain Robinson each had an interception. Fields led the Storm in total tackles in the game with eight.

Brown, who has quarterbacked the Storm in their last two United Bowl victories, is about as dual threat as you can get. He started all 16 games for the Storm, and led them in passing and in rushing. Brown can be, and often is, a game changer. He threw for 34 passes and rushed for another 24 to lead the Storm through the season. Had Sioux Falls lost its season finale, and had the Wichita Falls Nighthawks not lost to the Nebraska Danger in the same weekend, Brown and the Storm would be watching this game at home.

Robbie Rouse was not far behind of Brown when it came to the running game. Rouse had a 4.1 yards per carry average as he amassed 614 yards and hit the end zone 15 times. The Storm have enjoyed receiver by committee success in the receiving game. Mike Tatum is solid, and Korey Williams is very adept and making a play. Williams has had a couple of breakout games this season and could have one here if the Rattlers' defense focuses too heavily on Tatum. Judd Harrold should also figure to mix in the passing game.

Tyler Knight is one of the best defenders in the IFL. In addition to his 102.5 total tackles, he also had 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and two blocked kicks. Nine different Storm players hd at least an interception. Smith led the team with seven, while Fields and Matt Hermanson each had five. Williams is the primary return man, but Tatum or Rouse could be seen returning a kick in this game. Justin Syrovatka is solid on his extra point conversions, but is only 17 of 34 on his field goal attempts this season.

The Storm know how to win. Like the Rattlers, they have a veteran roster. They also know what it's like to be in the big game. The Rattlers will want to establish a running game. If the Storm can get a couple defensive stops and pull away early, they should be able to win their seventh straight IFL title.

Player to Watch - Lorenzo Brown (QB). 


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CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREES



These teams have a history of winning championships in the various leagues in which they have been membered. The Rattlers and Storm have 15 collective indoor/arena football titles. Each are looking to add a trophy to their respective mantels.

The Rattlers, who played their previous 24 seasons in the Arena Football League prior to announcing their move to the IFL last October, won the ArenaBowl in three straight seasons from 2012 to 2014 (They also made appearances in the AFL's championship game in 2011 and 2016). Overall, the Rattlers have five league championships. The results of those are listed below.

ARENABOWL VIII (AFL) - September 2, 1994 at Orlando, Florida
Arizona Rattlers 36, Orlando Predators 31

ARENABOWL XI (AFL) - August 25, 1997 at Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona Rattlers 55, Iowa Barnstormers 33

ARENABOWL XXV (AFL) - August 12, 2012 at New Orleans, Louisiana
Arizona Rattlers 72, Philadelphia Soul 54

ARENABOWL XXVI (AFL) - August 17, 2013 at Orlando, Florida
Arizona Rattlers 48, Philadelphia Soul 39

ARENABOWL XXVII (AFL) - August 23, 2014 at Cleveland, Ohio
Arizona Rattlers 72, Cleveland Gladiators 36

The Storm are looking to win their seventh straight United Bowl. They are making their eighth straight appearance in the IFL's championship game. They joined the current IFL in 2009 when they were a member of United Indoor Football (UIF) which merged with the Intense Football League. The Storm won all four of the UIF's championships in that league's four years of existence. Like the current IFL, the UIF league called its championship game the United Bowl. The Storm have hosted nine of 10 those winning championship games, including the last nine. Those results are listed below.

UNITED BOWL I (UIF) - 2005 at Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux Falls Storm 40, Sioux City Bandits 38

UNITED BOWL II (UIF) - 2006 at Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls Storm 72, Lexington Horsemen 64

UNITED BOWL III (UIF) - 2007 at Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls Storm 62, Lexington 59

UNITED BOWL IV (UIF) - 2008 at Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls Storm 40, Bloomington Edge 35

UNITED BOWL 2011 (IFL) - July 16, 2011 at Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls Storm 37, Tri-Cities Fever 10

UNITED BOWL 2012 (IFL) - July 14, 2012 at Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls Storm 59, Tri-Cities Fever 32

UNITED BOWL 2013 (IFL) - June 29, 2013 at Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls Storm 43, Nebraska Danger 40

UNITED BOWL 2014 (IFL) - June 28, 2014 at Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls Storm 63, Nebraska Danger 46

UNITED BOWL 2015 (IFL) - July 11, 2015 at Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls Storm 62, Nebraska Danger 27

UNITED BOWL 2016 (IFL) - June 18, 2016 at Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls Storm 59, Spokane Empire 35


(Graphic at top: Rattlers RB Darrell Monroe, photo courtesy Matt Hinshaw/AZ Rattlers. Storm RB Robbie Rouse, Photo courtesy Joe Ahlquist/Argus Leader. Graphic compiled by DiamondThief & David)


To comment on this and other topics on this forum, please login or register.
  

[spiderfan]

The Rattlers nearly the Storm early in the season... with Darron Thomas. The Rattlers suffice to say have gotten better since then. The Storm, IMO got off easy not having to face the Nighthawks again. The Storm also nearly lost to the Danger and only made the playoffs by a hair. Meanwhile, the Rattlers took care of business and clinched things early. I think Lorenzo Brown will be stopped by the Arizona D as look at what they did to Charles Dowdell and Drew Powell. Sokol has played elite football and is someone that I think can slice through the Storm D. I think the Rattlers will win.

[Bannock]

Excellent rundown, Heidi. I don't think we can use the first meeting of these two as a barometer of how this game will go. Arizona had a route in the last game, but struggled the two games before that. The Storm hit their stride in their past two games. I expect a close United Bowl with the Storm winning by about six points.

[Kasey]

this is going to be a close game, but i will give my prediction to the Storm. They just have too much experience winning.

[David]

Unless somebody can deny the Storm from making a United Bowl appearance, let alone BEAT them in the championship, the edge goes to Sioux Falls.

However, for the betterment of the IFL and the fact I'm sick of the Storm winning year in and year out, I'll say go Rattlers... even though back when they were in the AFL, I rooted against them because I was sick of them winning year in and year out.

[afrats]

I will be cheering for the Rattlers. I grew up watching them in the AFL. They are my second favorite team in the IFL. Great write-up. Go Crush.

[Yeseeka]

I don't have a real preference. I would probably predict Sioux Falls to win since they have been there before and know what it's like to play for the championship.

[Nevadanut]

I do expect a close one here. If I had to predict, I would say the Storm will win by a touchdown or less.

[afrats]

Jul 5, 2017 19:37:54 GMT -8 Yeseeka said:

I don't have a real preference. I would probably predict Sioux Falls to win since they have been there before and know what it's like to play for the championship.

Don't forget about all the AFL Champioship games the Rattlers have won.

[Nevadanut]

Touchdown Rattlers. Darrell Monroe 2 yard run. Sawyer Petre kick.

Rattlers 7
Storm 0

12:21, 1st

[spiderfan]

Oh my gosh. This is going to be a game here.

[Nevadanut]

Touchdown Storm. Korey Williams 55 yard kickoff return. Justin Syrovatka kick.

Rattlers 7
Storm 7

10:39, 1st

[spiderfan]

That TD by the Rattlers was smooth. This looks to be a back and forth game.

[Nevadanut]

Touchdown Rattlers. Jamal Miles 34 yard pass from Cody Sokol. Sawyer Petre kick.

Rattlers 14
Storm 7

9:08, 1st

[afrats]

Horrible coverage for a championship game.

[spiderfan]

Big 3rd down stop by the Storm

[spiderfan]

Jul 8, 2017 14:50:02 GMT -8 afrats said:

Horrible coverage for a championship game.

Agreed. This should be a shining moment for the league, not a bad one. 

[spiderfan]

That is a big TD for the Rattlers. Now they can have some control over this game, something which Sioux Falls won't be happy about.

[afrats]

Yeah. The SF stream now has no sound and the Az stream is super loud. Horrible.

[Nevadanut]

Touchdown Rattlers. Darrell Monroe 2 yard run. Sawyer Petre kick failed.

Rattlers 20
Storm 7

14:57, 2nd