Post by Monika on Jun 25, 2022 20:29:45 GMT -8
Wranglers 49, Gladiators 41
6/25/22 --
PRESCOTT VALLEY, AZ - Some teams rely on offense to propel them to a win. Some teams rely on defense. But, sometimes, it's special teams which makes the real difference.
The Northern Arizona Wranglers relied on that third group, and it paid off. Their special teams recovered four turnovers off kickoffs and returned a Duke City Gladiators fumble on an an extra-point attempt in a rally to defeat the visiting Gladiators tonight at Findlay Toyota Center.
The Wranglers improve to a Western Conference best 11-2 overall and are 6-0 at home. They are the only team to be perfect in their home state. This was the Wranglers first-ever win over the Gladiators in five tries dating back to last season. They have won eight straight games; the longest streak in the IFL this season. They have also claimed not only a playoff berth in the 2022 IFL playoffs and will host an opening-round playoff game on June 23 at 6:05 p.m. with the opponent to be determined.
The Gladiators, who are fighting for a playoff spot, fall to 6-8 overall and remain in fourth with the Vegas Knight Hawks nipping on their heels. These two teams play again on July 16, the season finale, in New Mexico.
Northern Arizona engineered its opening drive for over seven minutes, scoring on a 10-yard touchdown strike around the right side to Jerrime Neal. Duke City drove to the seven, but the Wranglers defense forced a turnover on downs. The Wranglers led 7-0 at the end of the opening quarter.
Evans was intercepted by Jayson Serda to give the Gladiators the ball back at the NAZ 22. Duke City capitalized on the turnover on a 14-yard pass from Ramone Atkins to Dello Davis. The Wranglers answered on a six-yard run around the right side from Evans. Brandon Fischer missed a 32-yard field goal try (wide left) with 53 seconds left in the half. The Gladiators took their first lead of the game on a Devontae Jackson three-yard run around the right side. With the Wranglers driving into Gladiators' territory, Mason Newton recovered an Evan's fumble for Duke City ball. Evans' arm appeared to be going forward before the ball came out, but the referee confirmed the fumble upon the Wranglers' review of the play. Kevin Goessling missed a 48-yard field goal as time expired.
The Wranglers scored on the opening kickoff of the second half when Darin Hungerford recovered a Gladiators' fumble, returning it for a four-yard touchdown. Fischer's point-after try went wide leaving the Wranglers a point down early in the third. The Gladiators responded with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Atkins to Jackson. The Wranglers came right back on a 25-yard strike to Israel Tucker. The two-point conversion play broke down, and Duke City had a two-point lead midway through the quarter. The Gladiators extended their lead to 35-26 on a three-yard run from Jackson. Duke City led 35-26 heading into the final quarter.
Duke City took a 41-26 lead on Atkins' six-yard touchdown to Gregory Dent, Jr. with 8:29 to go. Goessling's extra point attempt was blocked and recovered by Kiante Northington, who returned the attempt to the house to pull the Wranglers to within 41-28. Evans hit Neal for a 19-yard touchdown four minutes later. After Tevin Homer recovered Fischer's onside kick, Northern Arizona pulled to within a point on Tucker's two-yard rush at the one-minute warning. An extra point could have tied it at 41 apiece, but the Wranglers wanted more. They took a 42-41 lead when Evans hit Neal for the two-point conversion. Fischer kicked a short squib to his left, which was recovered by Northington at the Wranglers' own 15. Evans rushed for an eight-yard touchdown to put the Wranglers up by eight. Northern Arizona was able to run out the clock to complete the comeback.
Evans, formerly of the Vegas Knight Hawks, was appearing in his first game for the Wranglers due to the suspension to starting quarterback Kaleb Barker, completed 14 of 25 passes for 146 yards with three touchdowns and a pick. He also led all rushers with 81 yards and a pair of scores. Tucker led the team in receiving with 62 yards, and touchdowns on the ground and through the air. Neal added 60 yards and two touchdowns receiving to his game-clinching two-point conversion. Northington had a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries to go with 3.5 tackles.
Atkins, one of the top passers in the league, went just seven of 18 for 18 passing for 128 yards and four interceptions. Jackson added 19 yards rushing to his two touchdowns. Atkins' four touchdowns went to four different receivers. Elmore let the receivers with 78 yards receiving off three catches and one of those scores. Serda led the defense with 10.5 tackles and an interception.
The Wranglers will visit the Arizona Wranglers on July 2 at 6:06 p.m. The Gladiators are on a bye week, but will be back in action on July 9 when the San Diego Strike Force on July 9 at 7:05 p.m. All times mentioned are pacific time. Click for our SCtoC Indoor Football League schedule.
6/25/22 --
PRESCOTT VALLEY, AZ - Some teams rely on offense to propel them to a win. Some teams rely on defense. But, sometimes, it's special teams which makes the real difference.
The Northern Arizona Wranglers relied on that third group, and it paid off. Their special teams recovered four turnovers off kickoffs and returned a Duke City Gladiators fumble on an an extra-point attempt in a rally to defeat the visiting Gladiators tonight at Findlay Toyota Center.
The Wranglers improve to a Western Conference best 11-2 overall and are 6-0 at home. They are the only team to be perfect in their home state. This was the Wranglers first-ever win over the Gladiators in five tries dating back to last season. They have won eight straight games; the longest streak in the IFL this season. They have also claimed not only a playoff berth in the 2022 IFL playoffs and will host an opening-round playoff game on June 23 at 6:05 p.m. with the opponent to be determined.
The Gladiators, who are fighting for a playoff spot, fall to 6-8 overall and remain in fourth with the Vegas Knight Hawks nipping on their heels. These two teams play again on July 16, the season finale, in New Mexico.
Northern Arizona engineered its opening drive for over seven minutes, scoring on a 10-yard touchdown strike around the right side to Jerrime Neal. Duke City drove to the seven, but the Wranglers defense forced a turnover on downs. The Wranglers led 7-0 at the end of the opening quarter.
Evans was intercepted by Jayson Serda to give the Gladiators the ball back at the NAZ 22. Duke City capitalized on the turnover on a 14-yard pass from Ramone Atkins to Dello Davis. The Wranglers answered on a six-yard run around the right side from Evans. Brandon Fischer missed a 32-yard field goal try (wide left) with 53 seconds left in the half. The Gladiators took their first lead of the game on a Devontae Jackson three-yard run around the right side. With the Wranglers driving into Gladiators' territory, Mason Newton recovered an Evan's fumble for Duke City ball. Evans' arm appeared to be going forward before the ball came out, but the referee confirmed the fumble upon the Wranglers' review of the play. Kevin Goessling missed a 48-yard field goal as time expired.
The Wranglers scored on the opening kickoff of the second half when Darin Hungerford recovered a Gladiators' fumble, returning it for a four-yard touchdown. Fischer's point-after try went wide leaving the Wranglers a point down early in the third. The Gladiators responded with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Atkins to Jackson. The Wranglers came right back on a 25-yard strike to Israel Tucker. The two-point conversion play broke down, and Duke City had a two-point lead midway through the quarter. The Gladiators extended their lead to 35-26 on a three-yard run from Jackson. Duke City led 35-26 heading into the final quarter.
Duke City took a 41-26 lead on Atkins' six-yard touchdown to Gregory Dent, Jr. with 8:29 to go. Goessling's extra point attempt was blocked and recovered by Kiante Northington, who returned the attempt to the house to pull the Wranglers to within 41-28. Evans hit Neal for a 19-yard touchdown four minutes later. After Tevin Homer recovered Fischer's onside kick, Northern Arizona pulled to within a point on Tucker's two-yard rush at the one-minute warning. An extra point could have tied it at 41 apiece, but the Wranglers wanted more. They took a 42-41 lead when Evans hit Neal for the two-point conversion. Fischer kicked a short squib to his left, which was recovered by Northington at the Wranglers' own 15. Evans rushed for an eight-yard touchdown to put the Wranglers up by eight. Northern Arizona was able to run out the clock to complete the comeback.
Evans, formerly of the Vegas Knight Hawks, was appearing in his first game for the Wranglers due to the suspension to starting quarterback Kaleb Barker, completed 14 of 25 passes for 146 yards with three touchdowns and a pick. He also led all rushers with 81 yards and a pair of scores. Tucker led the team in receiving with 62 yards, and touchdowns on the ground and through the air. Neal added 60 yards and two touchdowns receiving to his game-clinching two-point conversion. Northington had a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries to go with 3.5 tackles.
Atkins, one of the top passers in the league, went just seven of 18 for 18 passing for 128 yards and four interceptions. Jackson added 19 yards rushing to his two touchdowns. Atkins' four touchdowns went to four different receivers. Elmore let the receivers with 78 yards receiving off three catches and one of those scores. Serda led the defense with 10.5 tackles and an interception.
The Wranglers will visit the Arizona Wranglers on July 2 at 6:06 p.m. The Gladiators are on a bye week, but will be back in action on July 9 when the San Diego Strike Force on July 9 at 7:05 p.m. All times mentioned are pacific time. Click for our SCtoC Indoor Football League schedule.
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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