Post by alecs on Jul 2, 2023 17:38:32 GMT -8
Rattlers 52, Pirates 43
7/2/23 --
PHOENIX, AZ - Two sizable winning streaks were put on the line at Footprint Center on Sunday night, as the Arizona Rattlers hosted the Massachusetts Pirates in a rematch of the "final ever" United Bowl in the 2021 IFL Championship Game. Riding a positive first-half momentum surge and another effective offensive performance spearheaded by Drew Powell, the Rattlers got the better of the Pirates, extending their winning streak to seven games while also snapping a five-game run for Massachusetts. 52-43 stood as the final score of this hotly contested game.
Massachusetts started off well on a drive spanning six minutes and seeing them take the first lead of the contest, with Anthony Russo and Isaac Zico connecting on a nine-yard touchdown pass. Ali Mourtada's extra point was blocked to keep the score 6-0 for the Pirates. On Arizona's first possesion, Massachusetts forced an early fourth down, on which the Rattlers came up short. With an opportunity to go up double-digits, the Pirates were then forced into a 4th-and-10 situation. Mourtada's 32-yard field goal attempt was blocked, but Davontae Merriweather fumbled the ensuing return attempt, ceding possession back to Massachusetts. Fortunately for Merriweather, teammate Connor Taylor intercepted a Russo pass two plays later to atone for that early mistake. The first quarter would come to a close shortly after, with Massachusetts leading 6-0.
Arizona's first score of the game would be provided by Mo Walker, on a two-yard rush, and Shane McInerney's extra point put Arizona on top by a point. The Pirates would get a massive special teams contribution from receiver Fabian Guerra, who took the next kickoff 56 yards for a touchdown restoring the Pirates lead. They would come up empty on a two-point attempt, leaving the score at 12-7. Arizona immediately countered one play later, with Powell finding Jamal Miles on a 20-yard touchdown pass to regain a two-point advantage. A gutsy surprise onside kick call by Kevin Guy worked to absolute perfection, which gave the Rattlers the ball back at their own five yard line. Powell would cash in on that gamble with a one-yard rushing touchdown to extend Arizona's lead to nine. Arizona's defense was again able to intercept Russo on the next possession, with Dillon Winfrey securing his eighth pick of the campaign. Powell would hurl another gem for a 25-yard score to Isiah Scott in tight double-coverage. The Pirates would get one more chance with the ball before the end of the half, and a successful 37-yard field goal by Mourtada gave Massachusetts a whisker of positive momentum heading into the locker room. However, they still trailed 28-15, with Arizona due to receive the kickoff to start the second half.
The first possession of the half for the Rattlers saw them expand their lead once more, with Powell finding Miles for a second time in the game on a 21-yard touchdown pass. The Pirates were able to get a much-needed score after that, with Russo connecting with Guerra on a ten-yard toss. The two-point attempt would go unsuccessful, so Massachusetts remained behind by 14 points. The Pirates defense would force the Rattlers into a 4th-and-17, but McInerney drilled a field goal from 38 yards out to extend the lead to 38-21, which is how the third quarter came to a close.
On a critical 4th-and-10 play at the start of the fourth quarter, Russo completed a pass to Darren Carrington for a 19-yard touchdown. A successful two-point conversion from Russo to Zico brought the game back to a single-digit deficit at 38-29. The Rattlers offense again asserted its dominance with another quick touchdown, provided this time by Walker on a three-yard rushing touchdown, his second of the game. The Pirates drove back up the field in response, and Russo found Zico again for a three-yard touchdown pass, Zico's second score. Just before the one-minute warning, the Rattlers would again find paydirt, with Powell finding Isaiah Huston for a 14-yard pass in the back of the endzone, effectively putting the game out of reach. Undeterred, the Pirates scored quickly with about 30 seconds left in the game, with Russo going to Carrington on a nine-yard touchdown pass. A Russo-to-Zico two-point conversion brought the score back to 52-43 and set up Massachusetts for an attempt to recover an onside kick. After a wacky sequence that involved a dead-ball targeting call on Arizona and a fan scuffle in the stands that saw five Pirates players ejected, Arizona was able to successfully recover the onside attempt. Powell needed just one kneel down in victory formation to secure the 52-43 victory over the Pirates.
Drew Powell attempted 24 passes this evening, amassing 19 completions for 210 yards, with four touchdowns and no interceptions. He added 11 carries for 34 yards and another touchdown on the ground. Mo Walker took three carries for seven yards and two touchdowns, while securing four-of-five targets for 16 receiving yards. Jamal Miles was Powell's favorite target tonight, hauling in all eight of his looks for 105 yards and a touchdown, and also added a 13-yard run on his lone attempt. Isaiah Huston (3/36/1) and Isiah Scott (4/53/1) each had receiving scores for Arizona.
In the loss, Anthony Russo completed 14 of 22 passes for 143 yards, tossing for five touchdowns and two interceptions. Jimmie Robinson took 14 carries and managed 53 scoreless yards and added a ten-yard catch on his lone target. Isaac Zico caught seven of eight targets for 67 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Darren Carrington also had two touchdowns on three catches on six targets for 39 yards. Fabian Guerra caught three of five targets for 27 yards and a touchdown, and also registered a kickoff return for a touchdown.
Arizona strengthens its playoff position, as the win improves their record to 10-4. They will have the opportunity after their bye next week to secure home field advantage in the Western Conference playoffs, either if Bay Area loses next Monday to San Diego, or if the Rattlers defeat the Wranglers in Week 18. The Pirates will enter Week 17 with a 9-4 record, one game above Quad City for the second-place spot in the East and the right to host a first-round playoff game. With the victory, Arizona evens its all-time series with Massachusetts at two games apiece. This is the only regular season meeting between these two championship hopefuls.
The Pirates continue their season-ending three-game road swing with a trip to the Northern Arizona Wranglers on Saturday July 8 for a 6:05 p.m. kickoff. After a bye next week, the Rattlers will close out the regular season at home against the Wranglers on Saturday July 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Times listed are pacific daylight time. Click for our complete 2023 IFL Schedule.
7/2/23 --
PHOENIX, AZ - Two sizable winning streaks were put on the line at Footprint Center on Sunday night, as the Arizona Rattlers hosted the Massachusetts Pirates in a rematch of the "final ever" United Bowl in the 2021 IFL Championship Game. Riding a positive first-half momentum surge and another effective offensive performance spearheaded by Drew Powell, the Rattlers got the better of the Pirates, extending their winning streak to seven games while also snapping a five-game run for Massachusetts. 52-43 stood as the final score of this hotly contested game.
Massachusetts started off well on a drive spanning six minutes and seeing them take the first lead of the contest, with Anthony Russo and Isaac Zico connecting on a nine-yard touchdown pass. Ali Mourtada's extra point was blocked to keep the score 6-0 for the Pirates. On Arizona's first possesion, Massachusetts forced an early fourth down, on which the Rattlers came up short. With an opportunity to go up double-digits, the Pirates were then forced into a 4th-and-10 situation. Mourtada's 32-yard field goal attempt was blocked, but Davontae Merriweather fumbled the ensuing return attempt, ceding possession back to Massachusetts. Fortunately for Merriweather, teammate Connor Taylor intercepted a Russo pass two plays later to atone for that early mistake. The first quarter would come to a close shortly after, with Massachusetts leading 6-0.
Arizona's first score of the game would be provided by Mo Walker, on a two-yard rush, and Shane McInerney's extra point put Arizona on top by a point. The Pirates would get a massive special teams contribution from receiver Fabian Guerra, who took the next kickoff 56 yards for a touchdown restoring the Pirates lead. They would come up empty on a two-point attempt, leaving the score at 12-7. Arizona immediately countered one play later, with Powell finding Jamal Miles on a 20-yard touchdown pass to regain a two-point advantage. A gutsy surprise onside kick call by Kevin Guy worked to absolute perfection, which gave the Rattlers the ball back at their own five yard line. Powell would cash in on that gamble with a one-yard rushing touchdown to extend Arizona's lead to nine. Arizona's defense was again able to intercept Russo on the next possession, with Dillon Winfrey securing his eighth pick of the campaign. Powell would hurl another gem for a 25-yard score to Isiah Scott in tight double-coverage. The Pirates would get one more chance with the ball before the end of the half, and a successful 37-yard field goal by Mourtada gave Massachusetts a whisker of positive momentum heading into the locker room. However, they still trailed 28-15, with Arizona due to receive the kickoff to start the second half.
The first possession of the half for the Rattlers saw them expand their lead once more, with Powell finding Miles for a second time in the game on a 21-yard touchdown pass. The Pirates were able to get a much-needed score after that, with Russo connecting with Guerra on a ten-yard toss. The two-point attempt would go unsuccessful, so Massachusetts remained behind by 14 points. The Pirates defense would force the Rattlers into a 4th-and-17, but McInerney drilled a field goal from 38 yards out to extend the lead to 38-21, which is how the third quarter came to a close.
On a critical 4th-and-10 play at the start of the fourth quarter, Russo completed a pass to Darren Carrington for a 19-yard touchdown. A successful two-point conversion from Russo to Zico brought the game back to a single-digit deficit at 38-29. The Rattlers offense again asserted its dominance with another quick touchdown, provided this time by Walker on a three-yard rushing touchdown, his second of the game. The Pirates drove back up the field in response, and Russo found Zico again for a three-yard touchdown pass, Zico's second score. Just before the one-minute warning, the Rattlers would again find paydirt, with Powell finding Isaiah Huston for a 14-yard pass in the back of the endzone, effectively putting the game out of reach. Undeterred, the Pirates scored quickly with about 30 seconds left in the game, with Russo going to Carrington on a nine-yard touchdown pass. A Russo-to-Zico two-point conversion brought the score back to 52-43 and set up Massachusetts for an attempt to recover an onside kick. After a wacky sequence that involved a dead-ball targeting call on Arizona and a fan scuffle in the stands that saw five Pirates players ejected, Arizona was able to successfully recover the onside attempt. Powell needed just one kneel down in victory formation to secure the 52-43 victory over the Pirates.
Drew Powell attempted 24 passes this evening, amassing 19 completions for 210 yards, with four touchdowns and no interceptions. He added 11 carries for 34 yards and another touchdown on the ground. Mo Walker took three carries for seven yards and two touchdowns, while securing four-of-five targets for 16 receiving yards. Jamal Miles was Powell's favorite target tonight, hauling in all eight of his looks for 105 yards and a touchdown, and also added a 13-yard run on his lone attempt. Isaiah Huston (3/36/1) and Isiah Scott (4/53/1) each had receiving scores for Arizona.
In the loss, Anthony Russo completed 14 of 22 passes for 143 yards, tossing for five touchdowns and two interceptions. Jimmie Robinson took 14 carries and managed 53 scoreless yards and added a ten-yard catch on his lone target. Isaac Zico caught seven of eight targets for 67 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Darren Carrington also had two touchdowns on three catches on six targets for 39 yards. Fabian Guerra caught three of five targets for 27 yards and a touchdown, and also registered a kickoff return for a touchdown.
Arizona strengthens its playoff position, as the win improves their record to 10-4. They will have the opportunity after their bye next week to secure home field advantage in the Western Conference playoffs, either if Bay Area loses next Monday to San Diego, or if the Rattlers defeat the Wranglers in Week 18. The Pirates will enter Week 17 with a 9-4 record, one game above Quad City for the second-place spot in the East and the right to host a first-round playoff game. With the victory, Arizona evens its all-time series with Massachusetts at two games apiece. This is the only regular season meeting between these two championship hopefuls.
The Pirates continue their season-ending three-game road swing with a trip to the Northern Arizona Wranglers on Saturday July 8 for a 6:05 p.m. kickoff. After a bye next week, the Rattlers will close out the regular season at home against the Wranglers on Saturday July 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Times listed are pacific daylight time. Click for our complete 2023 IFL 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.
- AS
