Week 1 Preview - Rattlers at Wranglers

[Nevadanut]

Arizona Rattlers at Northern Arizona Wranglers



What: The Rattlers visit the Wranglers in the 2024 IFL season opener.
When: Saturday, March 16 at 6:05 p.m. PDT/Arizona (8:05 p.m. CDT).
Where: Findlay Toyota Center; Prescott Valley, Arizona.
Video Stream: IFL Youtube - Rattlers at Wranglers. Caffeine - Rattlers at Wranglers.
2024 Head to Head: June 15 - Wranglers at Rattlers.
Overall Head to Head: Rattlers lead 6-3 (4-2 Home, 2-1 Road) - includes playoffs.
SCtoC Logo: Created by David

The Rattlers finished last season with a record of 12-4 overall. They were first in the Western Conference. The Wranglers finished last season with a record of 7-8. They were fourth in the Western Conference. The teams met in the first round of the IFL playoffs with the Wranglers winning, 62-53. The Wranglers went on to fall to the eventual champion Bay Area Panthers in the Western Conference Championship Game, 68-46.

Arizona Rattlers


Rattlers quarterback Dalton Sneed. (Photo courtesy Bay Area Panthers)

2024 ROSTER
# - name (pos)
2 - Jamal Miles (WR)
3 - Shannon Brooks (RB)
5 - Jarmaine Doubs (DB)
6 - Corey Reed Jr. (WR)
7 - Isaiah Huston (WR)
8 - Davontae Merriweather (DB)
10 - Connor Taylor (LB)
11 - Dalton Sneed (QB)
12 - Kobe Smith (WR)
14 - Glen Gibbons Jr. (WR)
15 - Dillion Winfrey (DB)
18 - Garrett Kettle (QB)
21 - Rashie Hodge (DB)
22 - Isaiah Huff (DB)
24 - Omari Alexander (DB)
44 - Theo Majette (DL)
53 - Chris Martinez (OL)
68 - William Lay (OL)
79 - Cole Carter (DL)
90 - Seyvon Lowry (DL)
91 - Rashawn Yates (DL)
93 - Jamiyus Pittman (DL)
94 - Lamar Mady (OL)
96 - Dawson Evitts (K)
99 - Harold Love (DL)

Coaching Staff
Kevin Guy - Head Coach
Jeff Jarnigan - Defensive Line/Special Teams Coach
Siaha Burley - Assistant Head Coach
Kevin Ashak - Offensive Line Coach
Maurice Brown - Strength and Conditioning Coach and Team Operations

BREAKDOWN
By all accounts, Arizona probably considers five seasons without a title a drought. The Rattlers haven't won a championship since the 2017 United Bowl -- their first season in the IFL. With a bit of a new look, they'll look to change that dynamic this year. They traded quarterback Drew Powell to the Tucson Sugar Skulls for pure passer Ramone Atkins, but the latter then signed with the Arena Football League's Nashville Kats. On the same day as the trade, they signed 2023 National Championship Game MVP Dalton Sneed away from the Bay Area Panthers. He'll slip right into the starting spot. Some familiar offensive weapons remain, such as receivers Jamal Miles, Isiah Scott and Jerrime Neal to provide some firepower. The defense starts with a stout line of Harold Love, Seyvon Lowry and Ulric Jones, while Rashie Hodge is probably the most notable playmaker in the defensive backfield.

Roster information is compiled by SCtoC staff, based on all available and verifiable information. The IFL does not list its official transactions for the 2024 season. The above rosters are subject to change and is presented here merely as a basic guide for following the game. Statistical leaders list only active players as of the compilation of this preview.

Northern Arizona Wranglers


Wranglers defensive back Travion Banks. (Photo by Blushing Cactus Photography)

2024 ROSTER
# - name (pos)
0 - Wallace Cowins (DE)
2 - Justin Manyweather (WR)
3 - Joshua Adewumi (LB)
4 - Gurvan Hall Jr. (DB)
5 - Kobay White (WR)
6 - Travion Banks (DB)
7 - Arsiah McCorker (WR)
8 - Malik Sonnier (DB)
9 - Jarrod Ware Jr. (RB)
10 - Dajor Davenport (DE)
11 - John Maldonado (WR)
12 - Joshua Jones (QB)
14 - Tosin Oyekanmi (WR)
15 - Dillon Sterling-Cole (QB)
21 - Shanon Reid (LB)
22 - Nirion Washington (DB)
23 - Kevin Hyde (DB)
24 - Axel Perez (K)
26 - Shamar Moreland (DB)
27 - Renard Bell (WR)
28 - David Elder (WR)
42 - Ellison Jordan (DL)
50 - DJ Stuckey (OL)
54 - Tramond Lofton (DE)
55 - Somadina Okezie-Okeke (OL)
66 - Delvin Salter (OL)
74 - Chris Simon (OL)
77 - Jean Marcellus (OL)
99 - William Martin (DL)

Coaching Staff
Les Moss - Head Coach
Rod Windsor - Offensive Coordinator & Assistant Head Coach
Dave Moran - Defensive Coach & Special Teams Coordinator
Jordan Mosely - Offensive Line Coach
Mikell Mair - Director of Player & Video Operations/Assistant Defensive Coach/Equipment Manager

BREAKDOWN
Two years ago, after going 1-15 in its inaugural season, Northern Arizona started from scratch. The result was a championship. Fast forward to 2024 with Les Moss and company looking at doing nearly the same. Just a half dozen players return from last year's roster, but there are some good ones in the bunch. Joshua Jones and Dillion Sterling-Cole are rookies vying for the starting spot. It's anyone's guess (or Moss' for that matter) which signal caller will get the nod. Justin Manyweather and Isaiah Johnson, Sr. seem to be the core of the receiving group, but there are some rookies poised to step up. Jarrod Ware, Jr. returns and is a talented rusher and receiver out of the backfield and Anthony Barber is the anchor on the line. Defensively, the team returns talented backs Travion Banks and Terik Miller. Mason Newton comes over via a trade with the Duke City Gladiators to lead the pass rush.

Roster information is compiled by SCtoC staff, based on all available and verifiable information. The IFL does not list its official transactions for the 2024 season. The above rosters are subject to change and is presented here merely as a basic guide for following the game. Statistical leaders list only active players as of the compilation of this preview.

Today's Game Venue



This Week's Schedule

Sat., March 16 - Arizona Rattlers at Northern Arizona Wranglers, 6:05 p.m.
Sun., March 17 - Massachusetts Pirates at Green Bay Blizzard, 1:05 p.m.
Bye - Bay Area Panthers, Duke City Gladiators, Frisco Fighters, Iowa Barnstormers, Jacksonville Sharks, Quad City Steamwheelers, San Antonio Gunslingers, San Diego Strike Force, Sioux Falls Storm, Tucson Sugar Skulls, Tulsa Oilers, Vegas Knight Hawks

All times are pacific daylight time.

Standings Heading Into This Week



Helpful Links

IFL
Indoor Football League 2024 Schedule
Indoor Football League 2024 Franchise Index
Indoor Football League 2024 Players of the Week - forthcoming
Indoor Football league Rules
SCtoC IFL 2023 Golden Helmet Awards
Indoor Football league 2023 Hall of Fame Class
SCtoC 2023 National Championship Recap

INDIVIDUAL TEAM SCHEDULES
Arizona Rattlers
Bay Area Panthers
Duke City Gladiators
Frisco Fighters
Green Bay Blizzard
Iowa Barnstormers
Jacksonville Sharks
Massachusetts Pirates
Northern Arizona Wranglers
Quad City Steamwheelers
San Antonio Gunslingers
San Diego Strike Force
Sioux Falls Storm
Tucson Sugar Skulls
Tulsa Oilers
Vegas Knight Hawks

INDIVIDUAL TEAM VITAL STATISTICS
Arizona Rattlers
Bay Area Panthers
Duke City Gladiators
Frisco Fighters
Green Bay Blizzard
Iowa Barnstormers
Jacksonville Sharks
Massachusetts Pirates
Northern Arizona Wranglers
Quad City Steamwheelers
San Antonio Gunslingers
San Diego Strike Force
Sioux Falls Storm
Tucson Sugar Skulls
Tulsa Oilers
Vegas Knight Hawks

IFL Team Venues

Arizona Rattlers - Desert Diamond Arena; Glendale, Arizona
Bay Area Panthers - SAP Center at San Jose; San Jose, California
Duke City Gladiators - Rio Rancho Events Center; Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Frisco Fighters - Comerica Center; Frisco, Texas
Green Bay Blizzard - Resch Center; Green Bay, Wisconsin
Iowa Barnstormers - Wells Fargo Center; Des Moines, Iowa
Jacksonville Sharks - VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena; Jacksonville, Florida
Massachusetts Pirates - Tsonga Center; Lowell, Massachusetts
Northern Arizona Wranglers - Findlay Toyota Center; Prescott Valley, Arizona
Quad City Steamwheelers - Vibrant Arena at The MARK; Moline, Illinois
San Antonio Gunslingers - Freeman Coliseum; San Antonio, Texas
San Diego Strike Force - Pechanga Arena; San Diego, California
Sioux Falls Storm - Denny Sanford Premier Center; Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Tucson Sugar Skulls - Tucson Convention Center; Tucson, Arizona
Tulsa Oilers - BOK Center; Tulsa, Oklahoma
Vegas Knight Hawks - Dollar Loan Center; Henderson, Nevada


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[Monika]

Josh Jones will start at QB for the Wranglers. There had been a competition and it appears that he won the starting nod.

[Monika]

Rattlers win the toss and defer. Wranglers will receive the opening kickoff.

[Monika]

Touchdown Wranglers. Josh Jones 4 yard run. Axel Perez kick failed.

ARI - 0
NAZ - 6

10:23, 1st

[Monika]

Turnover on downs by the Rattlers.

[Monika]

Safety Rattlers. Josh Jones sacked in end zone by Harold Love.

ARI - 2
NAZ - 7

3:10, 1st

[Monika]

Touchdown Rattlers. Glen Gibbons Jr. 10 yard pass from Dalton Sneed. Dawson Evitts kick.

ARI - 9
NAZ - 7

0:20, 1st

[Monika]

Touchdown Wranglers. Arsiah McCorker 55 yard kickoff return. Axel Perez kick.

ARI - 9
NAZ - 13

0:00, 1st

[Monika]

End 1st

Arizona Rattlers - 9
Northern Arizona Wranglers - 13

[Monika]

Touchdown Rattlers. Jamal Miles 7 yard pass from Dalton Sneed. Dawson Evitts kick.

ARI - 16
NAZ - 13

11:31, 2nd

[Monika]

Touchdown Rattlers. Shannon Brooks 6 yard run. Dawson Evitts kick.

ARI - 23
NAZ - 13

8:11, 2nd

[Monika]

Touchdown Wranglers. Arsiah McCorker 56 yard kickoff return. Axel Perez kick.

ARI - 23
NAZ - 20

7:04, 2nd

[Monika]

Touchdown Rattlers. Shannon Brooks 1 yard run. Dawson Evitts kick.

ARI - 30
NAZ - 20

3:09, 2nd

[Monika]

Field Goal Wranglers. Axel Perez 30 yards.

ARI - 30
NAZ - 23

0:21, 2nd

[Monika]

Touchdown Rattlers. Jamal Miles 25 yard pass from Dalton Sneed. Dawson Evitts kick.

ARI - 37
NAZ - 23

0:16, 2nd

[Monika]

Field Goal Wranglers. Axel Perez 48 yards.

ARI - 37
NAZ - 26

0:00, 2nd

[Monika]

Halftime

Arizona - 37  
Dalton Sneed - 3 pass TD

Northern Arizona Wranglers - 26   
Arsiah McCorker - 2 KO ret TD
     

[Monika]

Deuce Wranglers. Axel Perez Kickoff through the goalposts.

ARI - 37
NAZ - 28

15:00, 3rd

[Monika]

Touchdown Rattlers. Shannon Brooks 9 yard run. Dawson Evitts kick.

ARI - 44
NAZ - 28

9:00, 3rd

[Monika]

End 3rd

Arizona - 44   
Shannon Brooks - 3 rush TD

Northern Arizona Wranglers - 28   
Arsiah McCorker - 2 KO ret TD