Post by DiamondThief on Mar 31, 2024 18:38:56 GMT -8
Panthers 47, Rattlers 41
3/31/24 --
SAN JOSE, CA - Wide receiver JT Stokes scored on a two-yard run with three seconds remaining to help propel the Bay Area Panthers to a season-opening 47-41 win over the Arizona Rattlers tonight at the SAP Center.
Bay Area, which had byes in the first two weeks of IFL season, started defense of their 2023 IFL National Championship in week three over the Rattlers, who were playing their third game in as many weeks. The Panthers move to 1-0 and the Rattlers fall to 1-2 on the season.
The teams play once more this season; on May 18 at Glendale, Arizona, home of the Rattlers. Arizona now leads the overall series between the teams 3-2. They are an undefeated 2-0 at home, while Bay Area is 2-1 in their own building.
Neal put the Panthers on the scoreboard first with a three-yard run not even three minutes into the game. The Rattlers cut into the lead with a 26-yard field goal from Dawson Evitts. Bay Area led 7-3 heading into the second quarter.
The Panthers scored early in the fourth on a four-yard run from Neal before the Rattlers' Lorenzo Brown, Jr brought the Rattlers back with a one-yard run of his own. Neal's eight-yard run midway through the second quarter increased Bay Area's lead to 20-10. Evitts pulled Arizona to within a touchdown when he his a 26-yard field goal with 2:16 remaining in the quarter. Neal's fourth rushing score of the opening half came from four yards with 53 seconds left. Brown hit Glen Gibbons, Jr. for an 11-yard score just 14 seconds later, and the Panthers went into the locker room with a 27-20 halftime lead.
Arizona went on a run in the third quarter. Brown hit Gibbons for a 26-yard touchdown less than two minutes into the quarter. The duo also connected on a 12-yard touchdown strike with 3:16 left in the quarter. The Rattlers went into the fourth with a 34-27 lead.
That advantage was short-lived as Panther Shane Simpson's five-yard scoring run pulled the teams even at the 13:20 mark. Brown and Gibson weren't finished. They lifted the Rattlers to a 41-34 lead with 8:02 left. Neal hit Jazeric Peterson for a 19-yard touchdown and the game was knotted 41-41 with a little over six minutes left. The Rattlers were driving for the go-ahead touchdown, but wide receiver Jamal Miles fumbled and was recovered by the Panthers' Joe Foucha with 2:10 remaining. Bay Area drove down to the five, where Stokes scored his game winner.
Neal, who has played for three previous IFL teams (Iowa Barnstormers, Tucson Sugar Skulls and Vegas Knight Hawks), completed 15 of 20 passes for 155 yards with a touchdown and no picks. He also rushed for 80 yards off 11 carries to go along with four touchdowns. Pierre Williams caught four balls for 55 yards and Peterson had three grabs for 47 yards. Antwon Kincaid made his presence known on defense, recording 13 tackles. Wes Bowers and Tyler Watson had nine and eight tackles, apiece.
Brown appeared in his second game as a Rattler and got his first start in place of the injured Dalton Sneed. Brown went 14 of 20 for 161 yards with four touchdowns. Gibbons caught touchdowns on all four of his receptions for 73 yards. Isaiah Huston caught four balls for 50 yards. Jarmaine Doubs led the Rattlers with eight tackles, while Rashie Hodge and Omari Alexander added seven each.
The Panthers gained 276 yards to 232 for the Rattlers. They had a 38-yard advantage in the running game and six-yard edge in the passing game. Arizona was penalized six times for 32 yards and Bay Area was flagged four times for 34 yards.
The Panthers will visit the Jacksonville Sharks on April 6 with kickoff set for 4:05 p.m. After a bye next week, the Rattlers will host the San Diego Strike Force on April 14 for a 3:05 p.m. kickoff. Times listed are pacific daylight time.
Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be streamed live on the IFL YouTube Channel and Caffeine TV IFL. 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. Click for our complete IFL 2024 Schedule.
3/31/24 --
SAN JOSE, CA - Wide receiver JT Stokes scored on a two-yard run with three seconds remaining to help propel the Bay Area Panthers to a season-opening 47-41 win over the Arizona Rattlers tonight at the SAP Center.
Bay Area, which had byes in the first two weeks of IFL season, started defense of their 2023 IFL National Championship in week three over the Rattlers, who were playing their third game in as many weeks. The Panthers move to 1-0 and the Rattlers fall to 1-2 on the season.
The teams play once more this season; on May 18 at Glendale, Arizona, home of the Rattlers. Arizona now leads the overall series between the teams 3-2. They are an undefeated 2-0 at home, while Bay Area is 2-1 in their own building.
Neal put the Panthers on the scoreboard first with a three-yard run not even three minutes into the game. The Rattlers cut into the lead with a 26-yard field goal from Dawson Evitts. Bay Area led 7-3 heading into the second quarter.
The Panthers scored early in the fourth on a four-yard run from Neal before the Rattlers' Lorenzo Brown, Jr brought the Rattlers back with a one-yard run of his own. Neal's eight-yard run midway through the second quarter increased Bay Area's lead to 20-10. Evitts pulled Arizona to within a touchdown when he his a 26-yard field goal with 2:16 remaining in the quarter. Neal's fourth rushing score of the opening half came from four yards with 53 seconds left. Brown hit Glen Gibbons, Jr. for an 11-yard score just 14 seconds later, and the Panthers went into the locker room with a 27-20 halftime lead.
Arizona went on a run in the third quarter. Brown hit Gibbons for a 26-yard touchdown less than two minutes into the quarter. The duo also connected on a 12-yard touchdown strike with 3:16 left in the quarter. The Rattlers went into the fourth with a 34-27 lead.
That advantage was short-lived as Panther Shane Simpson's five-yard scoring run pulled the teams even at the 13:20 mark. Brown and Gibson weren't finished. They lifted the Rattlers to a 41-34 lead with 8:02 left. Neal hit Jazeric Peterson for a 19-yard touchdown and the game was knotted 41-41 with a little over six minutes left. The Rattlers were driving for the go-ahead touchdown, but wide receiver Jamal Miles fumbled and was recovered by the Panthers' Joe Foucha with 2:10 remaining. Bay Area drove down to the five, where Stokes scored his game winner.
Neal, who has played for three previous IFL teams (Iowa Barnstormers, Tucson Sugar Skulls and Vegas Knight Hawks), completed 15 of 20 passes for 155 yards with a touchdown and no picks. He also rushed for 80 yards off 11 carries to go along with four touchdowns. Pierre Williams caught four balls for 55 yards and Peterson had three grabs for 47 yards. Antwon Kincaid made his presence known on defense, recording 13 tackles. Wes Bowers and Tyler Watson had nine and eight tackles, apiece.
Brown appeared in his second game as a Rattler and got his first start in place of the injured Dalton Sneed. Brown went 14 of 20 for 161 yards with four touchdowns. Gibbons caught touchdowns on all four of his receptions for 73 yards. Isaiah Huston caught four balls for 50 yards. Jarmaine Doubs led the Rattlers with eight tackles, while Rashie Hodge and Omari Alexander added seven each.
The Panthers gained 276 yards to 232 for the Rattlers. They had a 38-yard advantage in the running game and six-yard edge in the passing game. Arizona was penalized six times for 32 yards and Bay Area was flagged four times for 34 yards.
The Panthers will visit the Jacksonville Sharks on April 6 with kickoff set for 4:05 p.m. After a bye next week, the Rattlers will host the San Diego Strike Force on April 14 for a 3:05 p.m. kickoff. Times listed are pacific daylight time.
Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be streamed live on the IFL YouTube Channel and Caffeine TV IFL. 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. Click for our complete IFL 2024 Schedule.
-ANM
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