Post by alecs on Jun 16, 2024 17:33:52 GMT -8
Strike Force 43, Panthers 42
6/16/24 --
SAN JOSE, CA - Sunday's only game on the IFL schedule treated fans to the third edition of "The Battle of California" in the 2024 season, with SAP Center in San Jose hosting a high-stakes Western Conference matchup between the San Diego Strike Force and Bay Area Panthers. The Strike Force, victimized by a heartbreaking one-point loss at home last weekend, flipped the script on the defending champions, staying within striking distance the entire game and capitalizing on its chance to pull ahead at the end of the game. Thanks in part to a successful dropkick from Connor Mangan, the Strike Force prevailed in a key 43-42 victory over the Panthers.
The Panthers got the opening kick of the game and drove the ball in for the game's first score when Daquan Neal took an eight-yard read option rush down the left side for a touchdown. San Diego's offense was held to a four-and-out on its first possession, ultimately turning the ball over on downs. Starting at San Diego's one-yard line, the Panthers struck paydirt again on Neal's second rushing touchdown from four yards out. Bay Area would keep a clean sheet through the end of the first quarter, their advantage extended out to 14 points.
After a lengthy eight-minute drive beginning in the first, San Diego got on the board with a two-yard rush by Rudy Johnson. The Panthers took little time in striking back, as Neal fired a 23-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Tomas. The Strike Force grinded out another time-consuming drive and crossed the goal line once more, with Nate Davis tossing a nine-yard screen pass to Johnson for a touchdown. Late in the half, one of Neal's passes was overthrown and intercepted by Atoa Fox. The Strike Force could not capitalize, though, with a 41-yard field goal attempt from Connor Mangan veering wide right, giving the Panthers another shot at adding to their lead. Their next drive also got stymied, resulting in a 59-yard "punt" field goal from Stevie Artigue, which he put out of bounds to the right side. With a second remaining, Davis had a pass intercepted by Joe Foucha of the Panthers. The ensuing heave to the endzone by Neal got batted down harmlessly, though, closing out the half. After 30 minutes, the Strike Force trailed the hosts 21-14.
After a stellar kick return by Elijah Lilly, the Strike Force tied the game two minutes into the third quarter, as Davis connected with Arthur Jackson for a three-yard touchdown. The Panthers ran seven minutes off the clock on their next drive, which ended with Neal completing his ground-game hat trick with a one-yard rushing touchdown. Forcing the Strike Force into a fourth and six in Bay Area territory, the Panthers defense locked down and forced an incomplete pass late in the quarter to take over on downs. The next Bay Area drive would take up the rest of the third quarter, with the seven-point Panther lead still intact going into the last frame.
For the second time in the game, the Strike Force defense forced a 59-yard field goal attempt from Artigue. They would immediately reap the dividends, with Lilly returning the miss 52 yards for the game-tying touchdown. The jolt did not faze the Panthers, though, recovering nicely moments later on Neal's fourth rushing touchdown of one yard. Midway through the quarter, San Diego tied the game back up on a 23-yard pass from Davis to Jordan Kress. The Strike Force would force a fourth down try deep in Panther territory, but Neal came through in the clutch, tossing a touchdown pass to J.T. Stokes going for 41 yards to reclaim the lead. After Faucha landed his second interception of the game, the Panthers were set up well for a potential game-sealing drive late in the fourth quarter. The Strike Force recovered and earned a defensive stand on fourth down to grant San Diego another chance. Ultimately, the Strike Force got their breakthrough with 19 seconds to go, with a ten-yard pass from Davis to Kress bringing the deficit back to one. For the point after, San Diego opted for "Dropkick" Mangan to attempt one of his signature drop kicks for the lead. True to his moniker, his attempt succeeded to put San Diego on top for the first time all game. Bay Area would set up its final drive for a game-winning field goal attempt. The 41-yarder from Artigue missed the mark wide right at the buzzer, allowing the Strike Force to escape San Jose with a pivotal 43-42 road win.
In the win, Nate Davis completed 19 of 28 passes for 158 yards, with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Rudy Johnson's versatility was a huge factor, rushing seven times for 11 yards and a touchdown, with five catches for 25 yards and an additional score. Arthur Jackson logged eight catches for 78 hards and a touchdown, while Jordan Kress caught five passes for 56 yards and two touchdowns. Justic'e King led Strike Force defenders with ten tackles, Ja'Quan Artis recorded a sack, and Atoa Fox had an interception.
Daquan Neal threw 18 passes on the night and completed ten, totaling 131 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. Neal doubled down as the Panthers' leading rusher with 15 carries for 68 yards and four touchdowns. J.T. Stokes caught just two passes for 63 yards and a touchdown, while Jazeric Peterson caught six balls for 41 yards. Antwon Kincade was all over the field, with 15 tackles (two for loss). Morris Joseph, Jr. had two sacks, and Joe Foucha came down with both of Bay Area's interceptions in the defeat.
Bay Area had a noticeable edge in total yardage, outgaining San Diego 211 to 154, and limiting the Strike Force to just five yards of rushing. The Panthers were also a plus-one in the turnover differential tonight. Bay Area got flagged nine times for 61 yards, and San Diego called six times for 25 yards.
This was the third of four scheduled meetings in the 2024 regular season series, and the first win for the Strike Force after defeats of 53-50 on April 20 and 33-32 on April 28. A fourth meeting is slated for the final day of the regular season back in San Diego on Saturday July 20. Bay Area retains a four games to three in the all-time series leading up to July's clash.
Both teams will look to further solidify a spot in the playoffs with attackable matchups next weekend. The Panthers (9-2) will visit the Duke City Gladiators (1-10) on Saturday June 22 for a 5:05 p.m. kickoff. The Strike Force (7-5) will visit the Tucson Sugar Skulls (2-9) on Saturday June 22 with kickoff set for 6:05 p.m.. 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.
6/16/24 --
SAN JOSE, CA - Sunday's only game on the IFL schedule treated fans to the third edition of "The Battle of California" in the 2024 season, with SAP Center in San Jose hosting a high-stakes Western Conference matchup between the San Diego Strike Force and Bay Area Panthers. The Strike Force, victimized by a heartbreaking one-point loss at home last weekend, flipped the script on the defending champions, staying within striking distance the entire game and capitalizing on its chance to pull ahead at the end of the game. Thanks in part to a successful dropkick from Connor Mangan, the Strike Force prevailed in a key 43-42 victory over the Panthers.
The Panthers got the opening kick of the game and drove the ball in for the game's first score when Daquan Neal took an eight-yard read option rush down the left side for a touchdown. San Diego's offense was held to a four-and-out on its first possession, ultimately turning the ball over on downs. Starting at San Diego's one-yard line, the Panthers struck paydirt again on Neal's second rushing touchdown from four yards out. Bay Area would keep a clean sheet through the end of the first quarter, their advantage extended out to 14 points.
After a lengthy eight-minute drive beginning in the first, San Diego got on the board with a two-yard rush by Rudy Johnson. The Panthers took little time in striking back, as Neal fired a 23-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Tomas. The Strike Force grinded out another time-consuming drive and crossed the goal line once more, with Nate Davis tossing a nine-yard screen pass to Johnson for a touchdown. Late in the half, one of Neal's passes was overthrown and intercepted by Atoa Fox. The Strike Force could not capitalize, though, with a 41-yard field goal attempt from Connor Mangan veering wide right, giving the Panthers another shot at adding to their lead. Their next drive also got stymied, resulting in a 59-yard "punt" field goal from Stevie Artigue, which he put out of bounds to the right side. With a second remaining, Davis had a pass intercepted by Joe Foucha of the Panthers. The ensuing heave to the endzone by Neal got batted down harmlessly, though, closing out the half. After 30 minutes, the Strike Force trailed the hosts 21-14.
After a stellar kick return by Elijah Lilly, the Strike Force tied the game two minutes into the third quarter, as Davis connected with Arthur Jackson for a three-yard touchdown. The Panthers ran seven minutes off the clock on their next drive, which ended with Neal completing his ground-game hat trick with a one-yard rushing touchdown. Forcing the Strike Force into a fourth and six in Bay Area territory, the Panthers defense locked down and forced an incomplete pass late in the quarter to take over on downs. The next Bay Area drive would take up the rest of the third quarter, with the seven-point Panther lead still intact going into the last frame.
For the second time in the game, the Strike Force defense forced a 59-yard field goal attempt from Artigue. They would immediately reap the dividends, with Lilly returning the miss 52 yards for the game-tying touchdown. The jolt did not faze the Panthers, though, recovering nicely moments later on Neal's fourth rushing touchdown of one yard. Midway through the quarter, San Diego tied the game back up on a 23-yard pass from Davis to Jordan Kress. The Strike Force would force a fourth down try deep in Panther territory, but Neal came through in the clutch, tossing a touchdown pass to J.T. Stokes going for 41 yards to reclaim the lead. After Faucha landed his second interception of the game, the Panthers were set up well for a potential game-sealing drive late in the fourth quarter. The Strike Force recovered and earned a defensive stand on fourth down to grant San Diego another chance. Ultimately, the Strike Force got their breakthrough with 19 seconds to go, with a ten-yard pass from Davis to Kress bringing the deficit back to one. For the point after, San Diego opted for "Dropkick" Mangan to attempt one of his signature drop kicks for the lead. True to his moniker, his attempt succeeded to put San Diego on top for the first time all game. Bay Area would set up its final drive for a game-winning field goal attempt. The 41-yarder from Artigue missed the mark wide right at the buzzer, allowing the Strike Force to escape San Jose with a pivotal 43-42 road win.
In the win, Nate Davis completed 19 of 28 passes for 158 yards, with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Rudy Johnson's versatility was a huge factor, rushing seven times for 11 yards and a touchdown, with five catches for 25 yards and an additional score. Arthur Jackson logged eight catches for 78 hards and a touchdown, while Jordan Kress caught five passes for 56 yards and two touchdowns. Justic'e King led Strike Force defenders with ten tackles, Ja'Quan Artis recorded a sack, and Atoa Fox had an interception.
Daquan Neal threw 18 passes on the night and completed ten, totaling 131 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. Neal doubled down as the Panthers' leading rusher with 15 carries for 68 yards and four touchdowns. J.T. Stokes caught just two passes for 63 yards and a touchdown, while Jazeric Peterson caught six balls for 41 yards. Antwon Kincade was all over the field, with 15 tackles (two for loss). Morris Joseph, Jr. had two sacks, and Joe Foucha came down with both of Bay Area's interceptions in the defeat.
Bay Area had a noticeable edge in total yardage, outgaining San Diego 211 to 154, and limiting the Strike Force to just five yards of rushing. The Panthers were also a plus-one in the turnover differential tonight. Bay Area got flagged nine times for 61 yards, and San Diego called six times for 25 yards.
This was the third of four scheduled meetings in the 2024 regular season series, and the first win for the Strike Force after defeats of 53-50 on April 20 and 33-32 on April 28. A fourth meeting is slated for the final day of the regular season back in San Diego on Saturday July 20. Bay Area retains a four games to three in the all-time series leading up to July's clash.
Both teams will look to further solidify a spot in the playoffs with attackable matchups next weekend. The Panthers (9-2) will visit the Duke City Gladiators (1-10) on Saturday June 22 for a 5:05 p.m. kickoff. The Strike Force (7-5) will visit the Tucson Sugar Skulls (2-9) on Saturday June 22 with kickoff set for 6:05 p.m.. 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.
-AS
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