Post by Nevadanut on Aug 12, 2024 19:42:22 GMT -8
Massachusetts Pirates vs. Arizona Rattlers
What: The Pirates and Rattlers clash to see who will emerge as the 2024 IFL Champion.
When: Saturday, August 17 at 1:05 p.m. PDT (4:05 p.m. EDT).
Where: Lee's Family Forum; Henderson, Nevada.
Television and Streaming: CBS Sports Network.
Pirates Radio Stream: WCAP-980 AM.
Rattlers Radio Stream:
2024 Head to Head: The teams did not meet in the regular season.
Overall Head to Head: Series tied 2-2, including playoffs. Pirates are 1-0 at home and Rattlers are 2-1 at home. This is the first game at a neutral site.
SCtoC Logo: Created by David
The Pirates finished the regular season 8-8 overall. They earned the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They are coming off a 51-28 road win over the Green Bay Blizzard in the Eastern Conference Championship Game on August 2. The Rattlers finished the regular season 11-5 overall. They earned the third seed in the Western Conference. They are coming off a 58-23 home win over the San Diego Strike Force in the Western Conference Championship Game on August 5.
Massachusetts Pirates
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Pirates wide receiver Teo Redding. (Photo courtesy Massachusetts Pirates)
2024 ROSTER
LEADERS (including playoffs)
Passing - Alejandro Bennifield 192/290, 2056 yds, 42 TD, 7 int; Connor Degenhardt 48/74, 469 yds, 6 TD, 5 int.
Rushing - Jimmie Robinson 238 rush, 1107 yds, 31 TD; Alejandro Bennifield 65 rush, 224 yds, 14 TD.
Receiving - Teo Redding 56 rec, 688 yds, 14 TD; Thomas Owens 53 rec, 556 yds, 20 TD; Jimmie Robinson 61 rec, 457 yds, 4 TD.
Tackles - Matt Elam 61; Devin Hafford 61; Guy Thomas 57; Jaiden Woodbey 42.
Sacks - Guy Thomas 4.5; Julius Turner 4.5.
Interceptions - Cyrus Fagan 3; Matt Elam 2.
Kickoff Average - Henry Nell 53.2 yds.
BREAKDOWN
Massachusetts is in the playoffs for the fourth straight season and is making its second championship game appearance. Coincidentally, that other game pitted them against the Rattlers. They earned the third seed in the playoffs with a .500 record and a tiebreaker over the Quad City Steamwheelers. In order to get to this this game, they defeated the second-seeded Frisco Fighters 53-50 in the first round and then stunned the top-seeded Green Bay Blizzard 51-28 in the Eastern Conference Championship Game two weeks ago. They won the IFL Championship in the first year they moved to the league from the National Arena League and are hoping to their second this year. That year, Alejandro Bennifield was named Most Valuable Player of the championship game. He's back at the helm and expects to lead the Pirates past the Blizzard in this one. Massachusetts is 5-5 on the road this season (including the playoffs) after having defeated the Blizzard. Bennifield finished the regular season ninth in the league with 34 touchdown passes, and Jimmie Robinson led all running backs with 28 scores on the ground and 905 rushing yards. Thomas Owens' 16 receiving touchdowns was good for ninth. The Pirates average 42.9 points per game and allow 39.7, including the playoffs. Players to Watch: Teo Redding (WR); Darren Carrington II (WR), Isaac Zico (WR); Devin Hafford (DB); Matt Elam (DB); Guy Thomas (DL).
FIRST ROUND
The Pirates scored the final 17 points of their first round contest en route to rally from 14 points down in the fourth quarter and defeat the second-seeded Frisco Fighters. It’s the second time in four years that they have eliminated the Fighters from the playoffs with the first being in 2021. Thomas Owens caught a pair of touchdown throws from Alejandro Bennifield and Henry Nell hit two deuces during the final nine minutes of the fourth quarter in the come-from-behind win. Nell Owens caught three touchdowns on the night and Nell converted on three deuces in the win.
EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
The Pirates jumped out to a 34-7 second-quarter lead and never looked back as they took down the Eastern Conference’s top-seeded team on August 2 in the Conference Championship game. Alejandro Bennifield thew for three touchdowns to three different receivers and rushed for another score in the win. Their defense forced four Blizzard turnovers (two fumbles and two interceptions) to lead the way. Guy Thomas paced the team with 7.5 tackles, while Matt Elam and CJ Holmes each had a pick. It was the second time the Pirates defeated the Blizzard at Green Bay this season, as they recorded a 44-40 win in the season opener back on March 17.
Roster information is compiled by SCtoC staff, based on all available and verifiable information. 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.
PIRATES ROAD TO THE PLAYOFFS
Week 1: Sun., March 17 - at Green Bay Blizzard (W 44-40) - Recap
Week 2: Sat., March 23 - Jacksonville Sharks (W 26-21) - Recap
Week 3: Fri., March 29 - Sioux Falls Storm (W 49-41) - Recap
Week 4: BYE
Week 5: Fri., April 12 - Iowa Barnstormers (W 54-29) - Recap
Week 6: Sat., April 20 - at Quad City Steamwheelers (L 43-54) - Recap
Week 7: Sat., April 27 - vs. Sioux Falls Storm at Scheels Arena; Fargo, ND (W 43-38) - Recap
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: Sat., May 11 - at Iowa Barnstormers (L 34-42) - Recap
Week 10: Sat., May 18 - Northern Arizona Wranglers (L 40-41) - Recap
Week 11: Sat., May 25 - Tulsa Oilers (W 23-22) - Recap
Week 12: Sat., June 1 - at Frisco Fighters (L 48-52) - Recap
Week 13: Sat., June 8 - Green Bay Blizzard (L 33-36) - Recap
Week 14: Sat., June 15 - San Antonio Gunslingers (L 51-52) - Recap
Week 15: Sat., June 22 - at Jacksonville Sharks (W 44-30) - Recap
Week 16: Mon., July 1 - Quad City Steamwheelers (W 52-35) - Recap
Week 17: Sat., July 6 - at San Antonio Gunslingers (L 55-58) - Recap
Week 18: BYE
Week 19: Fri., July 19 - at Tulsa Oilers (L 24-44) - Recap
Quarterfinals: Sat., July 27 - at Frisco Fighters (W 53-50) - Recap
Conference Finals: Fri., Aug. 2 - at Green Bay Blizzard (W 51-28) - Recap
Arizona Rattlers
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Rattlers defensive back Dillon Winfrey. (Photo courtesy Arizona Rattlers)
2024 ROSTER
LEADERS (including playoffs)
Passing - Dalton Sneed 192/298, 2194 yds, 44 TD, 9 int; Garrett Ketle 36/56, 415 yds, 7 TD.
Rushing - Shannon Brooks 164 rush, 602 yds, 30 TD; Dalton Sneed 77 rush, 361 yds, 14.
Receiving - Jamal Miles 69 rec, 689 yds, 16 TD; Corey Reed Jr. 46 rec, 655 yds, 13 TD; Nih-Jer Jackson 42 rec, 553 yds, 9 TD.
Tackles - Davontae Merriweather 76; Jarmaine Doubs 65.5; Dillon Winfrey 61.5; Connor Taylor 53.
Sacks - Kevin Simes Jr. 2.5; two with 1.
Interceptions - Jarmaine Doubs 5; Davontae Merriweather 5; Dillon Winfrey 5.
Kickoff Average - Dawson Evitts 49.3 yds.
BREAKDOWN
Arizona is making its seventh-straight playoff appearance in its seventh season of the IFL. Dating back to the Rattlers days in the Arena Football League, they have not missed the playoffs since 2007. However, they have not won a championship since 2017; their first season in the IFL. Additionally, they made it to the Championship Game twice since then, in 2019 and 2021, losing to the Sioux Falls Storm and Pirates, respectively. This is nearly a complete new team since then with only defenders Davontae Merriweather and Dillon Winfrey returning from that 2021 squad. This season started out slow for the Rattlers as they dropped three of their first four games of the season before finishing 10-2 in the final 12 weeks. Much of the difficulties were due to an injury to starting quarterback Dalton Sneed, who missed four games during that early part of the season. They squeaked past the Vegas Knight Hawks 39-38 in the first round and routed the San Diego Strike Force 58-23 in the Western Conference Championship Game on August 5. Like the Pirates, the Rattlers were the three seed and are considered the home team in this one because their record indicates three more wins than that of the Pirates. Sneed is back to his 2023 championship form. His 40 touchdown tosses during the regular season ranked fifth in the IFL. He was sixth with 1,886 passing yards. Corey Reed, Jr. ranked fourth with 60.6 receiving yards per game. The Rattlers average 48.9 points per game and allow 43.0, including the playoffs. Players to Watch: Shannon Brooks (RB); Jamal Miles (WR); Glen Gibbons, Jr. (WR); Davontae Merriweather (DB); Connor Taylor (LB); Rashie Hodge (DB); Dillon Winfrey (DB).
FIRST ROUND
Dalton Sneed's one-yard run around the left side on fourth down sent the Rattlers into this Western Conference Championship Game. The score, as time expired, capped a back-and-forth thriller between the Rattlers and Vegas Knight Hawks which ended in a 39-38 win for Arizona. Neither team had a double-digit lead in the game. The Rattlers earned the third seed which makes them the top seed in this game by virtue of the Strike Force falling to the fourth seed in the final week of the regular season. The Rattlers last reached the National Championship game in 2019 where they lost to the Sioux Falls Storm, 56-53.
WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Rattlers defenders picked off San Diego Strike Force quarterback Nate Davis four times as they routed their neighbors to the west by a final tally of 58-23 on August 5. Two of those interceptions were pick sixes from Jarmaine Doubs and Davontae Merriweather. Doubs had two interceptions for the game and Dillon Winfrey added another in the win. Arizona held a 41-15 lead by the end of the third quarter. Dalton Sneed tossed three touchdown passes and rushed for a pair of scores in the win. Nh-Jer Jackson caught four balls for 69 yards and a touchdown. In addition to his two picks, Doubs led the defense with 7.5 tackles.
Roster information is compiled by SCtoC staff, based on all available and verifiable information. 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.
RATTLERS ROAD TO THE PLAYOFFS
Week 1: Sat., March 16 - at Northern Arizona Wranglers (W 51-40) - Recap
Week 2: Sun., March 24 - Vegas Knight Hawks (L 43-45) - Recap
Week 3: Sun., March 31 - at Bay Area Panthers (L 41-47) - Recap
Week 4: BYE
Week 5: Sun., April 14 - San Diego Strike Force (L 45-55) - Recap
Week 6: Sat., April 20 - at Iowa Barnstormers (W 49-47) - Recap
Week 7: Sun., April 28 - Jacksonville Sharks (W 55-35) - Recap
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: Sat., May 11 - at Tucson Sugar Skulls (W 38-32) - Recap
Week 10: Sat., May 18 - Bay Area Panthers (L 52-68) - Recap
Week 11: Sat., May 25 - Duke City Gladiators (W 55-53) - Recap
Week 12: Sat., June 1 - at Jacksonville Sharks (W 62-41)
Week 13: Sat., June 8 - at San Diego Strike Force (W 47-46) - Recap
Week 14: Sat., June 15 - Northern Arizona Wranglers (W 56-49) - Recap
Week 15: Sat., June 22 - at Vegas Knight Hawks (L 50-55) - Recap
Week 16: Sat., June 29 - Iowa Barnstormers (W 55-26) - Recap
Week 17: Sun., July 7 - Tucson Sugar Skulls (W 44-37) - Recap
Week 18: BYE
Week 19: Sat., July 20 - at San Antonio Gunslingers (W 41-34) - Recap
Quarterfinals: Sat., July 27 - at Vegas Knight Hawks (W 39-38) - Recap
Conference Finals: Mon, Aug. 5 - San Diego Strike Force (W 58-23) - Recap
Today's Game Venue
Lee's Family Forum (formerly Dollar Loan Center) began as the home of the IFL National Championship Game in the 2022 season. The current agreement consists of hosting three straight championship games and, possibly, beyond. This is the third of the three years of the original agreement. It is a new arena which officially opened on March 8 of 2022 and is home to the IFL's Vegas Night Hawks. The arena is located in Henderson, Nevada, just southeast of Las Vegas. It seats 5,567 for indoor football and hockey. It is owned by the City of Henderson and operated by Black Knight Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League. The Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League and the NBA G League Ignite also utilize the arena for their home games.
Series History (4 games)
Click on final score for the SCtoC Recap of the game.
July 2, 2023 - Rattlers (H) 52, Pirates 43
Drew Powell throws for four touchdowns and runs for another as the Rattlers take down the Pirates in one of the last games played at Phoenix. Mo Walker rushed for two touchdowns and Jamal Miles caught a score for the Rattlers. Isaac Zico caught seven passes for 67 yards with two touchdowns.
May 14, 2022 - Rattlers (H) 59, Pirates 29 (boxscore link only)
Rattlers jump out to a 45-20 halftime lead and never look back in rout of Pirates. Drew Powell tossed for a touchdown and rushed for another. Braxton Haley accumulated 51 yards and a touchdown, and Brandon Ezell had an interception return for a touchdown. Isaac Zico and Thomas Owens were the recipients of Alejandro Bennifield's two touchdown tosses for the Pirates.
September 12, 2021 - Pirates 37, Rattlers (H) 34 - OT - United Bowl XII
The teams had met once previous, but this was the big one. It was a defensive game for the most part, but Alejandro Bennifield tossed one touchdown pass and ran for two more to lead the Pirates to a tie. The Rattlers were led by a combined five touchdowns from Drew Powell through the air and on the ground. In the first United Bowl to go into overtime, it was former NFL kicker Garrett Hartley's 31- yard field goal which brought the championship to Massachusetts.
July 18, 2021 - Pirates (H) 68, Rattlers 44
It was the first of just four games that would build what is now an interconference rivalry. Week 13 of the season saw the Rattlers make their first and only still visit to Massachusetts. Alejandro Bennifield threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another two in a signature win in the Pirate's inaugural season. The win moved the Pirates to 7-3 on the season and fell the Arizona Rattlers to 7-4. It would serve as a preview for their United Bowl collision less than two months later.
United Bowl XII Techmo Moment
The Pirates signed former New Orleans Saint and Super Bowl champion Garrett Hartley for their playoff run in 2021. The move paid off as Hartley booted the 31-yard field goal in overtime to lift the Pirates to a 37-34 overtime win over the Rattlers in United Bowl XI, which would later become known as the IFL National Championship Game. alecs , who would later become an SCtoC IFL Contributor, offered up this Techmo version of Hartley's kick.
SCtoC 2024 IFL Golden Helmet Awards
Each year, Sports Coast to Coast staffers vote in nine categories for our IFL Golden Helmet Awards. These honor seven players from across the league, a Coach of the Year and Game of the Year. This year's honorees were at the top of their game this year, leading their teams to new heights. Click Golden Helmet Awards to see this year's honorees.
IFL 2024 Honors
The following players from each of these teams have thus far earned the honors listed next to their respective names by the IFL. This list will be updated as the honorees are announced by the league.
PIRATES
Johari Branch, OL, All-IFL Rookie First Team Offense and All-IFL Second Team Offense
Jimmie Robinson, RB, All-IFL First Team Offense
Guy Thomas, DL, All IFL Rookie First Team Defense
RATTLERS
Shannon Brooks, RB, All-IFL Second Team Offense
Fun Facts
-Both teams come in as the third seeds in their respective conferences.
-Each team features a starting quarterback who is a IFL National Championship Game Most Valuable Player; Alejandro Bennifield for the Pirates (2021) and Dalton Sneed with the Bay Area Panthers (2023).
-Each team won the IFL Championship in their first year in the IFL before moving to the league from other leagues; the Rattlers in 2017 and the Pirates in 2021.
-This is the first meeting between the teams at a neutral site. Three of the four meetings between the teams have been, technically home games for the Rattlers.
-Pirates head coach Rod Miller was the head coach of the Bismarck Bucks during their tenure in the IFL before that franchise went dormant the past two seasons. They are intended to return next year in either Bismarck or Fargo, North Dakota.
-Jimmie Robinson earned the SCtoC IFL Golden Helmet Award as the Offensive Specialist of the Year this season. He earned the Golden Helmet Award for Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023.
-Rattlers' Kevin Guy is the winningest head coach in indoor/arena football history with 263 wins heading into this game. He surpassed the Sioux Falls Storm's Kurtiss Riggs 261 wins in the Rattlers' first-round win over the Vegas Knight Hawks.
-The Rattlers were founded in 1992; when George Herbert Walker Bush was president of the United States.
-The Rattlers are vying to their second IFL championship and their seventh championship overall, dating back to their days in the Arena Football League.
IFL Championship Weekend Schedule
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16
Owners Meetings, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
*National Championship Media Event, 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. (open to public)
IFL Night of Champions, 6:30 p.m. (awards ceremony and Hall of Fame induction)
*MEDIA DAY ATTENDEES
IFL: Todd Tryon (commissioner)
Pirates: Rod Miller (head coach), Jawad Yatim (owner), Alejandro Bennifield (QB), Navaughn Donaldson (OL), Matt Elam (DB), Jimmie Robinson (RB), Jaiden Woodbey (LB).
Rattlers: Kevin Guy (head coach), Ron Shurts (owner), Dalton Sneed (QB), Davontae Merriweather (DB), Dillon Winfrey (DB), Lamar Mady (OL), Jamal Miles (WR).
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5
-IFL National Championship Game, 1 p.m. (CBSSN)
Hall of Fame Induction
L-R: Houston Lillard, Clinton Solomon, Todd Tryon
The 2024 IFL Hall of Fame class will be inducted during Championship Weekend. The Hall recognizes players, coaches, owners, broadcasters and others who have made their impact on the league, including the early days of the Intense Football league and United Indoor Football. Those two leagues combined to form the current Indoor Football League. This year's inductees are:
HOUSTON LILLARD, QUARTERBACK
-Third in IFL history with 208 passing touchdowns
-Fourth in IFL history with 9,102 passing yards and 1,360 passing attempts
-Five-time Intense Conference Champion
-Two-time All-IFL Second Team selection
CLINTON SOLOMON, WIDE RECEIVER
-Two-time United Bowl champion
-Two-time United Conference champion
-IFL all-time leader with 123 receiving touchdowns
-Three-time All-IFL First Team Selection
TODD TRYON, PLAYER/OWNER/COMMISSIONER
-Played for Sioux Falls Storm (2000-2004)
-Assistant Coach for the Sioux Falls Storm (2005-2008)
-Owner of the Sioux Falls Storm (2010-2019)
-Seven-time United Bowl champion as owner
For a complete rundown on the 2024 class and all of the previous Hall of Fame inductees, click IFL Announces 2024 Hall of Fame Class.
United Bowl/Championship Game Results
2009 - Billings Outlaws 71, River City Rage 62. MVP: Chris Dixon, Billings
2010 - Billings Outlaws 43, Sioux Falls Storm 34. MVP: Chris Dixon, Billings
2011 - Sioux Falls Storm 37, Tri-Cities Fever 10. MVP: Chris Dixon, Sioux Falls
2012 - Sioux Falls Storm 59, Tri-Cities Fever 32. MVP: Jeremiah Price, Sioux Falls
2013 - Sioux Falls Storm 43, Nebraska Danger 40. MVP: Terrance Bryant, Sioux Falls
2014 - Sioux Falls Storm 63, Nebraska Danger 46. MVP: Chris Dixon, Sioux Falls
2015 - Sioux Falls Storm 62, Nebraska Danger 27. MVP: Brandon Johnson-Farrell, Sioux Falls
2016 - Sioux Falls Storm 55, Spokane Empire 34. MVP: Lorenzo Brown, Jr., Sioux Falls
2017 - Arizona Rattlers 50, Sioux Falls Storm 41. MVP: Justin Shirk, Arizona
2018 - Iowa Barnstormers 42, Sioux Falls Storm 38. MVP: Ryan Balentine, Iowa
2019 - Sioux Falls Storm 56, Arizona Rattlers 53. MVP: Lorenzo Brown, Jr., Sioux Falls
2020 - Season cancelled
2021 - Massachusetts Pirates 37, Arizona Rattlers 34 (OT). MVP: Alejandro Bennifield, Massachusetts
2022 - Northern Arizona Wranglers 47, Quad City Steamwheelers 45. MVP: JaQuan Artis, Northern Arizona
2023 - Bay Area Panthers 51, Sioux Falls Storm 41. MVP: Dalton Sneed, Bay Area Panthers
Final Regular Season Standings
Helpful Links
IFL
Indoor Football League 2024 Schedule
SCtoC 2024 IF Golden Helmmet Awards
Indoor Football League 2024 Franchise Index
Indoor Football League 2024 Players of the Week
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 - Lee's Family Forum; Henderson, Nevada
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What: The Pirates and Rattlers clash to see who will emerge as the 2024 IFL Champion.
When: Saturday, August 17 at 1:05 p.m. PDT (4:05 p.m. EDT).
Where: Lee's Family Forum; Henderson, Nevada.
Television and Streaming: CBS Sports Network.
Pirates Radio Stream: WCAP-980 AM.
Rattlers Radio Stream:
2024 Head to Head: The teams did not meet in the regular season.
Overall Head to Head: Series tied 2-2, including playoffs. Pirates are 1-0 at home and Rattlers are 2-1 at home. This is the first game at a neutral site.
SCtoC Logo: Created by David
The Pirates finished the regular season 8-8 overall. They earned the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They are coming off a 51-28 road win over the Green Bay Blizzard in the Eastern Conference Championship Game on August 2. The Rattlers finished the regular season 11-5 overall. They earned the third seed in the Western Conference. They are coming off a 58-23 home win over the San Diego Strike Force in the Western Conference Championship Game on August 5.
Massachusetts Pirates
Pirates wide receiver Teo Redding. (Photo courtesy Massachusetts Pirates)
2024 ROSTER
LEADERS (including playoffs)
Passing - Alejandro Bennifield 192/290, 2056 yds, 42 TD, 7 int; Connor Degenhardt 48/74, 469 yds, 6 TD, 5 int.
Rushing - Jimmie Robinson 238 rush, 1107 yds, 31 TD; Alejandro Bennifield 65 rush, 224 yds, 14 TD.
Receiving - Teo Redding 56 rec, 688 yds, 14 TD; Thomas Owens 53 rec, 556 yds, 20 TD; Jimmie Robinson 61 rec, 457 yds, 4 TD.
Tackles - Matt Elam 61; Devin Hafford 61; Guy Thomas 57; Jaiden Woodbey 42.
Sacks - Guy Thomas 4.5; Julius Turner 4.5.
Interceptions - Cyrus Fagan 3; Matt Elam 2.
Kickoff Average - Henry Nell 53.2 yds.
BREAKDOWN
Massachusetts is in the playoffs for the fourth straight season and is making its second championship game appearance. Coincidentally, that other game pitted them against the Rattlers. They earned the third seed in the playoffs with a .500 record and a tiebreaker over the Quad City Steamwheelers. In order to get to this this game, they defeated the second-seeded Frisco Fighters 53-50 in the first round and then stunned the top-seeded Green Bay Blizzard 51-28 in the Eastern Conference Championship Game two weeks ago. They won the IFL Championship in the first year they moved to the league from the National Arena League and are hoping to their second this year. That year, Alejandro Bennifield was named Most Valuable Player of the championship game. He's back at the helm and expects to lead the Pirates past the Blizzard in this one. Massachusetts is 5-5 on the road this season (including the playoffs) after having defeated the Blizzard. Bennifield finished the regular season ninth in the league with 34 touchdown passes, and Jimmie Robinson led all running backs with 28 scores on the ground and 905 rushing yards. Thomas Owens' 16 receiving touchdowns was good for ninth. The Pirates average 42.9 points per game and allow 39.7, including the playoffs. Players to Watch: Teo Redding (WR); Darren Carrington II (WR), Isaac Zico (WR); Devin Hafford (DB); Matt Elam (DB); Guy Thomas (DL).
FIRST ROUND
The Pirates scored the final 17 points of their first round contest en route to rally from 14 points down in the fourth quarter and defeat the second-seeded Frisco Fighters. It’s the second time in four years that they have eliminated the Fighters from the playoffs with the first being in 2021. Thomas Owens caught a pair of touchdown throws from Alejandro Bennifield and Henry Nell hit two deuces during the final nine minutes of the fourth quarter in the come-from-behind win. Nell Owens caught three touchdowns on the night and Nell converted on three deuces in the win.
EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
The Pirates jumped out to a 34-7 second-quarter lead and never looked back as they took down the Eastern Conference’s top-seeded team on August 2 in the Conference Championship game. Alejandro Bennifield thew for three touchdowns to three different receivers and rushed for another score in the win. Their defense forced four Blizzard turnovers (two fumbles and two interceptions) to lead the way. Guy Thomas paced the team with 7.5 tackles, while Matt Elam and CJ Holmes each had a pick. It was the second time the Pirates defeated the Blizzard at Green Bay this season, as they recorded a 44-40 win in the season opener back on March 17.
Roster information is compiled by SCtoC staff, based on all available and verifiable information. 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.
PIRATES ROAD TO THE PLAYOFFS
Week 1: Sun., March 17 - at Green Bay Blizzard (W 44-40) - Recap
Week 2: Sat., March 23 - Jacksonville Sharks (W 26-21) - Recap
Week 3: Fri., March 29 - Sioux Falls Storm (W 49-41) - Recap
Week 4: BYE
Week 5: Fri., April 12 - Iowa Barnstormers (W 54-29) - Recap
Week 6: Sat., April 20 - at Quad City Steamwheelers (L 43-54) - Recap
Week 7: Sat., April 27 - vs. Sioux Falls Storm at Scheels Arena; Fargo, ND (W 43-38) - Recap
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: Sat., May 11 - at Iowa Barnstormers (L 34-42) - Recap
Week 10: Sat., May 18 - Northern Arizona Wranglers (L 40-41) - Recap
Week 11: Sat., May 25 - Tulsa Oilers (W 23-22) - Recap
Week 12: Sat., June 1 - at Frisco Fighters (L 48-52) - Recap
Week 13: Sat., June 8 - Green Bay Blizzard (L 33-36) - Recap
Week 14: Sat., June 15 - San Antonio Gunslingers (L 51-52) - Recap
Week 15: Sat., June 22 - at Jacksonville Sharks (W 44-30) - Recap
Week 16: Mon., July 1 - Quad City Steamwheelers (W 52-35) - Recap
Week 17: Sat., July 6 - at San Antonio Gunslingers (L 55-58) - Recap
Week 18: BYE
Week 19: Fri., July 19 - at Tulsa Oilers (L 24-44) - Recap
Quarterfinals: Sat., July 27 - at Frisco Fighters (W 53-50) - Recap
Conference Finals: Fri., Aug. 2 - at Green Bay Blizzard (W 51-28) - Recap
Arizona Rattlers
Rattlers defensive back Dillon Winfrey. (Photo courtesy Arizona Rattlers)
2024 ROSTER
LEADERS (including playoffs)
Passing - Dalton Sneed 192/298, 2194 yds, 44 TD, 9 int; Garrett Ketle 36/56, 415 yds, 7 TD.
Rushing - Shannon Brooks 164 rush, 602 yds, 30 TD; Dalton Sneed 77 rush, 361 yds, 14.
Receiving - Jamal Miles 69 rec, 689 yds, 16 TD; Corey Reed Jr. 46 rec, 655 yds, 13 TD; Nih-Jer Jackson 42 rec, 553 yds, 9 TD.
Tackles - Davontae Merriweather 76; Jarmaine Doubs 65.5; Dillon Winfrey 61.5; Connor Taylor 53.
Sacks - Kevin Simes Jr. 2.5; two with 1.
Interceptions - Jarmaine Doubs 5; Davontae Merriweather 5; Dillon Winfrey 5.
Kickoff Average - Dawson Evitts 49.3 yds.
BREAKDOWN
Arizona is making its seventh-straight playoff appearance in its seventh season of the IFL. Dating back to the Rattlers days in the Arena Football League, they have not missed the playoffs since 2007. However, they have not won a championship since 2017; their first season in the IFL. Additionally, they made it to the Championship Game twice since then, in 2019 and 2021, losing to the Sioux Falls Storm and Pirates, respectively. This is nearly a complete new team since then with only defenders Davontae Merriweather and Dillon Winfrey returning from that 2021 squad. This season started out slow for the Rattlers as they dropped three of their first four games of the season before finishing 10-2 in the final 12 weeks. Much of the difficulties were due to an injury to starting quarterback Dalton Sneed, who missed four games during that early part of the season. They squeaked past the Vegas Knight Hawks 39-38 in the first round and routed the San Diego Strike Force 58-23 in the Western Conference Championship Game on August 5. Like the Pirates, the Rattlers were the three seed and are considered the home team in this one because their record indicates three more wins than that of the Pirates. Sneed is back to his 2023 championship form. His 40 touchdown tosses during the regular season ranked fifth in the IFL. He was sixth with 1,886 passing yards. Corey Reed, Jr. ranked fourth with 60.6 receiving yards per game. The Rattlers average 48.9 points per game and allow 43.0, including the playoffs. Players to Watch: Shannon Brooks (RB); Jamal Miles (WR); Glen Gibbons, Jr. (WR); Davontae Merriweather (DB); Connor Taylor (LB); Rashie Hodge (DB); Dillon Winfrey (DB).
FIRST ROUND
Dalton Sneed's one-yard run around the left side on fourth down sent the Rattlers into this Western Conference Championship Game. The score, as time expired, capped a back-and-forth thriller between the Rattlers and Vegas Knight Hawks which ended in a 39-38 win for Arizona. Neither team had a double-digit lead in the game. The Rattlers earned the third seed which makes them the top seed in this game by virtue of the Strike Force falling to the fourth seed in the final week of the regular season. The Rattlers last reached the National Championship game in 2019 where they lost to the Sioux Falls Storm, 56-53.
WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Rattlers defenders picked off San Diego Strike Force quarterback Nate Davis four times as they routed their neighbors to the west by a final tally of 58-23 on August 5. Two of those interceptions were pick sixes from Jarmaine Doubs and Davontae Merriweather. Doubs had two interceptions for the game and Dillon Winfrey added another in the win. Arizona held a 41-15 lead by the end of the third quarter. Dalton Sneed tossed three touchdown passes and rushed for a pair of scores in the win. Nh-Jer Jackson caught four balls for 69 yards and a touchdown. In addition to his two picks, Doubs led the defense with 7.5 tackles.
Roster information is compiled by SCtoC staff, based on all available and verifiable information. 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.
RATTLERS ROAD TO THE PLAYOFFS
Week 1: Sat., March 16 - at Northern Arizona Wranglers (W 51-40) - Recap
Week 2: Sun., March 24 - Vegas Knight Hawks (L 43-45) - Recap
Week 3: Sun., March 31 - at Bay Area Panthers (L 41-47) - Recap
Week 4: BYE
Week 5: Sun., April 14 - San Diego Strike Force (L 45-55) - Recap
Week 6: Sat., April 20 - at Iowa Barnstormers (W 49-47) - Recap
Week 7: Sun., April 28 - Jacksonville Sharks (W 55-35) - Recap
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: Sat., May 11 - at Tucson Sugar Skulls (W 38-32) - Recap
Week 10: Sat., May 18 - Bay Area Panthers (L 52-68) - Recap
Week 11: Sat., May 25 - Duke City Gladiators (W 55-53) - Recap
Week 12: Sat., June 1 - at Jacksonville Sharks (W 62-41)
Week 13: Sat., June 8 - at San Diego Strike Force (W 47-46) - Recap
Week 14: Sat., June 15 - Northern Arizona Wranglers (W 56-49) - Recap
Week 15: Sat., June 22 - at Vegas Knight Hawks (L 50-55) - Recap
Week 16: Sat., June 29 - Iowa Barnstormers (W 55-26) - Recap
Week 17: Sun., July 7 - Tucson Sugar Skulls (W 44-37) - Recap
Week 18: BYE
Week 19: Sat., July 20 - at San Antonio Gunslingers (W 41-34) - Recap
Quarterfinals: Sat., July 27 - at Vegas Knight Hawks (W 39-38) - Recap
Conference Finals: Mon, Aug. 5 - San Diego Strike Force (W 58-23) - Recap
Today's Game Venue
Lee's Family Forum (formerly Dollar Loan Center) began as the home of the IFL National Championship Game in the 2022 season. The current agreement consists of hosting three straight championship games and, possibly, beyond. This is the third of the three years of the original agreement. It is a new arena which officially opened on March 8 of 2022 and is home to the IFL's Vegas Night Hawks. The arena is located in Henderson, Nevada, just southeast of Las Vegas. It seats 5,567 for indoor football and hockey. It is owned by the City of Henderson and operated by Black Knight Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League. The Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League and the NBA G League Ignite also utilize the arena for their home games.
Series History (4 games)
Click on final score for the SCtoC Recap of the game.
July 2, 2023 - Rattlers (H) 52, Pirates 43
Drew Powell throws for four touchdowns and runs for another as the Rattlers take down the Pirates in one of the last games played at Phoenix. Mo Walker rushed for two touchdowns and Jamal Miles caught a score for the Rattlers. Isaac Zico caught seven passes for 67 yards with two touchdowns.
May 14, 2022 - Rattlers (H) 59, Pirates 29 (boxscore link only)
Rattlers jump out to a 45-20 halftime lead and never look back in rout of Pirates. Drew Powell tossed for a touchdown and rushed for another. Braxton Haley accumulated 51 yards and a touchdown, and Brandon Ezell had an interception return for a touchdown. Isaac Zico and Thomas Owens were the recipients of Alejandro Bennifield's two touchdown tosses for the Pirates.
September 12, 2021 - Pirates 37, Rattlers (H) 34 - OT - United Bowl XII
The teams had met once previous, but this was the big one. It was a defensive game for the most part, but Alejandro Bennifield tossed one touchdown pass and ran for two more to lead the Pirates to a tie. The Rattlers were led by a combined five touchdowns from Drew Powell through the air and on the ground. In the first United Bowl to go into overtime, it was former NFL kicker Garrett Hartley's 31- yard field goal which brought the championship to Massachusetts.
July 18, 2021 - Pirates (H) 68, Rattlers 44
It was the first of just four games that would build what is now an interconference rivalry. Week 13 of the season saw the Rattlers make their first and only still visit to Massachusetts. Alejandro Bennifield threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another two in a signature win in the Pirate's inaugural season. The win moved the Pirates to 7-3 on the season and fell the Arizona Rattlers to 7-4. It would serve as a preview for their United Bowl collision less than two months later.
United Bowl XII Techmo Moment
The Pirates signed former New Orleans Saint and Super Bowl champion Garrett Hartley for their playoff run in 2021. The move paid off as Hartley booted the 31-yard field goal in overtime to lift the Pirates to a 37-34 overtime win over the Rattlers in United Bowl XI, which would later become known as the IFL National Championship Game. alecs , who would later become an SCtoC IFL Contributor, offered up this Techmo version of Hartley's kick.
SCtoC 2024 IFL Golden Helmet Awards
Each year, Sports Coast to Coast staffers vote in nine categories for our IFL Golden Helmet Awards. These honor seven players from across the league, a Coach of the Year and Game of the Year. This year's honorees were at the top of their game this year, leading their teams to new heights. Click Golden Helmet Awards to see this year's honorees.
IFL 2024 Honors
The following players from each of these teams have thus far earned the honors listed next to their respective names by the IFL. This list will be updated as the honorees are announced by the league.
PIRATES
Johari Branch, OL, All-IFL Rookie First Team Offense and All-IFL Second Team Offense
Jimmie Robinson, RB, All-IFL First Team Offense
Guy Thomas, DL, All IFL Rookie First Team Defense
RATTLERS
Shannon Brooks, RB, All-IFL Second Team Offense
Fun Facts
-Both teams come in as the third seeds in their respective conferences.
-Each team features a starting quarterback who is a IFL National Championship Game Most Valuable Player; Alejandro Bennifield for the Pirates (2021) and Dalton Sneed with the Bay Area Panthers (2023).
-Each team won the IFL Championship in their first year in the IFL before moving to the league from other leagues; the Rattlers in 2017 and the Pirates in 2021.
-This is the first meeting between the teams at a neutral site. Three of the four meetings between the teams have been, technically home games for the Rattlers.
-Pirates head coach Rod Miller was the head coach of the Bismarck Bucks during their tenure in the IFL before that franchise went dormant the past two seasons. They are intended to return next year in either Bismarck or Fargo, North Dakota.
-Jimmie Robinson earned the SCtoC IFL Golden Helmet Award as the Offensive Specialist of the Year this season. He earned the Golden Helmet Award for Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023.
-Rattlers' Kevin Guy is the winningest head coach in indoor/arena football history with 263 wins heading into this game. He surpassed the Sioux Falls Storm's Kurtiss Riggs 261 wins in the Rattlers' first-round win over the Vegas Knight Hawks.
-The Rattlers were founded in 1992; when George Herbert Walker Bush was president of the United States.
-The Rattlers are vying to their second IFL championship and their seventh championship overall, dating back to their days in the Arena Football League.
IFL Championship Weekend Schedule
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16
Owners Meetings, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
*National Championship Media Event, 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. (open to public)
IFL Night of Champions, 6:30 p.m. (awards ceremony and Hall of Fame induction)
*MEDIA DAY ATTENDEES
IFL: Todd Tryon (commissioner)
Pirates: Rod Miller (head coach), Jawad Yatim (owner), Alejandro Bennifield (QB), Navaughn Donaldson (OL), Matt Elam (DB), Jimmie Robinson (RB), Jaiden Woodbey (LB).
Rattlers: Kevin Guy (head coach), Ron Shurts (owner), Dalton Sneed (QB), Davontae Merriweather (DB), Dillon Winfrey (DB), Lamar Mady (OL), Jamal Miles (WR).
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5
-IFL National Championship Game, 1 p.m. (CBSSN)
Hall of Fame Induction
L-R: Houston Lillard, Clinton Solomon, Todd Tryon
The 2024 IFL Hall of Fame class will be inducted during Championship Weekend. The Hall recognizes players, coaches, owners, broadcasters and others who have made their impact on the league, including the early days of the Intense Football league and United Indoor Football. Those two leagues combined to form the current Indoor Football League. This year's inductees are:
HOUSTON LILLARD, QUARTERBACK
-Third in IFL history with 208 passing touchdowns
-Fourth in IFL history with 9,102 passing yards and 1,360 passing attempts
-Five-time Intense Conference Champion
-Two-time All-IFL Second Team selection
CLINTON SOLOMON, WIDE RECEIVER
-Two-time United Bowl champion
-Two-time United Conference champion
-IFL all-time leader with 123 receiving touchdowns
-Three-time All-IFL First Team Selection
TODD TRYON, PLAYER/OWNER/COMMISSIONER
-Played for Sioux Falls Storm (2000-2004)
-Assistant Coach for the Sioux Falls Storm (2005-2008)
-Owner of the Sioux Falls Storm (2010-2019)
-Seven-time United Bowl champion as owner
For a complete rundown on the 2024 class and all of the previous Hall of Fame inductees, click IFL Announces 2024 Hall of Fame Class.
United Bowl/Championship Game Results
2009 - Billings Outlaws 71, River City Rage 62. MVP: Chris Dixon, Billings
2010 - Billings Outlaws 43, Sioux Falls Storm 34. MVP: Chris Dixon, Billings
2011 - Sioux Falls Storm 37, Tri-Cities Fever 10. MVP: Chris Dixon, Sioux Falls
2012 - Sioux Falls Storm 59, Tri-Cities Fever 32. MVP: Jeremiah Price, Sioux Falls
2013 - Sioux Falls Storm 43, Nebraska Danger 40. MVP: Terrance Bryant, Sioux Falls
2014 - Sioux Falls Storm 63, Nebraska Danger 46. MVP: Chris Dixon, Sioux Falls
2015 - Sioux Falls Storm 62, Nebraska Danger 27. MVP: Brandon Johnson-Farrell, Sioux Falls
2016 - Sioux Falls Storm 55, Spokane Empire 34. MVP: Lorenzo Brown, Jr., Sioux Falls
2017 - Arizona Rattlers 50, Sioux Falls Storm 41. MVP: Justin Shirk, Arizona
2018 - Iowa Barnstormers 42, Sioux Falls Storm 38. MVP: Ryan Balentine, Iowa
2019 - Sioux Falls Storm 56, Arizona Rattlers 53. MVP: Lorenzo Brown, Jr., Sioux Falls
2020 - Season cancelled
2021 - Massachusetts Pirates 37, Arizona Rattlers 34 (OT). MVP: Alejandro Bennifield, Massachusetts
2022 - Northern Arizona Wranglers 47, Quad City Steamwheelers 45. MVP: JaQuan Artis, Northern Arizona
2023 - Bay Area Panthers 51, Sioux Falls Storm 41. MVP: Dalton Sneed, Bay Area Panthers
Final Regular Season Standings
Helpful Links
IFL
Indoor Football League 2024 Schedule
SCtoC 2024 IF Golden Helmmet Awards
Indoor Football League 2024 Franchise Index
Indoor Football League 2024 Players of the Week
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 - Lee's Family Forum; Henderson, Nevada
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