2019 Arizona Rattlers Week 7 Game Preview
Published on April 4, 2019 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Arizona Rattlers News Release
PHOENIX - The Arizona Rattlers (4-0) close out their four-game homestand on Saturday as they welcome the San Diego Strike Force (0-5) to Talking Stick Resort Arena. The game will mark the first of four meetings between these two teams during the 2019 Indoor Football League (IFL) season.
In a battle of unbeaten rivals last week, the Rattlers emerged with a 58-40 victory over the Sioux Falls Storm (4-1). The win gave Arizona Head Coach and General Manager Kevin Guy his 200th career victory, and also avenged the Rattlers 69-68 loss to Sioux Falls in last year's Intense Conference Championship.
It was another strong showing from Arizona's offense as they have exceeded the 50-point mark in all four games this year. The Rattlers offense is led by RB Jabre Lolley, who currently leads the IFL with 65.5 rushing yards per game and is second in the league with 10 rushing touchdowns. QB Jeff Ziemba is 26-for-35 passing on the season for 339 yards and four touchdowns, while also scoring four touchdowns on the ground.
For the Strike Force, they are coming off of a 51-31 defeat on the road against the Tucson Sugar Skulls last week in a duel between the league's newest expansion teams.
Offensively, San Diego is led by QB Derrick Bernard, who currently leads the IFL with 983 passing yards. WR Julian Stafford is second in the IFL with 72.2 receiving yards per game and nine receiving touchdowns.
Right behind Stafford is WR Marques Rodgers, who is fourth in the league with 66 receiving yards per game and tied for seventh in the league with five receiving touchdowns.
San Diego's top-ranked passing offense will be matched up against Arizona's top-ranked passing defense this week. The Rattlers have six interceptions on the season, second-most in the league, and have sacked the opposing quarterback a league-best 11 times. DB Allen Chapman and DB Phillip Henry both had interceptions last week against Sioux Falls, giving them both two each on the season.
The Strike Force defense is anchored by LB Mikell Mair, who leads the team with 27 total tackles on the season, along with 1.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble. DL Terrence Fullum leads San Diego in tackles for loss (3.5) and sacks (one). DB Omar Cook made his debut with the Strike Force last week in Tucson and led the team with seven total tackles in the game.
Rattlers K Jimmy Camacho ranks first in the IFL with 32 extra points made in 35 attempts. His 91% conversion rate on PATs ranks third in the league. Camacho is 50% on field goal conversions, tying him for third-best in the league along with two other IFL kickers, including Strike Force K Ernesto Lacayo.
Lacayo's five made field goals are fifth-most in the IFL and he has yet to miss an extra point attempt this season, successfully converting all 28 of his point-after attempts so far.
The game takes place at 5:00 p.m. AZT. The game will be broadcast locally on Your Phoenix CW and online on YouTube Live.
Indoor Football League Stories from April 4, 2019
- Storm Prepare for Round Two in Bismarck - Sioux Falls Storm
- Week 7 Preview: the Rivalry Continues - Green Bay Blizzard
- Danger Look to Even Record against Sugar Skulls - Nebraska Danger
- Danger DL Charles Walker Called up to CFL, Lands Roster Spot with BC Lions - Nebraska Danger
- 2019 Arizona Rattlers Week 7 Game Preview - Arizona Rattlers
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