IFL Arizona Rattlers

2021 IFL Playoffs Round One Preview: Sioux Falls at Arizona

August 29, 2021 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


Phoenix, AZ. - The six-time champion Arizona Rattlers (12-2) ended the regular season with the best record in the IFL and captured the top-seed in the 2021 playoffs. Because of that, Arizona will host the Sioux Falls Storm (6-7) for Round-1 at the Snake Pit, and it's the first time the two have met in the postseason since the 2019 United Bowl.

The Rattlers and Storm split the regular season series (1-1), and the last matchup resulted in a dominating win for the Rattlers by a score of 59-33 on July 24.

Powell's Poise

Quarterback Drew Powell dominated opposing defenses throughout the regular season and owns an MVP-caliber resume. The Rattler's QB finished No.1 in rushing yards (902), rushing TDs (35), YPA (6.6), points scored (214), PPG (15.3), and completion PCT (69.4). 

QB1's excellent ground game left the opposing secondaries on their heels game in and game out, but when he needed it, he dissected defenses with his arm. Powell finished the season with 1,752 passing yards and 30 TDs through the air and ended the year with the second-highest quarterback efficiency (165.1).

Wide receiver Jarrod Harrington is Powell's most reliable target, collecting over a third of his TD passes thrown. Harrington placed sixth in the IFL in receiving yards (620) to go along with 11 receiving TDs and has added another three TDs on the ground.

Defensive Leaders

Defensive lineman Nik D'Avanzo terrorized opposing offensive lines consistently throughout the regular season. D'Avanzo's penetration on the defensive front helped him finish second in the league in tackles-for-loss (14.0) and sacks (7).

Fellow D-line Josh Gordon also made his mark with his ball hawking abilities and finished with the most fumble recoveries in the IFL (3).

Defensive back Dillon Winfrey has been lights out in the secondary with 11 interceptions in the 2021 season. Week-18 marked his second IFL Defensive Player of the Week selection over the last three games.

His final INT total is good for the third highest in franchise history, and the mark is the most in the IFL by a wide margin. The next highest is total is five INTs. Winfrey also leads the IFL in passes defended with 31.

The Rivalry

The Sioux Falls Storm have dominated the IFL since it joined the league in 2009. In that time, the Storm have qualified for the United Bowl every season the league has been in action and has won the whole enchilada seven times.

In 2017, the Rattlers defeated the Storm in the United Bowl, 50-41. The next season (2018), Sioux Falls and Arizona met in the semifinals, and it was the Storm who prevailed in overtime by a score of 69-68. In 2019, Sioux Falls beat Arizona in the United

Bowl after mounting a second half comeback, 56-53.

This season the Rattlers look to quarterback Drew Powell and Head Coach Kevin Guy to even the playoff series (1-2) against the Storm that started when the Rattlers joined the IFL in 2017.

The game will take place on Sunday, August 29 at 3:05 p.m. MST at the Footprint Center, and can be viewed on the IFL YouTube page.

Toy Drive, Snake Pit Blackout and More!

The Arizona Rattlers are proud to partner with PODS® of Phoenix & Hope & A Future for a 'Pack the PODS® Toy Drive' event this Sunday. Hope & A Future serves abused or neglected children in Arizona's foster system. We're asking fans to donate new toys, board games, sports balls and gift cards.

Donations can be delivered to the PODS® container stationed outside the Footprint Center's main entrance in the plaza during pregame.

The first 1,500 fans who donate will receive a rally towel, courtesy of PODS® of Phoenix.

One of the coolest events happening at the game Sunday is 50/50. Half of the proceeds will be donated to Hope & A Future!

Arizona is also asking fans to join the team in wearing ALL BLACK for a 'Snake Pit Blackout' at the game on Sunday.

The Rattlers 2021 Playoff T-Shirts now available at the Team Shop or inside the Footprint Center pavilion.

Immediately following the conclusion of the game there will be post game team autographs.

Plus, there'll be a silent auction of former Rattlers great Rod Windsor's game worn jersey (on-field photo with Windsor included) - a mini-football toss contest for a team-autographed helmet or $100 dollars in team merchandise - and as always - the 'Jersey Off His Back' raffle. For this game will be for star defensive back Davonte Merriweather's game-worn jersey.

Pavilion doors open to the public at 1:00 p.m.



Indoor Football League Stories from August 29, 2021


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