2021 United Bowl Preview
Published on September 12, 2021 under Indoor Football League (IFL) News Release
The No. 1 seed Arizona Rattlers face off the No. 2 seed Massachusetts Pirates in the 2021 IFL United Bowl on Sunday, Sept. 12, in the Footprint Center in Phoenix at 5 p.m. CT. can be seen live on Stadium and the entire Stadium digital platform. The game can also be watched on the IFL's YouTube channel.
For the third time in four campaigns, Arizona is appearing in the league title game. Since their founding in 1992, the Rattlers have been crowned as champions a half-dozen times. Massachusetts is only in its third season of existence. This is the first time the Pirates have made it past a semifinal clash.
In this championship bout, however, these franchises' histories can be thrown to the side.
After migrating from a different league, Massachusetts entered this year as a stranger to IFL play. Directed by first-time head coach Patrick Pass, the Pirates set course to an 11-3 regular season mark. They arrived in the postseason riding an eight-game string of victories, one being a 68-44 over of the Rattlers at home back on July 18.
That matchup was the two heavyweights' only encounter up until this point. They traded blows until late in the first half, then Pirates quarterback Alejandro Bennifield punched it in from one yard out and 0:56 left before the break. Massachusetts recovered the ensuing onside kick and Bennifield found Thomas Owens for a touchdown strike as time ran out on the second quarter.
The pair of scores gave the Pirates a 32-14 advantage at the intermission and the Rattlers were unable to cut the deficit to any less than 16 points.
In the loss, Arizona's Drew Powell threw for 142 yards, rushed for 68 more, and had his hand in each of his team's six scores. Powell was just named as the 2021 IFL MVP. It marks Powell's second time receiving the honor, as he claimed the award while with the Iowa Barnstormers in 2018.
Powell commanded the league's most effective running attack, putting up a league-leading 902 yards on the ground and 35 rushing touchdowns. He passed another 1,745 yards and 30 scores. He also topped the IFL with a pass completion rate of 69.4%.
Finishing the regular schedule at 12-2, the Rattlers were the only team in the league with more wins than Massachusetts. Arizona is also unbeaten at home this year.
The Rattlers are led by head coach Kevin Guy, who was just named the 2021 IFL Coach of the Year. In entertaining the Pirates, he's looking for his second United Bowl ring and fifth league title in total since taking the Rattlers' helm in 2008. This is Guy's eighth championship appearance in his 12 seasons as a head coach.
Both teams bolster talented rosters, each producing a league-high nine All-IFL performers this season.
Massachusetts wideout Thomas Owens pulled in 66 footballs for 911 yards and 22 touchdowns-all would have been the most in the league if not for Duke City's Dello Davis. Offensive linemen Jordan McCray and Jared Thomas blocked well for the Pirates, while Roderick Johnson and John Griggs made it hard on opponents from the opposite side of scrimmage.
Linebacker Martrell Speight combined for 50 total tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss. As for the defensive backs, Harlan Miller grabbed five interceptions-second only to Arizona's Dillon Winfrey-and Chucky Williams led the league with three fumble recoveries. Rookie kick returner LaQuvionte Gonzalez racked up 957 yards and three touchdowns on 45 returns.
Arizona's Powell looked for receiver Jarrod Harrington often this year, enough for him to place fifth in the league with 52 receptions. Jahair Jones, Lamar Mady, and Steven Gurrola open the holes up front and protect their triggerman.
Nikolaus D'Avanzo ranked second with seven sacks and 14 tackles for loss. Defensive back Tyrell Pearson broke up 18 passes and picked off three. Kicker Ernesto Lacayo led the league by connecting on 60% of his field goals.
Indoor Football League Stories from September 12, 2021
- Pirates Defeat the Rattlers, 37-34, in Overtime to Claim 2021 United Bowl - IFL
- Drew Powell Named the 2021 IFL MVP - IFL
- Dillion Winfrey Named IFL Defensive Player of the Year - IFL
- Nate Chavious Receives IFL Special Teams Player of the Year - IFL
- 2021 United Bowl Preview - IFL
- Nate Davies Awarded IFL Offensive Player of the Year - IFL
- IFL Announces 2021 Player of the Year Awards - IFL
- Rattlers DB Dillion Winfrey Named 2021 IFL Defensive Player of the Year - Arizona Rattlers
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