IFL Week 16 Preview: Three Games, One Last Push Before the Home Stretch
July 3, 2025 - Indoor Football League (IFL) News Release
With just weeks remaining in the regular season, Week 16 delivers a short but meaningful trio of matchups. From a chance to climb into playoff position in Massachusetts, to Tucson's chance to stay alive in the West, to a potential playoff preview in California-this week's games are all about positioning, momentum, and survival.
Iowa Barnstormers (1-11) at Massachusetts Pirates (6-6)
Thursday, July 3 - Tsongas Center - 6:05 PM CT
Massachusetts returns home looking to rebound after a loss at Quad City and stay in the thick of the Eastern playoff race. They'll host an Iowa team that, while eliminated, continues to fight behind the league's third-leading passer, James Cahoon (1,758 yards, 33 TDs). The Barnstormers are first in the IFL in passing offense at 218 yards per game but are also last in scoring defense, allowing a brutal 58.2 points per game.
The Pirates will try to exploit that with a steady attack from Kenji Bahar (1,438 yards, 25 TDs) and rusher Pooka Williams, who is second in the league averaging 68.6 rushing yards per game. Defensively, Marquis Waters (6 sacks, 11.5 TFLs) leads a unit that ranks No. 1 in scoring defense, giving up just 37.6 points per game.
This is a must-win for Massachusetts, who can't afford to fall below .500 if they want to keep pace with Green Bay and Tulsa for the final Eastern playoff spot.
Tucson Sugar Skulls (5-7) at San Antonio Gunslingers (3-9)
Saturday, July 5 - Freeman Coliseum - 6:05 PM CT
Tucson's playoff hopes hang by a thread, and a loss in San Antonio could all but end them. Jorge Reyna (1,295 passing yards, 25 TDs) and the Sugar Skulls' offense must stay aggressive after putting up 55 points in a wild shootout loss to Vegas last week. Larry Harrington continues to be one of the most productive receivers in the league, with 15 TDs in just nine games.
The Gunslingers, already eliminated, will look to play spoiler. They've quietly built a solid offense (4th in the IFL at 235 yards per game) and feature standout receivers like NyQwan Murray (748 yards, 16 TDs) and Glen Gibbons (11 TDs). If San Antonio can protect the football and keep pace, they could give Tucson a serious scare.
Expect fireworks in this one-the Sugar Skulls rank 9th in scoring defense, and the Gunslingers are just behind at 10th.
Bay Area Panthers (10-2) at San Diego Strike Force (8-4)
Monday, July 7 - Frontwave Arena - 8:05 PM CT
Week 16 wraps up with a heavyweight clash out West. Bay Area has already clinched a playoff spot but is chasing the top overall seed, while San Diego needs a win to stay clear of Vegas and Arizona in the tightly packed playoff standings. Quarterback Josh Jones leads the Panthers with 1,466 passing yards and 29 TDs, and he's also the league's No. 2 rusher with 561 yards plus 14 scores.
San Diego counters with Nate Davis, who has thrown for 1,743 yards and 30 TDs. The Strike Force boast the IFL's 8th-ranked scoring offense and face a Panthers defense that ranks last in yards allowed (315.8 per game).
If Bay Area wants to make a statement, they'll need big plays from defensive stars like Jonathan Ross (5 sacks, 14.5 TFLs) and DBs Tyler Watson and Trae Meadows (5 INTs each). But don't count out San Diego-this could be a playoff preview and a measuring stick game for both squads.
Three Games. Big Implications.
Week 16 may be light on quantity, but it's heavy on consequence. Watch every snap live on www.IFLNetwork.com as the playoff picture continues to evolve and contenders rise-or fall-in real time.
Indoor Football League Stories from July 3, 2025
- Barnstormers Fall to Mass - Iowa Barnstormers
- IFL Week 16 Preview: Three Games, One Last Push Before the Home Stretch - IFL
- Pirates Add Two Key Players Before Iowa Matchup Tonight - Massachusetts Pirates
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