Sports stats

IFL Northern Arizona Wranglers

Northern Arizona Wranglers Punch Playoff Ticket with 37-34 Win over Arizona Rattlers

June 12, 2022 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Northern Arizona Wranglers News Release


PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - On Saturday night, the Northern Arizona Wranglers pulled off their biggest win of the season, taking down the Arizona Rattlers by a score of 37-34.

The Wranglers officially earned their spot in the Indoor Football League Playoffs with their wild victory over the Rattlers. The Wranglers also currently hold sole possession of first place in the IFL's Western Conference.

The Rattlers started the game off with a 50-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from wide receiver Jarrod Harrington. Just like that, the Wranglers found themselves down by a score of 7-0. The Wranglers would be stopped on 4th and goal on their ensuing possession. The Rattlers missed a field goal, and the first quarter ended with the Wranglers in possession of the football.

The Wranglers scored on the first play of the second quarter, when quarterback Kaleb Barker threw a dart to wide receiver Jerrime Neal, for the 28-yard score. The Wranglers tied the game, at seven apiece, with this touchdown bomb from Barker to Neal. The Wranglers sped towards a 10-point lead, after two straight fumbles recovered by Northern Arizona, which were followed by Wranglers scores. The first fumble was forced by defensive lineman Ulric Jones, and recovered by defensive back Trae Meadows. Kicker Brandon Fischer made an 18-yard field goal, to put the Wranglers up by 3, with the score at 10-7. The second fumble was forced by defensive back Kiante Northington, in his first start with the Wranglers. The fumble was recovered by defensive back Bill Atkins. On the next drive, Barker located wide receiver Ulice Gillard open for the Wranglers touchdown, which brought the score to 17-7.

The Wranglers attempted an onside kick, trying to carry their momentum even farther. This onside kick attempt went south quickly, as the Rattlers ran it back for a quick touchdown. The Wranglers were suddenly only up by three points once again. Fischer hit a second field goal to put the Wranglers up six points, and the Rattlers responded with a touchdown to take the lead at 21-20. The momentum shifted extremely fast in this game, and would continue to shift throughout the game. The Wranglers would close the half with a third field goal from Fischer, just before halftime, as Northern Arizona would nurse a 23-21 lead over Arizona at the break.

In the third quarter, both the Rattlers and Wranglers would exchange touchdowns, with Gillard getting his second of the day for Northern Arizona. The third quarter ended with the Wranglers still up by two points, as the score was 30-28.

The Rattlers regained the lead, nearly midway through the fourth quarter. The Wranglers were ignited by a 32-yard kickoff return from wide receiver Imeek Watkins. Despite the great field position, Northern Arizona came away with zero points on the drive. On the ensuing possession, the Rattlers attempted to run the clock out, and ice the game. Atkins forced Rattlers quarterback Drew Powell to fumble, and it was recovered by Wranglers defensive back Tevin Homer.

The Wranglers had 54 seconds to score a touchdown, from their own 20-yard line. Northern Arizona drove down and capped off their drive with a two-yard touchdown run from running back Israel Tucker. The Rattlers had 21 seconds to respond, and try and win the game. Jones iced the game for the Wranglers, with a sack of Powell, and the Findlay Toyota Center was electric.

The Wranglers pulled off their biggest win of the season, and as a franchise. They will participate in the IFL playoffs, just one year after winning one single game all season.

The Wranglers will have a bye week this upcoming week, and do not play their next game until June 25th, against the Duke City Gladiators. This game will be back at home for the Wranglers, on Pinnacle Bank Field at the Findlay Toyota Center.



Indoor Football League Stories from June 12, 2022


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central