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IFL Bay Area Panthers

Panthers Share Conference Lead After 62-55 Win over Frisco

May 21, 2023 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Bay Area Panthers News Release


SAN JOSE - Justin Rankin scored five times against his former team as the Bay Area Panthers grabbed a share of first-place in the Western Conference after a 62-55 win over the previously undefeated Frisco Fighters.

The Panthers (5-3) scored touchdowns on their first two plays from scrimmage: Quarterback Dalton Sneed connected with Nih Jackson on a 30-yard streak pattern down the right sideline and Sneed hooked up with Rankin from 25 yards out in the game's first six minutes.

The game was tied twice in the first half with the Fighters never taking the lead. Frisco pulled even at 28 with 1:11 left in the second quarter on a Martez Carter 2-yard run. The Panthers had enough time to answer with Sneed's 11-yard score with 13 seconds left and a 35-28 lead at the break.

Frisco (7-1) trailed 49-41 early in the fourth quarter and advanced to the Bay Area 17. But Edwards threw his first interception of the year when Trae Meadows picked off a pass intended for Jordan Jolley.

The Panthers took advantage of the misfire to extend the lead to 56-41 on a Rankin 6-yard run to cap a 30-yard drive on three plays.

Edwards single-handedly kept his team in the game-running for 121 yards and five scores and throwing 15-22 for 161 yards and two touchdowns. He ended the night with 282 yards of total offense, one shy of most yards for any IFL player this season.

Rankin finished with 35 yards on 10 carries with four rushing touchdowns and one receiving.

Sneed ended the night completing 12 of 19 passes for 191 yards and four touchdowns to four different receivers.

"It's a testament to the players and the culture we've been building here," said Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Rob Keefe. "We're really excited about this victory and I can't say enough about this team and this organization."

The Panthers are tied with Northern Arizona for first in the Western Conference following the Wranglers loss to Arizona. Bay Area travels to Tucson for a showdown with the Sugar Skulls on Saturday. Tucson won the first matchup 34-30 at the SAP Center on April 16.

Going back to last season, the Fighters had won 17 of 18 games. Frisco leads Quad City by one and half games in the Eastern Conference heading into next weekend's game at home against San Diego.

Notable....

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance was in attendance. Lance was a teammate of Panthers' defensive back Marquise Bridges at North Dakota State.

The Pat Tillman Foundation participated in the ceremonial coin toss. Tillman played high school football at Leland High in San Jose before moving on to Arizona State and the Arizona Cardinals. He gave up his pro career after the September 11 attacks to enlist in the Army Rangers. Tillman was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004.



Indoor Football League Stories from May 21, 2023


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