Preview: Arizona vs. Tucson
Published on June 23, 2022 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Arizona Rattlers News Release
PHOENIX - The six-time World Champion Arizona Rattlers will host the Tucson Sugar Skulls in a battle between in-state foes on Saturday night.
Arizona defeated Duke City by 20 points last week, which was their 8th win this season by 20-plus points, the most in the IFL. Arizona has officially clinched a playoff spot and could clinch home-field advantage in the first round with a win this week against the Sugar Skulls.
Offensive Showcase
It will be a battle of the top-ranked offenses in the IFL. Arizona holds the number one ranked offense, averaging 54.1 points per game while Tucson sits at number two averaging 51.2 points per game.
If their last meeting was any indicator, it should be another high-scoring affair between the two scoring machines. They combined for an otherworldly 137 points earlier this season in Tucson.
Battle on I-10
Earlier this season, the Rattlers lost to the Sugar Skulls in Tucson by a score of 74-63. That was the first time Arizona has ever been defeated by Tucson in franchise history. The Rattlers hold a 7-1 all-time record against Tucson.
This could potentially be a playoff preview since Arizona is the number 2 seed in the West and Tucson is the number 3 seed.
Quarterback Duel
Two of the top quarterbacks in the IFL will be going head-to-head for just the second time in their IFL careers. Drew Powell and Daquan Neal have a couple of things in common, as they are each former MVP winners that have previously played for the Iowa Barnstormers.
Powell leads the IFL in passing yards with 1,805 on the season, just ahead of Duke City's Ramone Atkins and Tucson's Daquan Neal. Neal leads the IFL in QB efficiency rating and is also a dual-threat quarterback just like Powell.
Defensive Firepower
The Rattlers' defense has been a strong point this season. They are second in points allowed at 32.2, first in sack yardage (146), and tied for 1st in interceptions (16) with Frisco.
One statistic that truly stands out is that they are leading the league in pick-sixes with 6. The next closest team only has two, which is quite a remarkable gap.
Indoor Football League Stories from June 23, 2022
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