Preview: Fighters vs. Rattlers
Published on May 19, 2022 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Frisco Fighters News Release
FRISCO, TX - Coming off a win against the Sioux Falls Storm, the Frisco Fighters will head to Phoenix, Arizona to play the Arizona Rattlers for the last time in the regular season at Footprint Center Saturday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:05 PM.
After going unbeaten in the first six games, the Rattlers fell to the Tucson Sugar Skulls in week nine of the 2022 IFL season. The Rattlers look to continue their home record (since 2014) of 61-7.
How to watch
Time/Location: 8:05 p.m. CT/Footprint Center
Live Stream
Past meetups - Fighters vs Rattlers
The Fighters and Rattlers first met this season at Comerica Center in Frisco on April 30. After being shut out the first quarter, the Fighters fought to comeback scoring 21 points during the second quarter. With less than five minutes left on the play clock, the Rattlers scored a touchdown leaving the Fighters with their second loss of the season (49-35).
The Fighters and Rattlers first ever meetup was in the 2021 season on August 21, in Phoenix, Arizona. After trailing by two touchdowns at halftime, the Fighters fought to comeback by scoring three touchdowns in the last half but ultimately fell short to the Rattlers with a final score of 38-55.
The Fighters are looking for their first ever win against the 6-time World Champion Arizona Rattlers on Saturday.
Players to watch
Quarterback Blake Sims passed for nine (12 attempts), resulting in three touchdowns in week ten. Sims threw the longest pass (47 yards) during the game, while collecting a personal high total of 192 yards. Sims also proved his running game with rushing 35 yards on seven attempts which resulted in one touchdown for the Fighters.
Week after week, running back Justin Rankin proves his talents and continues to produce, making him one of the top players in the league. In week ten's matchup, Rankin rushed for 52 yards, tallying three touchdowns.
Wide receiver Sheldon Augustine put up 113 receiving yards with a long of 47 yards. Like Rankin, Augustine scored three touchdowns. With the help of wide receivers Mark Munson and Jerminic Smith they were able to collectively receive for 192 yards, almost 70 more yards than the Storm was able to.
The defensive line was a dominant force against the Storm, keeping them under 100 passing and rushing yards. They also collectively tallied four sacks and five breakup passes. Defensive back Trey Wafford made nine (eight solo, one assisted) tackles, while defensive lineman Charles Williams made six (two solo, four assisted) tackles resulting in two tackles for a loss of nine yards.
After taking the lead in the first five minutes of the game, the Fighters allowed the Storm 20 points in the first half but were able to keep the lead through the duration of the game resulting in a 57-39 win.
Indoor Football League Stories from May 19, 2022
- Tucson Travels to San Diego - IFL
- Green Bay Prepares for the Barnstormers - IFL
- Steamwheelers Look to Roll Past Bucks - Quad City Steamwheelers
- Game Preview: Skulls Travel to San Diego - Tucson Sugar Skulls
- IFL Announces Week Ten Players of the Week - IFL
- Game Preview: Arizona Rattlers vs. Frisco Fighters - Arizona Rattlers
- Game Preview: Barnstormers at Blizzard - Iowa Barnstormers
- Preview: Fighters vs. Rattlers - Frisco Fighters
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