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IFL Arizona Rattlers

Rattlers Dominate Wranglers

May 21, 2023 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


This week the Arizona Rattlers returned to the Snake Pit to take on their in-state rival Northern Arizona Wranglers in a rematch of the 2023 Conference Championship.

In a game that exemplified this season's "Decades of Dominance" campaign, the Rattlers' came away with a dominant 60-34 victory.

FIRST HALF

The Rattlers started the game with possession and were able to strike first when Drew Powell found Braxton Haley in the end zone. Kicker Shane McInerney's first extra point with the Rattlers was good to give the Rattlers an early 7-0 lead. On the ensuring Wranglers possession, the Rattlers' defense made a statement on their first defensive stand holding the Wranglers to attempt a 50-yard field goal, which was blocked by the Rattlers setting up their offense with only three yards to go.

On the first play of their next possession, Drew Powell found the end zone on a three-yard rush putting the Rattlers up 14. It did not take long after this for the Wranglers to get on the board with a kick-off return ending with a touchdown to decrease the Rattlers' lead to 14-7.

The next possession for the Rattlers was set up in good field possession thanks to a kickoff return by Jamal Miles to set up the offense at midfield. After just three plays Drew Powell was able to find his way into the end zone on a seven-yard touchdown run. Due to this touchdown and a failed extra-point attempt the Quarter ended with a score of 20-7.

The Wranglers' started the second quarter with possession, but this did not last long as an interception by Javon Jackson gave the Rattles the ball straight back. This possession would end with another Drew Powell keeper to extend the Rattlers' lead to 19.

The next Wranglers' possession ended with Dillion Winfrey's fourth interception of the season. The Rattlers could not make the most of this interception, after marching down the field, the Wranglers' defense brought up a fourth down. Shane McInerney missed the field goal giving the ball back to Northern Arizona.

The Rattler's defense continued to make big plays as Jarmaine Doubs came up with another interception for the Rattlers. Drew Powell and the Rattlers' offense came back on the field ready to add to their lead. After Drew Powell found Braxton Haley open for a 21-yard gain. Drew Powell was once again able to find his way into the end zone with a three-yard run.

The Wranglers started their next possession with a minute left in the first half. The Rattlers defense was able to hold them to four plays and no first downs leading to a missed field goal returned to mid-field for the Rattlers. The ensuing Rattlers' possession would not last long as Morian Walker Jr was able to get into the end zone after only two plays. The first half would end with the Rattlers leading 39-7.

SECOND HALF

Northern Arizona would begin the second half with possession. They would take advantage of this possession becoming the first team to get on the board in the second half, however, a failed two-point conversion attempt would only cut the Rattlers' lead to 26. The Rattlers would not let this Wranglers touchdown go unanswered as Drew Powell connected with Braxton Haley in the end zone for another Rattlers touchdown. A good extra point followed giving the Rattlers a 46-13 lead.

It would not take long for NAZ to find score again, after only one play they would find the end zone. The point conversion attempt was stopped by Dillion Winfrey after picking off a pass in the endzone. The Rattlers would find the endzone once more before the end of the quarter. After a made extra point, the third quarter would end with the Rattlers leading 19-53.

The fourth quarter began with a quick possession by the Wranglers ending once again in a touchdown and failed two-point conversion. On the next possession, Jorge Reyna took over at quarterback and wasted no time finding his own way into the end zone for another Rattler's touchdown.

The Rattlers defense would once again strike with Dillion Winfrey picking off his second interception of the game, however, the Wranglers' defense would step up on the ensuing possession, tackling Jorge Reyna in the end zone for a safety.

On their next possession, the Wranglers would once again find the endzone with 1:05 remaining in the game. The Rattlers would get the ball back once more, to run out the clock on a 60-34 victory.

Powell Power

Drew Powell for his first game in the Snake Pit this season and showed out for the home fans. He ended tonight's game with a completion percentage of 81%, and scored eight total touchdowns, four rushing and four passing, passing for 169 yards.

Stops on Stops

The Rattlers' defense did a great job of setting up the offense for success. This defensive unit allowed only two Wrangler first downs in the first half, and only 11 total compared to the. This would also include four interceptions, two of which came from Dillion Winfrey.



Indoor Football League Stories from May 21, 2023


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