Rattlers Prevail over Strike Force
March 29, 2022 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
San Diego Strike Force News Release
SAN DIEGO, CA - The Arizona Rattlers crashed San Diego's homecoming party in a big way on Monday night, leaving with a resounding 48-10 win and improving to 2-0 on the season.
Arizona struck first and never released their grip from that point on. They'd take a 7-0 lead into the second quarter and would go on to score 27 points in the period, including 14 unanswered. The Strike Force could not come up with an antivenom for the Snake's potent offense fast enough, and Arizona would take a 34-10 lead into halftime.
The Rattlers looked like the #1 ranked team in the league, as they dominated on both sides of the ball. Reigning IFL MVP Jalen Powell led a balanced offensive attack that racked up five total touchdowns in the first half and seven for the game. Powell threw for three of those and rushed in for another, adding yet another productive performance to his IFL resume. Wide receiver Isaiah Huston would haul in two of those passes, and RB/WR Jamal Miles would account for the other. Miles would also rush for a touchdown along with running back Calvin Phillips. Second-string quarterback Demry Croft would hook up with wide receiver Braxton Haley for Arizona's final score of the game.
San Diego's only touchdown of the game came on a 9-yard strike from quarterback Cris Solano to wide receiver Marques Rodgers in the corner of the endzone late in the second quarter. San Diego's other three points came on a 47-yard field goal from Tanner Kuljian to give him his longest field goal of the young season.
Although there were few bright spots defensively for the Strike Force, defensive back David Haney led the team in tackles, and linebacker Malik Lawal made a couple of impressive tackles in the backfield late in the fourth quarter. Defensive back London Iakopo created San Diego's second takeaway of the season with sheer effort and determination. Iakopo would chase down Rattlers' wide receiver Braxton Haley after a long catch and run and rip the ball out of his hands to force a fumble, which he would then recover to create some momentum late in the first half for the Strike Force.
Arizona's defense was, in a word, relentless. Strike Force quarterback Cris Solano was in for a rough night, as the Rattlers' defensive line applied the pressure all game long. They left the Strike Force' offensive line in the dust, blowing by on multiple occasions to deliver big hits and a number of sacks. Arizona also tackled extremely well, wrapping up and swarming to the football on almost every play. It was a complete and stifling performance that kept San Diego out of striking distance from the moment they left the runway.
The Rattlers will take on the winless Gladiators this Saturday as the unanimous number one seed in the Western Conference standings heading into Week 4. They'll look to pick up a second straight win on the road as they head to Duke City.
The Strike Force will play the first of four straight games on the road against the Northern Arizona Wranglers, who are coming off of a big 49-20 win over the Bay Area Panthers in their home opener. San Diego lost to the Panthers 38-33 in a thrilling Week 2 matchup. They'll try to knock off their old rivals and pick up their first win of the season.
Indoor Football League Stories from March 29, 2022
- Week Three Coaches Poll Announced - IFL
- Storm Fall to Barnstormers - Sioux Falls Storm
- Rattlers Prevail over Strike Force - San Diego Strike Force
- Barnstormers Weather the Storm - Iowa Barnstormers
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