Rattlers Remain on Top of Final Coaches Poll of the 2021 Season
August 18, 2021 - Indoor Football League (IFL) News Release
Entering the final week of the 2021 regular season, the top three teams in the IFL Coaches Poll remain consistent, with the Arizona Rattlers at the top followed by the Massachusetts Pirates and the Frisco Fighters. The next spots continue to fluctuate, as the Iowa Barnstormers jump to the fourth spot. The Spokane Shock round out the top five.
The Rattlers remain in first place after downing the Shock, 30-20, in Week 17. The Rattlers have now won four straight games and have beaten the Shock in both of their meetings this season. With Friday's win, the Rattlers defense has now held opponents to under 30 points two weeks in a row (28 PTS |TUC) and forced three turnovers.
The Frisco Fighters dashed the Green Bay Blizzard's postseason hopes Saturday evening, controlling most of the IFL's Game of the Week in a 38-20 home victory. Yielding its lowest point total of the season-and notching four total interceptions - the Fighters' defense wouldn't allow the Blizzard back to within less than 11 points. The victory sets up a bout at Arizona next weekend that will decide home-field advantage in the league's playoff.
The Massachusetts Pirates ran their record to 10-3 with a 51-16 win over the Northern Arizona Wranglers on Sunday. The win was the Pirates' seventh consecutive victory, which set a franchise record and extended the longest winning streak by any team in the Indoor Football League this season. The victory was also Massachusetts' fifth straight triumph on the road. Additionally, the win secures a top three overall seed in the upcoming playoffs for the Pirates.
The coaches panel is represented by the 11 head coaches across the league. Each head coach's ballot includes his ranking of the IFL teams, with first-place votes earning one point, second place two points, and so on to 11 points for 11th-ranked team. The teams are then listed in order, with the team with the fewest points on top.
The entire Coaches Poll is as follows:
Arizona Rattlers
Massachusetts Pirates
Frisco Fighters
Iowa Barnstormers
Spokane Shock
Bismarck Bucks
Sioux Falls Storm
Duke City Gladiators
Tucson Sugar Skulls
Green Bay Blizzard
Northern Arizona Wranglers
Indoor Football League Stories from August 18, 2021
- Pirates Face Iowa in Season Finale - Massachusetts Pirates
- Rattlers Remain on Top of Final Coaches Poll of the 2021 Season - IFL
- Week 17: Players of the Week Named - IFL
- Tucson Garners Two IFL Pow Honors for Week-17 Performances - Tucson Sugar Skulls
- The Voice of the Fighters - Frisco Fighters
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