IFL San Antonio Gunslingers

San Antonio Comes Away with Thrilling Victory over Tulsa

Published on May 15, 2024 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
San Antonio Gunslingers News Release


With a catch in the right corner of the end zone, Sam Castronova and Kali Rashaad helped the San Antonio Gunslingers snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against the Tulsa Oilers.

Rashaad caught three touchdowns, including the game-winner, with nine seconds left in the fourth quarter, as the San Antonio Gunslingers defeated the Duke City Gladiators 56-53 at the Rio Rancho Events Center in Rio Rancho, NM, on Saturday night.

Both teams' offenses came out on fire, as Kali Rashaad and Tyron Laughinghouse traded touchdowns on the first two possessions. The Gunslingers (3-4) scored a touchdown on their next possession, then forced a stop on fourth-and-4. They carried that momentum into the second quarter, as Castronova scored on a quarterback keeper to put the Gunslingers up by 14 points.

The Gladiators (0-6) didn't roll over, as Joe Mancuso found Devanaire Conliffe for a one-handed touchdown catch to bring Duke City back within seven points. After Keyshawn Harper put San Antonio back up by 14 points, Conliffe scored again to cut the deficit to a touchdown. The score was set up by a big run by Mancuso to get Duke City into the red zone. San Antonio still had time to increase their lead, but Kali Rashaad was stopped near the goal line on the last play of the first half, and the Gladiators went into halftime down by seven points.

The second half started well for the Gunslingers, as TC Stevens converted on a deuce attempt to put San Antonio up by nine points. However, the Gladiators responded as Mancuso scored on a quarterback keeper. San Antonio answered with Austin Upshaw extending the ball over the goal line, but the snap on the extra point was blocked, and the Gunslingers' lead stayed at eight points. This proved to be significant for the Gladiators who scored on a Jeff Carr rushing touchdown and then tied the game on Ernesto Lacayo's dropkick attempt. On the ensuing kickoff, Lacayo converted on the deuce to give the Gladiators the lead, which they held going into the fourth quarter, but the Gunslingers weren't phased.

Castronova found Rashaad in the end zone to give the Gunslingers the lead, but Mancuso answered. He got out of a sack and moved the Gladiators into the Gunslingers' red zone, and then he found Daniel Crowell in the end zone to put Duke City back on top. It was the start of three straight scores from both sides that set the stage for a great finish. San Antonio faced a third-and-7, trailing 49-53 at the one-minute warning. Castronova got tackled short of the first down, setting up a fourth-and-2. He attempted to run for the first down but got tackled short, and the Gladiators appeared to have stopped the Gunslingers.

However, the officials ruled that Castronova wasn't down by contact as he had picked up the first down by forward progress. Two plays later, Castronova found Kali Rashaad in the end zone for the touchdown to put San Antonio back in front. After the Gladiators ran two plays to pick up quick yards, Ernesto Lacayo attempted a game-tying 40-yard field goal, but it went wide left; giving the Gunslingers the win.

After an 0-3 start, the Gunslingers have won three of their last four games and are in the Western Conference Playoff conversation. The second half of the season won't get easier, but with a win over the Frisco Fighters, the confidence is there to make a playoff run.

Castronova completed 24/29 passes for 243 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for a score. Rashaad caught 10 passes for 122 yards and three scores. Meyers added seven receptions for 59 yards and a score. Giovonne Sanders' six tackles led the defense.

Mancuso, making his first start for the Gladiators, went 11/18 for 118 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed seven times for 91 yards and two scores. LaQuvionte Gonzalez caught three passes for 52 yards. Tamar Hart led the Duke City defense with nine tackles and a sack.

The Gunslingers will host the Tulsa Oilers on Military Appreciation Night, May 18, with kickoff set for 6:05 p.m. CT in the Freeman Coliseum.

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Indoor Football League Stories from May 15, 2024


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