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IFL Arizona Rattlers

Week 18 Preview

August 21, 2021 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


Phoenix, AZ. - The six-time champion Arizona Rattlers (11-2) will host the final game of the regular season versus the Frisco Fighters (10-2) this Saturday at 6:05 p.m. (Arizona Time) at the Footprint Center.

The winner of this showdown will earn the overall number one seed in the 2021 playoffs.

In Arizona's Week 17 matchup against the Spokane Shock (6-6) on Friday, its defense was unstoppable. The Rattlers held the Shock offense to a season-low in scoring and won by a score 30-20.

Rattlers quarterback Drew Powell finds himself in record breaking territory again. Powell (883 YDS) is now only 63 rushing yards away from breaking the 'IFL Single-Season QB Rushing Record' for the second time (945 yds/ Drew Powell / 2018 with Iowa).

The IFL MVP front-runner is also within reach of the 'IFL Single Season Rushing Record' (1040 yds/ LaRon Council / 2012 with Green Bay). Powell needs only 158 rushing yards to eclipse that feat.

Premier Powell

Drew Powell continues to dominate opposing defenses in the ground game, leading the IFL in rushing touchdowns (33), rushing yards (883), yards-per-carry (7.1) and scoring (15.5 PPG). With Powell at the helm, the Rattler offense ranks first in rushing offense (123.3 YPG).

Wide receiver Jarrod Harrington is also getting it done through the air and on the ground. The star wideout ranks seventh in receiving yards (563) and second in rushing yards-per-carry (6.6). Harrington also impacts the return game with the sixth-best average yards-per-return in the league (18.4).

Despite a season-low scoring affair in the Rattlers last game against the Shock (30), the team remains top-three in scoring offense (50.2 PPG), total offense (245.1 YPG) and offensive efficiency (158.3 YPG) after Week 17.

Winning with Winfrey

Defensive back Dillon Winfrey has been sensational with five interceptions in the last two games. Winfrey leads the IFL in INTs (9) and passes defended (29). This production has helped the Rattler defense move into second place in the IFL in INTs (15).

Defensive lineman Nik D'Avanzo holds down the front line with the second-most tackles-for-losses (12.5) and sacks (6) in the league.

His fellow D-line Josh Gordon has also had an incredible season and is tied for first in the IFL in fumble recoveries (3).

Grounding the Fighters

The Frisco Fighters enter their final game of the season against the top-seeded Arizona Rattlers after defeating the Green Bay Blizzard (5-8) at home by a score of 38-20 last Saturday.

Led by running back Demarcus Felton who's scored 19 rushing TDs on the season, the Fighters rank fifth in rushing offense (78.3) heading into Week 18.

The Fighters defense will look to stop Powell and Arizona's rushing offense with their top-ranked rushing defense (42.5 YPG) and total defense (172.4 YPG).

This matchup truly pits the best units in the IFL against each other in this clash.

The game will take place on Saturday, August 21 at 6:05 p.m. MST at the Footprint Center. It can also be viewed on the IFL YouTube page.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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