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IFL Northern Arizona Wranglers

Wranglers #1 in Western Conference

May 14, 2023 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Northern Arizona Wranglers News Release


Northern Arizona Wranglers celebrate a touchdown
Northern Arizona Wranglers celebrate a touchdown
(Northern Arizona Wranglers, Credit: Blushing Cactus Photography)

PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. - The Northern Arizona Wranglers took sole possession of first place, in the Indoor Football League's Western Conference, with a hard-fought 35-34 victory against the Panthers.

Saturday's nights showdown, for the top spot in the Indoor Football League's Western Conference, was intense from start to finish. The game began with the Wranglers driving down the field and missing a field goal on their opening possession. The Panthers took advantage of the stop, scoring a touchdown within two plays, and taking a 7-0 lead. The Wranglers were able to bounce back in a hurry, tying the contest at seven apiece on the ensuing possession. Northern Arizona wide receiver Ryan Wisniewski made an incredible catch in the corner of the end zone, as he flew over the dasher pad wall and came down with the grab in SportsCenter Top 10 fashion.

On the following drive, Wranglers defensive back Daniel Wright nabbed an interception. The game's momentum began to swing in favor of Northern Arizona. The Wranglers offense was able to capitalize off the turnover, as quarterback Garrett Kettle threw his second touchdown pass of the opening quarter. This time, Kettle located wide receiver Glen Gibbons Jr. for the score. The first quarter ended with the Wranglers in front of the Panthers, by a score of 14-7.

To start the second quarter, Bay Area responded with a touchdown of their own, yet missed the point after attempt. The Wranglers remained ahead of the Panthers, by a score of 14-13. The Panthers made the most of another missed field goal by the Wranglers, scoring a touchdown to regain the lead. Gibbons Jr. scored his second touchdown of the showdown to close the first half. The Wranglers entered the locker room for halftime with a one-point lead, as the scoreboard read 21-20.

The Wranglers surrendered a touchdown to the Panthers on their first drive of the third quarter. To nobody's surprise, the game would continue to be a back-and-forth battle between the top two teams in the league's Western Conference. The Wranglers responded quickly, as wide receiver Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman made an impressive and contested catch for the 24-yard touchdown. The Wranglers regained the one-point lead, jumping in front of the Panthers by a score of 28-27. The third quarter ended with yet another lead change, when the Panthers answered the bell with a touchdown. This intense showdown entered the fourth quarter with a score of 34-28, in favor of the Panthers.

The Northern Arizona offense failed to respond on their following possession, turning the ball over on downs. On the Panthers first offensive possession of the fourth quarter, Bay Area missed a field goal attempt. The Wranglers offense needed another score, and they found one. The game's final touchdown was courtesy of Kettle's legs, as he rushed for a two-yard score. The Panthers had an opportunity to bounce back, but they missed their second field goal attempt of the quarter. The Wranglers ended this intense game in victory formation after getting a much needed first down on third down-and-nine. Kettle threw a short pass to Gibbons Jr., who ran for the first down and put the nail in the Panthers coffin for the evening. The Wranglers came out of the fight with the one-point victory.

The Wranglers got their revenge from the lopsided 47-13 loss against the Panthers played in San Jose, Calif. With the huge victory, Northern Arizona now sits atop the IFL's Western Conference standings. This game was an intense battle, and neither team would be surprised to be meeting again in the 2023 IFL Playoffs. The Wranglers improve their record this season to 5-2, and will hit the road again next week to take on the Arizona Rattlers, at Footprint Center, in Phoenix, Ariz.

The Northern Arizona Wranglers 2023 home games, with dates, matchups, and results are listed below.

Saturday, March 25th, 6:05 P.M. vs Duke City Gladiators LOSS, 43-35

Saturday, April 1st, 6:05 P.M. vs Vegas Knight Hawks WIN, 48-42

Sunday, April 16th, 3:05 P.M. vs San Diego Strike Force WIN, 48-9

Saturday, May 13th, 6:05 P.M. vs Bay Area Panthers WIN, 35-34

Saturday, June 3rd, 6:05 P.M. vs Arizona Rattlers

Saturday, June 17th, 6:05 P.M. vs Frisco Fighters

Saturday, June 24th, 6:05 P.M. vs Tucson Sugar Skulls

Saturday, July 8th, 6:05 P.M. vs Massachusetts Pirates

Season tickets for your 2022 IFL National Champions, the Northern Arizona Wranglers, are on sale now for the 2023 regular season.




Images from this story

Northern Arizona Wranglers celebrate a touchdown
Northern Arizona Wranglers celebrate a touchdown
(Blushing Cactus Photography)		   



Indoor Football League Stories from May 14, 2023


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