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IFL Northern Arizona Wranglers

Wranglers Advance to Western Conference Championship

July 23, 2023 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Northern Arizona Wranglers News Release


Northern Arizona Wranglers quarterback Nick Watson reacts after a big play
Northern Arizona Wranglers quarterback Nick Watson reacts after a big play
(Northern Arizona Wranglers, Credit: Blushing Cactus Photography)

PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Northern Arizona Wranglers will be advancing to the Indoor Football League Western Conference Championship game, for the second consecutive season, after a wild 62-53 victory, in the Snake Pit, over the Arizona Rattlers.

The Wranglers started this playoff game swinging, forcing the Rattlers offense to turn the ball over on downs on the game's opening possession. The Wranglers capitalized off the stop, and took an early 6-0 lead with a touchdown pass from quarterback Nick Watson to wide receiver Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman. Wranglers defensive back Justic'e King nabbed an impressive interception on the following drive. The Wranglers extended their lead to 14 points with another touchdown pass from Watson. On the receiving end of this touchdown was running back Jarrod Ware Jr. The score was followed by a successful dropkick for two points on the point after attempt (PAT) by kicker Conor Mangan. The Wranglers surrendered a Rattlers touchdown on the next drive, cutting the Northern Arizona lead to just seven. The Wranglers ended the first quarter on offense, turning the ball over on downs back to the Rattlers.

The Rattlers tied the game at 14 apiece to open the second quarter. The remainder of the game's opening half was dominated by the Wranglers. The Wranglers second quarter run began with another touchdown pass from Watson to Chiaokhiao-Bowman. Mangan nailed the dropkick for two points on the PAT. On the following drive, Wranglers linebacker Kerry Starks grabbed an interception off a pass that was batted into the air. Mangan capped off this drive when he dropkicked a successful field goal for four points. The Wranglers defense continued to play at a high level, as they came up with their third interception of the first half. This interception was courtesy of Wranglers defensive back Kishawn Walker. The Wranglers offense was unable to generate points off this interception, however the defense scored a touchdown right before the end of the half. Wranglers defensive end Tramond Lofton sacked Rattlers quarterback Drew Powell in the end zone. Powell fumbled the ball as he was being brought down by Lofton, and it was recovered in the end zone for the score. The ball was pounced on for the Wranglers touchdown by none other than former Rattlers defensive lineman Theo Majette.

The Wranglers entered the locker room at halftime, with a 20-point lead over the Rattlers, as they were up by a score of 34-14.

The Wranglers opened the third quarter on offense, and Watson located Chiaokiao-Bowman for their third touchdown connection of the game. The Wranglers were in front of the Rattlers by a score of 42-14. The Rattlers were not about to give up, and began to rally. The Rattlers scored 33 straight points in shocking fashion, marching all the way back to take the lead by a score of 47-42. The Wranglers had the ball with just over seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, trailing the Rattlers for the first time in the game.

The Wranglers were seemingly on the ropes, as they lost the momentum of the game. On 4th and 5, from the Rattlers eight yard-line, Watson found Chiaokhiao-Bowman open in the corner of the end zone for the touchdown, their fourth hookup of the contest. The Wranglers regained the lead, and life, as they were in front of the Rattlers by a score of 48-47. The Rattlers responded with another touchdown and jumped the Wranglers on the scoreboard once again. The Wranglers offense had the ball down 53-48, with 53 seconds left in the battle. The Wranglers scored in just two plays, with the fifth touchdown connection between Watson and Chiaokhiao-Bowman. The Wranglers led by one point once more, and the defense stepped up to put the game out of reach. Walker snagged his second interception of the game and ran it back for the touchdown. The Wranglers extended their lead to nine points with just 16 seconds left in the contest. On the Rattlers last ditch effort, Starks also caught his second interception of the game. The Wranglers offense ended the game in victory formation.

The Wranglers got the win in a wild and intense battle, defeating the Rattlers by a score of 62-53. The Wranglers put together a truly incredible team performance to knock off the Rattlers, in the IFL Playoffs, for the second straight year. Not to mention, getting the win in enemy territory when it mattered the most. The Wranglers defense caused six turnovers and took two for touchdowns. Watson threw six touchdown passes, five going to Chiaokhiao-Bowman. The Wranglers will be advancing to the Western Conference Championship Game for the second consecutive season. The Wranglers will face off against either the Bay Area Panthers, or the Tucson Sugar Skulls next week for the right to play in The Dollar Loan Center IFL National Championship Game. The Sugar Skulls and Panthers play Sunday July 23rd, at 3:05 PM (Ariz. time.) Exact game details for next week will be announced after the Sugar Skulls and Panthers game ends. Keep an eye on our website and social media pages for updates.

Season Tickets for the 2024 season are on sale now! Contact us using the details below.

You can check our website, nazwranglers.com, for a seating map of the Findlay Toyota Center, and pricing breakdown. This is located under the Season Tickets tab on the homepage.

For any Season Ticket inquiries, call us at 928-379-5581

You can also email ticketdirector@nazwranglers.com

Written by: Tucker Welch Edited by: Ed Cole




Images from this story

Northern Arizona Wranglers quarterback Nick Watson reacts after a big play
Northern Arizona Wranglers quarterback Nick Watson reacts after a big play
(Blushing Cactus Photography)		   

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