Photo: 5 Garrett Kettle threw for two touchdowns, and rushed for two more in his Wrangler debut
The Duke City Gladiators came up with the big plays down the stretch to hold off the Northern Arizona Wranglers 43-35, in the season opener for both teams in Prescott Valley.
The pregame festivities included a celebration for last season’s championship, with banners being unveiled for both the Western Conference title, and the IFL World Championship.
The defending IFL National Champions took the lead when Brandon Fischer kicked the opening kickoff through the uprights for a 2-0 lead. The new Indoor Football League deuce rule is that a team can elect to kick a deuce, at any point in the game, rather than just within the last minute of each half. Duke City responded as quarterback Nate Davis connected with Gary Brown for a 17 yard scoring strike to take a 7-2 lead.
The Wranglers struggled early offensively behind quarterback Nick Watson. Turnovers on downs and a fumble gave the Gladiators good chances to increase their lead, and they did just that. Davis connected to Brown again, this time for a 17 yard touchdown pass, and when Mason Newton returned a blocked field goal attempt for a touchdown it was 20-2.
The stunned crowd took it in stride, coming to life to help motivate their Wranglers in the second quarter. Garrett Kettle replaced Watson at QB, and that proved to be a good move. Kettle hit Jerrime Neal for a three yard TD pass with 10:51 in the second quarter, and it was 20-9. Duke City got it back as Davis threw his third touchdown pass of the game, this time a sharp four yard pass to Greg Dent. Trailing 27-9, the Wranglers scored again as Kettle used his legs for an 11 yard run, and it was 27-15.
Photo: 50 Armonti Carey and 54 Tramond Lofton pressure Duke City quarterback Nate Davis
With only 1:22 left in the second quarter, this football game became March Madness. A bad snap, a fumble, caused another missed opportunity, but when Tramond Lofton blocked a Gladiators field goal attempt, Armonti Carey was there to recover the loose ball for a touchdown, to bring the Wranglers to within 27-21 at the half.
Halftime featured the Mustang cheerleaders, and Team America Martial Artists, featuring 50 red and black belted high energy demonstrators.
The Wranglers got the lead back for the first time since the opening kickoff 28-27, when Kettle rushed 11 yards for his second score on the ground. The Wranglers recovered an onside kick by Fischer but were unable to capitalize on that possession. Meanwhile, the defense held Duke City to a goose egg in the third quarter, setting things up for a wild fourth.
Duke City went up 35-28 on James Harden one yard run and a two point conversion. Kettle and the Wranglers responded, with tying TD pass from Kettle to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman, with just 58 seconds left. The Wranglers failed to recover their onside kick attempt, leaving a very short field for the visitors. The Gladiators scored on a five yard pass from Davis to Xavier Amey, but the Wranglers blocked extra point attempt. Duke City kicker Ernesto Lacayo nailed the deuce, increasing the Gladiators lead to 43-35.
The Wranglers had a timeout and 37 seconds to work with, ending on an incomplete pass into the end zone.
Lineman Zech Thomas, moved to center this season, saw this game as a learning experience. “We came in knowing that this would be a tough game. A lot of new guys [have] to learn the system and we showed that tonight. I know that I need to get better. I was not happy with the way I played tonight. Just have to learn and get better.” His reaction to seeing the championship banner unveiled, Thomas added, “Proud of all the guys who were here last year. We worked really hard and played as a team. This was a great accomplishment for everyone here.”
Another one of the seven returning players is receiver Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman said, “We had a lot of challenges tonight. We got behind, but even with all the mistakes we were in the game till the very end. Some more practice time will definitely help things.” On seeing the championship banner the second year receiver out of Northwestern said, “That was great. A lot of great memories, but this is 2023, and we have to move on and focus on what we need to do to be a winning football team.”
Garrett Kettle threw for 85 yards and two TDs, and rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Jarrod Wade caught eight passes for 55 yards. Dorian Walker and Tramond Lofton led the defense with seven tackles each. Lofton and Theo Majette each recorded a sack.
The Vegas Knight Hawks come to town on Saturday for a 6:05 pm kickoff. Tickets available at the Findlay Toyota Center box office in Prescott Valley, or the Northern Arizona Wranglers website at nazwranglers.com
DUKE CITY GLADIATORS 43, NORTHERN ARIZONA WRANGLERS 35
Score by Quarters- 1 2 3 4 – T
Duke City 20 7 0 16 – 43
Northern Arizona 2 19 7 7 – 35
Scoring Summary
NAZ-Fischer deuce
DC-Brown 17 yard pass from Davis (Lacayo kick)
DC-Brown 9 yd pass from Davis (Lacayo kick)
DC-Newton 12 yard blocked field goal return (Kick failed)
NAZ-Neal 3 yard pass from Kettle (Fischer kick)
DC- Dent 4 yard pass from Davis (Lacayo kick)
NAZ—Kettle 11 yard run (Kick failed)
NAZ-Carey blocked field goal return (Pass failed)
NAZ-Kettle 11 yard run (Fischer kick)
DC-Harden 1 yard run (Amey pass from Davis)
NAZ-Chiako-Bowman 2 yard pass from Kettle (Fischer kick)
DC-Amey 5 yard pass from Davis (Kick blocked)
DC-Lacayo deuce
IFL SCOREBOARD
Duke City 43, WRANGLERS 35
Bay Area 47, Arizona 46
Massachusetts 55, Green Bay 41
Quad City 49, San Diego 47
Vegas 57, Iowa 44
Frisco 35, Tulsa 13
Northern Arizona Wranglers 2023 Home Schedule
Saturday, March 25 Duke City 6:05 pm
Saturday, April 1 Vegas Knight Hawks 6:05 pm
Sunday, April 16 San Diego Strike Force 3:05 pm
Saturday, May 13 Bay Area Panthers 6:05 pm
Saturday, June 3 Arizona Rattlers 6:05 pm
Saturday, June 17 Frisco Fighters 6:05 pm
Saturday, June 24 Tucson Sugar Skulls 6:05 pm
Saturday, July 8 Massachusetts Pirates 6:05 pm
__________
Cody Williams contributed to this article.
