Photo: An official goes down as Drew Powell fumbles the ball while being brought down by 23 Kishawn Walker and 4 Terik Miller
The Northern Arizona Wranglers came up short in their bid to knock off the Arizona Rattlers in a wild Saturday night at the Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley.
The Wranglers trailed 48-40 with under a minute to play. A fourth and one run around the end by Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman got the first down by inches. Kettle scampered up the middle on the next play to get within 48-46. A Kettle pass in the corner to Chiaokhia-Bowman tied to the game sending the fans into a temporary frenzy.
Photo: Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman gets past 15 Dillion Winfrey for one of his four touchdown receptions
Arizona still had time, and was in a good spot to win the game, but Rattler kicker Shane McInerney’s kick went inches outside the upright sending the game to overtime.
The Wranglers scored on a 20 yard run by Glen Gibbons Jr., who fought his way into the end zone. Up by six, Coach Les Moss opted to go for two. Kettle couldn’t connect with Chiaokhiao-Bowman on the two point conversion, leaving the door open for Arizona.
Photo: Glen Gibbons Jr. goes into the crowd after making the reception
Coach Moss said, “I just wanted to put pressure on them. It just didn’t work out for us. Besides that, we had missed an extra point and two field goals. You just never know.” The failed two point attempt proved costly as Powell would run in the game tying touchdown. McInerney was able to kick the ball through the uprights sending Rattler coach Kevin Guy running across the field with his hands high in the air.
The game saw 15 lead changes and 531 yards of offense. The Rattlers jumped on top when QB Drew Powell hit Braxton Haley for a 33 yard scoring strike. The Wranglers countered with a 10 run by Garrett Kettle, and a Kettle pass to Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman gave Northern Arizona their first lead 13-7, after one quarter. Powell would hit Haley again to put the Rattlers up 14-13. Then it was Kettle again, connecting with Chiaokhiao-Bowman for a 43 yard strike and a 20-14 Wrangler lead.
Powell called his own number for pay dirt, putting Arizona ahead 21-20. Kettle followed the same route for three yards to give the Wranglers a 27-21 lead with under a minute left in the first half. Arizona put together a drive to close things out, capped off by a short pass from Powell to Isiah Scott for a 28-27 lead at intermission.
The offensive onslaught continued in the second half. Kettle hit Ryan Wisniewski on a 14 yard pass for a 34-28 lead. Powell rushed in for the second time and a 35-34 Rattler lead. Kettle went through air again to Chiaokhiao-Bowman for 19 yards and another touchdown, but a second extra point was missed, leaving the lead at five, 40-35. Arizona scored on the final play of the third quarter when Powell threw to Isaiah Huston. The kick failed, but Arizona still led 41-40.
Photo: Braxton Haley collects the ball on one of his two touchdowns, as Travion Banks approaches
After Northern Arizona turned the ball over on downs, the Rattlers extended their lead to 48-40 when Powell hit Scott again. Then it was up to the Wranglers, who tied it up, but just couldn’t finish Arizona off.
Moss said, “These are the games we should be winning. We are not executing in some spots, not coming up with turnovers, and not finishing. We will get back at this week and look to get a win at San Diego.”
The two quarterbacks shined, each accounting for eight touchdowns throughout the contest. Powell once again had a big game against the Wranglers, completing 17-30 for 181 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for three more. In a losing effort, Kettle was 16-26 for 222 yards and six touchdowns, and rushed for two more. Kettle said, “We knew this would be a battle and it was. Both teams fought hard and unfortunately we came up short.”
The Wranglers will look to snap their three game skid when they visit the San Diego Strike Force on Sunday. The Wranglers played their best game of the season, beating the Strike Force 48-9 here in Prescott Valley back in April.
ARIZONA RATTLERS 63, NORTHERN ARIZONA WRANGLERS 62
Score by Quarters- 1 2 3 4 OT1 OT2 – T
Arizona 7 21 13 7 8 7 – 63
Northern Arizona 13 14 13 8 8 6 – 62
Scoring Summary
A-Haley 33 yard pass from Powell (McInerney kick)
NAZ-Kettle 10 yard run (Fischer kick)
NAZ-Chiaokhiao-Bowman 43 yard pass from Kettle (Fischer kick)
A-Powell 4 yard run (McInerney kick)
NAZ-Kettle 3 yard run (Fischer kick)
A-Scott 2 yard pass from Powell (McInerney kick)
NAZ-Wisniewski 14 yard pass from Kettle (Fischer kick)
A-Powell 5 yard run (McInerney kick)
NAZ-Chiaokhiao-Bowman 19 yard pass from Kettle (Kick failed)
A-Huston 7 yard pass from Powell (Kick failed)
A-Scott 6 yard pass from Powell (McInerney kick)
NAZ- Chiaokhiao-Bowman 6 yard pass from Kettle (Chiaokhiao-Bowman pass from Kettle)
A-Garner 3 yard run (Powell run)
NAZ-Wisniewski 20 yard pass from Kettle (Chiaokhiao-Bowman pass from Kettle)
NAZ-Gibbons Jr. 20 yard run (Pass failed)
A-Powell 1 yard run (McInerney kick)
ATT:2400
IFL STANDINGS
Western Conference W-L Eastern Conference W-L
Bay Area 7-3 Frisco 8-2
Arizona 6-4 Quad City 7-3
Tucson 5-4 Massachusetts 7-3
WRANGLERS 5-5 Sioux Falls 5-4
Vegas 4-6 Green Bay 5-5
Duke City 4-6 Tulsa 1-9
San Diego 4-6 Iowa 1-9
SCOREBOARD
Arizona 63, WRANGLERS 62, 2 OT
Bay Area 69, Duke City 52
Tucson 42, Vegas 41
Green Bay 43, Iowa 17
Massachusetts 72, Frisco 58
San Diego 56, Tulsa 55
WEEK 13 SCHEDULE- Arizona Time
Quad City at Green Bay, Friday, 5:05pm
Vegas at Massachusetts, Saturday, 4:05pm
Frisco at Sioux Falls, Saturday, 5:05pm
Iowa at Tulsa, Saturday, 5:05pm
Duke City at Tucson, Saturday, 6:05pm
Bay Area at Arizona, Sunday, 3:05pm
WRANGLERS at San Diego, Sunday, 3:05pm
