Photo: John Maldonado goes up to pull in a Josh Jones pass for the first Wranglers touchdown of the game while being defended by James Ceasar
The Vegas Knight Hawks sealed the fate of the Northern Arizona Wranglers with a 55-45 win in the Findlay Toyota Center. The Wranglers, who had pulled off a miracle upset last week in the Bay Area, needed to win their final two games to get into the playoffs for the third straight season. Vegas meanwhile secured themselves a playoff spot for the first time in franchise history.
The game was a battle as both teams held first half leads as the game was tied at 21 at the half. An opening kickoff deuce in the second half by last week’s hero Axel Perez, gave the Wranglers what would be their only lead for the remainder of the game 23-21.
Vegas leading 28-23, Jericho Flowers made a huge play when he intercepted a Jones pass in the end zone, as the held Northern Arizona scoreless for the remainder of the third quarter. Vegas added another TD to lead 35-23 after three quarters.
Jones scored on a six yard run, but a missed drop-kick got the Wranglers to within 35-29. The Knight Hawks scored again on a Ja’Rome Johnson run to lead 42-29 with ten minutes left.
Oyekanmi Tosin broke through the goal line on third and goal as the Wranglers got within 42-37 after Axel Perez’s drop-kick, but Vegas converted a third and nine for a touchdown to really put the pressure on with under three minutes to play.
Trailing 48-37, Jones scored on a one yard run with just under a minute to play. An onside kick failed and Vegas scored again with the short field with seven yard run by Johnson.
Northern Arizona moved the ball down the field to try and make a second consecutive comeback, but a fourth down pass play went incomplete in the final seconds and Vegas took a knee to close things out.
Photo: John Maldonado fights for more yardage as two Vegas defenders, Makel Calhoun, and 19 Jericho Flowers tackle him
Jones rushed for 77 yards with two touchdowns, and through the air went 18-32-1, 219 yards, two TDs, and one interception. Kobay White led the receiving corps with seven catches for 100 yards. Tosin Oyekanmi caught five for 47 yards and a TD, and John Maldonado was doubled covered for most of the game did pull in just two passes with one being a dramatic touchdown catch. Shanon Reid led the defense with seven tackles.
Vegas quarterback Ja’Rome Johnson rushed for five touchdowns on 19 carries with 107 yards. Through the air, Johnson went 12-15-0, 152 yards and two touchdowns. CJ Windham had four catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns. Former Wrangler Quentin Rice caught three for 45 yards.
The Wranglers (9-6), will close out their regular season at Duke City (2-13), next Sunday at 2:05pm. The game can be seen on the IFL YouTube channel.
VEGAS KNIGHT HAWKS 55, NORTHERN ARIZONA WRANGLERS 45
Score by Quarters- 1 2 3 4 – T
Vegas 14 7 14 20 – 55
Northern Arizona 7 14 2 22 – 45
Scoring Summary
NAZ-Maldonado 19 yard pass from Jones (Perez kick)
V-Johnson 4 yard run (Macias kick)
V-Flowers 30 yard blocked field goal return (Macias kick)
NAZ-Oyekanmi 10 yard pass from Jones (Perez kick)
NAZ-Coleman 4 yard run (Perez kick)
V-Johnson 9 yard run (Macias kick)
NAZ-Perez rouge
V-Johnson 6 yard run (Macias kick)
V-Windham 30 yard pass from Johnson (Macias kick)
NAZ-Jones 6 yard run (Drop-kick failed)
V-Johnson 6 yard run (Macias kick)
NAZ-Oyekanmi 1 yard run (Perez drop-kick)
V-Windham 20 yard pass from Johnson (Kick failed)
NAZ-Jones 1 yard run (Perez drop-kick)
V-Johnson 7 yard run (Macias kick)
ATT:3,300
IFL STANDINGS
Western Conference W-L
X-Bay Area 12-3
X-San Diego 10-5
X-Vegas 10-5
X-Arizona 10-5
WRANGLERS 9-6
San Antonio 8-7
Duke City 2-13
Tucson 2-13
Eastern Conference W-L
X-Green Bay 12-3
X-Frisco 12-3
X-Massachusetts 8-7
X-Quad City 8-7
Tulsa 5-10
Iowa 5-10
Jacksonville 4-11
Sioux Falls 3-12
X- Clinched Playoff Berth
SCOREBOARD
Vegas 55, WRANGLERS 45
Bay Area 50, Duke City 28
Green Bay 45, Jacksonville 42
Iowa 65, Sioux Falls 54
Quad City 39, Tulsa 35
San Antonio 49, Tucson 43
WEEK 19 SCHEDULE
WRANGLERS at Duke City, Sunday, 2:05pm
Arizona at San Antonio, Saturday, 4:05pm
Quad City at Jacksonville, Saturday, 4:05pm
Green Bay at Sioux Falls, Saturday, 5:05pm
Iowa at Frisco, Saturday, 5:05pm
Bay Area at San Diego, Saturday, 6:05pm
Tucson at Vegas, Saturday, 6:05pm
END OF REGULAR SEASON
