Photo: Nolan Susel celebrates one of his two touchdowns with the fans
The Northern Arizona Wranglers just came up short in a 56-53 loss to the San Diego Strike Force. The game went back and forth and there were plenty of plays that needed reviewing during the emotionally charged contest.
The first questionable play came in the first quarter when it appeared that running back Edward Vander was pushed into the sideline with his forward progress stopped there, but Vander to his credit, stayed on his feet and was helped as the pile of players from both sides fought the final 8 yards as he went into the end zone. After a review, the touchdown stood.
Photo: Ramone Atkins stretches out to score the first Wranglers touchdown
The Wranglers had their best offensive quarter of the season in the second, scoring four touchdowns.
Defensive lineman Mason Newton corralled a Nate Davis pass and turned it into a pick-six to start the quarter. Nolan Susel broke through and scored on a one yard run. After an Ernesto Lacayo field goal gave San Diego a 30-23 lead, Arland Bruce took the kickoff 43 yards for a game tying touchdown with just seven seconds left in the half.
Photo: Malik Sonnier takes on kicker Ernesto Lacayo during a kickoff. return
A last second field goal attempt by the Strike Force was blocked and then returned by Eddie McClendon, electrifying the crowd and the Wranglers with a halftime lead of 37-30.
Northern Arizona came out and increased their lead to 43-30 on a one yard plunge by Atkins, but the kick attempt failed.
San Diego moved down the field and pulled within 43-38 on a Larry McCammon run along with the two point conversion. Lacayo’s kickoff split the uprights for a deuce, and just like that it was 43-40 midway through the third quarter.
Photo: Chizzi Umunakwe sacks quarterback Nate Davis in the first quarter
Nolan Susel scored his second touchdown to make it 50-40 as the third quarter came to an end.
The Wranglers defense held San Diego on their next possession and thought they had a touchdown run, but a holding penalty negated that. Two plays later a costly fumble by Northern Arizona gave San Diego the ball back.
The Strike Force took advantage and scored on 12 yard run by Vander, and after a two point run by Johnson, pulled to within 50-48, with 6:43 to play.
The Wranglers settled for a Michael Hall 41 yard field goal to take a 53-48 lead with just under two minutes to play, leaving the door still open for the Strike Force.
Another controversial call came when it appeared Nate Davis fumbled the ball at the Wranglers one yard line with just 18 seconds left, with a NAZ recovery. The review determined his knee had touched just prior to the ball coming out, giving San Diego another opportunity to score, which they did on the next play when Rudy Johnson walked in on the short side with just 15 ticks remaining. The two point conversion gave the Strike Force a three point lead, but there was still time.
After two plays, the Wranglers lined up for what was going to be a 37 yard field goal attempt to tie the game and send it into overtime, but Northern Arizona elected to try a trick play and the pass just went over the outstretched receiver’s hands to end the game giving the Wranglers their fourth straight loss.
Quarterback Nate Davis led San Diego 180 yards passing on 14 completions. Edward Vander rushed for 57 yards and scored three times.
This win was the fourth in a row for the Strike Force who improved to (7-4), and are tied for second in the Western Conference. Head Coach Taylor Genuser said, “That was a good win for us. It was sloppy at times and we need to clean some things up, but overall I am happy we got the win. It is hard to beat a team three times in a season and we were able to do that tonight.”
Northern Arizona was led by Ramone Atkins who threw for 145 yards, and rushed for two TDs. Nolan Susel also rushed for two touchdowns.
The Wranglers hit the road for a trip to Tucson on Saturday for a 6:05pm contest with the Sugar Skulls, before returning home for a June 28 game with the Bay Area Panthers.
SAN DIEGO STRIKE FORCE 56, NORTHERN ARIZONA WRANGLERS 53
Score by Quarters- 1 2 3 4 – T
San Diego 14 16 10 16 – 56
Northern Arizona 9 28 13 3 – 53
Scoring Summary
SD-Maldonado 6 yd pass from Davis (Lacayo kick)
NAZ-Atkins 1 yd run (Hall kick)
NAZ-Hall 2 point rouge
SD-Daniels 24 yd pass from Davis (Lacayo kick)
NAZ-Newton 9 yd pass interception return (Hall kick)
SD- Vander 10 yd run (Lacayo kick)
NAZ-Susel 1 yd run (Hall kick)
SD-Johnson 3 yd run (Kick blocked)
SD-Lacayo 23 yd FG
NAZ-Bruce 43 yd kickoff return (Hall kick)
NAZ-McClendon blocked field goal attempt return (Hall kick)
NAZ-Atkins 2 yard run (Kick failed)
SD-Vander 1 yd run (Nowden pass from Davis)
SD-Lacayo deuce
NAZ-Susel 6 yd run (Hall kick)
SD-Vander 12 yd run (Johnson run)
NAZ-Hall 41 yd FG
SD-Johnson 1 yd run (Maldonado pass from Davis)
IFL STANDINGS
Western Conference W-L
Bay Area 8-2
Arizona 7-4
Vegas 6-5
San Diego 7-4
San Antonio 3-8
Tucson 4 -6
NORTHERN ARIZONA 1-10
Eastern Conference W-L
Quad City 9-2
Green Bay 8-3
Tulsa 7-4
Jacksonville 7-4
Massachusetts 5-5
Fishers Freight 2-9
Iowa 1-9
SCOREBOARD
San Diego 56, WRANGLERS 53
Green Bay 75, Jacksonville 43
Tucson 50, Arizona 47
Bay Area 44, Vegas 31
Massachusetts 66, Iowa 35
Tulsa 31, San Antonio 21
