Photo: Wranglers quarterback Ramone Atkins scores the first of his two rushing touchdowns
The Northern Arizona Wranglers upset bid over the top team in the Western Division of the IFL fell short in a 41-30 loss to the Bay Area Panthers at the Findlay Toyota Events Center in Prescott Valley.
The Wranglers led by seven with 12 minutes to play, but Bay Area outscored Northern Arizona 18-0 to close out the game and win by 11.
Photo: 13 Trevon Alexander goes up high to grab a touchdown pass from former Wranglers quarterback Josh Jones
Former Wrangler’s defensive back Trae Meadows led the Panthers defense with ten tackles said, “It is good to be back here and see some familiar faces. The Wranglers gave me my start. I have some great memories here including winning a championship. We knew it would be a battle and the fans here always show up. We just made some adjustments at the half were able to take advantage of some situations and make the plays we needed to come back for the win.” Bay Area improves to (10-2) on the season, two full games ahead of the second place San Diego Strike Force. Meadows added, “We are playing good football right now and are confident in any situation. Being down like we were, there was no panic, we just get refocused and with our coaches help did what we had to do.”
For the Wranglers, the loss to the Panthers was their fourth in the last five meetings between the teams. It was also their sixth loss in a row despite outgaining Bay Area in total offense 219-174.
The outcome looked promising with a one point lead and possession of the ball after three quarters. Despite their season record, the Wranglers and their fans could see pulling off a big upset. Northern Arizona scored to take a 30-23 a minute plus into the fourth quarter. Panther coach Rob Keefe huddled his team up and after that it was all Bay Area.
Photo: 1 Deshon Stoudemire fights to stay on his feet while being pursued by 11 Franky West Jr. and 31 Tyrese Wright
The Panthers came back efficiently poised on offense and with pressure defense they drew up were able to throw the Wranglers offense out of sync, allowing the visitors to take advantage and coming up with big plays down the stretch.
Photo: 7 Joe Foucha of the Bay Area Panthers goes up to deflect the pass away from 1 Deshon Stoudemire
After two negative plays and penalties to boot, the Wranglers settled on a 35 yard field goal attempt, but the miss left the Panthers still on top 32-30. Jones hit Chambers on a short TD pass, followed by another deuce by Perez, making it a two possession game with 1:18 left.
Northern Arizona thought they scored on an Atkins pass to Marlon Cook Jr. who went up to catch and then over the boards with the ball, but the officials determined after a review that the receiver had not completed the process. There was a penalty flag also on the play for pass interference that placed the ball at the Bay Area two yard line.
On the very next play, the snap with the quarterback under center resulted in a fumble during the exchange and the Panthers celebrated the fumble recovery and very soon after the win.
Northern Arizona was led by quarterback Ramone Atkins, who completed 20 of 33 passes for 170 yards with one interception and 3 touchdowns. Arland Bruce IV caught ten passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Deshon Stoudemire caught six for 51 yards and the other TD. David Elder pulled in four for 39 yards. Atkins also led the rushing attack with 45 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Bikembe Kearney had 12 tackles to lead the NAZ defense.
Former Wrangler Josh Jones led the Panthers with one touchdown on 67 yards rushing and completed nine of 16 for 76 yards and three TDs.
Tyrese Chambers caught three passes, two for touchdowns, in just 10 yards. Trevon Alexander caught three as well for one TD.
The Wranglers will host the Tucson Sugar Skulls on Saturday July 12 in the home finale for 2025. Kickoff is at 6:05pm.
BAY AREA PANTHERS 41, NORTHERN ARIZONA WRANGLERS 30
Score by Quarters- 1 2 3 4 – T
Bay Area 3 14 6 18 – 41
Northern Arizona 6 12 6 6 – 30
Scoring Summary
NAZ-Bruce 10 yard pass from Atkins (Kick failed)
BA-Perez 52 yd FG
BA-Alexander 11 yard pass from Jones (Perez kick)
NAZ-Atkins 21 yard run (Kick failed)
BA-Chambers 4 yard pass from Jones (Perez kick)
NAZ-Bruce 9 yard pass from Atkins (Run failed)
BA-Oyekanmi 4 yard run (Run failed)
NAZ-Atkins 2 yard run (Kick failed)
NAZ-Stoudemire 3 yard pass from Atkins (Pass failed)
BA-Jones 8 yard run (Perez kick)
BA-Perez Deuce
BA-Chambers 4 yard pass from Jones (Perez kick)
BA-Perez Deuce
IFL STANDINGS
Western Conference W-L
Bay Area 10-2
San Diego 8-4
Arizona 8-5
Vegas 8-5
Tucson 5-7
San Antonio 3-9
NORTHERN ARIZONA 1-12
Eastern Conference W-L
Quad City 10-3
Green Bay 8-5
Tulsa 7-6
Jacksonville 9-4
Massachusetts 6-6
Fishers Freight 4-9
Iowa 1-11
SCOREBOARD
Bay Area 41, WRANGLERS 30
Arizona 48, Green Bay 28
Jacksonville 58, Iowa 40
Quad City 56, Massachusetts 35
Fishers Freight 33, Tulsa 7
Vegas 59,Tucson 55
