Photo: 7 Kaleb Barker is running an offense that has produced 13 touchdowns in the last two games
The Northern Arizona Wranglers rebounded nicely from their loss last week in Tucson, to beat the Bay Area Panthers for the second time this season. Despite missing Ulric Jones, the defense made some big plays, as Northern Arizona pulled away in the final three quarters.
The Wranglers took the ball first and moved down the field to lead 7-0 as Israel Tucker made a great cut to score easily, from 4 yards out thanks to the push of his offensive line.
The Panthers opening position resulted in a loss of one yard, and a blocked field goal attempt by Tramond Lofton, as the Northern Arizona defense started the game off with dominance.
One play 31 yards is all it took for the Wranglers needed as Kaleb Barker hit Glen Gibbons Jr., and just like that, NAZ led 14-0 with 5:45 left in the opening quarter.
Dorton bolted down the sideline 45 yards on a one play possession to get the Panthers on the board 14-7.
Brassell took the ball away from Quentin Randolph as the two players went to the ground, and the Panthers took advantage to tie the game at 14 when quarterback Joe Newman hit Kamer Pleasant on a 26 yard TD pass towards the end of the first quarter.
Quentin Randolph scored on the first of his three touchdown receptions, when QB Kaleb Barker connected on a 35 yard pass to give the Wranglers the lead for good at 21-14. Israel Tucker scored his second touchdown on a 3 yard run to make it 28-14. Meanwhile the NAZ defense was more and more impressive and frustrating the Panthers offense.
Up 28-14 Mercado Anderson picked off a Panther pass returning it to the Bay Area 4 yard line. Barker hit Randolph on a slant pattern to increase the lead to 35-14 with 4:13 left in the half.
A failed onside kick set up Bay Area at the Wranglers 14. In one play, a Gary run to trim the Northern Arizona lead to 35-21.
Barker hit a wide open Randolph in the back of the end zone to push the lead to 42-21 with :23 left. Bay Area had an opportunity to score a second time after the clock ran out, but a defensive holding penalty gave the Panthers an untimed down at the Wrangler 8, but Darin Hungerford brought down the runner to end the half.
The Wranglers increased their lead to 49-21on a 4 yard run by Boom Williams. Bay Area came right back to get with three touchdowns again, 49-28, as Newman hit Pleasant for the second time.
Northern Arizona once again responded with another TD as Barker called his own number on a third at the one, doubling the lead to 56-28 with 2:28 remaining in the third quarter.
The Wranglers picked up an easy two points, as Panthers QB Newman dropped back to pass and the ball fell out of his hand. Newman recovered the ball, but in his own end zone for a safety, increasing the lead 58-28 as the quarter came to an end.
The Panthers got a pick six on a Barker pass, as Pringle jumped the route going 36 yards to the house to cut into the Wranglers lead 58-34.
Barker came back to hit Ulice Gillard for another touchdown pass completion, and a final score of 65-34. Kaleb Barker completed 16 of 22 passes for 203 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. Quentin Randolph added three more touchdown receptions, catching eight passes for 113 yards. Israel Tucker led the Wranglers in rushing with 21 yards and two touchdowns.
Mercado Anderson, Jaquan Artis, and Darin Hungerford led the defense in limiting the Panthers to just 20 points in the final three quarters.
The Wranglers (4-2) will pay a second visit to play the Vegas Knight Hawks (3-4), on Sunday at 5:05pm. The game can be seen on YouTube.
NORTHERN ARIZONA WRANGLERS 65, BAY AREA PANTHERS 34
Score by Quarters- 1 2 3 4 – T
Northern Arizona 14 28 16 7 – 65
Bay Area 14 7 7 6 – 34
Scoring Summary
NAZ-Tucker 4 yard run (Fischer kick)
NAZ-Givens 31 yard pass from Barker (Fischer kick)
BA-Dorton 45 yard run (Artigue kick)
BA-Pleasant 26 yard pass from Newman (Artigue kick)
NAZ-Randolph 35 yard pass from Barker (Fischer kick)
NAZ-Tucker 3 yard run Fischer kick)
NAZ-Randolph 4 yard pass from Barker (Fischer kick)
BA-Gary 12 yard run (Artigue kick)
NAZ-Randolph 15 yard pass from Barker (Fischer kick)
NAZ-Williams 4 yard (Fischer kick)
BA-Pleasant 15 yard pass from Newman (Artigue kick)
NAZ-Barker 1 yard run (Fischer kick)
NAZ-Safety-Newman tackled in end zone
BA-Pringle 27 yard interception return (Pass failed)
NAZ-Gillard 7 yard pass from Barker (Fischer kick)
IFL STANDINGS
Western Conference W-L
Arizona Rattlers 6-0
NORTHERN ARIZONA WRANGLERS 4-2
Tucson Sugar Skulls 3-3
Vegas Knight Hawks 3-4
San Diego Strike Force 2-4
Duke City Gladiators 2-5
Bay Area Panthers 1-6
Eastern Conference W-L
Frisco Fighters 5-2
Massachusetts Pirates 4-2
Quad City Steamwheelers 4-3
Sioux Falls Storm 4-3
Iowa Barnstormers 3-3
Bismarck Bucks 3-4
Green Bay Blizzard 2-5
SCOREBOARD
WRANGLERS 65, Bay Area 34
Arizona 49, Frisco 35
Vegas 46, Massachusetts 44
San Diego 38, Bismarck 28
Tucson 42, Duke City 41
Quad City 49, Green Bay 31
