March 29, 2024 7:36 AM
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Rattlers Welcome Wranglers To The IFL – Large crowd attends season opener

Photo: 23 Treyvon Williams puts a hard hit on Wrangler quarterback 2 Caden Walters

Luck of the draw, or not as the NAZ Wranglers battled the top dog of the IFL, the Arizona Rattlers and dropped a 51-20 season opener at the Prescott Valley Events Center, Sunday afternoon.

A very good crowd stayed from start to finish to enjoy the game and festivities as the Wranglers and Rattlers brought us all another step back to normalcy.

“This is a lot of fun, getting back in here to see a live sporting event. I had a feeling there would be a lot of people here today. Good for everyone who came out today.”, said Jennifer White.

The Rattlers struck early and often building a commanding 21-0 lead after one quarter. Drew Powell guided the Arizona offense like a well oiled machine. When Powell was not picking apart the secondary, he was keeping the ball, that resulted in a pair of rushing touchdowns. running back Nick LaSane was a powerful force on the ground, scoring three touchdowns.

Wrangler quarterback Verlon Reed Jr. was pressured for much of the first half, giving way to Caden Walters for the final series of the first half. Walters led the Wranglers down the field but his pass into the end zone at the end of the half was intercepted.

The second half was a much more even contest as Rattlers coach Kevin Guy opted for their reserves and quarterback Ben Holmes.

A promising start to the second half for the Wranglers as Walters scored on the opening possession when he zig zagged  his way on a 15 yard scamper for the touchdown.

For most of the remainder of the game, Wrangler offense could not find a rhythm, which cost the home squad time and time again. Credit that to the Rattlers relentless defense.

The final score of the game came when Walters hit a wide open Terrance Bynum in the end zone on a 9 yard strike.

The last time the Rattlers played was in the IFL Championship in 2019, when Arizona lost to Sioux Falls 56-53 in Glendale. Arizona will travel to meet the Storm next Saturday at 5:10pm.

The Wranglers will look for their first win as they visit the Bismarck Bucks on Saturday at 5:05 pm.

 

ARIZONA RATTLERS 51, NAZ WRANGLERS 20

Score by Quarters-  1     2     3     4  –  T

Arizona                     21  23    7     0  –  51

NAZ                            0     7     7     6  –  20

 

IFL Scoreboard

Arizona Rattlers 51, NAZ Wranglers 20

Bismarck Bucks 58, Green Bay Blizzards 46

Frisco Fighters 36, Spokane Shock 33

Iowa Barnstormers 56, Sioux Falls Storm 36

 

NAZ Wranglers Schedule

Sun. May 16  ARIZONA RATTLERS            L 20-51

Sat. May 22   at Bismarck Bucks               5:05 pm

Sat. June  5    SPOKANE SHOCK                 6:05 pm

Sat. June 12   DUKE CITY GLADIATORS    6:05 pm

Sat. June 19   at Spokane Shock                8:05 pm

Sat. June 26  TUCSON SUGAR SKULLS      6:05 pm

Sat.  July   3   at Duke City Gladiators       6:05 pm

Sat.  July 10   ARIZONA RATTLERS             6:05 pm

Sat.  July 17   DUKE CITY GLADIATORS      6:05 pm

Sat.  July 24   at Frisco Fighters                   6:05 pm

Sat.  July 31   at Tucson Sugar Skulls          6:05 pm

Sat.  Aug 7     at Duke City Gladiators         6:05 pm

Sun. Aug 15   MASSACHUSETTS PIRATES  3:00 pm

Sat. Aug 21   TUCSON SUGAR SKULLS        6:00 pm

Aug 28 TBD

 

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