PHOENIX - The six-time World Champion Arizona Rattlers put together another dominant performance in their return home from a three-game road trip on Saturday night, defeating the San Diego Strike Force 66-33 to improve to an IFL-leading 5-0 on the 2022 season.

"Those three road games just all felt like one big game," 2021 IFL MVP and Rattlers quarterback Drew Powell said. "It was like the same week, really.

"Everybody responded well [tonight]."

Powell Pandemonium

Powell was responsible for four of the Rattlers' five first half touchdowns against the Strike Force on Saturday before finishing with 98 yards and three touchdowns through the air and 20 yards and one score on the ground. 

Powell all three touchdown passes to three different Arizona pass catchers – Troy Pelletier, Todd Athey and Shannon Brooks. 

"Guys are in the right spot," Powell said. "I can't say enough about those guys. You see it in the production and the numbers. I'm not the one that's special."

The first play of the game saw Powell find Pelletier on a deep slant over the middle of the field, which the receiver took in to make it 7-0 Arizona just 47 seconds into the game.

Powell used his legs on his last two scores of the half. He added a score on the ground, rushing it in from eight yards deep with 7:55 left in the second quarter to give the Rattlers a dominant 27-0 lead. 

"However you want it, I'm going to go get it," Powell said.

Next, Powell faked a play action draw to Brooks and escaped serious Strike Force pressure before finding a wide open Brooks down the left side of the field, who walked into the end zone to put Arizona up 33-7.

Stepping up and here to stay

A week after making his season debut in which he ran for 28 yards and one touchdown and led the Rattlers in receiving yards with 67 (while also adding two scores via the air), Rattlers running back Shannon Brooks dominated the Strike Force on Saturday night. The dual threat back gained 105 yards on the ground while scoring four rushing touchdowns. Through the air, Brooks caught two balls for 23 yards in addition to his toss from Powell.

"The holes were there running the ball," Brooks said. "The blocking was great. There was great push. I wouldn't have had the game I had if it wasn't for the line. The receivers were great blocking on the edge. That's how it happened."

"...It was an amazing day today."

It takes two to tango

Arizona's dominant defense put up another impressive showing against San Diego on Saturday night. The Rattlers more than held up their 27.2 point average margin of victory on the year with a 33-point win. Additionally, Arizona forced three Strike Force turnovers, including two interceptions, one of which was caught by two-time IFL 2022 Defensive Player of the Week Kyree Woods for his fourth interception of the season – a number that leads the league.

"Unbelievable," Powell said. "In camp, I thought I was tripping. I was like, 'They keep getting a hand on the ball! What do I need to do better?' But that made us better as an offense and it made them better too."

The Rattlers put together a stunning performance in the run defense game on Saturday night as well, holding San Diego to just 45 yards on 10 rushing attempts. Outside of the Strike Force's 17-yard rush via running back Hoodie Rodgers, San Diego averaged 3.1 yards per carry. Arizona also held San Diego to 4-10 on 3rd and 4th downs.