PHOENIX - The six-time World Champion Arizona Rattlers look to avenge their 2021 United Bowl loss on Saturday night as they welcome the Massachusetts Pirates back to Phoenix in one of the highest-anticipated games of the 2022 IFL season.

Looking to conquer

The three-point 2021 United Bowl loss was the Rattlers' second to the Pirates last season. Massachusetts defeated Arizona 68-44 on July 18 last season. Both games saw the Rattlers trailing at halftime, which happened in only one other game that season: the IFL Semifinal match with Duke City.

"It's another football game," Rattlers quarterback and 2021 IFL MVP Drew Powell said. "They're on the schedule, we're going to play them. We're going to approach it like we have the other games this season. We're going to execute and come out with a win."

Despite Arizona's two losses, Powell was extremely productive in the rushing game against the Pirates in 2021. In the Rattlers' two games against Massachutes, Powell ran for 138 yards and six touchdowns.

"[Massachusets will] be on it, but I'm starting to get my legs up under me," Powell said. "It does take a little while when it comes to running the ball. You have to be in a certain rhythm."

…And rebound

The Rattlers were handed their first loss of the 2022 season last weekend at the hands of the Tucson Sugar Skulls, who bested Arizona 74-63 in an absolute shootout. The contest was the first time all year the Rattlers faced a two-possession deficit, and was just the second time Arizona has trailed at all in 2022.

"If I think about what happened in past games, it'd be hard for me to prepare for this one," Powell said.

After injury, Merriweather ready for revenge

Rattlers defensive back Davontae Merriweather exited last year's United Bowl against the Pirates with a stinger and did not finish the game.

The moment he found out he couldn't return sticks with him to this day.

Merriweather said: "I was mad. I knew my team needed me and I needed them. It was a tough loss. I was a big part of that defense and a big part of the game plan."

The veteran defensive back is confident Arizona will get its first win over the Pirates on Saturday.

"It'll be a different outcome," he said. "We're coming ready."

With emotions from Merriweather and others likely high coming into the game, Powell knows it's on him to step up.

"Everybody is looking to me to be that constant," he said. "It's my job to give that confidence and staying even-keeled gives confidence to everybody. It's an emotional football game and I do get back and forth, but it's a learning process with me trying to be the best leader for this team. 

"That's something that comes with the quarterback position."