Box Score PHOENIX, AZ - The Rattlers traveled to Vegas this weekend to take on the Vegas Knight Hawks in a Western Conference showdown. The Rattlers and Knight Hawks battled in a tightly contested, back-and-forth game. Arizona ultimately fell short, losing to the Knight Hawks by a final score of 55-54. 

FIRST HALF

Both teams came into this game ready to play from the jump. The Knight Hawks struck first only two plays after a Rattlers kickoff set them up in good position. The Rattlers did not waste any time with a response. DB Davontae Merriweather got the Rattlers on the board returning a kickoff for a touchdown. RB Jamal Miles gave the Rattlers a one-point lead after a successful 2-point conversion attempt.

The Knight Hawks quickly took back the lead after being backed up to their own end zone due to a 16-yard sack by Cecil Cherry. After getting the ball back, the Rattlers found themselves in fourth down, where Drew Powell found Braxton Haley in the end zone to put six points on the board, tying the game at 14-14. 

To start the second quarter the Knight Hawks came out of the gates with an 18-yard rushing touchdown to take the lead right back from the Rattlers. The Rattlers marched down the field on their next possession ending it with a Jamal Miles touchdown but a failed extra point attempt allowed Vegas to maintain their 21-20 lead.

The ensuing possessions were a battle of the quarterbacks, with Daquan Neal running down the field to find the end zone, extending the Vegas lead to eight. This was followed up by a third and short run by Rattlers' QB Drew Powell for six, however they would not come away with the extra point. 

Both teams would score again with Vegas scoring with a minute left followed by WR Isaiah Huston receiving a deep pass in the end zone. A successful two-point conversion attempt followed, ending the first half with a 35-34 league. 

SECOND HALF

Arizona began the second pass with possession, getting on the board first with a Drew Powell rushing touchdown and two-point conversion gave the Rattlers a seven-point lead. On the ensuing Vegas possession, the Rattler's defense stepped up big in the red zone, holding them to a fourth down and a Dillion Winfrey interception in the end zone for the first defensive stop of the game.

Continuing this high-scoring game, the Rattlers were able to get in the endzone a second time with Jamal Miles catching a pass in the endzone. Vegas would start their second-half scoring on the next possession, ending the third quarter with the Rattlers up 48-41.

On the Rattlers next possession, the Knight Hawk defense would get its first stop of the game, holding Arizona to a turnover on fourth and goal. Vegas would take advantage of this turnover scoring on their next possession. This touchdown and PAT tied the game at 48-48

This tie would not last long as Drew Powell found Braxton Haley in the end zone on a 29-yard pass. Vegas intercepted the ball on the two-point conversion attempt giving the Rattlers only a six-point lead with four minutes remaining. Big plays from the Knight Hawks set them up for a rushing touchdown and a PAT to take a one-point lead at the one-minute warning. 

With the Rattlers looking to win the game, Drew Powell would throw an interception sealing a 55-54 victory for the Knight Hawks.

THE BOYS ARE BACK

Braxton Haley and Drew Powell both had great showings in their return from IR. Drew Powell threw for 206 yards, four passing touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns. Braxton Haley led all receivers with 90 receiving yards, scoring two touchdowns.

The Rattlers move to a 3-4 record and will return home next week as they face their rivals to the north, the Northern Arizona Wranglers. This game is scheduled for Saturday, May 20 at Footprint Center. Kickoff is set for 6:05 pm.