PHOENIX - This week the Arizona Rattlers kicked off a 3-game home stand by welcoming the San Diego Strike Force. This is the only matchup between these Western Conference opponents this season. The Rattlers would claim victory with a final score of 48-57. With this victory, the Rattlers move into the top seed in the west and clinch a spot in the 2023 IFL playoffs. This will be their 14th consecutive playoff appearance. 


FIRST HALF 

After winning the coin toss, the Rattlers deferred to the second half, they will kickoff to begin the game. Although the Strike Force were able to move down the field, the Rattlers' defense came up big on the first possession with a third-down interception by Davontae Merrirweather to give the Rattlers their first possession of the game. The Rattlers would have little issue moving the chains on their possession scoring on a seven-yard touchdown pass from QB Drew Powell to Isiah Scott. Drew Powell would keep the ball on the two-point conversion giving the Rattlers the early 8-0 lead. 

The Strike Force would score on their next possession on a 30-yard pass from Nate Davis to WR Carlos Thompson. The successful extra point would bring the Rattler lead to one. A successful deuce attempt by Kicker Kevin Goessling would give the Strike Force a 1-point lead at the end of the first quarter. The Rattlers would respond on their next possession with a 7-yard TD reception from WR Jamal Miles. With a successful extra-point, the Rattlers are back up 15-9. 

The Strike Force would find the end zone next after many penalties, setting them up for a 4-yard touchdown run by RB Edward Vander. With a successful extra point, they were able to take a 1-point lead. It would not take long for the Rattlers to respond, however, finding Isiah Scott on a 34-yard reception for six. A successful extra point by Shane McInerney would give the Rattlers a 22-16. 

The Strike Force would go on to strike again on their next possession with an eight-yard touchdown run from QB Nate Davis. They would miss the extra point, tying the game at 22. The Rattlers would get possession once more with 55 seconds left in the first half. The Rattlers were able to get down the field and score, leaving 7 seconds left for the Strike Force to make it a tie game going into halftime. They were unable to convert on a 46-yard field goal. 

The first half would end with Arizona leading 29-22. 

SECOND HALF


The Rattlers would start the second half on offense. The Rattlers began at midfield after San Diego sent the kickoff out of bounds. The Rattlers would take advantage of this great field position and add another 7 points to their total, giving them a 14-point lead. The Rattlers defense would not make the next possession easy on San Diego but a 5 yard pass to Carlos Thompson would give them their first points of the half. Following the missed extra-point the Rattlers would lead 36-28 to end the quarter. 

The Rattlers would open scoring in the second quarter when Drew Powell found Jamal Miles in the end zone. A successful McInerney extra point attempt the Rattlers would increase their lead to 15. On the ensuing Rattlers' kickoff, they would be successful with an onside kick, giving them possession back. Arizona would be unable to take advantage of this fumbling the ball, which would be recovered by San Diego. San Diego would not take advantage of an extra possession either getting picked off by DB Dillion Winfrey. 

On the first play of the Rattlers' possession, Jamal Miles would run into the end zone on an 11-yard rush. With a successful extra point by Shane McInerney, the Rattlers' lead would increase, 50-28. After McInerney sent the kickoff out of bounds, San Diego would begin possession at their 20-yard line. The Strike Force would strike quickly on their next possession, with a 21-yard touchdown reception by Carlos Thompson. With an unsuccessful two-point conversion the Rattlers lead 50-34

San Diego would attempt an onside kick, which would be successful to regain possession. They would find themselves moving down the field, finding the end zone on Rudy Johnson's one-yard touchdown run. With a successful two-point conversion the Rattlers' lead is down to 8 with around 2:30 left in the game. The Strike Force would attempt an onside kick again, this time unsuccessful. Arizona begins possession with great field position on the San Diego 20. The Rattlers would score on this possession after only two plays on a nine-yard pass to Jamal Miles. With the successful PAT by McInerney, the Rattlers lead 57-42 with 1:46 remaining.

McInerney would send the kickoff out of bounds, giving San Diego the ball at mid-field.  San Diego would find the end zone once more on a 4-yard touchdown run by Marques Rodgers. The PAT would be missed, allowing the Rattlers to maintain a 9-point lead with 50 seconds left. 

A failed onside kick by San Diego allows the Rattlers to run out the clock on a 57-48 victory.

KEY PLAYERS

• QB Drew Powell - 224 passing yards, 6 passing touchdowns
• WR Isaiah Scott - 2 Touchdowns, 120 receiving yards
• WR Jamal Miles - 56 receiving yards, 4 touchdowns
• DB Jarmaine Doubs - 8 tackles
• DB Dillion Winfrey - 6 tackles, 1 interception 

NEXT WEEK

Next week the Rattlers will welcome the Massachusetts Pirates to the Snake Pit for their final inter-conference matchup of the regular season.

The game is scheduled for 3:05 pm on Sunday, July 2 at Footprint Center.