Box Score PHOENIX - This week the Arizona Rattlers welcomed the Massachusetts Pirates to the Snake Pit for their final inter-conference game of the season.

The Rattlers came away with a hard-fought 52-43 victory, improving to 10-4 on the season. It was their seventh straight victory after a 3-4 start.

Arizona has won 10+ games in thirteen straight seasons. 

FIRST HALF 

After winning the coin toss, the Rattlers deferred possession to the second half giving the Pirates the first possession of the game. The Pirates would get on the board first on a five-yard touchdown pass from QB Anthony Russo to WR  Isaac Zico. The Rattlers would block the extra point giving the Pirates just a 6-point lead after one possession. After Massachusetts sent the kickoff out of bounds the Rattlers would start on their 20-yard line. The Rattlers would not be able to find the end zone on this possession, turning the ball over to the Pirates on fourth down. 

The Rattlers' defense would come up big on the ensuing possession forcing a field goal that would be blocked. However, the Rattlers would attempt a return and fumble it, giving Massachusetts possession right back on the Rattlers' 22-yard line. This possession would not last long as Connor Taylor would intercept a pass giving the Rattlers possession with 1:30 left in the first quarter. 

The Rattlers would continue their final possession to start the second quarter. This possession would end in a Morian Walker Jr touchdown. Shane McInerney's extra point being successful would give the Rattlers a 7-6 lead. It would not take long for the Pirates to take their lead right back, scoring a touchdown on the kickoff return by WR Fabian Guerra. The two-point conversion attempt was no good giving the Pirates only a 5-point lead.

The Rattlers' response would come quickly on a 20-yard pass from QB Drew Powell to WR Jamal Miles. The McInerney extra point would be good, giving the Rattlers a 14-12 lead. Shane McInerney would attempt an onside kick recovered by the Rattlers giving them another possession. On a long drive by the Rattlers, they would get to the one-yard line before Drew Powell ran it in for a touchdown. Shane McInerney would be successful, increasing the Rattlers' lead to 9. 

After McInerney sent the next kickoff out of bounds, the Pirates would begin possession at the 20-yard line. This possession would not last long as a pass into the end zone would be intercepted by DB Dillion Winfrey. The Rattlers would begin possession at the 1-minute warning. They would march down the field on this possession until penalties pushed the Rattlers back to the 25-yard line. Fortunately, Drew Powell would be able to find Isiah Scott in the end zone for another touchdown. With a successful extra point, the Rattlers' lead would grow to 16. 

The Pirates would be held to a 37-yard field goal to end the half. That field goal would be made by Aarion Maxey-Penton and the half would end with Arizona leading 28-15.

SECOND HALF 

After deferring the opening kickoff, the Rattlers would start the second half with possession. The Rattlers would strike first in the half, on a 20-yard pass to Jamal Miles. The McInerney extra point was good, giving the Rattlers 35-15 lead. The Pirates would find the end zone on their next possession, on a 9-yard reception to Fabian Guerra. They would be unsuccessful on the 2-point conversion, only cutting into the Rattlers' lead to 14, 35-21.

The Rattlers would get held up attempting to move down the field and would ultimately attempt a 40-yard field goal. Shane McInerney would connect on this attempt, increasing the Rattlers' lead by 3.  The Pirates would get the ball back as the third quarter came to an end.

The score at the end of three has the Rattlers leading, 38-21. 

The Pirates would move the ball down the field and find the end zone on a 19-yard reception to WR Darren Carrington. The two-point conversion attempt would be successful bringing the Rattlers' lead to 38-29. It would not take the Rattlers long to respond to that Massachusetts touchdown, a three-yard rush by Morian Walker Jr. Following a successful PAT, the Rattlers' lead became 16. 

The Pirates would find their way down the field on their next possession, scoring on a 3-yard pass to Isaac Zico. The two-point conversion attempt being unsuccessful makes it a ten-point game. The Rattlers were able to take time off the clock on their next possession, with Isaiah Huston scoring six after a 4-minute possession. The McInerney extra-point was successful, increasing the Rattlers' lead 52-35. 

The Pirates would receive the ball once more at the 1-minute warning. They would move down the field and find the end zone on a 9-yard pass to Darren Carrington. Massachusetts would be successful on their two points to bring the Rattlers' lead within 9. 

The Pirates will kick off with 32.7 seconds left in the game. The Pirates would unsuccessfully attempt an onside kick recovered by the Rattlers at the 5-yard line.

The Rattlers would gain possession and run out the clock on a 52-43 victory over the Pirates.

KEY PLAYERS

• QB Drew Powell -208 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 79.2% completions
• WR Jamal Miles - 103 receiving yards, 2 TDs
• LB Connor Taylor - 8 tackles, 1 interception 

NEXT GAME

Next week will be a much-needed bye week ahead of the final week of the regular season for the Rattlers after playing 8 straight games.

They will play their final game of the regular season at Footprint Center on Saturday, July 15 against the Northern Arizona Wranglers, kickoff is set for 6:05 pm.