Rattlers Earn Road Win and Go Back-to-Back for First Time
By Nickolas Montei | Rattlers Media
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz.– The Arizona Rattlers checked two more boxes off on their progression for the 2026 season. They won on the road. And they put together back-to-back victories.
The 44-32 victory over the Northern Arizona Wranglers in Prescott Valley pushed the Rattlers to 3-1 on the season and 3-0 in Western Conference play.
The two teams played to a virtual stalemate in the first half with the Wranglers taking a 23-21 lead into the locker room at halftime separated by a deuce NAZ scored after its second touchdown. The teams were essentially even in total offense as well with the Wranglers gaining just 10 yards more than the Rattlers.
"They came out and hit us in the mouth," Rattlers Head Coach Kevin Guy said after the game. "We had a few extra days this week to game plan. They did a lot of stuff we haven't seen on film early in the game, but then we just kind of settled down and started playing."
The Rattlers took the lead for good on their first possession of the second half and then clamped down on defense, holding the Wranglers scoreless until there was just 4:33 left in the game.
The Rattlers defense got back-to-back stops on the Wranglers' first two possessions of the fourth quarter, one on a fourth-and-goal stop from the 22, and one on an interception by Yahsyn McKee Sr., his third of the season.
The Rattlers turned the interception into an eight-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Max Meylor to Corey Reed Jr. for a 12-point lead with just 57 seconds left in the game.
Defensive back Autjoe Soe picked off two passes, including one on tipped pass with 26 seconds left to end any chance of a Wranglers comeback.
"We've got some playmakers," Guy said of his young defense which is playing with only one player with significant playing experience in the IFL. "We really worked hard this offseason to find some guys that can make plays on the ball. They're learning. Except for one game, we've played some really good defense this year."
The defense has allowed just 62 points over its last two games following a rough showing in Week 2 against Fishers Freight which scored 63 in the Rattlers' only loss.
The defense held Northern Arizona quarterback Ramon Atkins to just 56 yards passing Sunday.
Offensively, Meylor produced once again, throwing for 155 yards and a touchdown, and adding another 31 yards and two scores on the ground.
He is now tied for first in the IFL in rushing touchdowns with eight through his first four games.
Running back Kymani Clarke led the team on the ground with 43 yards and two scores. Reed combined for 42 yards rushing and receiving, also getting into the end zone twice for Arizona.
"We're going to watch the film and evaluate," Guy said. "We're going to keep adding pieces until we feel like we got a team that can compete for a championship. Our guys played hard today; they're just learning. We'll keep building."