Rattlers Return Home Looking to Regain Momentum Against Wranglers

By Alyssa Buruato | Rattlers Media 

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Arizona Rattlers know this is the time when separation begins to happen around the league

After falling just short in the championship game of the inaugural American Dream IFL Cup last week, the Rattlers return home Saturday night looking to bounce back against the Northern Arizona Wranglers in an important Western Conference matchup. Kickoff at Desert Diamond Arena is scheduled for 5 p.m. MST, and the game will stream on the Overnght platform.

Arizona enters the matchup 6-3 overall following a 48-44 loss to the Vegas Knight Hawks in New Jersey. Despite leading by 14 points in the second half, a string of turnovers shifted momentum and handed the Rattlers their second loss to Vegas this season.

Still, Head Coach Kevin Guy believes the focus remains on how his team responds moving forward.

"We've had some adversity. We're 6-3," Guy said. "We've got a bye week after this week's game. We would love to be at 7-3. Northern Arizona always gives us a tough time. We've got to be ready for them."

The Rattlers defeated the Wranglers 44-32 earlier this season in Prescott Valley, but recent history between the two teams has proven the matchup is rarely straightforward. Northern Arizona has consistently challenged Arizona over the last several seasons, particularly in conference play, with many matchups coming down to the final possessions.

Arizona's offense has continued to be one of the league's most explosive units despite last week's setback. The Rattlers are averaging 50 points per game this season and have scored at least 44 points in every contest this season.

The quarterback situation remains one of the biggest storylines entering Saturday. Veteran Drew Powell started the last three games after replacing Max Meylor earlier this month, helping lead the Rattlers to back-to-back 60-point performances before last week's championship loss. Meylor returned late against Vegas and helped spark two scoring drives to keep Arizona within striking distance.

"This is the time of the year where teams are going to start to separate," Guy said. "I know our team's coming off a very disappointing loss and we're back to competing. We've got to get some consistency at our quarterback position. I think our defense has taken big strides forward."

Defensively, Arizona has shown major improvement over the past month. The Rattlers defense has earned IFL Defensive Player of the Week two weeks in a row. The entire unit got the award after the opening round of the IFL Cup after forcing five interceptions and allowing just 15 points against New Mexico. A week later, defensive lineman Carson Taylor got the honor for a performance that included an interception return for a touchdown.

For Guy, the message entering the final game before the bye week is simple.

"We've got to keep the focus on us and worry about the things that we have control over," Guy said. "It's about our execution. If we do that then we'll get back to where we want to be."

With the playoff race beginning to tighten in the Western Conference, Saturday presents another opportunity for the Rattlers to reestablish momentum entering the second half of the season.