(Phoenix, AZ) The #1 seeded Snakes came into today’s matchup knowing that a win here and they’re back in their second consecutive United Bowl (the IFL’s version of the Super Bowl)
#5 Duke City came in as a new IFL franchise playing in their first playoffs. They got here by beating the Iowa Barnstormers on a last second field goal.
The Gladiators took the opening kickoff at their own three after a stellar effort by the Rattlers on kick coverage team.
Marching down the field quickly, they put points on the scoreboard first with a three yard touchdown pass from Nate Davis to wideout Xavier Ames. Gladiators 7-0
That lead didn’t last but ten seconds as Jerrod Harrington tied the score up 7-7 with a fifty four yard kickoff return for a touchdown,
That’s the way Arizona has rolled the entire season as they are a strike quick team.
The Gladiators weren’t intimidated with #1 as they scored again on their second possession with a reception to the back of the end zone by tailback Raymond Taylor.
Powell’s pass was batted in the air and tipped to Charles Reid giving Duke City the ball back a the 1:45 mark of the opening quarter.
Gladiators scored in three plays on a pass again to Elmore. The roles were reversed at this point as Duke City was three for three in scoring possessions. Duke City up 21-7.
Last week it was Arizona that scored on every possession in their win over Sioux Falls.
Arizona seemed to have settled down as Powell drove the ball with a mix of short passes in the middle down to the five yard line. From there, he called his own number and took it in off the right side to draw the Snakes closer at 21-14 with 9:16 left in the half. Powell is the odds on favorite to the IFL’S Most Valuable Player Award.
It was Arizona’s turn for a interception off a tipped pass as defensive back Tyrell Pearson got the one handed grab to get things rolling for the home team.
Once again, Powell kept the ball behind his big offensive line on the right side and slithered in for the score to tie up the game at 21-21 with 2:19 left in the first half.
The fast and furious pace continued as back came Duke City down to the Rattlers’ one yard line forcing a third down attempt.
A jet sweep to the left was stacked up by Arizona’s defense for a loss of four back to the five yard line. On fourth down, Davis took it in himself to put the Gladiators back on top 27-21.
The extra point was blocked by the Snakes and returned by Pearson for a two point score which lit up the crowd and made the score 27-23 with under a minute till halftime.
Powell got them close to pay dirt again but time ran out as he was tackled at the one yard line to end the half 27-23 in Duke City’s favor.
Arizona got the ball first to start the third quarter and marched down to the five where pass interference was called in the end zone, putting the ball at the two yard line.
From there, everyone in the house knew Powell was going right on a keeper. After scoring the go ahead touchdown 28-27, Coach Kevin Guy called on his QB to carbon copy the same play on the two point conversion which was successful and put Arizona up 30-27 at the 11:07 mark of the third quarter.
One play from scrimmage after the kickoff return, Dello Davis caught a 28 yard fly pattern in stride to put the Gladiators back on top 34-30 with just under ten minutes to go in the third quarter.
Back came the Rattlers down to the Duke City four yard, where on the next play, Monroe took it right behind the big beef line into the end zone and they were back up by three, 37-34 at the 7:19 mark.
Keeping pace, Duke City’s Raymond Taylor put his team back up 41-37 on the back half of the third quarter with 3:35 left in the quarter.
As the third quarter came to a close, Powell and company had the ball at the Gladiators five yard line.
All the game stats had evened up after three quarters as both teams were running on all cylinders.
On the first play of the final quarter tailback Monroe went off tackle and went untouched into the end zone and Arizona was back on top 44-41 with just :47 off the clock.
Duke City did the same thing as they took little time scoring as Dello Davis made a sliding catch where the wall met the turf and the sprint continued 48-44 Duke City with 9;35 left in the game.
Powell threaded the needle to TJ Edwards hitting the wall as he hung on to the pass. Snakes back in lead 52-48 with just under seven minutes to go.
Neither team wanted to give an inch with a United Bowl berth on the line.
On the other side of the bracket, the Massachusetts Pirates punched their ticket to the United Bowl with a win over the Frisco Fighters 43-22 yesterday.
Both teams got field goals to up the score to 55-51.
After the One Minute Warning, tailback Monroe on a quick hitter took it thirteen yards to the Duke City fourteen yard line with thirty seconds left. Two big penalties on the Gladiators advanced the ball with additional yardage after the plays.
The workhorse Monroe scampered in from the four to put the home team up 58-55 with :18 left.
The kickoff was as crazy as this game was as a near breakaway run back was fumbled forward and the Gladiators had the ball at the Snakes two yard line first and goal.
An offensive pass interference penalty was called with three seconds left and the ball was now on the eleven yard line.
Duke City wanted to play it safe and attempted the game tying field goal attempt from the eighteen yard line sailed wide and Arizona escaped with a 58-55 win and a spot in next week’s United Bowl on September 12th.
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Arizona will play in its second consecutive United Bowl with last year’s season being cancelled due to covid.
Wide receiver Jarrod Harrington was injured in the second half with an apparent leg issue that will be checked out to determine the severity of the injury. Currently his status is unknown for next week’s game.
The Massachusetts Pirates best the Rattlers on July 18th 68-44. There’s no love lost for both teams as the Pirates were constantly talking trash to the Arizona players and coaches according to quarterback Drew Powell in the post game press conference.
These two teams without a doubt are the class of the IFL, with #1 Arizona hosting #2 Massachusetts next Sunday at 3 pm in the Snake Pit for all the marbles.
Today’s attendance was 5,438.
