(Phoenix, AZ) The Arizona Rattlers have re-signed the 2021 IFL Most Valuable Player, quarterback Drew Powell for the upcoming 2022 season. Powell led the Rattlers to the United Bowl in 2021, while also becoming just the second player in league history to win league MVP with two different teams (Iowa in 2018).
Since he was signed mid-season in 2019, Powell has guided the Rattlers to an 18-2 regular season record, three playoff wins, and consecutive United Bowl appearances. Arizona was the No. 1 seed in the IFL in 2021, finishing the regular season with a 12-2 record. The ultimate dual threat at quarterback, Powell’s MVP season was one for the ages, as he produced 81 touchdowns for the Rattlers (43 rushing, 38 passing).
Powell was the IFL rushing champion in 2021, winning the triple crown by leading the league in yards rushing (1,105), yards per game (65), and touchdowns (43). Powell’s 1,105 yards rushing for the season was a career-high, franchise-high, and league-record.
Throwing the ball, Powell led the league in completion percentage (69.4%) and his 165.1 efficiency rating was No. 2 in the league. QB1’s passing yards total (2,140) and passing touchdowns total (38) eclipsed his 2018 MVP season and set career highs.
In one of the most exhilarating examples of Powell’s dominance during the 2021 campaign, he scored multiple rushing touchdowns in all but three games, and scored three or more rushing TDs in nine of the 17 total games played.
Matt Hinshaw/azcentral.com photo
The MVP’s 2021 season also ranks the among the greatest in the storied history of the Rattlers’ franchise, as he broke the single-season franchise records for rushing TDs & rushing yards.
The Rattlers will play eight regular-season home games at the Footprint Center beginning in March, with the 16-game regular season running through July. The IFL playoffs will begin in late July as the 2022 IFL schedule was released last week.
Press Release courtesy of the Arizona Rattlers – Abbey Rarick
