(Phoenix, AZ) The Rattlers came into the game with a six game winning streak after starting 3-4 on the season. Arizona is the Western Division leader.
The Massachusetts Pirates came in a game and a half behind Frisco (Texas) in the Eastern Division.
In the history of this rivalry, the Snakes actually had a losing record in head to head play at 1-2.
There’s also no love lost between the two franchises. The Pirates beat Arizona 37-34 in the 2021 United Bowl played in Phoenix.
The Pirates drew first blood as they marched down the field almost effortlessly with only one third down on their drive. Anthony Russo connected with Isaac Zico from nine yards out. Massachusetts 7-0.
Arizona got the ball on their first possession but turned back over on downs at the Pirates’ twenty two yard line.
The second go around for Massachusetts, saw the Rattlers defense play much more aggressive and forcing a third and ten from the Arizona seventeen yard line, A pass that took the receiver over the wall and into the crowd was incomplete.
This is where things got weird. A thirty three yard field goal attempt was blocked by the Snakes and returned by Davontae Merriweather, but he was hit and fumbled the ball back to the Pirates in almost the same area of the field.
Massachusetts didn’t have the rock long as their second play on the possession, a pass intended for Darren Carrington was tipped and Connor Taylor got the pick and Arizona came away unscathed.
The first quarter ended with the Rattlers only having possession for 4:39.
Arizona came back off the turnover and put the ball in the end zone with a two yard run by Morian Walker Jr. With the extra point it putt the Snakes up 7-6.
The lead came and went for Arizona as the Pirates ran back the ensuing kickoff fifty eight yards for the touchdown. The two point try failed and now the score was 12-7 Pirates.
The game went back and forth as Jamal Miles caught a twenty yard perfect pass from Derek Powell in the back of the end zone to put the Rattlers back up 14-12 with 8:31 left in the first half.
A little trickery as Arizona recovered an onside kick to get the ball back.
Powell then let his legs do the talking as he scampered twelve yards to the one yard line. The next play Powell took it in for the score. Arizona extended its lead 21-12 with just 2:04.
Russo threw his second pick as Dillon Winfrey snagged it at the goal line and the Snakes were in business again a minute left.
Arizona was in good shape after a completion to the one yard line, but an offensive pass interference penalty nullified the play.
The next play got the stadium rocking as Powell threw a pass with a little too much air under it as two Pirate defenders went up for the interception which ricocheted into the hands of Isaiah Scott for the touchdown. Snakes up 28-12 with 11.9 seconds left til intermission.
On the last play of the half, Massachusetts scored on a thirty seven yard field goal to cut the lead 28-15.
Rattlers only gave up one first down in the second quarter to Massachusetts.
Arizona came out fast in the second half as Powell connected with Miles again from twenty yards out in the back corner of the end zone to put a ton of pressure on the Pirates now down 35-15.
Massachusetts now had to play with a sense of urgency as they scored to draw closer at 35-21. It was unknown why the Pirate coaching staff went for a two point conversion attempt which failed. There was 8:07 left in the third quarter.
Now it was the Pirates who rose up on defense and stopped the high powered Snakes offense. Arizona special teams came through however as Shane McInerny booted a forty yard field goal to put the score at 38-21.
Arizona’s defense stopped the Pirates for three downs to begin the final quarter. On a fourth and ten, Reyna found Carrington on a jump ball pass in the end zone. Once again, Massachusetts went for two point play which was successful to put the score at 38-29.
The game was getting a little too tight for Coach Kevin Guy, so he challenged his offense to come back and score quickly.
Morian Walker Jr pounded it in for the score from the one yard line. That gave the Rattlers a little breathing room 45-29, but a lot of football still left to play with 10:26 on the clock.
The Pirates weren’t done as they scored quickly with the aid of an Arizona unsportsmanlike penalty on their drive.
Massachusetts continued to chase points as they once again failed on a two point attempt.
With 5:47 left in the game, the Rattlers still had a 45-35 lead.
Now Coach Guy decided to use the clock to his advantage as Powell and company used the most of the twenty five play clock on each play.
Powell threw a teardrop pass to Huston in the back of the end zone to put the game away 52-35 at the one minute warning.
The last gasp effort by the Pirates saw Carrington catch a touchdown to make the score more respectable including a two point conversion 52-43.
Today’s attendance was 8,799 at the Footprint Center.
This win gives Arizona a first round home playoff game. The Rattlers win streak is now at seven. They’ll head into a bye week before playing in their home finale against Northern Arizona on July 15th.
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