(Phoenix, AZ) The six-time world champion Arizona Rattlers dominated the second half against the Spokane Shock to come away with a 56-35 win at home. The Rattlers carry a five-game winning streak into next week’s matchup against the Tucson Sugar Skulls on Saturday, July 3 at 6:05 p.m. MST.
Dominance on the Ground
Quarterback Drew Powell put on a spectacular offensive performance against the top-ranked Spokane Shock defense. Powell threw for two touchdowns and punched in three more on the ground to add to his IFL-leading total (15). Powell rushed for 103 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown run. The Rattlers amassed a team total of 188 rushing yards, and four separate Rattlers punched in TDs on the ground (Powell, Monroe, Miles and Pelletier). When the dust settled, the Rattlers ripped off six total rushing TDs.
Dual-threat wide receiver Jamal Miles continued his productive ways, hauling in three receptions for 25 yards and adding 30 more rushing yards on the ground with a TD (4). Darrell Monroe (6) and Troy Pelletier (1) both scored rushing touchdowns for the dominant Rattlers rushing attack. Both Pellitier and WR Braxton Haley scored their first career TDs as Rattlers.
Stopping Spokane
The Rattler defense was tenacious against the two-time, defending ‘IFL Offensive Player of the Week’ in Spokane QB Charles McCullum. The Shock’s QB1 left the game near the end of the first half with a lower body injury and did not return. Defensive back Dillon Winfrey shut down the passing game all night, and finished with four pass breakups and four total tackles.
Montavious Atkinson picked up his first interception as a Rattler, for the team’s only takeaway of the night.
The Rattlers D-line took over in the second half. The unit allowed 51 yards on the ground and only one TD in the half. Defensive lineman Larry Tharpe Jr. terrorized the Shock’s O-Line, as he totaled two sacks and a pass breakup. Fellow defensive lineman Nik D’Avanzo led the charge on defense. The Rattlers season leader in tackles-for-loss (6.5) spent the entire night in the backfield, resulting in three TFLs in the first half. Fellow starting defensive end, Josh Gordon, slung down the opposing quarterback for his first sack of the season.
The Rattlers defense ended the night with ten pass breakups, nine tackles-for-loss and four sacks.
Second Half Surge
Evenly paced throughout the entire first half, the Shock and Rattlers seemed to be poised for a close one. After the Shock marched to a score on their first drive after the half, the Shock offense did not score for the remainder of the game. The Rattlers finished the night with a 26-0 run, and 51 yards allowed on defense in the second half.
I-10 Tussle: Part Two
The Rattlers will travel down I-10 to take on their in-state rivals, the Tucson Sugar Skulls. The 1-4 Sugar Skulls play the Northern Arizona Wranglers tomorrow, before hosting the Rattlers for their second meeting of the season. The Rattlers are 1-0 against the Sugar Skulls this year, after their 44-34 win back in Week 8.
Press Release courtesy of the Arizona Rattlers – Steve Cusumano
