(Glendale, AZ) The temps in the Valley may be cooling this weekend but the Rattlers at 1-1 are preparing to bring the heat to the 0-1 San Antonio Gunslingers on their first visit to the Snakepit. The Gunslingers are led by first year head coach Jonathan Bane who after a long playing career in Indoor/Arena Football entered the coaching ranks in 2025 as the Gunslingers QB and Special Teams coach and was named head coach in September.
1st quarter
The Snakes deferred to the second half after winning the toss giving the ball to the Gunslingers at their own 12 yard line after kickoff. Some sloppy ball handling by the Gunslinger offense during the drive ended in a fumble recovery by the Rattlers’ Kenneth Gallop at the Snakes’ 23 yard line. The Snakes were driving but Trey Odoms-Dukes coughed up the ball the play after an unsportsmanlike penalty against the defense had placed the ball on the San Antonion 6 yard line. The Gunslingers’ Nick Evans recovered the ball and the next drive began on the 14 yard line.
Three plays into their next drive, Gunslingers quarterback Joaquin Collazo’s tipped pass was intercepted by Kenneth Gallop at the Rattlers 16 and run back to the 11 yard line. A 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the play pushed the Rattlers back to their own 24 yard line. On the very next play Max Meylor connected with Corey Reed Jr. in the back of the endzone for a 26 yard touchdown for the first score of the game with under five minutes to go in the 1st quarter. Matthew Cook added on the extra point.
The Gunslingers returned the ensuing kickoff to the Rattlers’ 23 yard line. After three strong defensive plays by the Snakes, on 4th down, Collazo connected with Deon Cook down to the 6 yard line. On 1st down from the 6, a false start backed the Gunslingers up to their own 11. The first quarter ended with the Rattlers leading 7-0 and the Gunslingers threatening.
Photo – Joanna Riggle
2nd quarter
On the second play of the second quarter on 4th down from the Rattlers 1 yard line, Carson Taylor sacked Joaquin Collazo and the Rattlers took over on downs at the 8 yard line. On the second play from scrimmage, Max Meylor scrambled for 11 yards and a late hit by the defense tacked on 15 yards, taking the Rattlers down to the Gunslingers 16 yard line. Three plays later, Meylor scored from the one yard line. Cook’s kick was good, giving the Rattlers a 14-0 lead.
During their next possession, which started with good field position following a facemask penalty on the kickoff, the Gunslingers drove down the field 29 yards in 5 plays capped off by an 11 yard scamper into the endzone by the Gunslingers’ J.J. Smith. Tyler Huettel added the extra point, cutting the Rattlers lead to 7 points.
The Rattlers next drive was aided by another unsportsmanlike penalty against the Gunslingers. Despite having first down at the Gunslingers’ 5 yard line, the Rattlers were unable to get the ball into the endzone. On 4thdown, Matthew Cook’s first field goal attempt of the season was unsuccessful. The Gunslingers took over from the 5 yard line with 1:47 left. As time ran out on the first half Tyler Huettel’s 21 yard field goal split the goal posts. The score at halftime was Arizona 14-10 over San Antonio.
The first half was low scoring and the Rattlers failed to capitalize on numerous penalties by the Gunslingers. The game got chippy at times and the majority of the 7,716 fans in attendance were calling for even more penalties against the visitors. Rattlers defense gave up big plays on 3rd down several times extending drives for the Gunslingers offense, however, big defensive plays including key tackles for loss by Carson Taylor held the team from Texas to only 10 points in the first half.
Photo – Joanna Riggle
3rd quarter
The Rattlers began the 2nd half from their own 10 yard line and moved with precision down the field ending in a 7 yard touchdown from Meylor to Corey Reed, Jr. The point after try was unsuccessful, Rattlers led 20-10. The Gunslingers ensuing drive began at their own 4 and ended on their own 8 with a turnover on downs. Max Meylor, on the first play after the turnover on downs, called his own number and dove into the endzone after a 7 yard run. Cook’s point after was good. Rattlers led 27-10.
San Antonio began their next drive on their own 20 after the kickoff went out of bounds. Despite another tackle for loss by Carson Taylor, the Gunslingers drove down in 4 plays and was capped off by a 9 yard pass from Collazo to Austin Upshaw. Huettel drilled the point after and the score with 54 seconds left in the 3rd quarter was Arizona 27-17 San Antonio. Fan interference was called on the ensuing kickoff that was headed out of bounds. The Rattlers began their drive at the 5 yard line. A five yard scramble by Meylor on first down ended the 3rd quarter.
Photo – Joanna Riggle
4th quarter
On the first carry of the quarter, Arland Bruce, Jr. fumbled on the 15, San Antonio recovered and ran it back to the Rattlers’ 4 yard line. The next play was a touchdown pass from Collazo to Deion McShane. The point after attempt by Heuttel was good and the score was now Rattlers 27-24. On the ensuing kickoff, Arland Bruce, Jr. ran it back 32 yard to the Gunslinger’s 17 yard line. Two plays later, Meylor ran the ball in from the 8 yard line. Cook’s point after gave the Rattlers a ten point lead 34-24. Cook’s kickoff went out of bounds, giving the Gunslingers possession at their own 20. After 4 downs, San Antonio had only managed to lose 5 yards and the Rattlers took over on the Gunslingers’ 15 yard line. Three plays later at the 6 yard line, Meylor saved a low snap and pitched it to Kymani Clarke who took it in for the score. Cook’s point after kick was good, Rattlers 41-24 Gunslingers. Deion McShane ran the next kickoff back 45 yards to the house and Heuttel added the extra point, making it 41-31 with 3:39 remaining in the game. San Antonio attempted an onside kick, but Arizona was awarded the ball at Gunslingers’ 6 yard line. Despite excellent field position the Rattlers were unable to convert a touchdown with Drew Powell at quarterback. Matthew Cook converted his first field goal of the year for 22 yards giving the Rattlers a 44-31 lead with 1:22 remaining. At the one minute mark, San Antonio took the ball after the kickoff and had a big gain downfield. The drive stalled at the 8 yard line and a huge tackle for loss on Collazo by Hayden Hatcher on fourth down turned the ball over on downs. The final was Rattlers 44-31.
Wrap Up
The defensive line for the Rattlers really stepped up this game and despite a large number of penalties, the Snakes were victorious. The Rattlers face NAZ next Sunday up in Prescott Valley and their next home game is Saturday, April 25th against the Tulsa Oilers.
Article by Joanna Riggle – 602 Sports Talk
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