(Glendale, AZ) The Snakes got to back to business after a bye last week. Arizona in relatively unfamiliar territory was currently in third place in the Western Division with a (7-3). They’re firmly intrenched in the standings with fourth place Tucson at (5-6).
Part of the problem this year has been the excessive penalties the Rattlers have been whistled for, often times taking them out of scoring opportunities.
Fishers Freight (5-6) has lost a number of game by under a touchdown. They arrived in Glendale saddled with a five game losing streak, but manhandled the Snakes 63-42 earlier in the season.
First Quarter
The Freight got the ball first as a result of losing the coin toss. on the third play of game a 25 yard touchdown pass was reversed on a challenge by Coach Kevin Guy. The Rattlers’ defense then stuffed Fishers Freight. A 56 yard field goal attempt was not close as it sailed wide left.
Getting a bump from the good defensive play, Drew Powell methodically took Arizona down in the red zone. A roughing the passer penalty was called on the Freight defense that put the ball at the 7 yard line. Two plays later, Powell found Arland Bruce IV in the end zone for the score. Arizona got the payback and they were now up 7-0 at 4:51 left in the quarter.
The.second go around, Fishers Freight a little shell shocked came out slow, but an illegal defense call gave them a first down. From the 9 yard on a fourth and six another illegal defense call on the Snakes gave Fishers Freight their second first down on this drive off penalties.
Arizona Rattlers linebacker DJ Lundy (20) (left), linebacker Hayden Hatcher (15) (middle), and defensive lineman Jaylon Bass (99) (right), celebrate a tackle against the Fishers Freight on Sunday, June 14, 2026,, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Second Quarter
With the ball at the 3 yard line, the first two plays netted two yarfs. Finally on third a goal, Dominic Roberto pushed it in to tie the score 7-7.
Arizona was assessed a rouging the kicker after the kick return. The Rattlers were committing penalties at a record pace. On fourth down, Matthew Cook’s 46 yard field goal attempt wasn’t even close as the Snakes came away empty with 7:42 left till the half.
Fishers Freight’s Jordan Davis broke a one on one tackle of a short route for a 33 year touchdown to put the Freight on top 14-7. A kickoff deuce add to the score 16-7.
Arizona had some work to do now having to chase. The offense had shown positive yardage that was often b called back by penalties. Trey Odoms-Dukes turned that around as he hauled in a 28 yard fly route into a touchdown. Now Arizona was down by two, 16-14.
Excellent kick coverage followed and coupled with a holding call on the Freight the ball was placed indie the two yard line at the 1:00 warning.
Another defensive penalty on Arizona gave the Fishers a bit more breathing room in which to operate. The next play, Davis got 21 yards on a catch and Fishers Freight was back in business with 36 seconds left.
Kevin Guy being Kevin Guy, called a timeout to try to get the ball back and try to score before the half. A 9 yard gain by Harper got the ball into the red zone. After offsetting penalties, and an incompletion, there was one second left on the clock. Fishers Freight field goal jut missed and both teams head
Halftime
A sloppy effort on both teams as the yellow hankies flew early and often. Thirty points combined is low for an IFL game. Neither team got into consistent offensive flow.
Arizona Rattlers quarterback Drew Powell (1) prepares for the snap against the Fishers Freight on Sunday, June 14, 2026,, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Third Quarter
The Snakes got the ball to start the second half. Ron Brown Jr. got the crowd back into the game with a 58 yard touchdown run back. The point after attempt was blocked. Arzona back on top 20-14.
Matthew Cook’s deuce attempt was off the mark, so the Freight got the ball at the 20 yarf line to start their initial possession of the second half.
Harper showed a little sense of urgency as Arizona had turned the momentum. Davis again came through for Fishers Freight with his second touchdown catch and regained the lead 23-20 with 9:19 left in the quarter.
Now could the Rattlers get their mojo back done by three. Powell orchestrated a run-pass drive as Clark hit the corner of the end zone for the score and back and forth we went. Rattlers up 27-23 at the 4:20 mark.
Arizona’s John Pius stuffed Josiah King behind the line of scrimmage on first down. Undeterred, the Freight made the first down as the quarter ended.
Fourth Quarter
King gave Fishers Freight regained the lead off a 19 yard run and a yard line run that began the final quarter. Freight up 29-27.
Back to work for Drew Powell and company. The Snaked drove down the field penalty free but had to settle for an 18 yard field goal to take a point lead 30-29 with 9:05 to go.
The Freight got the ball into the Arizona red zone after three plays and went for the score but McKee Yahsyn Sr. Stripped the ball away from the intended receiver. Fishers Freight did score on the next play as King caught a dump off pass for the score. The Freight went for two points but failed. Calum Southerland redeemed his team with a kickoff deuce that made the score 37-30 with 3:38 left in the game.
Fishers Freight’s Jacorey Benjamin got whistled for interference that extended the drive and put the ball on the 10 yard line.
Things almost went south as Benjamin picked off Powell but was called for pass interference as Arizona kept possession. Powell kept the ball off the left side and into the end zone. A holding call negated the extra point and forced the Snakes to re-kick it and missed on the second attempt. A deuce is all Arzona had left in their in bag of tricks with 46 seconds left. That attempt also failed. 37-36 and the ball to Fishers Freight and a chance to run out the clock.
Guy still had three timeouts left, After using the first timeout, an incomplete pass stopped the clock and on fourth down, a 46 yard kick missed and gave the Rattlers a chance,
Bruce made a 26 yard catch and tapped the wall to stop the clock. Odoms=Duke gained six yards on a short pass an another Arizona timeout. With 12 seconds left Reed fought a crossing pattern along with a roughing the passer added on. Ball at the 1 yard line but a holding penalty took the points off the board. Now, with 6 seconds left, Powell saw no one open so he threw it away to try a field goal with 2 seconds remaining. The Freight called their last timeout to ice Cook. That was the solution as the kick missed and down went the Snakes 37-36.
Wrap Up
This game was unusually sloppy filled with 16 penalties here in the second half of the season. the Freight led in time of possession 31:38 – 28:22. Both kickers were off both with field goal attempts and field goals.
The highlight for Arizona was the 56 yard touchdown runback to open the second half.
A bye week can do one of two things, get much needed rest and nurse minor injuries or get a bit rusty. The latter happened to the Rattlers.
Attendance 8,465
Next week, the Rattlers travel down the 10 to Tucson to face the resurgent Sugar Skulls who are 3-0 since a roster overhaul and maintain the last playoff spot. This game while important for both squads, Arizona to keep pace with second place San Diego and the Skulls to keep the momentum they’ve established after a slow start in the first half of the season. Game is Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Tucson Arena.
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