IFL Preview : Sioux Falls At Arizona

[Mr KLC]

Phoenix, AZ. – The six-time champion Arizona Rattlers (7-2) seek to avenge an early season, 50-46, road loss to the Sioux Falls Storm (5-4) on May 22. The Rattlers hold an 4-5 record against Sioux Falls in IFL matchups all-time.

The game will take place at the Footprint Center (formerly Phoenix Suns Arena) on Saturday, July 24 at 6:05 p.m. MST (7:05 MS).

Powell's Prowess

Despite an off performance in last week's game against the Massachusetts Pirates, the Rattler offense remains the best in the IFL in scoring (49.9 PPG), totals (258.3 YPG), and rushing yards (120.6 YPG).

Rattlers quarterback Drew Powell continued his dominant season with 142 passing yards (1,205) and 68 rushing yards (573) against Mass. a week ago.

Last week, Powell passed for three touchdowns (20) and scored another three on the ground. Powell's 19 rushing TDs and 573 rushing yards lead the IFL in both categories.

Wide receiver Jarrod Harrington is also lighting up the IFL this season. Harrington ranks fifth overall in receiving yards (436) and receptions (35), to go with his eight receiving TDs. In addition to his offensive contributions, Harrington ranks sixth in the league in average yards-per-return (18.4).

Dialing Up the Defense

The secondary of the Rattlers looks to get back on track against the Storm behind defensive backs Dillon Winfrey and Tyrell Pearson. Pearson ranks second in the IFL in passes defended (17), and Winfrey comes in right below at third (15). The duo continues to disrupt the passing lanes and is giving opposing QBs fits week in and week out.

Defensive lineman Nik D'Avanzo has been a force on the defensive front line all season, and he owns the top spot in the league in tackles-for-loss (9.5) and is second in sacks (5). His two blocked kicks also lead the team.

Slicing Through the Storm

The second-ranked Storm rushing offense (105.5) is led by running back Nate Chavious, who is fourth in the league in scoring per game (13.0 PPG) and rushing TDs (13). He's led the Sioux Falls offense to third in total offense (226.4 YPG) and scoring offense (45.6 PPG) thus far, as they look to battle the tough Rattler defense that comes into the contest ranked third in the IFL (37.1 PPG).

The Storm special teams will also look to cause chaos in the return game with their second-ranked kickoff return team (19.4 YPR) - which is again led by Chavious - the IFL-leader in return TDs (2) - return yards (810) - longest return (58) - and return yards-per-game (22.5).

[Mr KLC]

[Mr KLC]

The six-time world champion Arizona Rattlers (8-2) rebounded from defeat a week ago and avenged an early season loss to the Sioux Falls Storm (5-5) via a dominate 59-33 victory at home Saturday.

Powell Sets Career Best and Offense Hums

Quarterback Drew Powell is having one of the best seasons of his career and it continued with a career effort versus the Storm on Saturday.

Powell was six of 10 passing for 96 yards (1,301) and a touchdown (21) and added 88 rushing yards (661) on 16 attempts with five rushing TDs (24) on the ground.

Powell last rushing TD of the night, a six-yard score with 12:58 remaining in the fourth quarter, broke his previous career high mark (23) set during his MVP season with the Iowa Barnstormers in 2018.

Wide receiver Jamal Miles left his imprint on the game as well and finished with 45 yards (272) on two receptions with a TD (5). He also returned five kickoffs for 120 yards, including an impressive 39-yard return in the third quarter. Running back Nick LaSane gashed the Storm defense, too, rushing for 37 yards (173) and a TD (7) on eight attempts.

Outstanding Secondary

The Rattler defense bounced back against Sioux Falls this week. Defensive back Dillon Winfrey had another phenomenal game as he snagged his third interception of the season and lead the team in tackles with 7.5 total (44.5). In addition, Winfrey forced a fumble (1) and broke up two passes (15) to round out the performance.

Defensive lineman Josh Gordon recovered a fumble and racked up 3.5 tackles, including a tackle-for-loss, in the win. DB Tyrell Pearson scooped up the second fumble of the game, and D-line Craig Evans had the only sack (2) for the Rattlers to cap-off a solid defensive performance.

Dominance Up Front

The offensive line of the Rattler dominated the Storm's front as they kept Powell upright throughout the entire game. The Rattler O-line finished the game without a single QB hit and only one play went for negative yards. The O-line has only allowed three sacks through 10 games this season.

Defensive lineman Josh Gordon recovered a fumble and racked up 3.5 tackles (15.5), including a sack (3.5) in the win. D-line Ricky Wyatt tied for the game high in tackles with 8 (47) to go along with one tackle-for-loss (6.0).

Overall, the Rattler defense finished 37 total tackles, four tackles-for-loss, one sack, one interception, two forced fumbles and surrendered 207 total yards.

Greeting the Gladiators

The first-place Rattlers will remain home for the second meeting of the season against the Duke City Gladiators (5-5) next week.