The Wranglers started off the game down by seven points, as the Rattlers scored on their opening possession. The Wranglers bounced back by tying the game up toward the end of the first quarter. The Wranglers defense came up with a huge stop on 4th and 1, and they scored on their following possession. Quarterback Kaleb Barker located wide receiver Jerrime Neal open in the corner of the end zone, and they connected for a 20-yard touchdown. Neal climbed the ladder and made a great catch as he flew into the corner of the dasher pad wall.
 
Wranglers defensive back Trae Meadows opened the second quarter with an impressive interception of Rattlers quarterback Drew Powell. The momentum was starting to shift in favor of Northern Arizona. Wranglers wide receiver Quentin Randolph made his return from injury prevalent, with a fantastic grab over a Rattlers defender for a 19-yard gain. The Wranglers completed this drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown from wide receiver Ulice Gillard. After this score, the Wranglers had their first lead of the game, as they were ahead by a score of 14-7. The Rattlers scored another touchdown, but missed the point after attempt. The Wranglers still held a one-point lead, but this lead would dissipate before halftime. The Wranglers turned the ball over on downs, and the Rattlers added another touchdown just before the end of the first half.
 
The Wranglers went into halftime down by a score of 20-14.
 
Northern Arizona regained the lead to start the third quarter, when Barker threw to Randolph for the eight-yard touchdown. The Rattlers responded with a methodical drive that ate up over six minutes of the game clock. The Rattlers capped off this drive with a touchdown, ending the third quarter with a 27-21 lead. The Wranglers were not able to catch up beyond this point.
 
The Wranglers opened the fourth quarter by surrendering a sack on 4th down. They turned the ball over on downs, as the Rattlers would extend their lead once again with a touchdown. The Rattlers were in front by a score of 34-21, and the Wranglers still had fight left in them. Barker and Randolph would connect for their second touchdown of the day, as the Wranglers once again closed the gap to a six-point Rattlers lead. That hope for the Wranglers was almost instantly diminished when the Rattlers scored a 32-yard touchdown on the first play of their possession. The Wranglers attempted to drive down the field once more, and the drive was halted by an interception on the Rattlers five-yard line.
 
The game ended with the Rattlers coming out on top. The Wranglers now sit behind the Rattlers for first place in the Indoor Football League's Western Conference. Neither organization would be surprised to meet again in the IFL Playoffs in July, perhaps in the Western Conference title game.
 
Next week, the Wranglers return home to Pinnacle Bank Field at the Findlay Toyota Center to take on the Bismarck Bucks. The Bucks hold the worst record in the IFL's Eastern Conference. The Wranglers have not overlooked any opponents this season, and will not start now. The Wranglers will be looking for a bounce back win in front of their faithful.
 
Contact the Wranglers front office regarding the purchase of playoff tickets today!
 
Call 928-379-5581
 
The Northern Arizona Wranglers home schedule, with the dates, matchups, and results, is below:
 
Saturday, March 26^th, 6:05 P.M. vs Bay Area Panthers        WIN 49-20
 
Saturday, April 2^nd, 6:05 P.M. vs San Diego Strike Force     WIN 45-28
 
Saturday, April 16^th, 6:05 P.M. vs Vegas Knight Hawks    WIN 30-20
 
Saturday, May 14, 6:05 P.M. vs Tucson Sugar Skulls    WIN 36-21
 
Saturday, May 21^st, 6:05 P.M. vs Bay Area Panthers    WIN 52-27
 
Saturday, June 11^th, 6:05 P.M. vs Arizona Rattlers    WIN 37-34
 
Saturday, June 25^th, 6:05 P.M. vs Duke City Gladiators    WIN 49-41
 
Saturday, July 9^th, 6:05 P.M. vs Bismarck Bucks
 
Saturday, July 23^rd, 6:05 P.M. vs TBD (Playoffs)
 
Use the link below to purchase your single game tickets. You can also purchase single game tickets by visiting the Findlay Toyota Center box office.
 
https://www.ticketmaster.com/northern-arizona-wranglers-tickets/artist/2769030
 
 
 
 
Written by: Tucker Welch
Edited by: Ed Cole
 
 
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