Saturday evening's game in Prescott Valley, Ariz., began with the Wranglers falling behind quickly to the Pirates by a score of 14-0. The Wranglers offense, led by quarterback Nick Watson, possessed the ball with just under seven minutes left in the game's opening quarter. This drive was capped off by a Watson touchdown run, and a successful dropkick for two points on the point after attempt from kicker Conor Mangan. The first quarter ended with the Wranglers trailing the Pirates by a score of 14-8.
 
On just the second play of the second quarter, Wranglers defensive end JaQuan Artis recorded a sack in the Massachusetts end zone for a Wranglers safety. The Wranglers pulled the game within just one point after Mangan nailed a 27-yard field goal. The Wranglers then recovered a successful onside kick attempt, which continued to swing the game's momentum in favor of Northern Arizona. This onside kick from Mangan was recovered by Wranglers defensive back Terik Miller. The Wranglers capitalized with a touchdown pass from Watson to wide receiver Ryan Wisniewski. Mangan nailed a deuce on the ensuing kickoff to give the Wranglers the two points that were missed on the PAT. The Wranglers closed out the first half with a blocked field goal, courtesy of linebacker Kerry Starks.
 
The Wranglers entered the locker room at halftime with a 21-14 lead over the Pirates.
 
The Wranglers opened the third quarter with a bang, as running back Jarrod Ware Jr. hit the gas for a 32-yard rushing score. Mangan nailed another dropkick for two points on the PAT. The Pirates and Wranglers each traded one turnover on the contest's following two possessions. Wranglers defensive back Daniel Wright made a huge play, nabbing an impressive interception downfield. The Wranglers capitalized off the turnover with a touchdown pass from Watson to wide receiver Glen Gibbons Jr. The Wranglers entered the final quarter of the battle with a 37-14 lead over the Pirates.
 
The Pirates opened the fourth quarter with a 10-point scoring drive. The Pirates managed to score a touchdown, a successful two-point conversion, and knock in a deuce on the following kickoff. On the following drive, the Wranglers missed a field goal attempt. The Pirates pulled within five points of the Wranglers with another touchdown and two-point conversion. This proved to be too little, too late for the Pirates. The Wranglers were able to run the clock out and get a first down after a handful of Pirates timeouts.
 
The Wranglers got a much-needed victory in their final home game of 2023, defeating the Pirates by five points. Watson got his first victory as a starting quarterback in the Indoor Football League. As far as playoff positioning, the Wranglers have a chance to clinch a spot in the dance with a San Diego Strike Force loss on Monday night. The Strike Force will travel to play the Bay Area Panthers on Monday evening. If the Strike Force manage to pull-off the upset, the Wranglers would have to wait until next week to determine their fate for the 2023 playoffs. The Wranglers will clinch a playoff berth with a victory against the Arizona Rattlers next week or any Strike Force loss in the next two weeks.
 
The Northern Arizona Wranglers 2023 home games, with dates and matchups and results, are listed below.
 
Saturday, March 25th, 6:05 P.M. vs Duke City Gladiators     LOSS, 43-35
 
Saturday, April 1st, 6:05 P.M. vs Vegas Knight Hawks          WIN, 48-42
 
Sunday, April 16th, 3:05 P.M. vs San Diego Strike Force      WIN, 48-9
 
Saturday, May 13th, 6:05 P.M. vs Bay Area Panthers         WIN, 35-34
 
Saturday, June 3rd, 6:05 P.M. vs Arizona Rattlers               LOSS, 63-62
 
Saturday, June 17th, 6:05 P.M. vs Frisco Fighters               LOSS, 37-29
 
Saturday, June 24th, 6:05 P.M. vs Tucson Sugar Skulls     LOSS, 42-28
 
Saturday, July 8th, 6:05 P.M. vs Massachusetts Pirates   WIN, 37-32
 
Season Tickets for the 2024 season are on sale now! Contact us using the details below.
 
You can check our website, nazwranglers.com, for a seating map of the Findlay Toyota Center, and pricing breakdown. This is located under the Season Tickets tab on the homepage.
 
For any Season Ticket inquiries, call us at 928-379-5581
 
You can also email emaleighwalter@nazwranglers.com
 
Single game tickets are available NOW! Purchase individual game tickets at the Findlay Toyota Center Box Office or through the link below.
 
https://www.ticketmaster.com/northern-arizona-wranglers-tickets/artist/2769030
 
 
 
 
Written by: Tucker Welch
Edited by: Ed Cole
 
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