This game was set to determine sole control of the Indoor Football League's Western Conference fourth and final playoff spot. The Wranglers began this important battle with their offense on the field and scored a touchdown on the game's opening possession. Quarterback Joshua Jones was able to find wide receiver John Maldonado open along the boards of the end zone. Maldonado made a fantastic, contested grab, as he caught the ball reaching over the dasher pad wall and pulling it in for the touchdown. On the following drive, the Knight Hawks responded with a touchdown to tie the game at seven points apiece. The early momentum of the game shifted on the next drive, when the Wranglers had their field goal attempt blocked and returned for a touchdown. This play gave the Knight Hawks a 14-7 lead going into the game's second quarter. The Wranglers were in possession of the football with a first and goal to start quarter number two.
 
On the very first play of the second quarter, Jones located wide receiver Tosin Oyekanmi, who made a diving snag for the touchdown. The game was once again tied, this time at 14 apiece. The Wranglers defense came back out onto the field in a tight contest, and the Knight Hawks were moving. Vegas had a first down and goal when suddenly Wranglers defensive back Malik Sonnier forced a fumble that was recovered by the Wranglers. Defensive end Tramond Lofton came out with the football, giving Northern Arizona's offense a chance to take the lead. During this possession, Northern Arizona faced a third down and seven to go. Jones dropped back and decided to take off for a 37-yard gain as he evaded multiple Vegas defenders. The Wranglers were set up with a first and goal and scored one play later. Wide receiver Gene Coleman II took the handoff and found a perfect running lane for the touchdown. The Wranglers jumped out to a 21-14 lead over the Knight Hawks just over halfway through the second quarter. The Wranglers defense surrendered a slow burning drive and a touchdown, leaving themselves just 34 seconds on offense before the end of the opening half.
 
In the final 34 seconds of the game's first half, each team traded missed field goal attempts. The Wranglers and Knight Hawks were tied at 21 apiece going into the locker room at halftime.
 
Northern Arizona opened the third quarter with kicker Axel Perez nailing the deuce for two points on the kickoff. The Wranglers took a two-point lead, and the Knight Hawks offense quickly jumped back out in front with a touchdown drive. The tide of the game was shifted once again on the next possession, when Jones had his pass intercepted in the end zone. This turnover gave the Wranglers an uphill battle during the third quarter. The Knight Hawks scored a touchdown to take a 35-23 lead late in the third quarter. The Wranglers offense was in possession of the ball heading into the game's final quarter down by 12 points.
 
The Wranglers converted on a fourth-and-one, after a rush from Maldonado. This set the Wranglers up with a first and goal, and Jones notched a rushing touchdown. The Wranglers defense gave up another score of the following possession, and Northern Arizona faced a 13-point deficit with just 10 minutes remaining. The Wranglers capped off their next drive with a rushing touchdown courtesy of Oyekanmi. Perez nailed the drop kick on the point after attempt, and Northern Arizona was now down by just five points. Northern Arizona attempted an onside kick and failed to recover it. Each team traded touchdown drives, starting with the Knight Hawks after they recovered the Wranglers onside kick attempt. The difference between each drive was the result of each PAT. Vegas missed their extra point, while Perez nailed another drop kick for two-points. The Wranglers were within three points of the Knight Hawks with just one minute remaining.
 
Northern Arizona attempted another onside kick but failed to recover. The Wranglers defense had forced Vegas into a third and goal situation but surrendered a touchdown on third down. The Wranglers were now down by ten points with just 40 seconds left in the game. The offense couldn't punch it in for the score, turning the ball over on downs with an attempt to throw into the end zone. Vegas ended the game in victory formation, handing Northern Arizona a loss during their final home game of the season.
 
The Wranglers fell to a 9-6 record on the season, while the Knight Hawks punched their ticket to the 2024 IFL Playoffs. The Wranglers will head on the road next Sunday to take on the Duke City Gladiators for their final regular season game. How can the Wranglers make the playoffs? The only way in would be with a victory against Duke City AND an Arizona Rattlers loss next weekend. The Rattlers are also playing on the road next weekend against the San Antonio Gunslingers but play their final game on Saturday. The Wranglers will know if they have a shot at the playoffs with a win prior to their game on Sunday.
 
 
The Northern Arizona Wranglers 2024 HOME games, with dates, matchups, and results are listed below. 
 
Saturday, March 16th, 6:05 P.M. vs Arizona Rattlers                    Loss 51-40
 
Saturday, March 30th, 6:05 P.M. vs Tucson Sugar Skulls          Win 54-48
 
Saturday, April 20th, 6:05 P.M. vs Duke City Gladiators            Win 39-23
 
Saturday, May 11th, 6:05 P.M. vs Bay Area Panthers                  Loss 39-36
 
Saturday, May 25th, 6:05 P.M. vs Tucson Sugar Skulls              Win 60-53
 
Sunday, June 23rd, 3:05 P.M. vs San Antonio Gunslingers      Win 74-68
 
Saturday, June 29th, 6:05 P.M. vs San Diego Strike Force       Loss, 57-43
 
Saturday, July 13th, 6:05 P.M. vs Vegas Knight Hawks             Loss, 55-45
 
Season Tickets for the 2025 season are on sale now! Deposit through the link below and we will contact you to select your seats!
 
https://sparkpages.io/?i=_A1lb
 
 For any Season Ticket inquiries, call us at 928-379-5581 
  
You can also email ticketdirector@nazwranglers.com 
 
 
 
 
Written by: Tucker Welch 
Edited by: Ed Cole 
 
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