Rattlers outlast Panthers in high-scoring IFL battle despite shorthanded roster

GLENDALE — Missing a kicker, multiple starters and facing discipline issues throughout the game, the Arizona Rattlers still found a way to grind out a 53-48 victory over the Bay Area Panthers on Saturday evening in a back-and-forth IFL clash in Glendale, Arizona.

The win pushes the Rattlers (5-1 overall, 4-1 conference) into first place in the Western Conference, after battling for the spot with the Panthers who held a similar record going into the matchup, and solidifying their status as a title contender in the Indoor Football League.

Arizona leaned on quarterback Dalton Sneed and a roster of young fill-ins to survive a physical, penalty-heavy game. Ethan Caselberry was awarded player of the game honors after his game altering stops and a rare extra-point kick in the fourth quarter by the defensive back.

Rattlers vs Panthers Recap

There Rattlers opened the scoring with a quick touchdown but, without a kicker, failed to convert the two-point attempt — an issue that would persist throughout the night. Sneed and Shannon Brooks powered the offense early, and wideout Isaiah Huston made a highlight catch in the back of the end zone to give the Rattlers a 20-14 lead.

The Panthers (4-2 overall, 3-2 conference) responded behind running back Josh Tomas and quarterback Josh Jones, who kept the Bay Area offense moving. Tomas’ second touchdown gave Bay Area a 35-32 lead late in the third quarter.

The Rattlers retook control on a string of late-game heroics. Sneed connected with Ron Brown Jr. and Trey Dixon on fourth quarter touchdowns, and the defense came up big with two key stops on fourth down. With under a minute left and holding a narrow 46-42 lead, the Rattlers face another fourth down when Sneed four Huston over the middle for a touchdown. Caselberry then drilled the team’s only extra point kick of the night.

Bay Area’s last-ditch effort ended in a touchdown to close the gap to five, but an onside kick attempt sailed out of bounds, allowing the Rattlers to run out the clock despite a bad snap and loss of yardage on the final drive.

Post Game Notes

Arizona had several players make key contributions in expanded roles, including Bryan Smith an Jordan Parker, who both notched their first career touchdowns. Head coach Kevin Guy praised the group’s resilience under challenging circumstances.

“The guys just believed in each other and believed in the plan,” Guy said. “We had to move some things around on the roster and take some chances, and it payed off for us.”

The Rattlers also battled self-inflicted adversity, racking up multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, including an ejection of lineman James Nyamwaya that left the team with just on true defensive lineman.

Arizona will return to action Saturday, May 17, when they host he Vegas Knight Hawks at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.