The Iowa Barnstormers defeated the Spokane Empire 58-28 on Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena, winning their franchise record 11th straight game.
The victory gives the Barnstormers a 13-2 record going into the final week of the season.
However, they still haven’t clinched a playoff spot. They and the Sioux Falls Storm will fight for a playoff spot Saturday night.
Iowa Barnstormers playing biggest game in Regular Season History
With the four-team playoff format that the Indoor Football League (IFL) is using in 2017, two teams from the United Conference and Intense Conference will make the playoffs.
Currently Iowa (13-2) and Sioux Falls (13-2) are tied for first in the United Conference while Wichita Falls (12-3) looms in second.
This Saturday, the Barnstormers welcome Sioux Falls, and the situation for both teams is win or go home.
Due to Wichita Falls owning the tiebreaker against both teams, as long as the Nighthawks beat Nebraska (8-7), they will earn one of the two playoff spots.
Therefore the loser of this weekend’s game would lose it’s tiebreaker with Wichita Falls and miss the playoffs. The winner would host the Nighthawks and earn home-field advantage throughout.
To do it, Iowa will have to take down Sioux Falls – a team that has won the United Bowl six years in a row. The Storm have only lost nine games in that span.
The two teams met once previously this season, in a game where the Storm dismantled Iowa 70-13.
The Barnstormers shot themselves in the foot and the game was over after 15 minutes of play.
Since, Iowa has rattled off 11 straight wins.
For the Barnstormers, a win would mean fans in Des Moines, IA will get to see playoff football for the first time since 2009.
It would also give Iowa a straight shot to the United Bowl. The team would face Wichita Falls, who they defeated during the win-streak, in the semifinals before going to the United Bowl.
If they won that, the team would take on an Intense Conference team in the Championship. Iowa swept the conference in 2017, winning every game by double digits.
However, the Barnstormers won’t look ahead.
Saturday will be the biggest regular season game in team history in terms of success within it’s league, and Iowa is vying for the upset.
The game kicks off at 7:05 p.m. and will be televised by Mediacom Connections Channel 22 with Larry Morgan and Brent Bruns. It can also be heard on 1040am WHO radio with Joe Stasi and Larry Cotlar.
IFL Standings
| Indoor Football League Standings | ||||
| United Conference | ||||
| Position | Team | Record | GB | |
| 1 | Iowa | 13-2 | ||
| 2 | Sioux Falls | 13-2 | ||
| 3 | Wichita Falls | 12-3 | 1 | |
| 4 | Green Bay – e | 3-13 | 10.5 | |
| 5 | Cedar Rapids – e | 1-15 | 11.5 | |
| Intense Conference | ||||
| Position | Team | Record | GB | |
| 1 | Arizona – y | 11-4 | ||
| 2 | Spokane | 8-7 | 2 | |
| 3 | Nebraska | 8-7 | 2 | |
| 4 | Salt Lake – e | 4-11 | 6 | |
| 5 | Colorado – e | 3-12 | 6.5 | |
e – Eliminated from the playoffs.
x – Clinched playoff spot.
y – Clinched conference.
z – Clinched home field advantage through playoffs.
Week 18 Schedule
Friday, June 16
Arizona Rattlers at Colorado Crush | 8:00 p.m.
Spokane Empire at Salt Lake Screaming Eagles | 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 17
Wichita Falls Nighthawks at Nebraska Danger | 7:05 p.m.
Sioux Falls Storm at Iowa Barnstormers | 7:05 p.m.
Main Photo Credit: Connor Ferguson, Last Word on Sports
