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Arizona Rattlers tame Sioux Falls Storm, win United Bowl

Arizona Rattlers tame Sioux Falls

The Arizona Rattlers went into Sioux Falls on Saturday night, and defied all odds when they defeated the Sioux Falls Storm to win the 2017 United Bowl.

The Storm’s loss in the Indoor Football League’s (IFL) championship game was the team’s first in seven years.

Sioux Falls had been the most dominant team in football, earning a streak of six straight titles, but the reign of dominance for the Storm is no more.

Arizona Rattlers tame Sioux Falls Storm, win United Bowl

The Rattlers started off the game with a Cody Sokol-lead drive down the field, giving Darrell Monroe the early touchdown, and Arizona the lead.

However, on the ensuing possession, Sioux Falls’ Korey Williams returned a Sawyer Petre kickoff for a score to tie the game.

The Storm would fail to score again for the remainder of the first half.

Thanks to a commanding defensive performance, the Rattlers were able to distant themselves.

Sokol would go on to throw two touchdown passes, paired with another Monroe rush, and a 29-yard fumble recovery by Joshua Gordon.

The Rattlers lead 34-7 at the break.

Arizona would need all of it.

Everything that went right for the Rattlers in the first half, went wrong in the second.

Sioux Falls scored on their first drive of the half as Judd Harold put took the ball from Allen Chapman’s hands.

Sioux Falls would trim the lead to 34-27 after two interceptions gave them momentum back.

Although, Arizona overcame adversity.

The Rattlers went score for score with the Storm, before Sioux Falls would trim the lead to 10 on another Harold touchdown.

On the two-point conversion, the Arizona defense stopped Mike Tatum two yards short of the end zone to maintain a 10-point lead for the Rattlers.

Petre converted a field goal on the next play to give Arizona a 13-point lead, but Sioux Falls didn’t quit.

Mike Tatum reeled in a 41-yard touchdown reception to trim the Arizona lead to six.

The Storm would then attempt an onside kick, which they recovered. However, the officials threw a flag on the play for illegal touching, giving the ball to Arizona.

The Rattlers didn’t make any progress on their first three downs, putting the game in the hands of Petre.

Petre would make it look easy, sealing the win for Arizona with a 28-yard field goal, giving the Rattlers their first IFL championship.

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