Second place.
That’s where the Arizona Rattlers stand after being defeated by the Iowa Barnstormers on Saturday night in Des Moines, IA.
Indoor Football League Standings
1. Iowa Barnstormers 10 – 2
2. Arizona Rattlers 10 – 3
3. Sioux Falls Storm 9 – 3
4. Nebraska Danger 4 – 9
5. Green Bay Blizzards 2 – 10
6. Cedar Rapids Titans 2 – 10
Arizona Rattlers Lose to Iowa Barnstormers, Fall to Second Place
On the Rattler’s first possession of the night, the team took the lead off of a 7-yard touchdown pass from Ziemba to wide receiver Jamal Miles.
Iowa responded by having quarterback Drew Powell pitch the ball to wide receiver Brady Roland, who then threw the ball 37 yards to fellow wide-out Ryan Balentine for the score. The PAT was missed by kicker Josh Gable, making the score 7-6 Arizona.
On the ensuing possession, the Rattlers got into the red zone and saw Jeff Ziemba rush three yards for the score. The play was set up by a 38-yard run by running back Darrell Monroe, who finished the night with 52 yards on the ground.
The Barnstormers responded with a touchdown of they’re own scored off of a nine-yard rush by Powell. The Rattlers would lead by a score of 14-13.
After an empty possesion for both teams, the Rattlers would then score off a 23-yard touchdown pass from Ziemba to wide receiver Anthony Amos.
The Barnstormers responded this time with a four-yard pass from Powell to Balentine, making the score 21-20 Rattlers.
The teams traded scores once more and the Rattlers would close out the half with a 27-yard field goal to make it 31-27 going into halftime.
After a largely empty third quarter that saw Iowa taking the lead, the Barnstormers would add to their score midway through the fourth with a seven-yard run by Skyler Scott.
The Rattlers added a score late by a two-yard pass from Ziemba to Miles to pull within three with 14 seconds remaining, but a failed onside kick would end the game.
Ziemba finished 16-of-31 for 173 yards and three touchdowns.
Devontae Merriweather led the Rattlers on defense, totaling six tackles, one for a loss, recovered one fumble and had one pass breakup.
The Rattlers next game will be the team’s regular season finale when they travel to Grand Island, NE after a bye week. Arizona can clinch the no. 2 seed in the playoffs with a win.
