The Iowa Barnstormers travel to Phoenix, AZ this Sunday to take on the Indoor Football League’s newest team: the Arizona Rattlers. Here is a preview of the game.
Game Info
Matchup: Iowa Barnstormers (0-1) at Arizona Rattlers (0-1)
Arena: Talking Stick Resort (15,505)
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m. CT
Live Stream Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmF369rJNyI
Iowa Barnstormers Preview: Arizona Rattlers
A week ago, the Barnstormers and Wichita Falls Nighthawks combined for the highest-scoring game in the league for Week 1.
While it was expected for Wichita Falls to give up a few points, it was the opposite for the Barnstormers.
“We need to play better on defense,” coach Dixie Wooten said.
Iowa has two all-IFL defensive backs on their team in Javicz Jones and Jamie Bender, but that didn’t help the team against the Nighthawks.
Quarterback C.J. McCullum only threw five incompletions through the whole night.
“He was pretty much [untouchable],” Iowa wide receiver Brady Roland said. “There’s a reason he was IFL player of the year.”
Defensive back Chayz Holt said that last week’s performance was on the defense.
“As the DB’s, we took the last game as our fault that we lost,” Holt said. “The defensive line did their job.”
Although, the defense will be challenged again this week. Arizona’s offense is lead by quarterback Darron Thomas, who was 24-3 as a starter at Oregon (including a national championship appearance).
“Thomas is pretty good as well,” Holt said. “I don’t think he is as good as [McCullum], but he’s good.”
Not to mention, the Rattlers have all-IFL wide receiver Demarius Washington on their roster. Last year against Iowa, he ran wild, earning 66 yards and a touchdown. It doesn’t seem like much, but he had his way during that game.
Rattling the Rattlers
“I definitely want to come in and give him a run for his money,” Roland said.
Before that, however, Roland says the team has a new goal this season – scoring every possession.
If they do that, and the defense forces a couple stops, it will be the Barnstormers’ game.
“There’s no excuses anymore,” Holt said. “We’ve got to compete.”
| Indoor Football League Standings | ||||
| United Conference | ||||
| Position | Team | Record | GB | |
| 1 | Sioux Falls | 1-0 | ||
| 2 | Wichita Falls | 1-0 | ||
| 3 | Green Bay | 1-1 | ||
| 4 | Iowa | 0-1 | 1 | |
| 5 | Cedar Rapids | 0-1 | 1 | |
| Intense Conference | ||||
| Position | Team | Record | GB | |
| 1 | Nebraska | 1-0 | ||
| 2 | Spokane | 1-0 | ||
| 3 | Colorado | 0-0 | 0.5 | |
| 4 | Arizona | 0-1 | 1 | |
| 5 | Salt Lake | 0-1 | 1 | |
