The Arizona Rattlers lead the six-time defending Indoor Football League (IFL) Champion Sioux Falls Storm by six points with 50 seconds to play.
The Rattlers were just stopped on three straight downs, before bringing in Sawyer Petre to attempt a 28-yard field goal.
The Denny Sanford Premier Center crowd was as loud as it had been throughout the game Saturday as Petre would try to clinch the title for Arizona.
Sawyer Petre field goal gives Arizona Rattlers United Bowl Championship
He made it.
“I just had stay calm and stay composed,” Petre said. “I trust my snapper and holder 100%.”
Center Glen Haisley delivered the snap to holder Darron Thomas.
“All I had to do was kick it right in between the posts,” Prete said. “That’s all I had to do.”
Petre was 3-4 on field goals and 5-6 on extra points on Saturday.
“I’m surprised Petre didn’t win kicker of the year, Rattlers quarterback Cody Sokol said. “He’s a great football player.”
The win gives Arizona their first United Bowl Championship in their first season of play in the IFL, even with the odds were stacked against them.
The Rattlers went into a packed house with more than favorable officiating and came out with a title.
“At the beginning of the season, it was a little overwhelming,” defensive back Adam Sauder said. “A lot of us are new to this league and this team. I think what we displayed tonight is what a season can do to bring a team together.”
The Rattlers started the season 2-3, before quarterback Cody Sokol took over the reigns of the Rattlers.
“That start really helped us come together,” Sokol said. “And the rest is history.”
After Sokol and the team were narrowly downed by Wichita Falls, they would rattle off 12 wins in their next 13 games to secure the championship.
“I had some injuries early in the season,” Sokol said. “I had all focus in coming out here and being the starter and trying to contribute however I could.”
Main Photo Credit: Connor Ferguson, Last Word On Sports
