DUKE CITY @ ARIZONA RECAP
PHOENIX - The Arizona Rattlers opened up their 2022 regular season with a 50-28 win over the Duke City Gladiators on Saturday night. The Rattlers' defense didn't allow Duke City to score a single point in the second half after an electric first half, while 2021 IFL MVP Drew Powell threw for three touchdowns. Arizona improves to 59-7 at home since 2014 and 4-0 against Duke City in franchise history.
First half explosiveness
The Rattlers and Gladiators lived up to expectations after two of last year's contests were among the both teams' most potent outputs. The halftime score read 29-28 Duke City thanks to two deep Gladiators touchdown passes by quarterback Nate Davis and two critical return touchdowns by the Rattlers – one off a short kickoff by Duke City and the other coming via a pick six by Rattlers defensive back Brandon Ezell. Arizona barely possessed the ball offensively in the first quarter, but made the most of its possessions to keep up.
"That was kind of a weird start," Rattlers head coach Kevin Guy said. Powell added: "That was the first time [a season opener] went like that."
Williams' world
Arizona running back Malik Williams had two touchdowns by the break, with one coming on the ground and another via the passing skills of Powell.
Williams was a force on Saturday night in his Rattlers debut. The University of Louisville product ran for 28 yards and two touchdowns while catching one touchdown against the Gladiators. Two of Williams' scores came in the first half, as the rookie got it done on the ground and through the air before leaving the game with 10:14 left in the 4th quarter due to an injury.
Still room for improvement
Despite the Rattlers holding Duke City to just 1-5 and on 3rd down and 1-4 on 4th down respectively and Powell's impressive runs totaling 79 yards, Guy said he's looking forward to the Rattlers getting even better.
"We have to get better from Week 1 to Week 2," Guy said. "...We've got a lot of stuff we have to get better at. We're nowhere near where we need to be, but we're never going to undermine a win."
Powell threw two interceptions, while the Rattlers had 10 penalties, including seven of them before halftime. Additionally, the secondary allowed Gladiators quarterback Nate Davis – perhaps Powell's challenger for MVP in 2021 – to attack them deep early on in Saturday's game.
"We've got to go back and clean it up," Powell said.
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The Arizona Rattlers travel to San Diego to face the Strike Force next Monday. Catch the game on the IFL's YouTube Channel here: Indoor Football League.