FIGHTERS RESERVE PLAYOFF SPOT WITH WIN OVER IOWA
The Fighters are headed to the postseason. If they play like they have been recently, they’re gonna be hard to stop.
Frisco punched its playoff ticket with a trip to Iowa, putting away the host Barnstormers by a 62-42 final. It was the Fighters’ sixth straight triumph — and it came thanks to an extra potent ground game.
After the home team pinned the contest’s first points up on the opening play from scrimmage, Frisco’s attack took control.
Starting quarterback TJ Edwards connected with pass-catcher Jerminic Smith for a touchdown strike to cap the following series, then Justin Rankin — the league’s most productive rusher — powered in for a score of his own shortly before the first quarter ended.
That wound up being the touchdown that put the Fighters (11-2) up for good, as the dual threat Edwards wheeled past the goal-line twice before halftime, which his team entered with a 13-point edge.
Frisco would punch it in on the ground four times in the second half, with three of the scores being legged out by Edwards. He finished the game with a game-high 60 rushing yards, while Rankin got on the board once more and finished close behind, with 53 yards.
Reigning IFL Special Teams Player of the Week also caught a touchdown and the Barnstormers (6-6) were unable to pull within less than two possessions after the intermission.
The Fighters have set themselves up in a fantastic position to earn some home playoff matchups, but will need to defend their own turf to do so. They’ll take on the Green Bay Blizzard for the second time this campaign next Saturday.