NORTHERN ARIZONA WRANGLERS HANDLE SAN DIEGO STRIKE FORCE
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – On Saturday night, the Northern Arizona Wranglers pulled off their sixth-straight victory, improving their record to 9-2 on the season, with their 35-17 win over the San Diego Strike Force.
The Wranglers started the game fast offensively, scoring a touchdown on their opening possession. Quarterback Kaleb Barker scored on a three-yard touchdown rush, putting the Wranglers in front early by a score of 7-0. The Strike Force and Wranglers traded touchdowns twice to open the game, first bringing the score to 7-7 to end the first quarter.
Wranglers defensive back Tevin Homer jumped up and made an incredible interception to start the second quarter. Once the offense had the ball back in their hands, the Wranglers scored a second touchdown via the run. This rush was taken in by wide receiver Ulice Gillard from four yards out. The Strike Force tied the game once again, this time at 14 apiece. With 51 seconds left in the first half, Barker located wide receiver Glen Gibbons Jr. in the corner of the end zone for the Wranglers touchdown. Just before the half, Wranglers defensive back Bill Atkins came up with a tremendous interception, which was similar to Homer’s earlier in the quarter. The Wranglers entered halftime with a seven-point lead, 21-14.
The second half opened with a field goal from the Strike Force, cutting the Wranglers lead to just four points. These would be the final points scored in the game by San Diego. Barker took the ball into the end zone for his second rushing touchdown of the day. The third quarter ended with a score of 28-17, in favor of the Wranglers.
Early in the fourth quarter, Wranglers running back Israel Tucker broke open for a 20-yard touchdown run. This put the game farther out of reach for the Strike Force, and they were never able to get closer after that point.
Tucker ended the day with 104 total yards from scrimmage. The Wranglers defense also held the Strike Force to a mere eight rushing yards throughout the entire game. Barker added to his touchdown totals in the IFL this season, with one passing, and two rushing. Wranglers linebacker Sherrod Williams showed off his skills in his first start with the team, notching eight total tackles, and two tackles for loss. Two of Northern Arizona’s defensive backs contributed to two turnovers, as Homer had a forced fumble, in addition to his interception. Atkins also recovered a fumble.
The Wranglers will return home next week for their biggest game of their season, as the Arizona Rattlers will travel to Prescott Valley, Ariz., to battle the Wranglers for first place in the Western Conference. This will feel exactly like an IFL playoff matchup. This showdown is a possible preview for the Western Conference championship.