After an incredible regular season, there are eight teams remaining. Four games. Who will win three in a row and be crowned as IFL champions? The answer to that question starts tomorrow as the first round of the 2023 IFL Playoffs begins. After this weekend, four teams take the next step, and four teams go home.
The playoffs begin in Frisco as the Fighters welcome the fourth seed Steamwheelers. Frisco has been the most consistent team in the league, only losing two games in the 2023 regular season. With TJ Edwards at the helm, the Fighters offense has been nearly unstoppable. In 11 of their 15 games, the offense dropped 50 or more points. They square off with E.J. Hilliard and Quad City in the first round. The Steamwheelers stalled slightly in the final weeks of the season, losing four of their last seven. But with Hilliard behind center, they pose a threat to any team they face.
It might be round one of the playoffs but it’s round two for Sioux Falls and Massachusetts. They played last week in a thriller to decide seeding throughout the Eastern Conference. The Storm prevailed 62-59 and now, seven days later, they meet again. Jimmie Robinson, Anthony Russo, and Isaac Zico of the Pirates head-to-head against Lorenzo Brown, Xavier Jackson and Donnie Corley Jr. of the Storm. That is a lot of talent, bound to produce fireworks once again.
In the West, we’ll start with another week 18 rematch. The Northern Arizona Wranglers, looking to defend their title, travel to Phoenix to take on the top seed Arizona Rattlers. The Rattlers have won nine straight, and quarterback Drew Powell has been exceptional since returning from injury in week eight. This game will be another chapter in the in-state rivalry that continues to grow each year.
The first round concludes with a matchup between Bay Area and Tucson as they battle for a spot in the Western Conference championship game. Bay Area will look to lean on their three-headed monster with Dalton Sneed, Justin Rankin, and JT Stokes. Ramone Atkins will aim to lead Tucson to their third straight victory with the season on the line. Both teams feature a top-five defense. The season series was split dead even, with each grabbing a win. This game has the makings of a classic.
The 2023 IFL Playoffs start on Saturday with three games and one on Sunday. Don’t miss a minute of the postseason action. Check out INSIDE THE IFL LIVE on Saturday night for ‘redzone’ style viewing of all three Saturday games at one time. Find this and every game on the IFL YouTube channel.