Week Three of the 2024 IFL season is officially here, and three more teams are set to make their season-debut. One of those teams will be making their IFL-debut.
The action starts Friday night at 6:05 p.m. CT, as the Sioux Falls Storm visit the Tsongas Center to take on the 2-0 Massachusetts Pirates.
The Storm enter Week Three following a 38-32 overtime loss to Quad City last week.
Massachusetts on the other hand, comes into Week Three 2-0 after back-to-back victories against Green Bay and Jacksonville. Quarterback Alejando Bennifield starts the season hot, throwing for a combined 252 yards and seven passing touchdowns, adding three more rushing touchdowns to his total over the last two weeks.
Following Sioux Falls and Massachusetts, the Duke City Gladiators take on TJ Edwards and the Frisco Fighters, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. CT.
Duke City walks into Week Three having struggled offensively to put together consistent drives in their Week Two opener. The Gladiators scored 26 points last week on 81 total yards, making Week Three a chance for them to turn the page and find consistency on offense.
The Frisco Fighters enter Week Three following a four-touchdown performance by quarterback TJ Edwards, launching the Fighters to an overtime victory at home. All eyes will be on Edwards to see if his late-game level of play continues into week three.
In the lone Saturday night game, the Tucson Sugar Skulls make their season debut on the road against the Northern Arizona Wranglers, kicking off at 8:05 p.m. CT. Northern Arizona returns Saturday after coming off a bye week.
Billy Back makes his Sugar Skulls head coaching debut after leading Frisco to the top record in the league a season ago. Coach Back brings championship pedigree to Tucson, having five championships as part of his coaching history.
Arsiah McCorker returns to the field after his Special Teams Player of the Week performance in Week One. Following a strong offensive performance in Week One, the Wranglers hope to walk out of their home-opener with a different result than their season-opener.
Sunday night’s Week Three double-header starts in the Bay Area, as the Panthers make their season-debut at home against the Arizona Rattlers.
Entering the 2024 season, the Bay Area Panthers are debuting their big offseason addition, 2019 IFL MVP, Daquan Neal. Last season in Vegas, Neal accumulated over 2,500 yards and 55 touchdowns, making him a threat to score on any play either through the air or on the ground.
The Rattlers come into Bay Area having scored the most points this season, while also allowing the third-most points per game. On both sides of the ball, points are being scored at a high rate. That appears to be how this game will go, too, as both sides showcase powerful offenses.
Also on Sunday night, the Jacksonville Sharks travel to Vegas for a Week Three matchup against the Knight Hawks.
Last week, the Knight Hawks won in thrilling fashion, knocking off the Rattlers with a field goal from Kevin Macias as time expired. Ja’Rome Johnson had an outstanding night, totaling 295 yards and six touchdowns against Arizona. After a sample size of one game, Johnson and the Knight Hawks offense appear to find the end zone with ease.
To wrap up Week Three, the San Antonio Gunslingers make their IFL debut against the San Diego Strike Force on Monday night at 8:05 p.m. CT.
San Diego enters Week Three after a dominant defensive performance against the Duke City Gladiators, forcing three interceptions. Kishawn Walker was responsible for two interceptions, and Justic’e King hauled in the other for San Diego.
San Antonio goes into an uninviting environment against a hot defense at home, but with much to be discovered about the Gunslingers, San Diego comes into Week Three unsure of what they’ll face.
Catch every minute of the IFL Week Three action on the IFL YouTube Channel or Caffeine TV.