SHOWDOWN WEEKEND IN THE IFL

There's a long way to go before a 2026 Indoor Football League champion is crowned on August 16th in Tucson, Arizona, but this weekend could give everyone around the league a look into the IFL crystal ball as to who just might be competing for the title this summer. 

That's because week eight features two first-place matchups featuring the top two teams in each conference.

In the East, Fishers Freight (5-1) hosts the Green Bay Blizzard (5-1) on Saturday and then on Sunday, in the West, the Arizona Rattlers (4-1) visit the defending champion Vegas Night Hawks (4-1) with both games carried live on Yahoo Sports. 

"We have built our partnership with Yahoo around marquee matchups," said Jared Widman, President of the IFL's Business Division. "It doesn't get any bigger than number one versus number two in both conferences bookending our weekend on Yahoo Sports! Potential IFL Cup and playoff matchups will be on display all weekend long."

It shapes up as one of the biggest weekends in IFL history.

THE BEASTS OF THE EAST

Last season, the Green Bay Blizzard represented the Eastern Conference in the IFL National Championship game and they are certainly one of the favorites to do that again this year. But in 2026, they have company atop the East in the form of Fishers Freight, an expansion team a year ago but this year they are tied with the Blizzard at 5-1 heading into Saturday's showdown (5pm ET Yahoo Sports). 

"They're (Green Bay) the big dogs when it comes to the Eastern Conference," said Freight Head Coach/General Manager Dixie Wooten.  "You have us coming in as the new kids on the block so can the old dogs beat the new dogs?"

Earlier this season, the answer to that question was no as Green Bay jumped out to a huge lead and held on to beat Fishers 51-42 on March 21st in Green Bay. The Freight came out flat in the first half but then mounted a strong second half comeback that came up short. Since that game, Fishers has run off four straight wins, but they can't get that night in Green Bay out of their minds.  

"We talk about that every week," said Wooten. "That's the game we don't want to relive. We came back and we were down by three at one point but it's still a part of that slow start that put us behind the eight-ball." 

And now they have a chance at redemption against a Green Bay squad that is also on a roll including a 71-68 win over Orlando this past weekend. The Blizzard may have captured that first meeting, but they're well aware that this week, things could be different against one of the hottest teams in the IFL.

"It's not surprising to me that they are in the position that they're in right now given their coach as well as how he's running that organization," said Blizzard Head Coach/General Manager Corey Roberson. "Their offensive figured out how to move the ball on us in the second half (of the first game) and they did it very well. We have to figure out how we're going to stop what they were able to do versus us and make them make some adjustments." 

Offensively, Green Bay is led by quarterback Liam Thompson who was signed as a free agent this past off-season. The former Bay Area Panther has thrown for 829 yards and 21 touchdown passes this season. The Blizzard felt like he would be a huge addition after not seeing a lot of playing time last season with the Panthers.

And they were right. 

"He's been as advertised," said Roberson. "We knew he was one of the best free agents that was out there in the market and we just knew that he was going to come in and make an impact for us. I didn't know it was going to be this great of an impact right away. He's a student of the game and I couldn't be happier with his play."

And the Freight, coming off of a 53-31 road win over the Iowa Barnstormers this past weekend, will have to figure out a way to slow down Thompson, running back Demilon Brown and the rest of the high-octane Blizzard offense. 

Collectively, the Fishers defense will have to wrap up when they get the chance. 

"We have to make sure we have great run fits so we can make sure that when the quarterback scrambles, we can be there to make a tackle on him," said Wooten. "We can't allow him to scramble around because he can make great plays on his feet."

On the other side of the ball, Fishers has been led by their outstanding quarterback Felix Harper who leads the IFL in rushing with 72 carries for 299 yards and 6 touchdowns. Throw in his 14 touchdown passes and you have won the of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the league on display during this showdown weekend. 

"One thing about Felix is he's a great game manager," said Wooten. "When it comes to understanding that when we run the football, he's going to do his part in the run game but also when we're going to throw the ball, he's a great passer." 

Harper figures to be one giant headache for Green Bay, but the bottom line is to figure out a way to come out on top and take control of the Eastern Conference penthouse.

"The expectation is that, at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is wins," said Roberson. "We expect to go out there, put on a good show, and compete. The ultimate goal is to win football games."

We'll find out on Saturday night who will be the top dog in the Eastern Conference. 

THE BEST IN THE WEST

This weekend's battle for first place in the Western Conference matchup is a matchup between one of the most successful franchises in IFL history and the defending champions as the Arizona Rattlers (4-1) visit the Vegas Knight Hawks (4-1) to Lee's Family Forum (730pm ET Yahoo Sports). 

The Rattlers will bring a young team into this highly-anticipated matchup as they significantly flipped their roster from last season. Arizona has eight rookies on defense and they have six new players on offense but they have still found their way to the top of the standings.

"I'd much rather be learning while we're winning than learning while we're losing," said Rattlers Head Coach Kevin Guy. "We're still sitting here at 4-1 and have a chance to compete. We feel like we have the athletes and we'll have a chance to be there in the end. Vegas is the better team. They should be the better team." 

Part of the Rattlers' roster makeover included the signing of a pair of key offensive players, quarterback Max Meylor and running back Kymani Clarke. Meylor has thrown for 853 yards and 15 touchdowns while Clarke has formed a powerful 1-2 punch in the backfield with 2025 IFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Ron Brown Jr. 

Both acquisitions have paid immediate dividends. 

"We felt like if we went out and got Kimo, the two of them together would be hard to stop," said Guy. "And Max called us. He called us on the first day of free agency. He's learning a new offense and he's been getting better and better every week."

Meylor has thrown for 853 yards and 15 touchdowns.

As for the defending champs, the Knight Hawks have reeled off four straight wins after a season-opening loss at Green Bay in the Hall of Fame Game. After off-season roster alterations, Vegas is a young team but they have been winning and their offense has been playing very well. 

"I'm happy with the wins," said Knight Hawks General Manager/Head Coach Mike Davis, whose team is coming off of a 48-12 win over the New Mexico Chupacabras this past weekend. "We just want to be more efficient and execute better. We're still young and we're still trying to find our way."

Leading the Knight Hawks offense is second-year quarterback Jayden DeLaura, the MVP of last year's National Championship game. This season, he has thrown for 688 yards and 17 touchdowns confirming what his coach has already thought about him. 

"He's the best quarterback in the league," said Davis. "I don't think it's even close. Understanding the game, his moxy, his arm talent…I mean he's a true leader on and off the field and that's what you strive for." 

DeLaura will certainly be a focus point for the Arizona defense on Sunday as they look to find a way to shut down one of the top offensive units in the IFL. The Rattlers will need to be prepared and focused when they get to Vegas.

"They have a lot of good offensive players," said Guy. "They are very explosive on offense. We have to do a good job of being disciplined and our alignments and making sure we're in our right checks. I have a lot of respect for those guys. The quarterback they have is really playing well."

It may only be week eight in the IFL and nothing in terms of winning a division or playoff spots and seeding is going to be finalized this weekend, but this wild west shootout on Sunday in Vegas should be a good barometer for both teams. 

"It will be a good test to see where we match up," said Davis. "We're going to evaluate some things and see how we are and that's what it comes down to."

And while it's the only scheduled meeting between these two teams, there could be a rematch if the stars align at American Dream in New Jersey in a few weeks.

"It's going to be an interesting matchup," said Guy. "If we don't win, then we need to make sure we win the IFL Cup so we can see them again and play them a second time in New Jersey."

And both teams will want to make sure that second meeting occurs in the IFL Cup championship game and not in the consolation contest.

A BIG WEEKEND FOR THE IFL

On the field, these two showdowns could end up being the deciding factor in who finishes in first place in both conferences. 

But that's not all. 

With the league having already reaching unprecedented success in 2026, having these two games in the same weekend on a bigger stage than the IFL has ever had for regular season games just goes to show how far the league has come since its inception in 2009. 

"This is a great league," said Guy. "I really enjoy it. I enjoy this league better than I did the Arena Football League. I think the partnership with Yahoo and Overnght has certainly given the Indoor Football League a lot of exposure and that's a good thing. It just shows the commitments that the ownership groups have had across the league and where we're trying to take the league."

As the IFL continues to grow, more and more eyeballs will be on the sport of indoor football. It's taken a while for the league to get to this point, but all of the hard work is coming to fruition.

"That's what the league wants," said Davis. "That's what the league is trying to get to. This is what you need. You need to have great showings and it will be two heavyweight matchups on both sides. It's nice to sit back and be like okay we're finally getting to where we thought we could get to years ago." 

It's two great matchups involving four outstanding teams trying to stake claim to the top spot in their respective conferences.

It's the IFL's version of must-see TV.

"In the Western Conference, you have Arizona who has been playing good football lately," said Wooten. "Vegas is playing the best ball outside of us and Green Bay. I think both of those games are huge for the IFL. I think both of them should be great games." 

And not only could we have an Arizona/Vegas rematch in a few weeks in the IFL Cup, but we could be seeing these four teams meeting again in the postseason with trips to the National Championship game on the line. 

"It's pretty cool," said Roberson. "I know it's still kind of early and a lot of things can change but I expect these four teams to be competing come end of July going into August."

So IFL fans…make sure you stock up on wings, sliders, chips and drinks because there are two main courses on the menu this weekend that will serve as an appetizer for the rest of the season.