The Northern Arizona Wranglers Fall Short in Thrilling Home Game Against Arizona Rattlers, Losing by a Single Point in Overtime

NORTHERN ARIZONA WRANGLERS DROP HEARTBREAKING THRILLER, IN DOUBLE OVERTIME, TO ARIZONA RATTLERS, 63-62

PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. — The Northern Arizona Wranglers fought hard at home on Saturday, but lost to their in-state rivals, the Arizona Rattlers, by a score of 63-62.

Saturday night’s showdown was intense from start to finish. The Wranglers and Rattlers traded punches all night long, with neither team taking more than a one possession lead. The Rattlers opened the battle with a touchdown is just three offensive plays. The Wranglers responded with a long offensive drive to tie the game at seven points apiece early. Wranglers quarterback Garrett Kettle ran the ball for the rushing touchdown. Northern Arizona attempted an onside kick, which was originally recovered by the Rattlers. Rattlers wide receiver Braxton Haley fumbled on the return, and the ball was recovered by Wranglers defensive back Kishawn Walker for the touchback. Kettle connected with wide receiver Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman for the touchdown, this would be their first of many. The first quarter ended with a score of 13-7, in favor of the Wranglers.

To open the second quarter, the Rattlers scored a touchdown, and took a one-point lead. The Wranglers missed a field goal on the very next drive. On the following possession, the Wranglers recovered a fumble by Rattlers quarterback Drew Powell, getting the ball right back. Kettle located Chiaokhiao-Bowman wide open for a 43-yard touchdown, bringing the pair to a total of two touchdowns in the first half. The Rattlers and Wranglers would trade touchdowns on the next two possessions. This touchdown was courtesy of Kettle using his legs for the rushing score. The Rattlers closed the first half with another touchdown on offense. The Wranglers entered the locker room at halftime in an intense one-point contest, behind by a score of 28-27.

The Wranglers and Rattlers continued to go back and forth in the game’s third quarter, with each team trading touchdowns twice. The Wranglers opened the second half with a touchdown to regain the lead. This score was a short pass from Kettle taken by wide receiver Ryan Wisniewski for the 14-yard touchdown. After the Rattlers scored on the following possession, the Wranglers answered right back with a third touchdown connection between Kettle and Chiaokhiao-Bowman. The Rattlers ended the third quarter with another offensive touchdown. Northern Arizona was still trailing by one point at the end of the third quarter, by a score of 41-40. 

The Wranglers began the game’s final quarter of regulation in possession of the football. The Wranglers offense turned the ball over on downs, and the Rattlers extended their lead to eight points. Eight points was the largest lead of the game for either team. The Wranglers offense marched down the field and notched a fourth touchdown connection from Kettle to Chiakhiao-Bowman. The two-point conversion to tie the game at 48 apiece was courtesy of yet another pass from Kettle to Chiaokhiao-Bowman. The Rattlers had an opportunity to win the game in regulation in the final seconds and missed a 26-yard field goal. This thrilling matchup would continue into overtime, tied at 48. 

Overtime rules in the Indoor Football League are comparable to NCAA football, with each team trading possessions from the opposing 20-yard line going in. The Rattlers would possess the ball first in the opening overtime period. The Rattlers scored a touchdown and notched a successful two-point conversion. The Wranglers would be forced to aim for eight points to keep their hopes of a victory alive. Kettle threw a dart to Wisniewski, as he soared over the dasher pad wall to snag the touchdown. Kettle was able to find Chiaokhiao-Bowman open for a successful two-point conversion and the Wranglers extend the game to its second overtime period. Wranglers’ wide receiver Glen Gibbons Jr. took a rush for the 20-yard touchdown, as he evaded a Rattlers defender and stiff armed the next. The Wranglers attempted to go for the two-point conversion and failed to convert. The Rattlers were able to close out the game with a touchdown and successful extra point.

The Wranglers lost this thrilling contest by just one point. The Wranglers showed a lot of promising play on offense, but ultimately fell short in the end. The Wranglers drop to a 5-5 record on the 2023 season, losing their third consecutive game. The IFL Western Conference Playoff race will continue to tighten, as the Wranglers fall to the fourth and final seed for now. The Wranglers will head on the road to play the San Diego Strike Force next Sunday afternoon. After this one-game road trip, the Wranglers will return to Pinnacle Bank Field at Findlay Toyota Center for three straight home games. 

The Northern Arizona Wranglers 2023 home games, with dates and matchups and results, are listed below.

Saturday, March 25th, 6:05 P.M. vs Duke City Gladiators     LOSS, 43-35

Saturday, April 1st, 6:05 P.M. vs Vegas Knight Hawks          WIN, 48-42

Sunday, April 16th, 3:05 P.M. vs San Diego Strike Force      WIN, 48-9

Saturday, May 13th, 6:05 P.M. vs Bay Area Panthers          WIN, 35-34

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Saturday, June 3rd, 6:05 P.M. vs Arizona Rattlers                LOSS, 63-62

Saturday, June 17th, 6:05 P.M. vs Frisco Fighters

Saturday, June 24th, 6:05 P.M. vs Tucson Sugar Skulls

Saturday, July 8th, 6:05 P.M. vs Massachusetts Pirates

Season tickets for your 2022 IFL National Champions, the Northern Arizona Wranglers, are on sale now for the 2023 regular season.

You can check our website, nazwranglers.com, for a seating map of the Findlay Toyota Center, and pricing breakdown. This is located under the Season Tickets tab on the homepage.

For any Season Ticket inquiries, call us at 928-379-5581

You can also email emaleighwalter@nazwranglers.com

Use the link below to purchase your single game tickets. You can also purchase single game tickets by visiting the Findlay Toyota Center box office.

https://www.ticketmaster.com/northern-arizona-wranglers-tickets/artist/2769030

Written by: Tucker Welch

Edited by: Ed Cole