By Matt Loeschman
Mail | X: @MattLoeschman

It’s been an honor and privilege to cover a top-flight organization like the Arizona Rattlers for about 12 years.

I started writing about the Snakes around 2014 when they played in the Arena Football League and I’ve been fortunate to cover four Rattlers title games in person — each occurring at a different location — and after two difficult setbacks in 2019 and 2021, the Rattlers have hoisted trophies in 2024 and now 2026.

After the way the 2025 ended, Rattlers Head Coach Kevin Guy said there would be consequences. Game officials robbed Arizona of a home playoff win over San Diego last year and it seemed to fuel the Rattlers this time around.

On Sunday, the Rattlers left nothing to chance, playing one of their best second halves all season to convincingly beat who many considered the IFL’s top team.

RATTLER NATION SHOWED UP (AGAIN): As was the case in 2024 in Henderson, Nev., Arizona Rattlers fans traveled in good numbers to support their squad.

Two years ago, it was about 2,000 that made the trip to Nevada to watch the Rattlers make the Pirates walk the plank.

When I got to the parking garage on Sunday and saw a massive line of Rattlers fans gathered a full half-hour before the doors opened at Tucson Arena, I knew it was a good sign. I was right. About 5,000 Arizona supporters made the two-hour trip south and they made a difference in the game.

Guy said as much in the postgame, calling the atmosphere “loud as hell in here today.” As I said a couple seasons ago, kudos to those that made the trip — you got your money’s worth and then some.

THE VENUE: It was my first trip to Tucson Arena — home to the IFL’s Tucson Sugar Skulls — which has some interesting amenities to it.

Fans and cheerleaders can stand on what I would call a “sky deck,” a platform high above the end of the field. Hopefully no one up there has a fear of heights.

The speakers near midfield are quite low, posing an additional challenge for placekickers attempting field goals or a deuce. Did anyone notice when Green Bay attempted a field goal right before halftime, there appeared to be some residue knocked off when the football hit the speakers? A fan near the press box yelled, “Look at that dust!”

Could we not get an inflatable with league branding when the teams took the field before the game? It seemed a little odd to me to have the Skulls’ inflatable there as the Rattlers and Blizzard ran through.

Did anyone spend $28 for the “Super Nachos?” If so, were they worth it?

Ushers throughout the building were very helpful in directing the media.

The IFL has a three-year deal with the arena, meaning the 2027 title game will be back in Tucson after being held from 2022-24 at Lee’s Family Forum just outside Las Vegas.

FLIPPING THE SCRIPT: A year after bitter disappointment at Tucson Arena, Rattlers QB Max Meylor got his redemption with an MVP performance on Sunday.

It was pretty awesome to witness, considering how he came up inches short of a championship in the same building in 2025.

PEEZY OVERJOYED: One of the happiest Rattlers after the game was backup QB Drew Powell. The likable, multiple-time league MVP has been criticized for his postseason play with the Rattlers in the past, but he collected his second championship after nabbing his first with Iowa in 2018.

This season, the lefty QB saw action in 10 of the Rattlers' 19 games, throwing 14 touchdown passes along the way.

Powell was dancing around in the trophy presentation with a huge smile on his face.

YOUTH MOVEMENT: The Rattlers won a championship and had one of the youngest rosters in the league.

Ten rookies were on Sunday’s roster, including big contributors Yahsyn McKee Sr., Carl Decius, Jayden Horace, Don Willis, John Pius and Matthew Cook.

McKee Sr. was earlier this month named the IFL’s Defensive Player of the Year to go with Defensive Rookie of the Year, First-Team All-IFL and a spot on the All-Rookie Team.

OUTSIDE THE VALLEY: If you’re facing Guy in a championship game outside the Valley of the Sun, you better be ready.

With the win Sunday, Guy’s record in title tilts outside the Phoenix area moved to 6-0 (2012 in New Orleans, 2013 in Orlando, 2014 in Cleveland, 2017 in Sioux Falls, 2024 in Henderson and 2026 in Tucson).

The victory last weekend also marked Guy's first championship won within the state of Arizona, following setbacks in 2011, 2016, 2019 and 2021.

Matt Loeschman
Managing Editor | West Valley

mloeschman@iniusa.org

Meet Matt

Matt Loeschman has had two separate stints at Independent Newsmedia. He began as a reporter covering Peoria and later Surprise from 2000-2009. In 2017, he returned to Arizona and INI as the news editor of the Daily News-Sun (now the Phoenix Independent). He previously covered the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League for more than a decade.

Community: During high school football season since 2017, he contributes live postgame radio reports to the AzPreps 365 Friday Night Football Wrapup Show. He supports organizations such as Phoenix Children’s, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley and the American Cancer Society.

Education: The University of Texas at Austin majoring in Journalism-News and Public Affairs. 

Random Fact: He can sing and he has been fortunate to meet many famous people during his journalism career including First Lady Hillary Clinton, King of Country Music George Strait and Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey. Attended all 4 home games of the 2001 World Series.

Hobbies: Watching and playing a wide variety of sports, including golf, tennis, pickleball and softball. Playing PlayStation 5, working out, shopping and reading.