Matt Loeschman

Independent Newsmedia

PHOENIX — Judging by their two encounters so far this season, the Arizona Rattlers may want to avoid the Iowa Barnstormers once the Indoor Football League playoffs begin next month.

Behind a monster game from dual-threat quarterback Drew Powell, the Barnstormers swooped into Talking Stick Resort Arena on Sunday and flew away with a 69-68 overtime victory.

Powell tallied nine touchdowns in the game (5 passing, 4 rushing) to put a halt to the Rattlers’ 11-game winning streak at the Snake Pit. The speedy, elusive Powell had one of the finest offensive days ever seen at the Pit — he was 19-for-21 through the air for 191 yards, 5 touchdowns and no interceptions. Powell was just as effective on the ground, carrying the ball 18 times for 94 yards and four scores. Iowa’s offense was not stopped all day by a Rattlers’ defense that prides itself on being physical at the point of attack.

“I owe a lot to my offensive line and coaches,” Powell said after the win that vaulted Iowa to 8-2 overall this season. “They called great plays and we had worked hard in practice getting ready for today — I’m glad I could help my team win.”

The loss was costly for Arizona (9-2). The Rattlers lead atop the IFL standings dropped to just one-half game over Iowa and the teams play each other again June 2 in Des Moines. That game could determine the top seed for the upcoming four-team playoffs. Sioux Falls is also still in the mix at 8-3. Both Rattlers' losses this season are at the hands of the Barnstormers.

A visibly angry Rattlers Head Coach Kevin Guy let loose on his team in the postgame interview room.

“We were soft, soft, soft — I’ll say it again — soft,” Guy said. “We didn’t play well on defense again and that’s two straight home games where our defense has done absolutely nothing. We can’t put that kind of pressure on our offense that they have to score every possession. We have to play better — period.”

The Rattlers’ Sawyer Petre sent the game into extra time with a 17-yard field goal to make it 61-61 at the final buzzer. The score was set up by a key kickoff return by Arizona’s Dezmon Epps.

“I needed to make a play for my team and that was critical,” Epps said. “I took that one down the field with some anger.”

In the IFL overtime, each team gets one possession starting from their opponent’s 20 yard line. The Rattlers were on offense first and hit paydirt when wideout Anthony Amos caught a three-yard TD from QB Jeff Ziemba on fourth and goal. Amos appeared to juggle the ball and the Barnstormers challenged but the call stood after video review. Petre’s extra point gave the Rattlers a 68-61 overtime lead.

It would not be enough against the playmaking Powell. Following a sack, the quarterback led Iowa to the Rattlers’ 3. On fourth down, Powell walked in virtually untouched to bring the Barnstormers within 68-67. Iowa sent kicker Cody Barber out on the field then did a double take. They were going for the win.

With another chance to rescue the game, the Arizona defense faltered. Powell faked a run and tossed the game-winning 2-point conversion to WR Brady Roland who was all alone in the right corner of the end zone.

“That’s the best game of my life,” Powell admitted. “Hard work pays off.”

An announced crowd of 18,381 sat in stunned silence. Barnstormers players rushed the field and later could be heard celebrating in the visitor’s locker room as the postgame press conference took place next door.

“Give Iowa credit — they are very dynamic at certain positions and they played well today,” Guy said. “Our offense was good today but we could not come up with one defensive stop. It’s embarrassing.”

Playing their biggest game of the season without IFL leading rusher Darrell Monroe, sidelined for a couple weeks on short-term injured reserve, the Rattlers got a nice boost from running back Dylan Peebles. Arizona looked to be stopped on its initial drive but an Iowa penalty gave them new life. Peebles took full advantage, barreling into the end zone just three minutes into the game. Petre connected on the kick to give the Rattlers a 7-0 lead.

Iowa’s third-ranked offense tied the game five minutes later. Powell found Ryan Balentine alone for a short touchdown and Barber’s kick tied the game at 7-7.

Neither defense could get a stop. The Rattlers drove the length of the 50-yard field and Ziemba (22 for 27, 237 yards, 5 TD, 0 INT) connected with Amos for a 6-yard score. Petre was good on the extra point and Arizona led 14-7 with 3:49 to go in the first.

Arizona looked to get the game’s first stop on Iowa’s next drive. They forced a fourth down but the Barnstormers called the perfect play — everyone ran left but big man B.J. Butler went right. Powell lobbed a soft toss into the eligible receiver’s hands and he rumbled in untouched from 11 yards out. Barber nailed the point after to knot the score at 14-14.

Peebles then took an option pitch from 6 yards away for his second score of the day. Petre split the uprights for a 21-14 Arizona lead with 11 minutes to go until halftime.

The dynamic Powell responded with a 7-yard TD keeper but Barber pushed his extra point attempt wide right. Arizona led 21-20.

With Iowa’s top-ranked defense (33.4 points allowed per game) keying on Peebles, Ziemba used some trickery to further extend the lead. He faked a handoff and kept the ball himself. The entire Barnstormers defense was fooled and Ziemba darted up the middle for a 17-yard TD run. Petre continued his solid kicking and the Rattlers led 28-20 at the 2:26 mark of the second quarter.

“We moved the ball today but at the end of the day we lost,” Ziemba said. “I’m not going to put our defense down. We all have to get better.”

Powell then hooked up with Balentine again to get Iowa within 2. The 18-yard score made it 28-26. Powell showed his quick feet on a two-point conversion to tie the game at 28-28 with 35 seconds before halftime.

Needing to score last since they had to kick off to start the second half, Arizona executed perfectly. With five seconds left, Guy elected to forego the field goal attempt and go for the touchdown. His decision turned out to be the right one as Ziemba found Amos (8 catches, 72 yards, 3 TD) with an 8-yard touchdown pass at the halftime buzzer. Petre completed a perfect first half to give the Rattlers a 35-28 lead at the break.

With the Rattlers up by a score at half, the Barnstormers quickly changed the scoreline with Powell finding Roland for a 17-yard scoring strike. Barber missed another kick and Arizona still led by one.

The Rattlers’ Jamal Miles (2) goes up for a catch as the Barnstomers’ Jeremy Gloston (6) moves in for the tackle during an IFL game on Sunday at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix. [Matt Hinshaw/Arizona Rattlers][/caption]Jamal Miles got into the scoring act next, collecting a 24-yard TD from Ziemba to give Arizona a 42-34 lead. The teams continued to trade scores as Roland hauled in a 45-yard bomb for a touchdown. The 2-point attempt failed and Iowa trailed 42-40.

The game’s first stop occurred next as Iowa forced a 21-yard Petre field goal that extended the Rattlers’ lead to 45-40 late in the third.

Powell darted in from four yards as the fourth quarter began and the 2-point attempt again was unsuccessful. Epps followed with a beautiful 29-yard catch and run for another TD. This time, Arizona could not convert for 2 and the score remained 51-46 Rattlers.

Arizona had no answer for Powell who scored again from a yard out. Powell did the honors on the conversion and Iowa had its first lead at 54-51.

Ziemba called his own number after the one-minute warning, scampering for a 4-yard TD to make it 58-54 with 50 seconds to go. But again the Rattlers defense could not rise up, allowing a 9-yard Donavan Williams rushing score with 22 seconds left in regulation and setting the stage for Epps’ ensuing kickoff return.

Arizona returns to the Snake Pit on Sunday, May 27 for a 3:05 p.m. contest against the 4-7 Nebraska Danger.

“This organization is about accountability and people will be held accountable for a showing like this,” Guy said. “I’ll look at the mirror tomorrow then go to the coaches and work my way down to the players. We have to make some changes.”

Epps expects the Rattlers to bounce back next week.

“We will bring our A-game,” Epps said. “This game opened our eyes.”