Rattlers back in playoffs after downing SA 41-34

By Matt Loeschman
Mail | X: @MattLoeschman

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The streak continues. 

The Arizona Rattlers are back in the Indoor Football League playoffs.

By virtue of their 41-34 road win over the San Antonio Gunslingers at Freeman Coliseum on Saturday night, the Rattlers claimed the fourth and final playoff berth in the IFL's Western Conference.

Arizona (11-5) finished the regular season as the 3 seed in the West, meaning they will travel to 2-seed Vegas (11-5) for a first-round playoff game on Saturday, July 27 at 7:05 p.m.  In the other West playoff opener, #4 San Diego (10-6) is at top seed and defending champion Bay Area (13-3).

In the East, #4 Quad City faces #1 Green Bay while #2 Frisco hosts #3 Massachusetts.

On Saturday, the Rattlers running game led the way as they scored 5 of their 6 touchdowns on the ground.  Running back Shannon Brooks logged 3 rushing TDs (5 yards, 5 yards, 4 yards) while quarterback Dalton Sneed added a pair (6 yards, 14 yards).

Sneed also threw a touchdown pass to Corey Reed Jr. in the contest.  On defense, Jarmaine Doubs intercepted a pass in the first half.

It was a back and forth contest but the Rattlers recovered an onside kick attempt in the final minute to secure the win and the playoff berth.

The Rattlers have made the postseason every year since they joined the IFL in 2017. The 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19.

In addition, the triumph in San Antonio gave Rattlers Head Coach Kevin Guy a tie at the top for most coaching wins in arena/indoor football history. Coach Guy now has 261 head coaching victories.

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.