GLENDALE — The Arizona Rattlers secured victory by the narrowest of margins on Saturday night.
Duke City kicker and former Rattler Ernesto Lacayo missed a potential game-tying deuce about a foot wide right with 17 seconds left, halting a furious Gladiators comeback and allowing the Rattlers to escape Desert Diamond Arena with a 55-53 win.
The win moved Arizona to 5-4 this season and tied with San Diego for the fourth and final playoff spot in the IFL's Western Conference — San Diego does currently hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. Duke City, who nearly erased an 18-point deficit in the final 4 minutes, fell to 0-8.
The Rattlers were led by quarterback Dalton Sneed, who went 18-for-30 through the air for 191 yards, 6 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. WR Corey Reed Jr. had his best game as a Rattler, catching 7 passes for 85 yards and 3 scores. RB Shannon Brooks ran for 48 yards and one score.
Traevaris Ferrell, signed during the prior week, led Arizona's defense with 6 solo tackles and a sack.
Duke City was led by QB Joe Mancuso, who threw 4 TDs and ran for another.
The Rattlers next hit the road for a pair of games starting at Jacksonville (1-7) on Saturday, June 1. Kickoff is set for 4:05 p.m. and the game can be seen live on the IFL's YouTube channel.
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.
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