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SAN DIEGO -- Following a slow start, the Arizona Rattlers’ defense led the way to a dominating 52-14 win over the San Diego Strike Force on Monday night at Pechanga Arena.
The Rattlers’ D forced four turnovers in the contest as Arizona is now the Indoor Football League’s lone unbeaten team at 7-0. The defense nabbed three interceptions, recovered a fumble, recorded four sacks and forced a safety in the 38-point win in front of a very sparse crowd of 858 fans. Expansion San Diego fell to 1-7 on the season.
Arizona started slow against the team they scored 91 points against on April 6 at the Snake Pit. They trailed 14-7 early in the second quarter before digging in and not allowing another point all night.
Roland Genesy Jr. started at running back and scored back-to-back touchdowns on the ground to give Arizona a 21-14 lead. Kicker Jimmy Camacho nailed a 24-yard field goal and the Rattlers led 24-14 at halftime.
Genesy logged his third rushing score of the night to extend the lead. A poor snap to Strike Force QB Jihad Vercher led to a Rattlers safety as Vercher was forced to kick the rolling football out of the field of play from his own end zone.
Backup Caleb Holbrook checked in for starting quarterback Jeff Ziemba and quickly got on the score sheet with a 1-yard touchdown scramble early in the fourth quarter.
Defensive back Dillion Winfrey continued the scoring run with a 30-yard interception return for a TD, Winfrey’s second interception of the night. Holbrook capped the scoring with a 7-yard TD pass to Jarrod Harrington.
Defensively for the Rattlers, Winfrey had two picks while Bubba Chapman added another. Ricky Wyatt Jr. had 1.5 sacks while Lance McDowdell recovered a fumble. Winfrey and Devontae Merriweather had nine total tackles each.
On offense, the Rattlers outgained the Strike Force 295-136 in yardage. Ziemba and Holbrook each threw a TD pass. Genesy ran for 75 yards and three scores. Harrington had 95 yards on seven catches.
The Rattlers conclude their three-game road trip this Saturday with a marquee matchup at 6-1 Sioux Falls. Kickoff is set for 5:05 p.m. and the game can be seen live on YouTube.
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