Jesse Dyess 
The Frisco Fighters dominanted the Sioux Falls Fighters, securing home field advantage in the process image Courtesy: IFL facebook
Sioux Falls Storm 15 Frisco Fighters 56
I don’t feel like there are enough adjectives this season to describe just how good the Frisco Fighters have been. After the total destruction of the Storm, the Fighters have clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. For those of you wondering, the closest this game ever would have been in the first quarter with 7 minutes left. After Sioux Falls scored to tie it up at 7, the Fighters would rattle off 42 straight, not surrendering another score till halfway through the 4th quarter.
This has become quite the norm for Fighters fans, but T.J. Edwards was absolutely dominant. He finishes the game with 157 yards and 4 touchdowns on 10-14 passing. Running back Martez Carter finishes as the leading rusher, going for 46 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Charles Headen continues to rack up touchdowns, coming down with another 2 touchdown receptions this week, on 48 receiving yards. Holding any team, let alone a playoff team, to 15 points is quite a feat, and the defense deserves much credit.
Defensive lineman Charles Williams was a serious problem. Along with 6 tackles, he would have 3 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. Defensive back Kordell Jackson came down with 2 of the Fighters’ 3 interceptions and one of their two pick-sixes (Kyle Meyers had the other).
For the storm, the mistakes just seemed to pile on. Lorenzo Brown was only 2 for 11 for 16 yards before being replaced at halftime. Back quarterback Seth Collins made an appearance in the second half, but it was like a lamb to the slaughter. Collins is sacked 3 times and intercepted another 3, and only manages to complete 3 of his 3 passes. The only highlight of the day for the storm came when Seth Collins found Draysean Hudson for a 42-yard touchdown.
The Aftermath
Frisco improves to 12-2 on the season, ensuring that the road to the United Bowl in Las Vegas goes through Frisco Texas in the east. They will have a bye week in week 17 before traveling to face the Iowa Barnstormers in the season finale. The Sioux Falls Storm fall to 7-6, their playoff fate still very much in doubt. As they stand, they hold a half-game lead over the Green Bay Blizzard for the last spot in the east. They travel this weekend to take on the Iowa Barnstormers this weekend (Saturday at 7:05 CT), desperately needing a win to keep their standing.
Green Bay Blizzard 58 Tulsa Oilers 55
The Tulsa Oilers have made a living all season on snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, and this week was no exception. After Andre Sale found Jonathan Nance from 1 yard out with 1:15 left, Tulsa was in the driver’s seat. However, IFL POTW Max Meylor led his own drive, finding Steve Newbold for the game-winning touchdown with 3 seconds left.
Max Meylor had one of his best games of the season, going 26 of 35 for 282 and 4 touchdowns through the air. He adds another 2 touchdowns on the ground while leading the Blizzard with 23 yards rushing. Marquise Irvin led all receivers with 9 receptions with 110 yards. Defensively, cornerback Ravarius Rivers got into the scoring action as well, taking an Andre Sale interception 35 yards to the house.
For the Oilers, Andre Sale continues to give them some hope for the future. Had the Oilers held on, he very well could have been player of the week in his own right. He finished with 182 yards passing, 29 yards rushing, and 6 total touchdowns. Running back James Dalton led all rushers with 51 yards and 2 touchdowns. Wide receiver Jonathan Nance came down with 3 touchdowns on 63 yards receiving, including the potential game-winner.
What’s Next
Despite the win, 7-6 puts Green Bay at 5th in the Eastern Conference. Their road to the playoffs starts with their game this weekend, with their matchup against the Quad City Steamwheelers (Saturday at 7:05 CT). The loss drops the Tulsa Oilers to 1-12 on the season. As a result, they have been long since eliminated from the playoffs, but they have an opportunity to play spoiler. They will have week 17 off before hosting the Steamwheelers in week 18.
Vegas Knight Hawks 40 Tucson Sugar Skulls 34
without a doubt the biggest upset of the week, The Vegas Knight Hawks upended the Sugar Skulls 40-34. Vegas dug themselves a hole early, taking a 27-14 deficit to the half. However, the offense led by Daquan Neal would catch fire in the second half, and the Hawk defense would hold the Sugar Skulls to only a touchdown in the second half.
Quarterback Daquan Neal had 4 touchdowns (1 passing 3 rushing) against the IFL’s best Sugar Skulls defense. Neal would finish with 139 passing yards on 10 of 20 and would lead all Hawks rushers with 45 yards. Wide receiver Caleb Holley was responsible for 88 of those passing yards, on 4 catches, and caught Neal’s only touchdown pass.
Ramone Atkins was good but not great in this game with 104 yards passing on 55 percent completion (10 of 17) and a touchdown. Atkins led a very strong Skulls rushing attack with 61 of their 102 yards rushing, and 2 of their 4 touchdowns. Running back Mike Jones also managed 33 yards and a touchdown on eight carries Carrington Thompson led all Skull receivers with 5 catches for 55 yards.
What’s Next
The win puts the Vegas Knight Hawks at 5-9 on the season, and at current, they are the only team eliminated from playoff contention in the west. They will have the week off, before hosting the San Diego Strike Force in the regular season finale. The loss puts the Skulls at 7-6 on the season and in 3rd place in the western conference. One more win should seal their entry into the playoffs, and they will have a chance to get that done this weekend. They travel to New Mexico to take on the Duke City Gladiators( Saturday 7:05 CT)
Massachusetts Pirates 43 Arizona Rattlers 52
Every so often, a game comes to be known for the circus around it, instead of the actual game. Late in a good game, the Rattlers carried a 9-point lead. Massachusetts attempted an onside kick and it went in the stands. The result of the play was a melee between fans and players. four Pirates players, Leon O’Neal, Chris Ingram, Charles Williams, and Coach Patrick Pass are suspended indefinitely following the melee.
As far as the game goes, Arizona took a 28-15 lead into the half and never really looked back. Drew Powell’s return continues to spark the Rattlers, this time around with 208 yards passing, 33 yards rushing, and 5 total touchdowns. Wide receiver Jamal Miles continues to show out leading all receivers with 8 receptions for 103 yards and 2 touchdowns. Connor Taylor led a stout defensive effort against a very good team with 6 tackles and an interception.
As for the Massachusettes Pirates, Anthony Russo’s play was good but not great. His 127 yards and 5 touchdowns were negated by two costly interceptions. As for the rushing game, Jimmie Robinson led all Pirates with 53 yards rushing but didn’t manage to find the endzone. Issac Zito was Russo’s favorite target this game, with 7 receptions for 68 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Next Week
As a result of this game, the Arizona Rattlers improve to 10-4 on the season. This record is good enough to secure a home playoff game. They are only one game ahead of the Panthers, and still need a win to secure home-field advantage. They will have a chance to lock it up in week 18, hosting the Northern Arizona Wranglers. The Massachusetts Pirates fall to 9-4 on the season. As a result, they are still in second place in the east. This weekend they travel to face the Northern Arizona Wranglers.
