What a beautiful week for the IFL. There were only 6 games on the slate this week, but they provided lots of acroncym moments: OMG, WTF, LOL, ODGWWYKITHHISGARK (Oh Dear God Why Would You Kick It To Him He Is So Good At Returning Kicks!)
looking at you San Diego
Might have made that last one up, but it was a tremendous week with some great plays and plenty of moments to reflect on.
Here's what we learned in Week 11:
Green Bay Blizzard @ Iowa Barnstormers
Result: 54-40 Green Bay
What We Learned: Green Bay offense is heating up & it might be a wrap for Iowa in 2024
Green Bay has been known to be able to run the ball impact fully this season, but only question mark was the deep throw ability and how they can be more consistent with it moving forward. From the start of the game, Green Bay was letting it FLY with the deep ball — with an opening play 30 yard TD pass to Lowell Patron & a 40+ yard bomb to Harry Ballard on the very next drive to set up the EJ Burgess rushing TD.
Usually Green Bay jabs you with the running game repeatedly then throws a right hook with the deep pass — but they started this one with a couple of right hooks and set the tone on offense for the rest of the night.
QB Max Meylor had a strong game and looks great heading into the back half of the season. The Blizzard defense was bending a little more than usual in the first 2.5 quarters, but really tightened up and lock things down late — not allowing any points to be scored in the 4th.
On the other side, Iowa looked pretty good on offense for most of the game, but they just couldn’t keep up with Green Bay for all 4 quarters. QB Kyle King was hurt and didn’t play (which would have been great to know prior but that’s the IFL for ya), so QB Darius-James Peterson got his first start since Week 3. He didn’t have a great game but was doing enough to keep his team in the game against one of the best teams in the league.
Kicker Gabriel Rui was an absolute monster in this one. He connected on 2 FGs (including a 50 yarder to open the scoring of the game), 4 PATs & 3 Deuces to keep the Barnstormers in it. Iowa needed every single one of those points and then some, and he delivered — accounting for 16 points on the day.
You gotta hope that Kyle King’s injury isn’t serious and doesn’t keep him out long term, but you can’t help but feel like this was the last gasp for Iowa. They are sitting at 2-7 on the season and likely would have to win out their last 7 games to have a shot at a playoff spot. Not impossible but very unlikely given the schedule that lies ahead.
Tulsa Oilers @ Massachusetts Pirates
Result: 23-22 Massachusetts
What We Learned: The Pirates play to the level of their competition & Tulsa needs a hard reset on offense
This game was about as ugly as they come. Neither offense looked good and both teams had multiple chances to take control of the game and they just didn’t. There were 7 FGs attempted in this game by both teams combined — only 1 of them was good.
Starting with Massachusetts, if we’re looking for positives we have to start with how well this defense has played — not just in this game but for the past couple of weeks. LB Calvin Bundage had a terrific game with another highlight reel leap over a blocker to bring down the QB for a massive sack in the 4th quarter and the entire defense did a nice job of keeping everything in front of them for the majority of the game.
The Pirates offense continues to be worrisome, as they seem to be continuing their trend in the wrong direction. QB Alejandro Bennifield looked like he preferred running instead of airing it out and put himself in multiple positions where he was taking big hits from the defense. Considering he was shaken up last week and has already missed time due to injury this season, not sure if that is the best idea for him or the team.
Their talent on offense continues to outclass their actual production and you have to be worried if you are a Pirates fan.
On the other side, Tulsa found every way to mess this game up on offense. Multiple missed FGs, questionable playcalling throughout the game and one hell of a botch job on the final drive on offense. They had the ball with less than a minute to go, with an opportunity to drive the field with one timeout. They ran the ball for a gain of 1 with 30 seconds left, and were rushing to the line and forced a bad throw that ended up being intercepted.
It marks the second time this season that Tulsa had the opportunity to win the game on the final drive and just shot themselves in the foot with terrible execution. Offensively they HAVE to get better ASAP if they want a chance to stay alive in the East. They have the talent to do it, but I’m not sure if they have the offensive coaching staff to fully take advantage of their abilities.
They are on a 4-game losing streak and they get a pissed off San Diego Strike Force at home next week. It might get worse before it gets better for the Oilers.
Duke City Gladiators @ Arizona Rattlers
Result: 55-53 Arizona
What We Learned: Arizona invents ways to nearly cost themselves games & Duke City might be the best worst team in league history
Starting with Duke City, they have such a good team.. on paper. But unfortunately for them indoor football is player on turf. They jumped out to an early 16-3 lead thanks to a well balanced attack from the jump and kicker Ernesto Lacayo being an absolute stud.
But in typical Duke City fashion, that 16-3 lead quickly dissolved into a 19-33 deficit early in the 3rd quarter. They went 26 minutes of game time in the 2nd and 3rd quarter without scoring a touchdown and just seemed to be disconnected from what they did in the first quarter of the game. Their defense did a good job of getting them back in the game, but ultimately the hole the dug themselves in was too big to escape.
On the other side, Arizona had this game locked up and in the bag… but like Silk Sonic they left the door open for Duke City to comeback and nearly pull off an ALL TIME great comeback. They had an opportunity to run the clock with under a minute left, they run it out of bounds — allowing Duke City to save a timeout. They then throw 2 consecutive incomplete passes to give the Gladiators the ball at the 14 with around 50 seconds left.
Luckily for Arizona, the Duke City magic ran out before the Rattlers could get embarrassed, but it’s worrisome to see that this team can not seem to effectively close out games.
Dalton Sneed had a great game through the air with 191 yards and 6 passing TDs, but overall the Rattlers have to get better with their situational IQ in these moments. They were able to hold on for dear life in this one, but they might not be so lucky against those top teams in the West.
San Antonio Gunslingers @ Bay Area Panthers
Result: 42-31 Bay Area
What We Learned: San Antonio’s offense was humanized for the first time & Bay Area is separating itself from the rest of the West
For the first time all season, San Antonio’s offense got bullied. From the start, the Bay Area defense was swarming the ball and making life so difficult for Sam Castronova. This game marked their lowest offensive production of the season, with their previous low on the year being 44 points back in Week 3.
Despite how rough they looked on offense, they were in this game right up until the end. Their defense stepped up and created some turnovers to give them some life, with DB Clifton Duck accounting for 2 INTs himself. They did a good job of keeping the Bay Area passing game somewhat under control, but the Bay Area just ran all over them and stomped on the gas to close it out in the 4th quarter.
Sam Castronova finished the game 16/38 for 174 yards & 3 TDs before leaving with an injury, which is a far cry from the 70+% completion percentage he has on the year. We’ll have to keep an eye on Castronova injury for the weeks ahead, but this was a rough go for the Gunslingers.
On the other side, Bay Area is getting better every week. DB Joe Foucha had a fantastic first game back with 5 PBUs and 6 tackles on the day. The Panthers defense was aggressive making their presence known for all 4 quarters.
QB Daquan Neal & RB Shane Simpson combined for 142 rushing yards and 4 TDs in yet another ground and pound offensive performance. They were in control of this game from start to finish and didn’t have to do much in the passing game but threw a couple of interceptions when they did have to go to the air, which is a little worrisome.
This team is starting to look eerily similar to last year’s championship team with their offensive identity taking shape and their defense playing at phenomenal level. Is there a potential back to back run on the horizon?
Tucson Sugar Skulls @ Northern Arizona Wranglers
Result: 60-53 Northern Arizona
What We Learned: Northern Arizona is quietly ascending the West & Tucson is going to be must watch the rest of this season
Northern Arizona is quietly piecing together some quality wins and putting themselves in a solid playoff contention spot. They’ve battled in some tough road games and are in a great position considering the schedule they’ve played so far. It’s not gonna get any easier on the back stretch, but this team has been in every game this year since Week 2.
QB Josh Jones had another outstanding game, throwing for 248 yards & 7 TDs on just 14 completed passes. As usual, he did a great job of spreading the ball around to his different receiving weapons and was letting them work. A better rushing attack would have made life a little easier on them in the second half as they were trying to work the clock and hold on for the win, but this was a close game that is great for a young team like this to experience at this point of the season.
Coach Moss & Coach Windsor have done a great job with this crew and continue to find ways to get the most out of them. Super impressed with the job they’ve done yet again this year.
On the other side, this Tucson team is going to be so entertaining down the back stretch of the season. They were down by 21 points at half time and fought back to make it a tie game with less than 4 minutes left. What makes it even more impressive is that it was a pretty balanced attack during the comeback — they were able to get big plays through the air and were able to let Mylik Mitchell cook in the rezone.
While they didn’t do themselves any favors with the hole that they dug themselves into early on, they did a great job of rallying back from it and nearly forcing overtime and snatching the win.
Mitchell had 4 rushing TDs from within the 10 yards of the end zone and WR Mike Carrigan had 101 yards and a TD on 7 catches. Tucson will need to get off to a better start and put more pressure on the opposition to keep up with them instead of the other way around. With how effectively they can run the ball, they are built to play with a lead — but getting that lead seems to be the issue.
Frisco Fighters @ San Diego Strike Force
Result: 44-41 Frisco
What We Learned: Frisco is going through it on offense but still winning & San Diego just can’t win the big one
First off, this was a VERY fun game that I highly recommend going back and watching — with back and forth action with MULTIPLE lead changes in the final minute. Frisco got a much needed win to keep with Green Bay at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, but the Fighters inability to consistently pass the ball is puzzling to watch.
They have a receiving group in Devon McCoy, Cole Blackman & LJ McConnell that has big play ability, but they can’t seem to get into a rhythm these past two weeks. It’s no surprise that Frisco’s offense thrives in the running game and operates with a run first mentality, but that should open up more opportunities in the passing game than they have been able to execute on.
As a team they ran for 132 rushing yards and were able to control most of the game, with Tripp Harrington accounting for 3 TDs on the ground as well. The special teams showed up huge for the Fighters, with kicker Bryce Crawford accounting for 3 FGs and LJ McConnell busting a GW kickoff return for a TD!
On the other side, San Diego just can’t seem to win a big game against a top opponent. They deserve all the credit in the world for fighting through adversity and getting themselves back into several games this year, but they can’t seem to pull it off against the top teams in the league.
They have now lost 4 games by a combined 11 points, with their opponents in those 4 games being a combined 30-5 on the year (Vegas, Bay Area x2, Frisco). On the flip side, in their 5 wins this season their opponents are a combined 15-28 (Duke City x2, Arizona, San Antonio, Northern Arizona).
The optics aren’t great.
QB Nate Davis never really got comfortable in this game until late in the second half and seemed off with his receivers all day. WR Rudy Johnson is an invaluable player on this Strike Force team, as he stepped in at RB when the team needed him due to injury. So far this season, he has played WR, RB, QB, DB & kick returner and has done a pretty solid job across the board. His 2 TDs late nearly won it for San Diego.
Despite some of the struggles from both of these teams, the final 5 minutes of the game alone make it worthy of OffTheWallCertifiedBanger recognition.
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