It was a dogfight all night long between the in-state rivals. In Saturday’s match-up at the Findlay Toyota Center, the Northern Arizona Wranglers carved out a 13–7 lead over the Arizona Rattlers after the first quarter. The Rattlers came back in the second quarter and went up 27–20 at halftime. NAZ regained the lead for a time in the third quarter, only to have Arizona go up by one at the end of the frame.
Onto the fourth quarter, both teams traded points, with the Rattlers in the lead with seconds to go. The Wranglers were unable to get into the endzone and lost to the Rattlers 54–47.
Ramone Atkins had four touchdown throws and a touchdown run for Northern Arizona. Kobe Smith had 43 receiving yards and a touchdown. Ethan Caselberry recorded 4.5 tackles and a fumble recovery.
The Wranglers are on the road this coming Saturday to take on the San Diego Strike Force.