IFL WEEK FOUR MATCHUPS: RATTLERS RISING, BLIZZARD UNBEATEN, PIRATES OPEN AT HOME
The Indoor Football League moves into Week Four with the standings tightening and the Coaches Poll shifting again. Arizona made the biggest jump of the season after its Week Three statement win, Green Bay held firm at No. 1, and several teams in the middle of the pack are still searching for an early identity.
As Orlando and Iowa open their home schedules and Fishers, New Mexico, Green Bay, and Quad City return to play, the weekend features four matchups with the potential to reshape April.
Saturday: Tucson Sugar Skulls at New Mexico Chupacabras
Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET
Venue: Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, N.M.
Watch on: Yahoo! Sports
Tucson enters at 0-1 after a 64-43 loss to Vegas in Week Three, a game where the Sugar Skulls struggled to settle defensively.
Quarterback Draylen Ellis completed 17 of 25 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns and added 22 rushing yards and two more scores. Brian Smith led the receiving group with 67 yards and two touchdowns, while Tamorrion Terry added 65 yards and a score.
New Mexico returns from its Week Two down to the wire loss against Orlando. The Chupacabras will rely on quarterback former IFL MVP Ja'Rome Johnson, Damon Street in the receiving game, and a defensive core featuring Gleeson Sprewell and John Washington.
Saturday: Green Bay Blizzard at Iowa Barnstormers
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Venue: Casey's Center, Des Moines, Iowa
Watch on: Overnght
Green Bay returns at 2-0 after a Week Two win over Fishers and continues to look like one of the league's most complete teams.
Quarterback Liam Thompson threw for 141 yards and three touchdowns and added 85 rushing yards and four more scores. Draysean Hudson posted 65 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Isaac Ross added 44 yards and a touchdown.
Green Bay also brings a top five scoring defense into the matchup, anchored by Giovanni Waller who recorded eight total tackles and a forced fumble, Allen Henry added a sack. Franky West Jr. and Waller each grabbed an interception for the Blizzard.
Iowa enters at 0-1 after its Week Two loss to Quad City. Quarterback Harry Roubidoux threw for 98 yards and three touchdowns. Kurtis Ravenel led the receiving group with 72 yards and a touchdown, while Nasjzae Bryant‑Lelei and Demonte Martin each added scores.
Defensively, the Barnstormers forced three turnovers, including one interception from Trevon Pope, and received steady production from Khalil Finley, JK Smith, and PK Ackah‑Yensu.
Iowa will need a clean start to potentially pull the upset against a Green Bay team that has dictated tempo early.
Sunday: Quad City Steamwheelers at Orlando Pirates
Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET
Venue: Kia Center, Orlando, Fla.
Watch on: Overnght
Quad City enters at 1-1 after its Week Two win over Iowa. Quarterback Daquan Neal threw for 149 yards and four touchdowns and added 22 rushing yards with a score on the ground.
Neal enters Week Four top five in passing touchdowns. Jarrod Ware led the receiving group with 55 yards and two touchdowns. Quian Williams added 42 yards and a score.
The Steamwheelers' defense forced three interceptions, including two from Kevin Ransom Jr. and one from Malik Duncan.
The Pirates will make their Orlando debut after returning from their Week Two victory in New Mexico. The Pirates will rely on Paxton DeLaurent at quarterback, with Thomas Owens, Nyqwan Murray, and Teo Redding featured in the offensive rotation.
Defensively, Orlando's impact players include Ro Torrence, Mike Mason, Devin Brandt‑Epps, DJ Dale, Dexter Lawson, Latavious Brini, and DJ Daniel.
Orlando's inaugural home opener comes at a pivotal time as both teams look to solidify their early-season footing.
Sunday: Arizona Rattlers at Fishers Freight
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Fishers Event Center, Fishers, Ind.
Watch on: Yahoo! Sports
Arizona made the biggest jump in the Coaches Poll after its Week Three win over San Diego, improving to 1-0.
Quarterback Max Meylor threw for 196 yards and three touchdowns and added 37 rushing yards and two more scores. Arland Bruce posted 69 receiving yards and a touchdown, Trey Odoms‑Dukes added 59 yards and a score, and Corey Reed Jr. contributed 50 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Devin Hafford recorded seven total tackles, Carlvainksy Decius added four tackles and an interception, and Hayden Hatcher and Carson Taylor contributed on to the Rattlers front five as both players had five total tackles.
Fishers counters with quarterback Felix Harper, who threw for 154 yards and three touchdowns and added 34 rushing yards and another score in Week Two.
CJ Windham posted 55 receiving yards and a touchdown, Isaiah Coulter added 40 yards and a score, and Josiah King contributed 35 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Defensively, Marcus Gray and Jacorey Benjamin each recorded five total tackles, while Jaylin Swan and Nicholas Lenon each registered a sack.
Arizona's balance on both sides of the ball makes them one of the toughest matchups in the league, but Fishers' offensive versatility gives them the ability to trade scores and challenge the Rattlers throughout the night.
Week Four brings a mix of high ranked matchups, emotional home debuts and teams trying to establish who they are before the schedule tightens. This weekend has the potential to reshape the early standings and set the tone for the month ahead.