IFL WEEK 6 PREVIEW: TEAMS ENTER SECOND QUARTER OF THE SEASON WITH CONSECUTIVE SEVEN GAME SLATE

As we head into the second quarter of the season, this week's full league slate arrives at a time where the standings are beginning to take shape. All teams focused on establishing consistency and building on their early season identity. 

Here is what to look out for in Week 6 of the IFL season:

Orlando Pirates at Jacksonville Sharks

Kickoff: Friday April 17, 7 p.m. ET 

Venue: Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena

Watch on: Overnght

The top ranked Pirates (3-0) kick things off this weekend by traveling up north to Jacksonville (1-1 as one of the league's remaining unbeatens. Quarterback Paxton DeLaurent leads the charge, coming off a Week Five overtime thriller where he threw for 166 yards and five touchdowns. The offense features wide receiver Thomas Owens, who recorded 71 receiving yards and four touchdowns on six catches, including the game winner in overtime. 

Defensively, Orlando looks to regroup after allowing the most points all year so far to Tulsa. Pirates defensive back, Destin Mack, will be at the forefront after a five tackle and one interception performance.

The Sharks, ranked 9th in the latest poll, look to turn their fortunes around behind quarterback James Cahoon, who threw for 186 yards and one touchdown against Vegas. Jacksonville receiver Redd Douglas helped the effort with 79 receiving yards and a touchdown. 

The Jacksonville defense looks towards the return of defensive Swiss Army knife, Larry Elder, who sits in the Top 5 for tackles per game after he sat last week out with injuries.

Quad City Steamwheelers at San Diego Strike Force

Kickoff: 10:00 p.m. ET 

Venue: Pechanga Arena, San Diego, Calif.

Watch on: Yahoo! Sports

The Steamwheelers (2-2), 6th in the latest poll, continue their travels west after handing Green Bay its first loss of the season. 

Quarterback Daquan Neal leads the unit, coming off a game where he threw for 117 yards and four touchdowns while adding 99 yards, as well as one more score on the ground. Wide receiver Keyvan Rudd remains the primary target, recording 49 receiving yards and two touchdowns against the Blizzard.

Defensively the Steamwheelers have controlled the skies with a secondary that's generated a league leading eight interceptions this season. Defensive Back tandem of Kelvin Ransom Jr and Jamon Williams have combined for six of those.

The Seventh ranked Strike Force (2-1) enters the matchup with quarterback Nate Davis, who threw for 176 yards and five touchdowns in his last appearance. He is supported by running back Edward Vander, who did it all last week racking up 111 all purpose yards and two total touchdowns. 

The secondary is led by defensive back William Barber who recorded 7 tackles and Elijah Reed who snagged an interception.

Iowa Barnstormers at Green Bay Blizzard

Kickoff:  Saturday April 18 at 5 p.m. ET 

Venue: Resch Center, Green Bay, Wis.

Watch on: Yahoo! Sports

The Blizzard (3-1) returns to the Resch Center to kick off the weekend slate, looking to bounce back against the Iowa Barnstormers (0-3) after enduring an upset on behalf of Quad City.

Quarterback Liam Thompson leads the charge, fresh off a week five performance where he threw for 121 yards and four touchdowns. The offense features the league's second-leading receiver, Draysean Hudson, who recorded 58 receiving yards and two touchdowns against the Steamwheelers. 

Defensively, Green Bay relied on their front four with linebacker Juwan Mitchell leading the way with nine tackles. Defensive linemen Johnathan Ross had an active night with seven tackles, fortifying the Blizzards front four.

The Barnstormers enter the week currently sitting last in the coaches poll and still searching for their first win. 

They are led by quarterback Harry Roubidoux, who threw for 139 passing yards and two touchdowns against Fishers. Wide receiver, Kurtis Ravenel, was the main target with 65 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively Iowa has leaned on Tyler Tate as the defensive tackle had four tackles last week while defensive back Jazzir Merricks led the way with five tackles.

Vegas Knight Hawks at San Antonio Gunslingers

Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET 

Venue: Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas

Watch on: Overnght

The Knight Hawks (2-1) head to San Antonio (0-2) behind championship MVP quarterback Jayden DeLaura. In Week Five, DeLaura passed for 137 yards and two touchdowns while adding a score on the ground.

He's supported by wide receiver Senika McKie, who finished last week with 75 receiving yards on three catches and reaching the end zone once against the Sharks.

Running back Josh Tomas is another option for Vegas as his three rushing touchdowns last week played a pivotal role in the Knight Hawks victory.

Vegas led defensively by Clifton Duck, who recorded five tackles against Jacksonville. 

They face a Gunslingers team ranked 12th in the coaches poll led by quarterback Joaquin Collazo, who threw for 155 yards and two touchdowns in his last appearance against the Rattlers. 

On the defensive side, San Antonio looks to Jaylon Jimmerson, who secured five total tackles against Arizona. Conley Cunningham looks to create another splash play as he forced a fumble last week.

Fishers Freight at Tulsa Oilers

Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET 

Venue: BOK Center, Tulsa, Okla.

Watch on: Yahoo! Sports

Fishers Freight (3-1) travels to Tulsa (1-1) looking to keep rolling on as the highest scoring offense in the league has averaged 63 points in their last two games.

Freight quarterback Felix Harper, who finished his last game with 62 passing yards and two total touchdowns. He is joined by tailback Josiah King, who rushed for 70 yards and two touchdowns last week. King is currently Top-3 in rushing yards for running backs so far this season.

The Freight defense features Week 5 Defensive Player of the Week Cornelius Montgomery, who recorded nine tackles and 1.5 TFLs, and Marcus Gray who racked up ten tackles.

The Oilers, currently ranked 8th in the poll, with intentions to protect home turf led by quarterback TJ Edwards, who passed for 282 yards and a whopping seven touchdowns last week against Orlando. 

Tulsa's defense is led by Malik Sonnier, who finished his last game with five tackles.

Arizona Rattlers at Northern Arizona Wranglers

Kickoff: Sunday, April 19 at 4 p.m. ET 

Venue: Findlay Toyota Center, Prescott Valley, Ariz.

Watch on: Overnght

In this Grand Canyon showdown, Rattlers (2-1) look to build on their Week Five victory against the winless Wranglers (0-3). 

Reigning MVP Max Meylor continues to lead a Top-5 passing attack; in his last outing, he threw for 77 yards and two touchdowns while adding 78 rushing yards and three scores. 

Meylor is supported by wide receiver Corey Reed Jr, who had 33 yards and two touchdowns on just two catches against San Antonio. 

The Wranglers, currently ranked second to last and coming off another crushing defeat against New Mexico, lean on quarterback Ramone Atkins to turn things around.

Atkins, who threw for 163 yards and three touchdowns in his last start. While linebacker Tre Pinkney recorded eight total tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.

These are the two players to keep in mind for a potential upset as this interstate rivalry remains a highlight of the weekend schedule.

New Mexico Chupacabras at Tucson Sugar Skulls

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET 

Venue: Tucson Arena, Tucson, Ariz.

Watch on: Yahoo! Sports

The Chupacabras (1-2) bring a surge of momentum into Tucson (1-2), with Week 5 Offensive Player of the Week Ja'rome Johnson leading the charge. 

Johnson is coming off a massive performance where he led the New Mexico to its first victory in franchise history, throwing for 199 yards and four touchdowns while adding a rushing score. His top targets Damon Street and CJ Jefferson finished last week with 152 receiving yards and three touchdowns combined. 

The Sugar Skulls counter with quarterback Draylen Ellis, who passed for 66 yards and one touchdown last week against San Diego. 

Defensively, Tucson looks to Bri'On Murray, who recorded an interception and four tackles.

The season is still young, but as we push into the second quarter of the schedule, every game starts to carry more weight in the race for the postseason. This weekend's slate offers another opportunity for squads to separate themselves from the pack.