The Panthers will play Massachusetts on the road April 2
Offensive lineman Kyle Davis with the Panthers signs autographs for fans immediately after the March 26 home game victory over the Arizona Rattlers. Photo by Marty Cheek
This story was published based on a press release from the Bay Area Panthers media
By Staff Report
The Bay Area Panthers indoor football team, headquartered in Morgan Hill, brought in a last minute victory at an exciting March 26 season opener at the SAP Center
Young Bay Area Panthers fan watch the March 26 game. Photo by Marty Cheek
Dalton Sneed’s 12-yard scramble with 4:45 left in the fourth quarter gave the Panthers the lead and Kevin Goessling’s extra point was the difference in a 47-46 win over the Arizona Rattlers.
The Rattlers pulled within a point when MVP Drew Powell scrambled for a 17-yard touchdown with 23 seconds left.
Arizona opted to try for a two-point conversion but Darin Hungerford turned back Powell with Bill Atkins blanketing preferred target Jager Gardner.
The Rattlers had scored on six straight possessions until Hungerford intercepted a Powell pass in the fourth intended for Jamal Miles and deflected by Trae Meadows. The first turnover of the season set up Sneed’s go-ahead score.
Sneed threw three TD passes: two to JT Stokes and another to Arthur Jackson III on fourth and six with 9:22 to tie the score at 40-40.
Justin Rankin ran for three scores for Bay Area and Gardner rushed for three touchdowns to pace the Rattlers.
The win marked the return of Darren Arbet as Head Coach after serving as the team’s color commentator on radio and TV last season.
The Rattlers were ranked first in the IFL coaches poll after a win at Quad City while the Panthers took the field ranked third, playing their first game with 13 days of practice.
The Panthers will play Massachusetts on the road next Sunday while the Rattlers have a bye week before hosting Tucson in their home opener.
Bay Area Panthers fans watch the last minutes of the game.
Photo by Marty Cheekk
