Barnstormers Fall to Rattlers

DES MOINES, IA - Despite the roar of the crowd on their side, a failed two-point conversion late in the game ended up being the difference as the Iowa Barnstormers lost a heart breaker at home 49-47.

The Barnstormers (0-3) made their home season debut at Wells Fargo Arena for a Saturday night showdown against the Arizona Rattlers (1-3).

Right off the jump, Arizona only needed three plays and just under two minutes to find the end zone as wide receiver Jamal Miles gave the Rattlers the early 7-0 lead.

However, Iowa said 'right back at ya' just minutes later. Quarterback Kyle King, who was just slotted in the starting lineup this week, threw to wide open wide receiver Quian Williams along the sideline for a 23-yard touchdown to tie it 7-7.

With the help of the home crowd noise, the Barnstormers defense made a crucial fourth down stop on the ensuing drive, but the offense stalled on a fourth and one play inside the red zone handing the ball right back.

Arizona capitalized, going down nearly the entire length of the field, capping off the drive with wide receiver Reginald Henderson bullying his way up the middle into the end zone. 

The Barnstormers were unable to respond to the scoring drive and they paid the price. Once again, Rattlers quarterback Garrett Kettle led a methodical drive down the field and Henderson smiled on his way to the end zone for his second score of the game to extend the lead 21-7.

Down 28-7 after another Arizona touchdown, Iowa was in desperate need for an offensive spark and the King and Williams duo delivered. Williams caught two passes for a combined 27 yards and was able to get open in the back corner of the end zone for a 3-yard score to end the half 28-13.

King had his eyes on the goal on the first play of the second half looking for Williams. While a pass interference bailed out the Barnstormers on that long incomplete play, wide receiver Tre Long caught a touchdown falling over the backside wall two plays later to make the game within one possession.

Arizona began its next drive at midfield after the kickoff sailed out of bounds. The Barnstormer defense was helped by a false start penalty near the goal line on third down, but the Rattlers scored anyway as Miles got free for a 13-yard touchdown.

Aided by a kick return by Williams that got 31 yards, the Iowa offense moved its way down the field with King being ruled short of a touchdown by mere inches on a rushing play near the goal line. Continuing to pound the rock on a fourth and goal play, running back Robert Washington pushed his way through traffic for the score to once again push the game to just one possession 35-27.

The game truly turned into an offensive shootout as neither team's defense could make a stop. The trend continued in what could have been a turnover on downs opportunity turned instead into wide receiver Isaiah Huston's first touchdown of the game.

In the back-and-forth battle, King was able to extend the play after the kickoff and wide receiver Darren Wilson Jr. did the rest, twisting and diving for a 30-yard touchdown.

After a fumble call that would have given Iowa the ball back was overturned, The Barnstormers defense played with more intensity than ever. Defensive lineman Chukwuemeka Manning notched the game's first sack forcing a long field goal attempt on fourth down that was missed. 

The defensive momentum turned into offensive momentum. King took the game into his own hands going 3 for 3 and running the ball into the end zone himself and despite an unsuccessful two-point conversion, the game remained close at 42-40 midway through the fourth quarter.

Rattlers running back Shannon Brooks wasn't going to let the game get too close however as he knocked over two defenders on his way to score.

On a crucial third down play, a roughing the passer penalty bailed out the Barnstormers and allowed them to continue the drive. King, who had a seemingly quiet rushing attack aside from his one touchdown, got a big gain of 21 yards down the field and took the ball in for a score on the very next play.

Down by two with the one-minute warning approaching, the Iowa defense was unable to stop the Arizona rushing attack which effectively ended the game as time expired.

King went 13-30, throwing for 171 yards and four touchdowns in addition to leading the team in rushing with two rushing scores. Williams led Iowa for the third time this season, racking up 85 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

The Barnstormers will go on the road, traveling north to take on the rival Green Bay Blizzard (3-1) for the second time this season Friday April 26 at 6:05 pm.

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