Coming into any team in the middle of the season would be a challenge, just trying to learn the offense, learn the teammates and the coaching staff, stuff like that - but definitely with a winning franchise such as the Rattlers, and them already being undefeated,” Powell said. The quarterback was league MVP last season and won a championship with the Iowa Barnstormers.Īfter trying out for the CFL, Powell hooked on mid-season with the Rattlers, who had lost their starting quarterback to injury. This year, Winfrey had 5 interceptions and has been one of the IFL’s top players at his position.ĭrew Powell was already one of the IFL’s top players. They loved the fact that I could play both sides of the ball.” 'So I come out here and work out for them, and they told me they loved me, I had great speed.

“'Go there, and we’ll come check you out in about a year,'' Winfrey said. But his agent told him to try the indoor game first by trying out for the Rattlers. Ignored by the NFL, he gained interest from the Canadian Football League. Dillion Winfrey played four seasons as an undersized defensive back at Central Arkansas.

Fortunately I got with a good organization and was able to compete for a championship.” 'I never really considered playing this type of football when I was back in college, but life brings different paths to you and you just roll with the punches. “The Rattlers definitely deserve more recognition than what we get,' said Miles. Miles, a product of Peoria who played receiver at ASU, has been one of the Rattlers’ breakout stars, racking up 16 touchdowns this season as the team averaged nearly 63 points per game. “Just being back home, being able to play a championship game back home in front of friends and family and fans, it’s something I always looked forward to doing,” Miles said. Players like Jamal Miles, who was easy to find, right in their own backyard. But our guys, I thought, did a great job of identifying the players and then developing the players.” “We knew we had to get some new players when we changed leagues. “We went to the championship game in the Arena Football League for four straight years, so I know what the people are like in this organization, I know our work ethic, and I know what our culture is like here”.Ĭoach Guy had to overhaul his roster to adapt to a brand-new league and style of football. “Absolutely,” said Rattlers head coach and general manager Kevin Guy, who’s been with the team for 11 years. So, would it be realistic that the franchise could make that transition?

Playing in the Arena Football league under former ASU quarterback Danny White, they won the championship twice in the '90s and amassed 5 overall in their 25 seasons in the AFL.īut sensing that the league was going downhill, Rattlers owner Ron Shurts made a daring decision by moving the team to the newer Indoor Football League in 2017. The Arizona Rattlers are once again playing for a title, hosting the Sioux Falls Storm in the United Bowl on Saturday in Glendale to decide the champion of this year’s Indoor Football League.Īnd the Rattlers will be looking to accomplish what no other Arizona franchise ever has: a season of perfection, following years of uncertainty. It may be July, but there’s a championship football game taking place this weekend in the Valley. Rattlers Head Coach Kevin Guy and Quarterback Jeff Powell

Weird west rattlers