Rattlers claim victory over Chupacabras in IFL Cup Semifinal

In a week of firsts, the New Mexico Chupacabras and Arizona Rattlers clashed in the semifinals of the inaugural IFL Cup today at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Rattlers fared quite a bit better, forcing six turnovers as they claimed a 61-15 victory in what was the first-ever meeting between the teams. 

The Rattlers (6-2) will play the winner of the other semifinal between the Vegas Knight Hawks and Orlando Pirates on May 24 at 5 p.m. mountain time for the IFL Cup Championship (broadcast on Yahoo! Sports). The Chupacabras (1-6) will play the loser of the Knight Hawks-Pirates matchup earlier that day, at 11 a.m. mountain in a consolation game. All four of the tournament games are taking place at American Dream Mall.

American Dream Mall is a massive structure which includes shops, a water park and hockey/indoor football structure among many other attractions. It is located adjacent to MetLife Stadium; home of the NFL's New York Giants and New York Jets. 

Ron Brown, Jr. took the opening kickup 36 yards around the left side to give the Rattlers an early lead. Matthew Cook added a deuce on the ensuing kickoff. The fireworks continued in this one as Harry Roubidoux fired a 45-yard scoring bomb to DaMon Street to put the Chupacabras on the board, but Ben Derby's extra point attempt went wide left. Roubidoux, who started three games for the Iowa Barnstormers earlier in the season, recently signed with New Mexico after they traded starting quarterback Ja'Rome Johnson to the Tulsa Oilers. Derby hit his own deuce on the following kickoff. Brown put Arizona back up by a full score with a five-yard run to the house. New Mexico drove to the Arizona two, but Roubidoux's pass to the end zone on third down was tipped and intercepted by Jarmaine Doubs of the Rattlers. Kymani Clarke found the end zone from six yards out to add to the Rattlers lead. Arizona took a 23-8 lead into the second quarter.

Once again the Chupacabras drove into the red zone, but Doubs intercepted Roubidoux on another tipped pass. Powell responded with a 43-yard touchdown to a wide-open Arland Bruce IV which put the Rattlers up 30-8 with six minutes gone in the second quarter. New Mexico drove to midfield, but Roubidoux was picked off by Arizona's Carson Taylor. The Rattlers took advantage as Powell scored on a nine-yard run around the right side. Cook's second deuce of the game give the Rattlers a 39-8 lead with 2:01 remaining in the first half. Roubidoux threw complete to CJ Jefferson. The Rattlers' Autjoe Soe recovered Jefferson's fumble with six seconds remaining and Cook converted a 36-yard field goal to make the score 42-8 at the break.

New Mexico received the opening kickoff of the second half and drove into the red zone, but Roubidoux was picked off by Carlvainsky Decius to give Arizona the ball back. Clarke scored his second touchdown of the game; this one on a 17-yard catch along the right sideline which extended the Rattlers lead midway through the third quarter. Veteran Donovan Porterie entered the game to start the half for the Chupacabras and hit Jefferson on a screen pass. Jefferson scampered around the left side for a 19-yard score. Max Meylor, who started Arizona's first six games of the season, entered the game for Powell on the Rattlers' next drive. Meylor found Brown around the left side for a 15-yard Rattlers score. Cook tacked on a deuce for Arizona on the ensuing kickoff. Arizona took a 58-15 lead into the fourth quarter.

Porterie drove into Rattlers' territory, but was intercepted by Decius in the end zone to give the Rattlers the ball back. They capitalized with a 21-yard field goal from Cook with 4:05 left in regulation. Porterie drove into Rattlers' territory, but was intercepted by Decius in the end zone to give the Rattlers the ball back. They capitalized with a 21-yard field goal from Cook with 4:05 left in regulation. The Chupacabras had one last chance to put some points on the board, but the drive stalled at the Arizona 23-yard line.

For Chupacabras, Roubidoux completed nine of 21 throws for 128 yards with a touchdown and four picks. Porterie went seven of 10 for 59 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Street had himself a day with five receptions for 103 yards and a scoring catch. Jefferson added five grabs for 34 yards and a touchdown. Jacious Clark and Wesley Bowers tallied seven and six sacks, respectively.

For the Rattlers, Powell finished nine of 11 for 143 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for 45 yards and a score. Meyler went six of nine for 63 yards and a touchdown. Bruce hauled in three passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. Clarke scored a touchdown on the ground and another through the air, and Brown had a rushing score to go with his game-opening kickoff return for touchdown. Doubs led the Rattlers defense with five tackles and two interceptions. Decius added two interceptions, while Jaylon Bass and John Pius each recorded a sack. Cook hit both of his field goal tries, went a perfect seven of seven on his extra point attempts and nailed a trio of deuces.

Arizona accumulated 296 yards of total offense compared to 165 for New Mexico. The Rattlers had 212 of its yards through the air and another 84 on the ground. The Chupacabras struggled on the ground, finishing with negative 22 yards, but came through with 187 yards through the air. The Rattlers were penalized 11 times for 60 yards, and the Chupacabras a trio of times for 20 yards.

It was the first-ever game between the teams since the Chupacabras entered the league this season. The Rattlers were a perfect 10-0 against New Mexico's predecessors, the Duke City Gladiators. The Chupacabras will visit the Rattlers on June 27. 

Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be available on the IFL's broadcast and streaming platforms. Sports Coast to Coast will present previews of those, and all, games this season. Those previews will be posted on the board of the home team in each game on the site.